A four-year-old in Britain who was infected with strep throat is still fighting for her life, with her father saying her tiny body has been "destroyed" by the bacterial infection.
Camilla Rose Burns, from Bolton, England, remains on a ventilator at Liverpool Children's Hospital in Liverpool, as news emerges that another child - the seventh - has died from Streptococcus A.
"It's destroyed her body"
Camilla's father, Dean Burns, has not left her side since she was rushed to hospital 10 days ago 24 hours after they were sent home when doctors attributed her chest pains to retractions from repeated vomiting.
4-year-old Camilla with her father
Speaking this morning from hospital to warn other parents to be vigilant, she said "She is still fighting for her life. Her body has been destroyed," adding: "We can't believe what has happened. The pain is unimaginable. She is so beautiful, so precious and just our special little girl. We want our family back."
And seventh child dies of strep A
Meanwhile, it was announced today that a seventh child has died of strep in England, with parents being told to be extra careful if their children become ill.
4-year-old Camilla is fighting for her life
Yesterday, in fact, Minister Nadeem Zahawi stressed that although most cases of strep A are mild, parents should be wary of the symptoms. "It's really important to be vigilant because in the very rare case that it becomes severe, then you need urgent treatment. It is highly contagious, so the important message to get across is that parents should be alert to the symptoms i.e. fever, headache, skin rash," he said."
The latest victim is reportedly a 12-year-old boy. He is the first secondary school pupil to die from the current outbreak.
Four-year-old Muhammad Ibrahim Ali, from Buckinghamshire, died last month after he contracted strep A and subsequently suffered a cardiac arrest.[AT THE SAME TIME, THOUSANDS OF PARENTS ARE TERRIFIED AND CONSIDERING PULLING THEIR CHILDREN OUT OF SCHOOL AS THE INFECTION SWEEPS THROUGH STUDENTS.
What is strep A?
Strep A, medically known as group A streptococcus, is a bacteria that causes a number of infections, including strep throat, tonsillitis and impetigo (infectious wax) a skin infection. It can also cause scarlet fever.
The bacteria, which may not cause symptoms, can be found in the throat, skin and respiratory tract of those infected. And while the vast majority of strep A infections are relatively mild, sometimes the microbe can lead to potentially life-threatening rheumatic fever if left untreated. The bacterium can, in extremely rare cases, cause a fatal disease called invasive group A streptococcal disease (iGAS).
What is group A invasive streptococcal disease?
Group A invasive streptococcal disease occurs when bacteria penetrate deep into the body, such as in the blood, deep muscle layers or lungs.
Two of the most serious but rare forms of invasive disease are necrotizing encephalitis and streptococcal toxic shock syndrome. Necrotizing encephalitis is also known as "sarcoptic disease" and can occur if a wound becomes infected.
Streptococcal toxic shock syndrome is a rapidly progressive infection that causes low blood pressure/shock and damage to organs such as the kidneys, liver and lungs. This type of toxic shock has a high death rate.
What are the symptoms of strep A?
Although strep A can cause many different serious illnesses, it tends to start with a few typical symptoms.
Signs of strep A infection include rash, sore throat, flushed cheeks, muscle aches, high fever, fatigue, earache, and skin sores. Symptoms last for a week, according to the NHS.
Some people who carry strep A have no symptoms but are still just as likely to spread the bug as those who have visible disease. It usually takes two to five days to get sick after exposure to the bacteria.
Impetigo is a skin infection that starts with red sores or blisters that then burst, leaving crusty, golden spots. The infection can be treated with antibiotics.
The symptoms of scarlet fever often resemble those of influenza, such as a high fever, sore throat and swollen glands in the throat. A rash appears 12 to 48 hours later, starting in the chest and stomach and then spreading. A white coating also appears on the tongue, which peels off, leaving it red, swollen and covered with small bumps.
Signs of necrotizing encephalitis include fever (high fever over 38), severe pain and swelling, and redness at the site of the wound.
Early signs and symptoms of toxic shock may include fever, dizziness, confusion, low blood pressure, rash and abdominal pain.
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