The mother warned other parents to “trust your instincts” after dismissing her daughter’s symptoms as a “bad cold” or the flu when she was seriously ill with strep A.
After a week of fever, cough and sore throat, 13-year-old Ray Murphy developed breathing problems on Sunday and is currently in intensive care with pneumonia and sepsis.
Her mother, Vicki, said she tested her for rashes, nausea and vomiting after reading health officials’ warnings about strep A and, in the absence of these symptoms, assumed her daughter was not seriously ill.
she said I: “We all cough and catch a cold sometimes. I was looking forward to a rash and white spots on my tonsils, but she didn’t have any of that.
“It’s scary to see your child like this. Ray is strong, she’s amazing, and we know she can do it.”
Although the infection is usually mild, cases have increased in recent weeks, and 16 children have died since September from an extremely rare complication called invasive group A streptococcus (iGAS).
Help, mother insists
Ray, from Newquay, Cornwall, got worse on Sunday and her parents called an ambulance. She has an underlying hereditary condition, rhabdomyolysis, which doctors say has made her more susceptible to bacteria. It is a life-threatening condition caused by muscle breakdown and death.
Vicki, 40, said: “Ray started coughing up bloody sputum and that’s when we knew something was wrong. Then she was really out of breath and looked very yellow and pale.
“We called NHS 111 all day and then our little dachshund ran to the phone and hung up. And we decided we didn’t want to queue up at 111 again, so we called 999.
“We did a good job. They sent an ambulance and they took her to intensive care almost immediately. She doesn’t really think about it, she says a couple of words in response, and then falls asleep.” She is on 100 percent oxygen and is in a stable condition .
“Despite her muscular condition, Ray gets up every day and goes to school with a smile on her face and gets on with her day,” her mother says. “She’s a fighter.
“My advice to parents is: trust your instincts and seek help if you feel something is wrong.”
Dr Obage Edeger, Deputy Director of the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), urged parents to trust their own judgment. He said: “Group A strep bacteria can cause a number of different symptoms. Scarlet fever is caused by group A streptococcus and can cause a rash, but not everyone with group A streptococcus develops a rash.
“A lot of winter viruses are currently circulating that can make children feel unwell. Most of these are nothing to worry about, but you should see a doctor if your child gets worse after a bout of scarlet fever, a sore throat, or a respiratory infection—watch for signs like a fever that won’t go down, dehydration. vomiting, extreme fatigue, and difficulty breathing.
“If you, as a parent, think your child is seriously ill, you should use your own judgment and contact 111 or your GP if your child gets worse.”
What causes Streptococcus A to grow?
The UKHSA reports that scarlet fever and group A streptococcal infections are on the rise “during the off-season”, explaining that while cases typically increase in the winter and peak on New Year’s Day, they have risen sharply in recent weeks. Cases of iGAS across all age groups are slightly higher than expected at this time of year.
He added that there is currently no evidence that the new strain of Strep A is circulating and the increase in cases was most likely due to high levels of circulating bacteria and increased social mixing.
The UKHSA guidance says: “High seasons can occur every 3 to 4 years, but social distancing measures taken during the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic could break this cycle and explain the current spike.
“There is currently no evidence that a new strain of GAS is circulating or that antibiotic resistance is increasing.”
He stressed that antibiotics are the best treatment and work well against circulating strains.
The leaders of the Royal College of Pediatrics, the Royal College of Emergency Medicine and the Royal College of General Practitioners have issued a joint letter reassuring people that Streptococcus A is common and treatable.
The letter said: “The rise in infections has understandably caused concern among parents. As with any winter, there are many viruses that cause sore throats, colds and coughs, and they usually resolve without medical intervention.
“If you, as a parent, believe that your child is seriously ill, you must use your own judgment.”
The rise of Streptococcus A increased the demand for penicillin and amoxicillin, the main antibiotics. In response to the outbreak, general practitioners and emergency departments have been advised that the threshold for deciding whether to prescribe antibiotics to children with strep A symptoms has now been lowered.
The UK’s chief pharmacist has acknowledged that local pharmacies may be running out of some antibiotics. However, there is sufficient supply for the NHS across the country, David Webb wrote last week in a letter addressed to local pharmacists, pharmacists at major hospitals and regional pharmacy managers.
Streptococcus A: what to look for
Many people carry Streptococcus A harmlessly without even knowing it, but they can still pass it on to others. Infections are transmitted through close contact with an infected person; they can be transmitted through coughs and sneezes or through a wound.
Usually, mild Streptococcus A infections cause symptoms such as Sore throat or skin/soft tissue infections (like impetigo and cellulite). Most infections can be easily treated with antibiotics at home, but iGAS requires hospital treatment.
Streptococcus A causes scarlet fever, which may be the first sign flu-like symptoms, including one heata Sore throat as well as swollen neck glands (large bump on the neck). BUT result appears after 12-48 hours. It looks like small raised bumps and starts on the chest and abdomen and then spreads. On darker skin, the rash may be harder to see visually, but it looks like sandpaper.
BUT white coating also appears in the language. It flakes off, leaving the tongue red, swollen, and slightly bumpy (“strawberry tongue“).
What to do if your child has Streptococcus A?
NHS warns you or your child must be infected with Streptococcus A Stay away from kindergarten, school, or work within 24 hours of starting antibiotics. to prevent transmission of the infection to other people.
People are at higher risk of contracting Streptococcus A if they have it weakened immune system, open sores or sores or is there one viral infection like a cold or the flu.
Invasive GAS disease occurs when bacteria invade parts of the body such as the blood, deep muscle and fat tissues, or the lungs. Urgent and timely medical assistance is needed.
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Source: I News
I’m Raymond Molina, a professional writer and journalist with over 5 years of experience in the media industry. I currently work for 24 News Reporters, where I write for the health section of their news website. In my role, I am responsible for researching and writing stories on current health trends and issues. My articles are often seen as thought-provoking pieces that provide valuable insight into the state of society’s wellbeing.