clock: CDC warns that aggressive Strep A is on the rise in the US
A Michigan mother told other parents after her son contracted Streptococcus A and Influenza A in late December and had to undergo two amputations earlier this month. It warns children to be careful and to take action if they appear to be unwell.
Michele Stevenson of Grand Blanc, Michigan, said on Good Morning America that her 7-year-old son, Kaden, started getting sick just before Christmas, but didn’t think it was serious. She said he told her he was tired. But after about four days, Kaden didn’t seem any better.
“I’m thinking he might have the flu because of the pain he kept talking about. So I’m thinking it might be a body ache or something like that. I’m just trying to put his shoes on.” Even I couldn’t put on his coat. He was in a lot of pain.
“Something didn’t feel right,” said one mother. “So I examined him. His right leg was swollen. He had a rash all over his body. His eyes looked swollen to me. Like it all happened in a short period of time. Looked.
Stevenson took Kaden to Harley Children’s Hospital in Flint, but shortly thereafter doctors told her that Kaden needed to be transferred for more advanced care.
“The ER doctor sat down in front of me, gave me the most serious look a doctor had ever given me, and said, ‘Your son is really sick.’ Carden needed a pediatric orthopedic surgeon…but the moment they said I knew it was really serious. ..’They were just waiting for the helicopter to arrive.’
officials with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention The December alert on invasive streptococcus was updated Wednesday, with at least five children reportedly dying from the infection in Illinois this year. This type of bacterial infection can affect multiple parts of the body, including a person’s blood, bones, and lungs, so it can be more dangerous.
MORE: Invasive group Streptococcus on the rise in parts of the US: What you need to know
Additionally, despite the relatively low number of influenza cases in the United States as a whole, multiple strains of influenza A virus are circulating. Data from CDC.
As his son contracted the flu and strep, Stevenson initially didn’t realize how bad it was.
“I didn’t hear [strep] Until we were hospitalized, really, I heard other kids did the same thing with my son at the same time,” Stevenson said. I hear this family crying and saying goodbye to their son. My heart goes out to that family. ”
Stevenson said it had been a “very scary” three months for her and her son, but thanked the doctors, nurses and medical professionals who “save his life” and looked after the boy. There is
“[Kaden] Another deceased boy said he was sad that he had died, but that he was going to live for himself. He’s going to be strong for the little boy,” Stevenson said.
“As a mother, as a parent, as a person in general, I would never want anyone else to go through this. This is terrifying,” she added.
Details: A 4-year-old has his leg amputated after surviving a rare infection that his parents thought was the flu
According to Stevenson, Kaden will have both legs amputated on March 3 and is looking forward to receiving what he calls “robot legs” or prostheses.
“He always talks [how] He misses the old days, he misses when he could walk and what it was like back in the day, but he said he was kind of happy. He loves his new legs,” Stevenson said.
As Kaden begins a new chapter on her road to recovery, Stevenson said she hopes to raise awareness among other parents.
“If your child has these signs of fever, complains of pain, or has a rash, just take them to the emergency room,” Stevenson said. “Find it early. That’s the biggest thing. And listen to your kids. Do they say they’re not feeling well? Don’t sweep under the rug, assuming it’s a little cold.” Please check out.”
