'I got MRSA from an abscess'

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Louise O'Connell, 36, from London spent nearly a week in hospital with MRSA

I'd been feeling unwell for about a week and had an abscess under my arm. I thought I was probably just run down but I went to the doctor anyway. He said the abscess was infected and took a blood test and a swab - I thought nothing of it.

He phoned two days later and said, 'I'm sorry to tell you that you have MRSA.' I fell to the floor and became hysterical. I couldn't believe what he was saying, I thought I'm either going to die or end up like Lesley Ash but without the £10 million payout!

I was admitted to hospital straight away. I was still in shock and swinging between tearful hysterics and shocked silence. The nurses took more tests and put me in a private room. I was in isolation and was told that I couldn't mix with any of the patients.

I spent the night awake in my room wondering what was going on, what was going to happen to me. I was really scared.

- What happened in hospital with my MRSA

By Louise O'Connell