Meet 19yr old, Tom Brooks. Tom developed an infection in 2008, two years after having his
lip pierced. Sally & Rik Brooks, (Tom's Mum & Dad), contacted me after reading about Dan's
experience through the Dan Aid website, which Sally came across while she was seeking
information out, to help her understand what had happened to her son. There are many
similarities between both Tom's & Dan's experiences and Tom, Sally & Rik are hoping that
by highlighting Tom's story, they will bring an awareness about the health risks connected
with body piercing, not only to young people but also amongst health professionals too.

  Tom had a lip piercing some months prior to his illness. At the time he was working in Sainsbury's, who
insisted that he remove the piece of metal prior to working, so it was removed and re-inserted dozens
of times. It is possible that this precipitated the infection. He also had a couple of home made earrings.

We will never know which of these caused his infection, but he became ill in May last year, with a fever,
headache, pain in his limbs, rash, and generalised malaise. After trying to get help for him we took him
to a local hospital where he had a lumbar puncture, chest x ray etc. Meningitis was ruled out, so he was
admitted and put into isolation and treated with IV antibiotics. He felt very ill for some days, but eventually
recovered slightly (due to antibiotics and very strong painkillers).The doctors did not know what was wrong,
but eventually diagnosed blood poisoning. We thought he was getting better and the hospital was even
talking about sending him home, when a TOE (trans oesophageal ECG) revealed extensive damage to his
mitral valve. 

By this time we were in a helter skelter of emotions, supporting Tom, whilst feeling immensely alone
ourselves. Tom's condition of Infective Endocarditis affects no more than 3 or 4 in 100,000 of the population,
so the inevitable question one asks oneself is why us? He was  transferred to King's College Hospital
at 10.00 at night and very nearly operated on that night. The sense of being in a delirium was intense,
the fact of being bombarded with information from the doctors, feeling so bad for Tom and hating seeing
him suffer so. Every day it felt as though I were watching him being beaten up and could do nothing about it.

He had to decide whether to have a tissue valve or a metal one - it was very important that he had all 
the facts,but this was a boy who had never really had to make a decision in his life, apart from whether
to have two or three weetabixes!  He decided, against medical advice to have the tissue valve inserted.
The metal one means being on Warfarin for the rest of his life, and the possibility of strokes.
Eventually the tissue valve will deteriorate and he will be facing another operation. In addition being
on Warfarin will mean he won't be able to drink much alcohol and has to be careful of his diet.  He will also
need very regular blood tests to measure his INR ratio, possibly twice a week at first.  Warfarin also greatly
increases the risk of bleeding, particularly in the stomach and accidents become much more dangerous.

The operation was a success and Tom slowly recovered from it. He was lucky in that he was young and had
a history of good health and nutrition on his side. He was in hospital for a further three weeks fighting the
infection.The impact emotionally on us all has been immense, and I doubt we will ever get over it. Tom is 
slowly trying to get on with his life, but we live with the fear that firstly the infection could come back, as he
has had it before, secondly that he will go into heart failure and that the valve might deteriorate suddenly.

I would like to warn anyone that if they do have a piercing then please go to someone reputable,
make sure you follow sensible asceptic advice and look after the puncture site rigorously.

Sally, Tom's mum
Beautiful family photos of Rik (far left), Sally & Tom (by  the tree), at his sister Sarah's wedding, October 2008
Tom developed septicaemia (blood poisoning) several months after having his lip pierced.
Here in Sally's own words is the terribly upsetting situation that the family found themselves
in during the summer of 2008 and the way, they are all coming to terms with the devastating
consequences that will affect Tom, Sally, Rik and the whole family for the rest of their lives. 
"Your News"
Tom Brooks "The cost of a lip piercing"

Please click on the link below to hear
Tom talking about his experience on the
BBC NEWS CHANNEL