A terrified mum is warning parents about the dangers of Strep A as her five-year-old daughter fights for her life at Evelina Children’s Hospital.
Sarah Page, 33, from Sussex, has had to see little Eva put into an induced coma and suffer a cardiac arrest since she became ill two weeks ago.
She said it had been “extremely scary” and at times “we didn’t know if she was going to make it”.
On Monday, a twelve-year-old boy from Colfe’s School in Lewisham died after contracting the lethal bacteria, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has confirmed.
Thankfully young Eva, described by Sarah as a “wild child” who loves her friends and animals, is slowly recovering in hospital.
But her mum still wants to warn parents about the dangers of Strep A. She told the News: “Eva became unwell about two weeks ago with what I thought was a common cold cough and achy legs [and a] high fever.
“She started to deteriorate, with spiking high temperatures that wouldn’t go down so I took her to A&E that night where she was given antibiotics and sent home.
“That night she got worse – she went blue – so we called an ambulance where she was taken to East Surrey – our local hospital.
“They decided to put her into an induced coma and a ventilator, where she then had a cardiac arrest.”
The UKHSA has urged parents to be vigilant and stay on the lookout for symptoms like breathing difficulties, the skin, tongue or lips turning blue, or unusual fatigue.
Dr Yvonne Young, UKHSA London’s deputy director for health protection said: “It’s vitally important that, as a parent, you trust your judgement and seek urgent medical help if your child’s condition begins to worsen or they have any of these serious symptoms.”
Group A Streptococci is a common bacteria which commonly causes mild symptoms. But if the bacteria becomes “invasive”, infecting areas like the lungs or bloodstream, it can be fatal.
According to the UKHSA, scarlet fever activity is significantly higher than it normally is this time of year – with 4,622 cases recorded this season compared to an average of 1,294 – and this can be one of the symptoms.
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Earlier this week, south London was rocked by the news that a Colfe’s School secondary school pupil had died, bringing the UK death toll to nine this season – all children.
Colfe’s School Headmaster Richard Russell said: “This wholly unexpected tragedy has affected all members of the school community, including pupils, parents and staff. We are doing what we can to support the pupil’s family who are seeking to come to terms with their devastating loss.”
Children in Belfast, Hampshire, Buckingham, North Ealing and Ashford have all died after becoming infected.
With Eva on the long road to recovery, mum Sarah said: “We are very grateful they managed to bring her back around.
“The first few days were extremely scary. We didn’t know if she was going to make it, but the team at Evelina have been amazing and saved our little girl.
“Eva is a wild child always on the go. She loves her dancing and her friends. She is such a caring little girl who loves her animals.”
The UKHSA says maintaining good hand and respiratory hygiene, and staying away from those feeling unwell, are key to preventing infection.
Dr Young said: “I understand that parents in London might be concerned about Group A streptococcus (GAS) infection, which is currently circulating at a higher level than we usually see at this time of year.
“It is typically mild and can cause various symptoms such as scarlet fever, mild skin infection, sore throat, fever, chills and muscle aches.
“However, in very rare occasions, GAS bacteria can become ‘invasive’ (iGAS), and the symptoms to look out for include breathing difficulties, the skin, tongue or lips turning blue, or if your child is floppy and will not stay awake.
“It’s vitally important that, as a parent, you trust your judgement and seek urgent medical help if your child’s condition begins to worsen or they have any of these serious symptoms.”
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