Child Falls Into Coma After Tummy Bug Symptoms

A 13-year-old girl from Nelson, Lancashire, has recovered from a two-week coma after a condition initially suspected to be a stomach bug developed into life-threatening sepsis.

Felicity-Jo Rowlett-Howes was first admitted to Royal Blackburn Teaching Hospital in early February 2026 after experiencing severe abdominal cramps and vomiting. At the time, medical staff suspected she was suffering from gastroenteritis or a common stomach bug.

After receiving fluids to treat dehydration, her pain eased and she was discharged the following day. However, she later entered septic shock and was admitted to intensive care on March 15, 2026.

Medical investigations revealed that undiagnosed congenital scarring in her bowel had led to the severe complications. Her mother, Natalie-Anne Rowlett, has since warned others about the speed at which the condition can progress.

Sepsis develops so quickly and I want others to be aware. I know she’ll come through. She’s a fighter,

Natalie-Anne Rowlett

Understanding Sepsis and Misdiagnosis

According to the NHS, sepsis is a life-threatening reaction to an infection. It occurs when the body’s immune system overreacts to an infection, resulting in damage to the body’s own organs and tissues.

The case of Felicity-Jo Rowlett-Howes highlights the challenges of early diagnosis when symptoms mimic common gastrointestinal illnesses. While many children experience vomiting and abdominal pain due to norovirus, these same symptoms can mask more severe underlying issues.

Norovirus is a highly contagious virus and a leading cause of vomiting, diarrhea and food poisoning in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). There is no cure for norovirus, and treatment typically focuses on rest and the prevention of dehydration.

Other Severe Complications Linked to Gastrointestinal Symptoms

Other reported cases illustrate how symptoms appearing as a stomach bug can be linked to different critical health events.

• A five-year-old boy named Jude Platts died on December 31, 2025, after initial symptoms of vomiting were attributed to a stomach bug. He later suffered seizures and was diagnosed via MRI with streptococcal pneumonia meningitis, which caused fatal brain swelling.
• A two-year-old boy suffered a stroke resulting from dehydration caused by a stomach bug, a case doctors described as one in a billion.

In the case of Jude Platts, his family noted that he did not have a fever when the vomiting began, which contributed to the initial belief that it was a simple stomach bug before he suffered a seizure and became paralyzed on the left side of his body.

Clinical Context of Norovirus

Norovirus is common in school and daycare settings because it spreads quickly through contaminated food or contact with an infected person. It causes swelling in the stomach and intestines, leading to sudden and severe vomiting and diarrhea.

Symptoms typically appear between several hours and two days after exposure. While most cases are managed at home with fluids and soft foods, the progression of symptoms toward septic shock or neurological distress indicates a more severe systemic reaction or a different underlying pathology.

Felicity-Jo Rowlett-Howes has since taken her first steps while remaining on an intensive care ward as she continues her recovery.