A moving photograph of a naked man cradling his sick son in the shower has gone viral in spite of being repeatedly taken down from Facebook.

The image shows Thomas Whitten from Tucson, Arizona sitting in the shower holding his naked son, Fox, who was suffering from diarrhoea and vomiting which doctors later diagnosed as salmonella.

Thomas had taken Fox into the shower in an attempt to cool him down and clean him up.

We’ll tell you what’s true. You can form your own view. From 15p €0.18 $0.18 $0.27 a day, more exclusives, analysis and extras.

The picture quickly became popular among parents garnering more than 31,000 shares and over 132,000 reactions.

It was taken down a number of times by Facebook, apparently due to it violating the social network's nudity policy.

The image was taken by Thomas' wife, photographer Heather Whitten who said in a Facebook post: "As I sat in the shower with the two of them I was just overwhelmed with the scene in front of me.

"This man. This husband and partner and father. He was so patient and so loving and so strong with our tiny son in his lap.

"His whispers of reassurance to Fox, that he would be ok and that Thomas would take care of him were so steady and so honest."

Shape Created with Sketch. Facebook's brand new office in Singapore Show all 10 left Created with Sketch. right Created with Sketch. Shape Created with Sketch. Facebook's brand new office in Singapore 1/10 A mural from local artist Justin Lee CK blending East and West. Facebook 2/10 Visitors can leave a message on the 'Write-Something-Wall' Facebook 3/10 Sign in here Facebook 4/10 The library space Facebook 5/10 Teach gear vending machine where employees can tap their tags and get what they need in case they forgot to bring their equipment at the office. Facebook 6/10 An internal staircase, adorned with acrylic confetti by Singapore designer Dawn Ng, connects the four floors comprising the Singapore HQ Facebook 7/10 Relax at the game corner Facebook 8/10 The hangout area, use your break to try the Instagram Anti gravity booth or the Facebook mahjong Facebook 9/10 The Instagram "gravity booth" that Facebook set at the hangout area for the athletes at the Southeast Asian Games that was held in 2015. The booth's furniture is set at a 90-degree angle rotated left, turn the picture to the right and it will look like you are floating. Facebook 10/10 Drink in the beer garden anyone ? 1/10 A mural from local artist Justin Lee CK blending East and West. Facebook 2/10 Visitors can leave a message on the 'Write-Something-Wall' Facebook 3/10 Sign in here Facebook 4/10 The library space Facebook 5/10 Teach gear vending machine where employees can tap their tags and get what they need in case they forgot to bring their equipment at the office. Facebook 6/10 An internal staircase, adorned with acrylic confetti by Singapore designer Dawn Ng, connects the four floors comprising the Singapore HQ Facebook 7/10 Relax at the game corner Facebook 8/10 The hangout area, use your break to try the Instagram Anti gravity booth or the Facebook mahjong Facebook 9/10 The Instagram "gravity booth" that Facebook set at the hangout area for the athletes at the Southeast Asian Games that was held in 2015. The booth's furniture is set at a 90-degree angle rotated left, turn the picture to the right and it will look like you are floating. Facebook 10/10 Drink in the beer garden anyone ?

The mother-of-four added: "There is nothing sexual or exploitative about this image.

"There aren't even any 'private parts' showing.

"And, I hope that one day there will be a platform that not only allows this kind of freedom for families and artists like my own... but, welcomes them without fear."

The Independent has contacted Facebook for a comment.

We’ll tell you what’s true. You can form your own view.

At The Independent, no one tells us what to write. That’s why, in an era of political lies and Brexit bias, more readers are turning to an independent source. Subscribe from just 15p a day for extra exclusives, events and ebooks – all with no ads.

Subscribe now