Newbridge mother praying for her young son and hoping that other parents heed her warning

Newbridge mother Sarah Cummins is warning fellow parents to get their children the vaccination which prevents chicken pox, following the case of cellulitis which has infected her two-and-a-half year-old son Louie.

Sarah, who owns the Eternal Flair Hair and Beauty Salon in Newbridge, noticed spots appearing on her son over a week ago and initially thought it was just a common childhood illness. Acting on the side of caution, she brought Louie to her doctor, but was told it was just a bad case of chicken pox and that some over the counter medicine would help him.

The following evening, following cries of pain from her son, Sarah knew there was something much worse troubling Louie and she brought him to another doctor. By this time his belly had swollen quite badly and his skin had become very red, so he was rushed to hospital.

Louie is currently in the High Dependency Unit of Tallaght Children's Hospital and is being fed through tubes and being treated by two different antibiotics and doses of morphine. Doctors have described Louie's condition as one of the worst cases of Cellulitis the hospital has ever seen and he now has a tough fight ahead of him.

A vaccination is available to prevent such outbreaks of chicken pox, although it is not widely known, and Sarah is appealing to all parents to get their children vaccinated. The shot costs a massive €250 however, although Sarah feels it should be free.

Such vaccinations are commonly available from all local GPs.