THE DEVASTATED parents of a little girl who tragically died of an invasive Group A Strep infection have warned others of the dangers.
Vivienne Murphy, from Cork, Ireland, died in March 2019, just two weeks after complaining of a sore throat.
The child’s heartbroken parents told RTÉ's This Week programme how the tragedy unfolded on Valentine's Day 2019.
"We are just begging and pleading that parents look out for these things, don’t be submissive, and don’t ever think that you are being an overreacting parent, because you are not," Vivienne's mum, Lily Murphy said.
FLU-LIKE SYMTOMS
After picking the 10-year-old up from school, dad, Dermot Murphy noticed Vivienne was more subdued than usual.
Later that evening she began complaining of a sore throat.
Read more on Strep A
Brave boy, 6, has leg amputated after Strep A battle developed into sepsis
My little boy died of Strep A after being sent home twice by doctors
But it was only when they started to get Lily get ready for bed that they realise something serious was wrong – her body was covered in a rash.
They immediately took her to the out-of-hours GP service where a doctor told them she believed that Vivienne had a viral illness but after two days they still couldn’t keep her temperature down.
LEG PAIN
After five days, and having seen three different doctors, Vivienne's condition deteriorated further, the rash was look angry, her right leg had started to swell and she couldn't walk.
All three doctors told the parents to continue giving their daughter Nurofen and Calpol and use her inhalers.
Most read in Health
Major NHS change to how you get the Pill from next week – will it affect you?
My twin girls both have the same cancer symptoms – but only one of them is sick
I'm a doctor – here's what the shape of your poo means & when to see an expert
As Holly Willoughby reveals she's battling shingles the 4 signs you must know
Despite the advice of the three doctors, Lilly and he husband felt there was something more seriously wrong and brought Vivienne to the emergency department at Cork University Hospital on February 20, 2019.
The doctors quickly diagnosed the child with invasive Group Strep A disease, and became increasingly worried about a black mark on her leg.
BLACK MARK
Blood tests later revealed Vivienne was critically ill with sepsis – the the body's extreme response to a life-threatening infection.
And that the black mark on her leg was a deadly flesh-eating bugknown as necrotising fasciits. Her entire leg would have to be amputated to stop an infection spreading to other parts of her body.
The parents were told Vivienne would have to be taken to a children's hospital called Temple Street in Dublin for an operation.
As Vivienne's condition deteriorated, doctors decided to put her under anaesthetic.
Lilly and Dermot recall the final words she spoke before she was made unconscious.
"She said 'thank you, nurse, I'm sorry for crying. I know you're only trying to help me'," said Dermot.
"That was the dignity she had. They were her last words on this planet. She had so much empathy. The world is a sadder place without her."
SURGERY
After the operation, the parents were told by the surgeon they were forced to cut away "17 per cent" of Vivienne's body to stop the disease from spreading.
"When I heard 17 per cent… I thought when we were in Cork we would probably have got away with 1 per cent," Dermot said.
"17 per cent is burned into my brain," he added.
The disease had spread up her right leg, onto her buttocks, across her abdomen and down to part of her left leg.
But the extent of the surgery, and the disease she had battled caused her heart to stop beating, and she went into cardiac arrest – which is when the heart stops beating.
And even though doctors brought Vivienne back after her cardiac arrest, she had suffered severe brain damage and was declared brain dead.
Lilly said the decision to end her daughters life support was made because they wanted to protect her dignity.
Reflecting on the nightmare, the little girl's parents said: "If your child has a fever, or a rash, be vigilant, these things can change so quickly.
"Our daughter started off with signs and symptoms and within ten days she was gone."
What is Strep A?
In most cases Strep A bacteria causes mild illnesses, but in rare cases it can trigger invasive Group Strep A disease.
Group A streptococcus (GAS) are a type of bacteria found in the throat and skin.
Invasive Group Strep A occurs if these bacteria get into the bloodstream or other areas where they shouldn't be.
This can then lead to serious illnesses such as pneumonia, meningitis and sepsis.
At least 40 children have died from Strep A in the UK since January 2023.
In England there have been 32 casualties in children under the age of 18, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said.
The toll in England is the first official increase reported since January 12.
In Scotland, there have been three deaths in youngsters under the age of 10 and in Wales there have been five deaths in the under 15s, official figures show.
There are thought to have been three deaths in Northern Ireland, local reports state, however there is no official toll from the nation.
In the 2017 to 2018 season, there were 354 deaths in total, including 27 deaths in children under 18.
Sadly, so far this season, there have been 262 deaths across all age groups in England.
What are the symptoms?
There are four key signs of invasive Group A Strep to watch out for, according to the NHS. These are:
- A fever (meaning a high temperature above 38°C)
- Severe muscle aches
- Localised muscle tenderness
- Redness at the site of a wound
The invasive version of the disease happens when the bacteria break through the body's immune defences.
This can happen if you're already feeling unwell or have an immune system that’s weakened.
Two of the most severe examples of invasive disease are necrotising fasciitis – a very rare but life-threatening infection also called ‘flesh-eating disease’ – and toxic shock syndrome.
Who is at risk?
Some people are at higher risk of contracting the invasive form.
The NHS says those people include anyone who:
Read More on The Sun
Major change for Tesco shoppers from tomorrow – how to avoid paying more
I popped into Morrisons & filled my freezer for the month for just £24
- is in close contact with someone who already has it
- is over the age of 65
- is diabetic
- has heart disease or cancer
- has recently had chickenpox
- has HIV
- uses some steroids or intravenous drugs
The time of year can also be a factor. Outbreaks can be rife in late winter and early spring, but the risk remains all year round.
Source: Read Full Article