Facebook photo of man cradling sick son in shower repeatedly removed by social network

'There is nothing sexual or exploitative about this image. There aren't even any "private parts" showing,' says Heather Whitten

The image allegedly violated the social network's nudity policy (Getty)

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.

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."

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.