A Scots mum has issued a warning for parents to check their children for Strep A after her son was hospitalised by the deadly infection. Adele Armstrong said she has never been so scared in her life after her five-year-old son Antonio was struck down by the often-fatal illness two weeks ago.
The 37-year-old from Hawick, Scottish Borders had been out visiting Glasgow's Christmas market with her partner Fiona Weir last month on August 25 when they noticed Antonio's throat was swollen and bleeding. Days later the youngster's condition continued to worsen with Antonio's tongue becoming covered in a white coating with small red dots - known as a 'strawberry tongue'.
He went on to have a fever, refused to eat due to the pain in his mouth, and developed rashes across his body. Adele and Fiona rushed Antonio to Raigmore Hospital in Inverness where they were visiting, and it was later discovered he had Strep A.
He ended up being hospitalised for almost a week due to complications but is now home and on the mend while taking his second course of antibiotics. Adele is now urging parents to look out for signs of the virus and to trust their instincts when it comes to getting their children checked.
Posting on Facebook last night (TUE) showing images of Antonio's symptoms, she said: "Please be cautious. Just thought I'd let people know about the sign of Strep A accompanied with scarlet fever [sic].
"I've never been so scared in my life. Antonio was screaming in pain. I thought it was a cold but no I ended up in hospital just under a week with a few complications.
"Here is what he was like thankfully slowly recovering while on his second round of antibiotics. I have to say Inverness hospital really did save my boys life by catching it when they did.
"Signs were fever, red cheeks, rash, fatigue and screaming in pain. Please don't just think it's a cold."
Social media users left comments on the post sending their best wishes to Antonio. Julie Lamb said: "Aw, precious soul and praying for a full recovery. Each day getting better and better."
Anita Wilson said: "So glad you caught this, hope he is better soon." Louise Robson said: "Hope Antonio is feeling better and on the mend."
Shelley Cutting said: "Many children are coming down with flu too, a very bad combination. Speaking today, Adele said: "His first symptoms started on November 25.
"He started with a sore throat (cold-like symptoms) and then kinda went off his food. Then he started really complaining of his throat, he didn't want to eat and I became very concerned when I couldn't get his temperature down.
"Two days later, unfortunately, Antonio became more ill and tired and was sleeping all the time.
"He was screaming in pain, when I noticed he still had a rash and an uncontrollable temperature, so we then attended Inverness Raigmore hospital where told he had scarlet fever. He had a bacterial throat swab sent home with advice and antibiotics but unfortunately he is allergic to penicillin so was given Azithromycin, which we are currently on the second dose of as the first didn't work.
"We were called on November 29 to say he had tested positive for Strep A. If it was not for Raigmore Hospital I'm sure this would be a different story.
"I think all parents should take this seriously, even if they think it's just a cold - get checked as I've never seen nor do I want to see my boy this way again. Me and his other mum were very concerned and worried about him. I really thought I was going to lose him."
Strep A has seen a rise in the number of cases within the last three months, with nine children being confirmed as dying from the virus in the UK over recent weeks. Symptoms of Strep A include throat pain, red or swollen tonsils, spots at the back of or at the roof of the mouth, headache, fever, nausea, swollen lymph nodes, and body aches.
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