When Galway resident Owen Trill found himself struggling to go up and down the stairs, he had no idea the virus would attack his heart and he would need a heart transplant just a few weeks later.
Owen, who had a heart transplant aged just 38, said the first sign was shortness of breath but he never imagined what would happen next.
Owen said: “I had just finished work at the weekend and was feeling really unwell. I was so short of breath I struggled to even go up and down the stairs.”
Doctors told him his heart rate had dropped significantly and he needed to be rushed to Galway's local hospital.
READ MORE: 9/11 hero and former Galway student dies of cancer linked to tragic incident
Doctors discovered I had blood clots in my lungs and kidneys and that Owen was at risk of multiple organ failure, so they rushed him to Matter Hospital.
He added: “At Mattel, they told me exactly what was going on.
“My heart muscle has been infected with the virus and it's so bad that I will likely need a heart transplant.
“It was a real shock because I was only 38, but I took it in stride and decided I just had to move on.”
Despite being shocked by the news, Owen said hospital staff had been “incredibly” supportive.
He said: “The staff at the CCU and my surgeon, Professor McGuinness, were all absolutely fantastic.
“They really took good care of me and within a few weeks I was well enough to have the transplant.
“Then they found me a perfect match.”
Owen was immediately taken to hospital.
He continued: “It all started to move at 6:30 that morning.
“The transplant coordinator prepped me, took me to the operating room, and I woke up at 11:20 the next night.
Owen was told the transplant went extremely well and that he was recovering rapidly.
The hospital's physical therapists got Owen out of bed and standing the day after his surgery, and from there he made a huge improvement.
He continued: “The staff at Matter Hospital told me I would be in hospital for six weeks after the transplant, but I ended up being discharged after just over two weeks. I was eager to get better and go home.”
He added: “I just wanted my life back.”
“My goal was to walk out of the hospital on my own, and that's exactly what I did the day my brother picked me up.”
Since undergoing surgery, Owen has made great strides in his recovery and is once again able to enjoy his favourite hobbies.
He said: “I'm doing great now, I've got my life back and I've resumed what I love – fishing and fly fishing. Six weeks after the transplant I was fly fishing again and within 13 weeks I was fishing again.”
“I don't know anyone in the world who has been able to get back to life so quickly after a transplant. I think it's down to my determination and the fantastic care I received at Matter Hospital. It made all the difference.”
The Matter Public Hospital is Ireland's national centre for heart and lung transplantation.
Read more: “It makes sense in Galway but I'll never understand it.”
Read more: Police and emergency services rush to scene as Irish school catches fire
To receive the latest news directly to your email, sign up for our newsletter here.
