A BOLTON teenager came within "five minutes" of death when he was struck down by the killer strain of meningitis on the last day of his family holiday in Tenerife.

Gerald McWhinnie, 17, fought back to health on the sunshine island, after doctors had told his parents to prepare for the worst.

And today the brave student, a former pupil at St Joseph's School, was described as a "walking miracle" by his mother, whose own prompt action saved her son's life.

Mrs Barbara McWhinnie raised the alarm after carrying out the "glass test" on a rash which had suddenly appeared on Gerald's body.

She explained: "We were on the last day of our holiday when Gerald appeared in my room late at night. It was late and I told him it would be a heat rash and to go back to bed.

"But as soon as he shut the door behind him, I got up to have a look. I don't know what made me get up - it was as though something forced me." Barbara had seen a "glass test" carried out on GMTV, in which a glass is pressed onto the rash. If the pressure of the glass does not affect the colour of the spots, or turn them white, then there is a possibility that the patient is suffering from meningitis.

Barbara said: "I put the glass against the rash and telephoned the doctor immediately. He was taken straight to hospital for blood tests."

However, Gerald's condition quickly deteriorated and within minutes of being admitted into hospital, the Clinice San Eugenio in Las Americas, he was being wheeled as an emergency into intensive care. He was placed in a glass type tank within intensive care, where he remained, semi-conscious, fighting for his life for eight days.

Barbara said: "The first 48 hours were the worst. I was told if we had been another five minutes it could have cost him his life - that's how quickly it can act.

"I was told Gerald was critical and that the doctors could not work miracles."

However, Gerald did make a full recovery and on New Years Day, 13 days after being admitted into hospital, he returned to the family's home in Broom Way, Westhoughton, with his parents, Barbara and William.

Barbara said: "It is a miracle. He is a walking miracle."

The rest of the holiday party had been taken home on the original date by William, who had then returned to be with his wife and son. Barbara said: "When everyone in Westhoughton heard what had happened they were marvellous. I would like to thank them all for praying for Gerald at our church, the Sacred Heart. They have all been very kind.

"I would also like to thank Co-op Travel and First Choice, who were a great help.

"I am so glad we are back home. I do not think the relief has fully sunk in yet."

She added: "I do not know what made me act when I did. Most of the people I spoke to out there did not know about the glass test which it seems saved his life. The rash was all over his body and looked like big red spots, or chicken pox before they develop heads.

"To have been struck down by meningitis, and abroad, on holiday, is a nightmare, something you think would never happen to your family. But Gerald came through, to make a full recovery."

Meningitis symptoms are similar to flu, but in adults can also include vomiting, fever, headaches, stiff neck, aversion to light, drowsiness and joint pain. Babies and young children also suffer fever, possible cold hands and feet, refusing feeds or vomiting, high pitched moaning cry or whimpering, dislike of being handled and fretful, neck retraction with arching of the back, blank and staring expression, difficult to wake and lethargic, pale and blotchy complexion.

Last month a three-year-old girl from Kearsley lost her life to the illness.

In addition, a 27-year-old woman from Wigan has recently died from meningitis, while a baby, aged eight months, is currently battling against the illness in Royal Bolton Hospital.

In total 13 lives have been claimed throughout the country by the deadly strain of meningitis over the Christmas and New Year period.

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