Trypanophobia: Man with needle phobia refuses jab and dies from COVID

A 51-year-old man with an irrational fear of needles loses the battle against the coronavirus after having refused the life-saving vaccine.

Trypanophobia: Man with needle phobia refuses jab and dies from COVID
© Getty/Catherine Falls Commercial
Trypanophobia: Man with needle phobia refuses jab and dies from COVID

Stewart Gilray, a big-time games developer, has tragically passed away after a short but arduous fight against COVID-19.

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An unexpected death

The man in question suffered from extreme fear of needles and, as a result, decided not to get vaccinated against the coronavirus. On 20 December, the man contracted the virus and passed away just two weeks after, despite a fairly healthy medical history. In a final post on social media, the prominent figure in the world of gaming wrote:

Well, for those that don't know yet, early last week I (and the rest of the family) tested positive for the old COVID!
The kids have been fine for the most part, but Bec and I have been hit the most, although judging from her own post on this subject she says I have, and tbh [to be honest] she's likely not wrong.

Wife, Bec, claims that her husband was a relatively healthy person and that his death came as a huge surprise. In just a week, the virus managed to severely attack his lungs, forcing the man to be hooked up to a ventilator. A few days later, he passed away. His wife explains:

Stewart had a serious fear of needles. In all seriousness, in 25 years he had one blood test. He avoided trying to go to the doctor's in case they ever needed to draw blood, but the truth is Stewart wasn't poorly in the 25 years I knew him.

And added:

He was fit - he could have lost a stone or two like the rest of us - but he genuinely believed he was going to survive this virus because he was healthy.

His wife's final plea

His wife has since come out urging Britons to get vaccinated to avoid such tragedies from happening, given the resources we now have to protect ourselves. She explains:

He wanted to retire early and spend more time with us—to be with the kids more. He had all these plans and Covid got him. Please, just get vaccinated.
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