Rhys' Story
Every so often, a personal story emerges that vividly illustrates the vital importance of immunisation. Today, we share one such story, made possible by the incredible bravery of Rhys and his mum, Lindy.
Many people don't realise that #shingles, a condition causing painful rashes and nerve pain, is actually caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox. After someone recovers from chickenpox, the virus stays dormant in their body and can reactivate years later as shingles. This is what happened to 11-year-old Rhys, an Australian boy whose family currently resides in France.
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Fighting pneumococcal disease: A mother’s vigilance leads to a life-saving diagnosis
Shiva Motlagh-Elbakri's nightmare began in June 2022 when she took her four-month-old daughter, Mytilini, to the hospital with grave concerns.
Mytilini had been recovering from a prolonged bout of RSV when she suddenly seemed unwell again. She became extremely irritable, developed high fevers, and would arch her back and stiffen whenever her mother tried to place her in the pram or change her nappy.
Shiva, a former medical interpreter, recognised these as telltale signs of meningitis.
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A life cut short: Baby Mabel’s pneumococcal fight
Despite initial assessments suggesting a stomach bug, her health rapidly declined. Within days, Mabel was diagnosed with pneumococcal meningitis, which had caused severe damage to her brain.
After a week of intensive care, her parents faced the unimaginable decision to remove her from life support, and she passed away on 22 September.
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Heidi's Story
In late August 2024, 52-year-old Heidi Duckworth faced an unexpected health scare. A busy professional, Heidi had always prioritised her health, but as fatigue set in she began scheduling rest breaks during her workday.
“I told my partner I just didn’t feel right,” she recalled.
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Deborah's Story
In a quiet Adelaide suburb, Deborah Smith, a 72-year-old retired nurse, finds herself battling the lingering effects of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) six years after the infection.
As a former nurse, Deborah was no stranger to health challenges. However, nothing could have prepared her for the debilitating impact of severe RSV.
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The sickest baby in the hospital
In June 2022, mother-of-three Kellie Damon noticed her 13-month son Owen was unusually quiet and still.
For a baby who was always on the go, Kellie was concerned, especially when she noticed how pale he looked. Something wasn’t right.
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Do not underestimate RSV
When Marie Compagnon bought home newborn Elio during the height of the COVID pandemic in 2020, the family did what they could to protect him.
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Rebel's Story
Santanna’s second child Rebel was only four weeks old when she caught RSV from her two-year-old brother in July 2023.
By day three of cold-like symptoms, baby Rebel took a turn for the worse and was rushed to Monash Children’s Hospital.
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RSV made COVID feel a walk in the park
The source of the virus a mystery, baby Flynn started exhibiting classic cold-like symptoms including a runny nose and slight cough. After two days, when Flynn’s cough had deteriorated to alarming bouts of breath-holding, Kiara became very worried.
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An RSV warning to people with asthma
Lisa Loader from Adelaide is on a mission to raise awareness of RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) after experiencing a terrifying ordeal that left her battling for life.
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Lyn’s Story
For some Whooping Cough (pertussis) can be a persistent cough that lingers for months but for others it is a life altering illness and can sadly, prove fatal.
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Kaya Luna’s Story – Meningococcal Meningitis
For eight years, tears marked Kaya's birthdays. Meningitis altered her life forever, but resilience, love, and determination painted a vibrant new journey.
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Riley’s Story
Catherine Hughes AM, along with her husband Greg Hughes, are founders of the Immunisation Foundation of Australia and ‘Light for Riley’ campaign. They share Riley’s story in the hopes that no more children may needlessly suffer and die from whooping cough.
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Tim’s Story
Timothy Britten CV is a senior sergeant in the Western Australia Police Force. After his heroic actions in the immediate aftermath of the 2002 Bali bombings, Timothy was awarded the Cross of Valour, making him Australia’s highest-decorated police officer. As an ambassador for the Immunisation Foundation of Australia, Tim has shared his debilitating experience with whooping cough, shining a light on the importance of adult boosters.
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Heidi’s Story
Heidi lives in Northern NSW, where vaccination rates are low and outbreaks of disease like whooping cough are common. An experienced paramedic and owner of a First Aid business, Heidi became a passionate advocate for immunisation in her local community after a traumatic experience of whooping cough whilst pregnant.
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Blake’s Story
Broome Mum Naomi bravely shares a story very close to heart – the story of her son Blake, who’s death from whooping cough left the family shattered.
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Greg’s Story
Greg was a busy and active man in his fifties, working full time to deliver milk. His partner Val shares with us his story, and the devastating impact whooping cough has had on his life.
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Ana’s Story
One day, around ten years ago, my Mum contracted whooping cough when she was visiting a childcare centre for work. Concerned about how sick she was feeling, she saw a doctor who reassured her that it was just a cold. She continued to cough and cough, so a month later returned to the GP who tested her.
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Margaret McMahon: How a common yet unpredictable virus led me to ICU
In April 2023, 68-year-old Margaret McMahon started to feel a little unwell but brushed it off to simply being rundown.
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Little Harper: We’ll be keeping a close eye on her this winter
It was last winter, and Harper had the sniffles and a cough. Karl and I assumed she just had a bit of a cold. But within hours, she became very sick.
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