Local News

MRSA "Superbug" Claims Life Of Another Texas Teen

FORT WORTH (CBS 11 News) ― Vance McGaugh was a normal healthy teenager. As his parents stood by his side at Cook Children's Medical Center, they kept expecting him to pull through.

But that didn't happen. By the time he made it the hospital it was too late. Now his parents hope his story will save others from the "superbug" MRSA.

"It still feels like a nightmare, and I can't wake up," said Missy McGaugh, Vance's mother. "He was part of my soul and now part of my soul is gone."

The 14-year-old first complained of feeling achy and tired in class at Young Junior High School in Arlington on Friday, March 7. His fever jumped to 103, and on Sunday Vance's parents took him to a clinic.

"They didn't do a nasal swab. They didn't do a throat swab. They didn't take any blood," said Missy.

The McGaugh's say the doctor didn't order any tests. She just sent Vance home with antibiotics, but the seventh grader didn't get any better. His fever would go up and down and by Tuesday he couldn't even walk.

"He would make it to the bathroom, but couldn't get up because he was too tired," said Missy.

The McGaugh's took Vance back to the clinic. "She said he looked yellow," she said.

Then they took him to Cook Children's Medical Center in Forth Worth. But by that time he had already gone into shock and he died 12 hours later.

"His heart couldn't take it anymore. He had been struggling to breathe for hours," Missy said.

The preliminary autopsy results and blood work showed Vance died of the staph infection MRSA that is resistant to normal antibiotics.

The McGaughs think if tests had been done sooner, their talented artist who loved to make people laugh might still be alive today. That's why they have this advice for other parents.

"Demand they do a test. Demand they take blood," Missy said.

It's unknown where Vance got MRSA. The superbug can be picked up anywhere from a locker room to a telephone. If MRSA is caught early, it can usually be treated successfully with special antibiotics.

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