A mum whose two children have Strep A has warned parents of the signs following the death of nine children in the UK.
Strep A bacteria can cause many different infections, ranging from minor illnesses to serious and deadly diseases. The bacteria are commonly found in the throat and on the skin, and some people have no symptoms.
Infections cause by Strep A include the skin infection impetigo, scarlet fever and strep throat. Scarlet fever in particular has seen a recent surge in cases.
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While the vast majority of infections are relatively mild, sometimes the bacteria can cause a life-threatening illness called invasive Group A Streptococcal disease.
Aimee Byron, 22, a stay-at-home mum said son Jamie Jones, three, became tired and started screaming in pain, holding his head saying he had "tickles in his throat". It was covered in white big spots and doctors told Aimee he was suffering from tonsillitis, she said.
But after a few days of suffering, she took him back to the GP where he was diagnosed with strep A and taken to hospital for treatment.
Jamie had a sore throat, large glands, was drowsy and holding his ears, couldn’t swallow drinks and wasn’t passing urine. But just a day after he returned home, little brother Drew, 17 months, was diagnosed with the same bacterial infection, after catching it from Jamie.
With both boys at home poorly - but recovering - Aimee and Will Jones, 24, a salesman, from Fareham, Hampshire, say they feel lucky they trusted her instincts and didn't believe it was just tonsillitis.
Aimee said: "It made me feel so helpless because you feel like screaming at the doctor. I know they have done years and years in studying but I know my child.
"It was so refreshing to hear the doctor say they weren't going to question me on my child. I am so unbelievably lucky to have my Jamie at home, getting better when this story could have had such a devastating end.
"He is luckily at the better end of the scale now in terms of Strep A severity but if left it could’ve been worse."
Aimee added: "I knew it was Strep A and if it wasn’t that then it definitely wasn’t just tonsillitis. Just be aware this horrible infection spreads so fast. Both of my little boys now have Strep A.
"My youngest Strep A got worse so now he has sores around his mouth and a rash on his feet. They have said that he now also has Scarlet Fever as well as Strep A.
"My eldest, Jamie, is doing so much better. We just now need to hope my youngest follows that and starts feeling better soon."
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