Family left in shock as 'healthy' young mother dies after catching swine flu

Published on Wednesday 9 December 2009 22:05

A YOUNG mother has died of swine flu just a month after giving birth to her second child.

Marianne Johnston, 20, was fit and healthy according to her family, who have been left stunned at her sudden death.

Ms Johnston, from Faifley, Clydebank, contracted the virus soon after giving birth to Leon on 27 October.

But within weeks of having the child, on 29 November, Ms Johnston died, leaving behind the newborn, her one-year-old son Jay and partner William Laird, 21.

The Scottish Government has linked Ms Johnston's death to "underlying health problems" but her family have insisted the only factors involved were the normal stresses of childbirth.

Her mother Christine Johnston, 53, brother John, 27, and sister Kirsty, 29, have spoken of their devastation and are urging all pregnant women to get the swine flu vaccination.

John said: "On the Tuesday that Leon was born we were up at the hospital with her taking pictures and holding the baby and everything. Then the next Tuesday we were in intensive care being told by the doctor that she was really ill and might not pull through."

Both Ms Johnston and Leon were healthy when they were sent home to Clydebank but the new mother complained of being unwell on 2 November.

A GP attended to her and ordered Ms Johnston to go directly to A&E at the Western Infirmary in Glasgow due to her breathing difficulties.

She was transferred to heart and lung specialists at the Royal Brompton Hospital in London on 13 November.

While there Ms Johnston developed deep vein thrombosis and suffered bleeding on the brain before dying on 29 November.

Last night Christine Johnston said: "She just loved being a mum. She had a very captivating smile, she was beautiful, but she knew how to wrap me round her little finger.

"When she wanted something, she just had to smile and she would get it."

More than 400 people attended Marianne's funeral at Clydebank Crematorium on Tuesday. Mr Laird is being comforted by family and friends while looking after Jay and Leon.

Christine Johnston now wants to highlight the seriousness of the illness to encourage people to get vaccinated. She said: "The message I really want to get out there is for any pregnant women to go and get the swine flu jab."

John Johnston added: "Marianne was just a lovely person. She was so generous, and was also very quick-witted. She had some brilliant one-liners."

Figures released by the government at the start of the week confirmed the total number of deaths in Scotland at 54.