In 1983, David, the “the boy in the bubble,” underwent a bone marrow transplant operation in the hope that it could help him develop the immunity he had lacked all his life. He was born with a genetic disease, severe combined immune deficiency, (SCID). Thus, David Vetter spent his life protected, but isolated, in a sterile plastic “bubble.” The hope was that the bone marrow from his sister (four years older) would stimulate the growth of his immune system. The marrow was treated to cleanse it of germs, and was transferred in a fluid through a vein into David's bloodstream. Sadly an undetected Epstein Barr virus remained in it despite the treatment. By New Year's Day, he had a temperature of 99.5°F, indicating the onset of illness. Less than two months later, he died of Burkitt's lymphoma..« The American Experience: The Boy in the Bubble (DVD), by PBS. - book suggestion.