A TAUNTON mum is warning people of the dangers of toxic shock syndrome after her 3-year-old daughter was left lifeless in her arms. 

It started as a normal day on October 29 for Kelly Batstone Jackson and her daughter Lilanna, who had the chicken pox at the time. 

Lilanna was playing with kitten Chanel when the cat caught one of her chickenpox in a scratch. 

The mark turned redder and began to grow in size - but Kelly and partner Christopher chalked it down to the pox and went to bed. 

Until Lilanna woke up in excruciating pain, and the mark had grow to the size of a £2 coin. 

Somerset County Gazette:

The scratch on Lilanna's neck. 

Mrs Batstone said: "We thought right this isn't normal, so we took her to A&E, she was fine at first but then she turned really strange. 

"She was vomitting up bile and just went completely lifeless. 

"I wondered if it could have been sepsis because not in a million years did I think it would be toxic shock, I thought that was just from using tampons."

The family were at Musgrove Park Hospital when the doctor came and took Lilanna to RESUS - that's when Kelly knew it was serious. 

"It took eight attempts for them to get the needle in her arm because her veins were collapsing," she added. 

"It was hideous. I had no idea what it could be. 

"I'm told it's quite rare but since this has happened I've been contacted by people saying they've had similar experiences. I want to increase awareness of it so no one, whatever their age, has to go through what we went through."

Kelly was told that it was bacteria that had caused such a nightmare for her daughter. The doctors could not definitely say it was because of the cat scratch but that it was possible. 

She will be working with charity TSS Aware in a bid to increase knowledge of the illness. 

The concerned mum said: "Lilanna has recovered now but the doctors said she could get it again.

"I'm on high alert all the time now. I'm so cautious with everywhere she goes and things she touches. 

"We still have the kitten but I am extra careful whenever she is around her."

Mrs Batstone praised the doctors and nurses who helped bring her back from the lifeless state. 

"The commitment from Doctor Newman was amazing. She came to see us the morning after," She added.

"How they stay so professional when parents are hysterical is beyond me. 

"I thanked her for saving Lilanna's life and she replied 'it's just my job' but it is so much more than that. They need to realise their worth." 

The symptoms of TSS start suddenly and get worse quickly.

Symptoms can include:

  • a high temperature (fever) of 39C (102.2F) or above
  • flu-like symptoms, such as a headache, chills, muscle aches, a sore throat and a cough
  • feeling and being sick
  • diarrhoea 
  • a widespread sunburn-like rash
  • the whites of the eyes, lips and tongue turning a bright red
  • dizziness or fainting
  • breathing difficulties
  • confusion
  • drowsiness