Hopes Australian trial could offer cure for common, deadly infection

A mega-dose of vitamin C could help cure a common, life-threatening infection.

A world-first trial in Australia is hoping to revolutionise the treatment of sepsis, which causes up to half of the deaths in our hospitals every year.

Mother-of-three Caroline Dingle lost both legs as her body fought to survive sepsis.

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It developed after she was struck by a bacterial infection during the birth of her third child.

"I can't remember saying it but apparently I did say that I just wanted to die because I was in so much pain," she said.

Her baby contracted the same infection but survived and is now 12.

However, Adelaide researchers hope they might now have found a "cure" — a mega-dose of Vitamin C.

Dr Mark Plummer said the 120g/day dose was "massive."

"That would be equivalent to 2500 oranges or 240 vitamin C tablets."

The giant doses of the non-toxic substance are showing significant results in the first trials.

In animals they can reverse organ damage and save lives.

The Hospital Research Foundation is now funding the next phase of the study, human trials at the University of Adelaide.

They'll take three years to complete, but if successful, they could mean many more years of good health for patients like Caroline.