"Watching Jacob grow up without his dad is heartbreaking. We miss Michael every single day," said his wife, Charlotte Reynolds, 31.
She hopes their story will raise awareness of the signs of tonsillitis and the importance of seeking prompt medical attention, so no one else has to experience a similar tragedy.
An inquest in December 2023 concluded that a "missed opportunity" led to the young father's death.
On 29/11/2023, Reynolds, from Lincolnshire, sought medical advice for a sore, swollen throat and persistent cough that had lasted for three months. A general practitioner advised rest, prescribed nasal spray, and requested a chest X-ray.
However, his condition deteriorated rapidly. The following day, he returned to the clinic with worsening symptoms, including a high fever, difficulty swallowing, and a "blocked" throat. Despite inquiries about needing emergency care, a second doctor diagnosed tonsillitis and prescribed oral antibiotics.
After returning home with Charlotte, Reynolds collapsed, suffered seizures, and was rushed to the hospital. He died a few hours later, on the morning of 1/12. A post-mortem examination revealed he died from cardiac arrest due to a lack of oxygen, stemming from an upper airway obstruction caused by epiglottitis.
Epiglottitis is a serious condition in which the epiglottis, a small flap of cartilage at the base of the tongue, becomes inflamed and swollen. The epiglottis's primary function is to seal the windpipe during swallowing, preventing food and liquids from entering the airway.
At the Lincolnshire Coroner's Court, the coroner concluded that the doctor failed to give "definitive" advice for Reynolds to go to the emergency room. Medical experts testified that if he had received prompt emergency care, he could have been transferred to intensive care in time.
"This is a truly tragic case where a young father has lost his life," said Rosie Charlton, the family's lawyer. "The inquest has validated the family’s concerns regarding the events leading up to Michael’s death. Learning from this is vital to improve patient safety and prevent similar heartbreaking incidents."
Hoang Dung (Daily Mail)
