Bacterial Infection Believed the Cause of Forlano’s Illness

SHERMAN OAKS — Doctors believe a severe sinus infection caused the mysterious illness of lineman Peter Forlano of Notre Dame High, who underwent brain surgery earlier this week, the player’s father said Friday.

Forlano, 17, remains hospitalized in serious condition at St. Joseph Medical Center in Burbank, where he was admitted Oct. 7 after complaining of dizziness, blurred vision and numbness of his right arm. On Tuesday, doctors relieved pressure from the left side of Forlano’s brain.

Forlano is on a respirator and is heavily medicated, but doctors are encouraged. “I’ve been talking to all the doctors and they tell me it’s not spinal meningitis or encephalitis--which is what they originally thought,” Lou Forlano said. “It’s a bacterial infection--that’s been established. Now they’re treating him for it and he’s getting better.”

Forlano (6-feet, 200 pounds), a starting right tackle, had lost movement of his right arm. On Friday, he moved the arm and showed signs of improvement.

Notre Dame players wore a sticker bearing Forlano’s jersey number on their helmets during Friday’s Mission League opener at Serra. “We’re keeping him in our prayers before and after practice,” junior quarterback Ryan Bowne said. “We want to let Pete know he’s still part of the team.”