I caught a bug on my honeymoon which left me fighting for life thanks to ‘hotel error’ – now I’m permanently disabled

A MAN nearly died on his honeymoon after catching a bug and is now permanently disabled due to a "hotel error".

Newlyweds Thomas and Natasha Coupland were enjoying the trip of a lifetime in Sorrento, Italy, before disaster struck.

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The happy couple forked out more than £1,600 for the week-long trip after they tied the knot in May last year.

But Thomas, 44, became ill on his return flight to the UK after they stayed at the Blue Atlantic Palace Hotel.

Once he arrived home, the aerospace machine operator developed flu-like symptoms and was struck down with diarrhea.

Thomas was initially diagnosed with a chest infection and prescribed antibiotics.

But Natasha, 40, raised the alarm when he dramatically deteriorated and rushed him to Northern General Hospital.

Doctors battled to bring dad-of-one's heart rate down from a concerning 214 beats per minute.

However, he suffered heart failure shortly afterwards and was admitted into intensive care fighting for his life.

Thomas was ultimately diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease and still faces challenges today.

Last August he underwent a procedure to administer an electric shock to restore a normal heart rhythm.

Legionnaires’ disease is a lung infection that can be caused by inhaling droplets of water from things like air conditioning or hot tubs.

Most people exposed to Legionella bacteria do not develop symptoms.

But as many as 15 per cent of those who do become ill suffer from severe disease, which can lead to life-threatening pneumonia.

The couple, of Sheffield, have now sought the help of lawyers to determine whether he caught the near fatal bug from the holiday resort.

He said: "This was meant to be the happiest time of our lives. Natasha and I had been looking forward to our honeymoon.

"I came home thinking I had an upset stomach and the flu, but it was terrifying how quickly everything unfolded and how close Natasha and my son were to losing me.

“A lot of people will have heard of Legionnaires’ disease, but I never realised just how serious it can be. I’m so grateful to the doctors for being able to save my life.

“Natasha and I feel we need to speak out to try and make sure other hotel guests do not go through what we have.

“It could have been so much worse, but my health is now permanently damaged. I can’t do many of the things I used to be able to before, because of my ongoing symptoms.

"One of the worst things to try and come to terms with, is trying to explain to my three-year-old son why I can no longer do all of the things that we loved doing together before my illness, such as playing sports together, football training, swimming and play fighting.

“I was lucky that before my illness, I could spend a lot of quality time with my son due to my shift patterns at work, however now we have to pay for childcare on my days off, which has been a difficult adjustment for both of us.

“Answers as to why this happened, and why my life changed, is the least we deserve.”

Thomas and nursery manager Natasha alleged the hotel didn't seem prepared for the summer holiday season and appeared to need cleaning.

They claimed there was limescale in their bathroom and black mould around the showerhead, while the pool water looked green.

The most common way Legionnaires’ disease's is transmitted is inhalation of infected water sprays, jets or mists from contaminated water sources, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Legionella bacteria can sit in showers and taps that haven't been used for a few days, which is why some experts urge holidaymakers to run taps and showers before using them.

Each year around 300 to 500 cases of Legionnaires' disease are reported in Britain, with many contracted abroad.

Around one in ten cases proves fatal.

Jennifer Hodgson, the specialist international serious injury lawyer at Irwin Mitchell representing Thomas and Natasha, said: “Thomas has been through a terrible experience and is extremely lucky to be alive.

“The impact of his illness has had a profound effect on both him, Natasha and their three-year-old son, at what should have been an exciting new chapter in their lives.

“We’ve supported many people over the years who have developed Legionnaires’ disease abroad, as well as here in the UK, yet people are often unaware of just how serious it can be.

“Legionnaires’ disease can lead to long-term health complications and in some cases can prove fatal. Thomas’ case shows just how serious it can be. If it wasn’t for the swift actions of the doctors, Thomas might not be here.

“Large buildings with more complex water systems – such as hotels – are at a greater risk of the bacteria which causes Legionnaire’s disease.

“We’re now investigating how Thomas came to contract the illness abroad, including looking at his stay at the Atlantic Palace hotel in Sorrento.

"We’re determined to provide Thomas with the answers and long-term support he needs."

Elsewhere, four people died after contracting Legionnaires' disease in Milan, in north Italy.

The outbreak began in April last year when the first case started reporting symptoms.

12 people were hospitalised and four died.

The dead were "patients over 70 years of age, affected by comorbidities", the health officials said, which put them at higher risk of serious illness.

These are the symptoms of Legionnaires' disease you should watch out for:

1. A cough
2. Difficulty breathing
3. Chest pain
4. A high temperature
5. Flu-like symptoms

You might need to go to the hospital if you're diagnosed with the bug.

You should call NHS 111 if you can't breathe properly, have chest pain or feel like you have severe flu.

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