A young dancer died after suffering an extremely rare reaction to a common bug.

Emma Wilkinson, 19, died less than two weeks after falling sick with the Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV), which lies dormant in most people.

The bug can cause glandular fever in patients, or mild flu-like symptoms.

But Emma's mum has told how the bug triggered multiple organ failure in her daughter just 13 days after she was admitted to Tameside Hospital.

Doctors initially thought Emma, from York Street, Denton, might have gastroenteritis but she underwent a series of tests and the results were examined by doctors from hospitals across Greater Manchester.

The bug was identified by experts at Manchester Royal Infirmary.

But six days later, on 9 July, Emma died in Tameside Hospital after suffering the extreme reaction.

Her devastated parents were told she had been extremely unlucky to lose her life.

Emma's mum Tracey said she had lost a bright, bubbly daughter and paid tribute to the nurses at Tameside Hospital's intensive care unit.

"Emma was always happy and smiling," she said.

"She was a gentle soul who has left an enormous amount of love behind.

"I'd like to thank the nurses at Tameside and all our friends and family for their support."

The EBV virus is one of the most common viruses to affect humans.

Experts believe 90 per cent of adults are infected with the bug, which usually lies dormant in the body.

Emma, who had studied hairdressing, quit to follow her dream of becoming a dance teacher.

She had regularly danced in theatres as part of Stockport-based Arlette Muldoon School of Dance, most recently at Blackpool Opera House in May.

She had performed ballet, tap and street dance since she was six and was planning to become a dance teacher.

Her friend Joanne Loughman, who danced with her at the school, said Emma was due to be in a show shortly before she died, but became ill during rehearsals.

She said: "Emma was a bright, happy, bubbly young girl, really friendly and had a great outlook on life.

"She was always smiling. Dancing was her life, she was a very talented dancer.

"Emma could pull a costume out of her bag all crumpled but she'd put it on and she'd look fabulous.

"I used to think that was amazing - she could look good in anything you gave her.

"Her life would have been interesting if it hadn't been cut so short.

"She was a determined person who wouldn't just sit there - she would

definitely have gone for her dreams."

A funeral was held for Emma at St Lawrence's Church, Denton and Stockport Crematorium (on July 21), where all the mourners wore bright colours in her memory.

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