A mum of two has urged parents to be aware of mottled skin and sickness after her baby was treated in hospital for Covid-19.

Myer Rudelhoff spent three days in Basildon hospital with her five-month-old son after his skin went patchy and he was unwell with a fever.

The 27-year-old said she had felt anxious to take George to the hospital when he fell unwell on New Year’s Eve – but is now encouraging parents of young babies to not be worried like she was and to seek medical advice by calling 111.

Mrs Rudelhoff said: “It’s really important to take Covid seriously. This virus is real and can affect the young and the old. Even though I followed the government guidelines and didn’t mix with family and friends, my baby has still managed to be affected.

“I urge parents not to be frightened by the current lockdown and situation in hospitals. George got the right assistance at the right time.”

Recognised Covid symptoms in children are a fever, cough and loss of smell or taste although some researchers say diarrhoea, vomiting and abdominal cramps can also be a sign of the virus.

Mrs Rudelhoff presumed her son didn’t have Covid as he didn’t have a cough, although he developed a mild one a few days later while at the hospital.

She praised hospital nurses for their support.

Mrs Rudelhoff added: “I can’t thank the staff at Basildon Hospital enough.

"Even through a pandemic they were able to see George really quickly and diagnose that had Covid, meaning they could start the right treatment for him. They really supported George and me through a difficult and scary time.”

George is now home with his family recovering from the virus and will enjoy lockdown playing with his five-year-old brother.

Dr Kilali Ominu-Evbota, Paediatric Consultant at Basildon Hospital, said: “It's great to hear that George is now back home and on the road to recovery. We wish him and his family all the best.

“George's family did the right thing, and we encourage parents to seek medical advice from their GP or via the NHS 111 service in order to get the correct treatment for their child."