Video
Voiceover: Eight year old Charlotte from Suffolk’s been suffering from a common viral infection that’s been getting out of control. She’s brought her mum Sophia to get some answers.
Sophia: They’re incredibly sore when she walks and they’re ugly. They keep her awake at night and we’d like some help.
Dr Christian: So Charlotte, you have a problem with your feet don’t you?
Charlotte: Yes.
Dr Christian: Tell me a bit about it.
Charlotte: Well I’ve had verrucas for two years.
Dr Christian: Verrucas, OK. For two years? Why are they giving you problems?
Charlotte: Because they hurt all the time and I can’t go on sleepovers and things with my friends.
Dr Christian: Why not?
Charlotte: Because I get embarrassed.
Dr Christian: Why do you get embarrassed if you have verrucas?
Charlotte: Because I don’t like people seeing them.
Dr Christian: Why are they not going?
Sophia: I don’t know why. My other three children occasionally pick one or two up and I use a normal over the counter treatment and they disappear but nothing at all works on Charlotte.
Dr Christian: Goodness me. I am absolutely shocked by that. I have never seen verrucas as bad as that in my life. I mean you have tears in your eyes when you see them.
Sophia: My husband and I often cry at night when she’s in bed because we’re just helpless. We don’t know what to do.
Dr Christian: This is a very, very abnormal reaction to what is actually a very common virus that lots of us get, lots of kids get. In most people their immune system tackles it and deals with it and it disappears. But in you, you’re not doing that are you? It’s not happening. Have you ever checked her immune system?
Sophia: No.
Dr Christian: Have you ever done blood tests and made sure she’s got normal immunity?
Sophia: No.
Dr Christian: I think it might be a really good idea. First of all to check she’s got all of the normal immune cells because this is a virus that’s winning and we need to work out why.
Dr Christian: That was probably the most shocking case I have seen in a long time. My big concern is that there could be actually a problem with her immune system as well. So, I want to check that first. If it’s all normal, great, we can go ahead and deal with these warts and absolutely tackle them head on. If there’s a problem with her immune system then we’ll have to look at things from a slightly different point of view.
In this video we see Charlotte’s first consultation with Dr Christian, where he first suspects that the verrucas might be a sign of a much bigger problem. Instead of trying to treat the verrucas, Dr Christian recommends that Charlotte be sent for tests on her immune system to try and see why this very common infection was not being fought off by Charlotte’s immune system.
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Im in Australia and watching Charlottes follow up episode now. Kudos to all of the medical staff,her wonderful family and of course Lotte. Wishing the Wilson family a bright and happy future.xxx
I am an Australian too, and we just finished watching the story of Charlotte and her wonderful family. It brought me to tears on many occasion as we followed the journey of the Wilson Family. I am in ore of Charlotte's courage through a difficult and painful treatment. She showed immense strength, bravery and patience. Her mother and father are amazing role models to parents; you have raised four kind hearted and loving children. Our warmest regards for a healthy and bright future to you all.
I am glad to hear that Charlotte is doing really well. My daughter was diagnosed with a neutrophil deficiency at 8 months old which they said would get better, it seems to be getting worse and she is now on constant antibiotics to prevent infections, we are waiting to see what the next year brings, as if things dont improve we will be going down the road that Charlotte and her family are currently travelling down, so I found this particular story very informative and interesting and would like to thank Charlotte and her parents for sharing their story xx
What an inspiring family! Have an appointment to give blood tomorrow which I should have been doing before anyway. Apparently I need to donate blood before I can be entered onto the bone marrow register. The courage of Charlotte and particularly her little sister spurred me to become a donor and hopefully help as she did.
Is it ok to donate bone marrow if you have depression? I am on 30mg of citalopram daily to help with mood levels. I read the criteria and I worry I might not be quite right as its a long term problem. I've hard it since I was young and believe it to be hereditary from my mothers side. I am already on the organ donor registration and willing to give blood etc. For me it makes me feel good knowing I can help others and would hate for my depression to stop me. I also smoke and I have been told this stops you from donating, like blood, and I really want to. Is it true?
i think i mite have lottes thing as i have also got vercus and i also have had a sore throat for a year now im having blood taken from me tomoz to see if my immune system has got the rite stuff in
I watched the episode in 2008 about Charlotte and have always wondered how the young girl was. I was so pleased to see the follow on episode about her and am so pleased she is on the mend. All my best wishes to brave Charlotte and her family.
I was so moved by Charlotte's story and thought that she and her family were incredibly brave and strong. I hope that you are feeling much better Charlotte, lots of love to you and your family x
Charlotte must be a very brave girl to go through all of this... If I had verucas that bad I wouldn't be as brave as she was... Well done Charlotte!
I saw Charlottes story today on TV. I had tears in my eyes constantly. Such a brave girl, and a brave family. I really hope all is well and you all have a very happy future. x
Charlotte's story is amazing. I have watched it twice now and still cry. Excellent result and an excellent family. I admire you.