10/8/05
VICTIMS of a tap water bug have today spoken of their horrific battles against the gut-wrenching infection.
People across our communities have been struck down by a widespread outbreak of the parasite cryptosporidium.
The bug which causes severe upset stomachs is believed to have come from the River Itchen, which has treated sewage flowing into it.
Water chiefs have closed the treatment plant as a precaution, but say there could be other explanations.
Madeline Phillips, 28, of Geoffrey Avenue, Widley, thought her 20-month-old son George had a regular stomach bug until his health deteriorated three weeks ago.
She said: 'He started off just being sick and having a bit of diarrhoea and I thought he was just poorly with some kind of virus.
'But he got worse and worse and developed a fever. He wouldn't eat and got really restless.
'I took him to the doctors and they did some tests. I was horrified when they told me he had been infected by this parasite.'
To add to Mrs Phillips' worries she is currently six months pregnant and fears that catching the bug herself could cause problems for her unborn child.
South Downs College hairdressing student Jodie Chahal, 17, of Beresford, Waterlooville, has also been suffering from vomiting and diarrhoea for about two weeks.
She said: 'It was so violent that I was in tears at times, the pain was so bad.'
At Leesland Infant School in Gosport, staff have been following the advice of health experts and boiling water for the children.
Dr Ian Blair, director of Hampshire's Health Protection Unit, yesterday said the disease was 'unpleasant but not catastrophic' for the vast majority of people.
