Infection killing tourist

Sister Kim Stone and other family members are constantly at Tayla Storm's bedside. Photo / Supplied

A South African tourist who came to New Zealand to visit family and explore a new country is lying near death in hospital, after suffering a rare reaction to a common infection.

Tayla Storm was touring the North Island when she felt an odd feeling in her right thigh on April 19.

That night, she realised something was "horribly wrong" and was rushed to North Shore Hospital, where doctors discovered her entire system was being overwhelmed with sepsis (blood poisoning) caused by an infection.

Within hours, the 28-year-old had suffered massive organ failure. Her family were called and told her chances of survival were slim.

She was transferred to Auckland City Hospital and connected to a heart/lung machine and advanced life support. Doctors said Ms Storm had contracted a staphylococcus aureus infection, a common but potentially lethal bacterial illness.

Ms Storm had never been overseas before, and couldn't wait to fly here to meet her new nephew Thomas.

After arriving in March, she spent six weeks splitting her time between relatives and visiting tourist spots, including Goat Island near Warkworth, where she snorkelled with fish.

The childcare student captured her special moments on film, and many of the photos are now on the wall of her hospital room.

Ms Storm has been fighting the infection for more than two and a half months, defying specialists who had said she would probably have to have her legs amputated and, if she did survive, would be on a respirator for life.

Last week, she was feeling well enough to wheel herself around in a chair and was talking to doctors about a rehabilitation plan and the possibility of being home before Christmas.

She spoke about how grateful she was for the care she had received - something her Auckland-based sister, Kim Stone, says she would never have received in South Africa.

"If she had gotten sick in South Africa she would not have seen a doctor without putting money down first - she would have died in the waiting room. It's no joke," said Mrs Stone.

"It floored us as a family that nobody [here] even asked us questions about money. They cared for her first."

However, this week, things took a turn for the worst when the infection returned. Because of Ms Storm's weakened immunity, there is little doctors can now do and she has been moved into palliative care where her family are maintaining a vigil.

"She is fighting. She is very, very strong, but I don't know what reserves she has left," said Mrs Stone.

The family are again preparing for the worst but want to help Ms Storm fulfil her wish to pay for her extensive medical bills so she doesn't leave a debt in a country she has fallen in love with.

It may seem like a strange last request but it's one Ms Storm was passionate about in the past weeks before her condition deteriorated.

Mrs Stone said her sister was typical of many young travellers - she never thought she'd need travel insurance, so has no cover for the $280,000 bill she has incurred. "She really wants to give back to the hospital."

* Donations can be made to the BNZ Tayla Storm Appeal Account, 02-0108-0163899-000.

STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS
* A germ which 20 per cent of the population carry on their skin, most without getting sick.
* If the skin is punctured or broken, the bacteria can enter the body and cause infections which can lead to serious health problems.
* Can be fatal in some cases.