A couple's Christmas get away was turned into a nightmare by a serious bacterial infection.

On December 24 Lynne Crouch woke up in the Dominican Republic hotel she was staying in with her husband Peter feeling nauseous and dizzy.

When the Greensted Road, Loughton resident went to the reception to check-out she collapsed and was sick.

With large blotches appearing on her skin, Mrs Crouch was taken to the Punta Cana medical centre where she was diagnosed with entamoeba histolytica - a deadly infection which kills 50 million people worldwide each year.

Writing his diary by her bedside Mr Crouch explained: "Lynne does not know who I am and says she can't see, only bright lights.

"Her head drops and becomes limp. The vomiting and diarrhoea is constant.

"Lynne becomes covered in mauve blotches and I am told her health is a 'grave matter'.

"I stay with Lynne all night and watch as she can't hear or see me and I just hold her hand and wait for the morning."

When night had passed a doctor took Mrs Crouch to a large hospital in the capital Santo Domingo, with Mr Crouch following behind on a $200 taxi ride.

There her diagnoses was changed to meningococcemia, a blood disease caused by the virus associated with meningitis.

"Lynne has a different medication and looks at me and smiles," Mr Crouch added.

"I just break down as I have my Lynne back.

"Lynne knows who I am but can't hear me or talk."

With Mrs Crouch still critically ill, her husband set about arranging an air ambulance to a hospital in Miami and applying for American visas.

The helicopter arrived but before the RMT Union worker could be taken onboard the paramedics she was too weak to make the trip.

As Mrs Crouch lays immobilised and quarantined, Mr Crouch is hoping doctors in Miami can convince an airline to get her on board.

Mr Crouch said: "I am really lost and out of my depth.

"I feel so useless."

Back home the couple's friends and family are desperately waiting for updates on Mrs Crouch's condition.

Mr Crouch's brother-in-law Peter McGhee said: "Peter is really not good now.

"He is emotionally and physically worn out.

"All we can do over here is offer out emotional support."