A CORONER said the death of a Weymouth teenager who contracted a virus which led to glandular fever and sepsis was 'an extremely tragic and rare death', an inquest heard.

But the coroner concluded the care Toby James Hudson received did not contribute to his death.

The inquest had heard on its first day that Toby had called a GP surgery 25 times to try and get an appointment after becoming ill, and he did not receive medical care until two days' later.

University student Toby, aged 19, of Belfield Park Drive, died on July 4, 2019 after being rushed to Dorset County Hospital when his condition deteriorated.

Read more: Day one - Inquest hears teenager 'rang GP on multiple occasions but could not get through' 

Coroner Rachael Griffin recorded a verdict that Toby died of natural causes after he contracted Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) - causing glandular fever and which led to sepsis. This caused multiple organ failure.

At the inquest his dad Peter Hudson said Toby was 'a wonderful son, friend to many, very popular, and a brave man'.

Mr Hudson said: "He loved the outdoors and surfing.

"He was in good health before his death and was very happy."

Dorset Echo: Toby James Hudson, 19, was studying at the University of SouthamptonToby James Hudson, 19, was studying at the University of Southampton

The inquest heard how on June 29, 2019 Toby started to feel unwell with a cough and flu. A day later his family said his neck was swollen.

On July 1, Toby called Wyke Regis & Lanehouse Medical Practice 25 times after becoming ill with flu symptoms and a severe swollen neck but could not get through. The problem with the telephone system has since been addressed.

He rang the surgery the following day a 'number of times' before being given a morning appointment at the urgent care centre in Weymouth Community Hospital on July 3.

Toby - who was suffering from a 'severe' swollen neck - had been assessed by a nurse at the urgent care centre in Weymouth Community Hospital. She did not check his respiratory or blood pressure because she felt it was ‘not needed’ and prescribed penicillin antibiotics after diagnosing tonsillitis, the inquest heard.

Read more: Inquest hears teenager 'should have been seen by a doctor'

Dr David Markham, who specialises in A&E at Dorset County Hospital, said it was 'poor practice' blood pressure and respiratory rate were not checked [at the urgent care appointment] on such a young man. Dr Markham said Toby 'should not have been given antibiotics' because he would have scored a 'two' on a scoring system, which is below the level where a patient should receive the medicine.

Clinical manager for urgent care service for South Western Ambulance Michael Burns said a call was made by Peter Hudson at 6.38pm on July 4 that Toby was 'grey in colour'.

Mr Burns said this was a 'red flag missed' and was a 'sepsis marker'.

At around 7.31pm a category one ambulance was called to the teenager's home, arriving at 7.40pm - and setting off to Dorset County Hospital at 8.05pm.

At 8.12pm, on route to Dorset County Hospital, Toby went into respiratory arrest and the ambulance performed an emergency stop at Spa Road in Weymouth.

Dorset Echo: Toby went into cardiac arrest on Spa Road at 8.25pm on July 4Toby went into cardiac arrest on Spa Road at 8.25pm on July 4

The inquest heard how staff caring for Toby at that time called for back up.

Paramedic Gemma Chapman, who was leading the ambulance crew's review of the incident, said a second ambulance was sent to Toby's home address, while the patient's ambulance had already set off. The inquest concluded this was a 'human error' and did not contribute to the teenager's death as he was already receiving care.

At 8.25pm Toby went into cardiac arrest.

The second ambulance and an operations officer Matt Care arrived in Spa Road at 8.28pm, before the ambulance set off again.

The ambulance stopped again at a layby in Winterborne Monkton at 8.40pm so more treatment could be given.

Toby arrived at hospital at 8.46pm, where he was taken to theatre and suffered three cardiac arrests.

Toby died at 11.20pm.

Senior coroner Mrs Griffin said: "On the balance of probability the care received in the lead up to - and on the day of - his death did not contribute to Toby's death.

"He died of natural causes after contracting EBV.

"EBV is a common virus affecting the younger population.

"On this occasion it caused mononucleosis (glandular fever), which led to sepsis, a ruptured spleen and multiple organ failure."

The inquest heard how the glandular fever caused Toby's spleen to enlarge (splenomegaly) before rupturing.

Dr Markham, who cared for Toby after he arrived at hospital, said to die of an enlarged ruptured spleen caused by EBV was an 'extremely rare occurrence' for a 19-year-old, but that on the balance of probability it was what caused Toby's death.

"This is an extremely tragic and rare death," concluded Mrs Griffin.