A MUM has revealed how her baby son almost died after catching chickenpox from his older brother.

Poorly Edward Foxall, from Peterborough, developed a rare complication of the common illness, which caused a disease to eat away at his lungs.

Just days after his first birthday, Edward was left scratching and covered in spots after catching chickenpox from older brother and best pal Alfie, three.

And while Alfie recovered quickly, parents Laura, 29, and Kieran, 28, an RAF engineer, were forced to rush their youngest to hospital when he became breathless at home three days later.

Chest X-rays revealed his right lung was filled with infected fluid and he'd developed necrotising pneumonia – a rare complication of chickenpox which was eating away at his lungs.

Little Edward spent five days fighting for his life in intensive care, leaving his parents fearing he wouldn't recover.

After a gruelling two-and-a-half weeks in hospital and five weeks on antibiotics, mum-of-two Laura is raising awareness of the common illness' rare complication.

Speaking exclusively to Fabulous Digital, she said: "The speed at which the infection took hold was terrifying.

"Edward got very low, very quickly when he was ill.

"I hit rock bottom when we were told that Edward would have to go to Addenbrookes for intensive care. That was the lowest moment. I was really upset.

The speed at which the infection took hold was terrifying

"I genuinely wasn't sure if he was going to come back.

"We might have been telling a different story if he hadn't been in hospital the night his lung filled with fluid and the infection really took hold."

Edward caught the pox on May 20 and was admitted to Peterborough City Hospital three days later.

Doctors told Laura and Kieran Edward had "most likely developed a serious bacterial infection and sepsis from the rapid onset of the infection".

Edward was intubated and rushed to Addenbrookes PICU where they drained the fluid away.

Doctors confirmed the infection was necrosis in the lung, a 'flesh-eating' disease which destroys body tissue and can enter the bloodstream.

To kill the infection and save his life, the baby boy was put on three types of IV antibiotics, one type of IV anti-viral medication and had a feeding tube.

Laura, a stay-at-home mum, said: "When he first got chicken pox, I didn't think much of it because Alfie's had cleared up quite quickly.

"I thought he'd pick them up from Alfie, but never imagined it would get bad.

I was really upset. I genuinely wasn't sure if he was going to come back

"Initially, me and Kieran didn't think it wasn't anything too serious. It was like a normal bout of chickenpox.

"On the second day, he was quite grumpy. He couldn't sleep, which was the first cause for concern, as Edward's a good little sleeper.

"After I gave him a bath on the third day, we had cuddles.

"Then I noticed that he was really tucking his tummy in to breathe – because he was struggling to breathe. I called 111 straight away.

"The first chest X-ray didn't show any signs of something more serious, but the doctor advised us to stay overnight.

"We had a second X-ray the following morning, and that's when they told us that Edward had a serious bacterial infection, which had led to sepsis."

CHICKENPOX: THE FACTS

Chickenpox is a very common illness and normally affects kids, although you can get it at any age.

It's possible to get chickenpox more than once, although it's unusual.

The spots normally get better by themselves, within a week.

Symptoms like a high temperature, aches and pains, and a loss of appetite are normal, as well as the obvious itchy skin.

You should call 111 now if:

• You're an adult and have chickenpox
• You're pregnant, have not had chickenpox before and have been near someone with it
• You have a weakened immune system and have been near someone with chickenpox
• You think your newborn baby has chickenpox

If the skin around the blisters is red, hot or painful (signs of infection), your child is dehydrated or they seem to be getting worse, please make an appointment with your GP (but let the receptionist know they are infectious).

Though most people are unlikely to get a serious infection from chickenpox, those with conditions like cancer or diabetes – or breaks in the skin – are at greater risk.

Now Edward's back to his normal self, with Laura explaining: "Luckily, he has a strong constitution and is doing well.

"He's eating properly again, and is sleeping. He's quite an independent, happy baby.

"His weight is slowly getting back to normal and he’s getting his strength back.

"He’s been incredibly lucky, and we were incredibly lucky that staff all the way through recognised there was something more serious going on."

Last week, Meghan Markle was cruelly mum-shamed by critics claiming she looks like she’s about to DROP Archie and ‘doesn’t know how to carry him’.

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