A courageous toddler has miraculously survived a two-month battle with a deadly infection that was initially misdiagnosed as a fever. Sandeep Kaur, a mother from Melbourne, took her sick 16-month-old daughter, Girsirat, to the general practitioner (GP) who dismissed her symptoms as a fever and assured Kaur that there was no cause for concern. However, within just three days, Girsirat’s condition worsened dramatically. Her hands, lips, and feet turned blue, and her skin became discolored. She was immediately rushed to the hospital. After being diagnosed with strep A, Girsirat fought for her life in the intensive care unit for two months, enduring kidney failure, necrosis on her fingertips, and severe swelling that left her unable to walk.
This alarming incident coincides with a nationwide warning regarding this infection, as severe cases have seen an unseasonal spike across Australia. Strep A is a bacterial infection that causes sore throats, scarlet fever, and skin sores. It affects 750 million people globally each year, resulting in 500,000 deaths. If left untreated, the infection can enter the bloodstream and cause life-threatening sepsis. The number of severe cases of strep A in children in Australia has risen by over 500% since the pandemic began. Girsirat’s mother, Ms. Kaur, has bravely shared their harrowing experience in the hopes that other parents will recognize symptoms early and seek a second opinion if necessary.
Girsirat is currently in the process of recovering from this life-threatening ordeal. Her mother states, “It was such a difficult time for us. Our baby had drains in her leg, underwent two operations, and required dialysis for 12 days.” Although Girsirat’s fingertips were saved, she hasn’t fully recuperated yet. Ms. Kaur expresses her desire for a vaccine to be developed for strep A so that no other child has to endure such suffering. Strep A can lead to severe, life-threatening infections, including toxic shock syndrome, flesh-eating disease, acute rheumatic fever, rheumatic heart disease, and kidney disease.
According to the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, the number of children admitted to the hospital with strep A has increased from 23 in 2020 to 107 in 2022. Additionally, the elderly, pregnant women, and Indigenous Australians are at a higher risk. Experts believe that a combination of environmental factors and circulating viruses has contributed to this concerning rise, despite seasonal differences between Australia and the northern hemisphere. The reduced social contact during the pandemic may have also impacted children’s immunity to Strep A. Further research is needed to determine if new strains are responsible.
The recent surge in strep A cases in Australia has reignited calls for a vaccine. Researchers at the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute are currently working towards developing an effective and accessible vaccine, which they anticipate will be available to the public within five years. Professor Andrew Steer asserts, “A vaccine for strep A will save hundreds of thousands of lives every year and prevent millions of infections that send children and adults to the hospital or doctor.”
Overall, it is essential for parents and healthcare professionals to remain vigilant and address any concerning symptoms promptly, potentially avoiding life-threatening situations caused by strep A. Education, awareness, and the development of a vaccine are crucial in combating this unmet public health challenge.
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