Missouri teen faces long recovery from self-piercing attempt
The Associated Press
BLUE SPRINGS, Mo. --
A Kansas City-area teenager who tried to pierce his lip with a needle from a first-aid kit ended up with a staph infection that almost killed him.
Zeke Wheeler of Blue Springs is recovering at Children's Mercy Hospital after several surgeries on his knees and hips to remove the drug-resistant infection called MRSA (MUHR'-suh).
Now the 15-year-old high school freshman faces heart surgery, more hospitalization and a long course of antibiotics.
The boy's father - John Wheeler - said Wednesday that the boy was at home ill with flu and bronchitis on April 8 and tried to pierce his lower lip. A week later the boy felt feverish and went to an emergency room, where he was diagnosed with a viral infection.
Not until he was at Children's Mercy was he found to have MRSA.
Information from: The Kansas City Star: http://www.kansascity.com
