A toddler from Melbourne who suffered from Strep A and was rushed to hospital had symptoms dismissed as a common fever days earlier

A toddler is lucky to be alive after spending two months in intensive care battling a deadly infection that a doctor initially misdiagnosed as a fever.

When mother Sandeep Kaur from Melbourne took her sick 16-month-old son to the doctor, she was told her little girl Girsirat had a fever and was assured there was no cause for concern.

Within three days, Girsirat’s condition worsened and she was rushed to hospital after her hands, lips and feet turned blue and her skin discolored.

Girsirat was diagnosed with strep A and spent the next two months fighting for life in an intensive care unit. She suffered several complications, including kidney failure, necrosis of her fingertips, and severe swelling that left her unable to walk.

Her experience comes as authorities issue an urgent warning about the infection following an unusual spike in serious cases across Australia.

The bacterial infection causes sore throat, scarlet fever and skin ulcers, affecting 750 million people worldwide and claiming 500,000 lives each year.

If left untreated, the infection can enter the bloodstream and cause life-threatening sepsis.

Cases of severe strep A in Australian children have risen by more than 500 per cent since the pandemic, nearly claiming Girsirat’s life.

Ms Kaur has spoken out about the harrowing ordeal in the hope that other parents notice the symptoms early and get a second opinion if necessary.

“It was terrible, we never expected that,” she said Seven news.

“It was a very difficult time for us. The GP said it was just a fever.’

Girsirat is still recovering from the life-threatening ordeal.

‘It was such a difficult time, our baby had drains in her leg, two surgeries and was on dialysis for 12 days,’ said Ms Kaur.

“Fortunately, her fingertips were saved, but she hasn’t fully recovered yet. I hope that a vaccine can be made against Strep A so that no other child has to undergo it.’

Strep A can cause serious life-threatening infections, including toxic shock syndrome, flesh-eating disease, and the post-infectious diseases of acute rheumatic fever, rheumatic heart disease, and kidney disease.

The number of children hospitalized with strep A has risen from 23 in 2020 to 107 in 2022, according to the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute.

The elderly, pregnant women and Indigenous Australians are also at high risk.

Girsirat spent two months in intensive care after her initial symptoms were misdiagnosed as a fever

Melbourne mother Sandeep Kaur (pictured with her family) was originally told by a GP that her 16-month-old son had a fever

It is believed that a combination of environmental factors and viruses in circulation contributed to the worrying increase also seen in the northern hemisphere, despite the difference in seasons.

Reduced social contact during the pandemic may also have affected children’s immunity to Strep A.

“Rises in Strep A cases have been reported around the world, occurring during and outside the typical spring peaks,” said Dr Yara-Natalie Abo of the Murdoch Institute.

“More research is needed into whether new strains may be responsible.”

Strep A usually causes mild symptoms such as sore throat, but in some children it can cause life-threatening sepsis that requires early recognition and treatment. The global burden of Strep A is an unmet public health challenge.”

Melbourne toddler Girsirat (pictured) is still recovering from the life-threatening ordeal

The recent spike in strep A cases in Australia has renewed calls for a vaccine.

Researchers at the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute are currently working on an effective and accessible vaccine that they hope will be available to the public within five years.

“We’d like to think that in the next 12 to 24 months we can show a proof of concept of a good vaccine, which we can then take into further testing,” said Professor Andrew Steer.

“A vaccine against Streptococcus A will save hundreds of thousands of lives each year and prevent millions of infections that send children and adults to the hospital or doctor.”

HOW TO STRIP A SPREAD?

What is Strep A?

Group A Streptococcus (Group A Strep or Strep A) bacteria can cause many different infections.

The bacteria are commonly found in the throat and on the skin, and some people have no symptoms.

Infections caused by Strep A range from minor illnesses to serious and fatal illnesses.

They include the skin infection impetigo, scarlet fever, and strep throat.

While the vast majority of infections are relatively mild, sometimes the bacteria cause a disease called invasive Group A Streptococcal disease.

What is Invasive Group A Streptococcal Disease?

Invasive group A strep disease is sometimes a life-threatening infection in which the bacteria have invaded parts of the body, such as the blood, deep muscles, or lungs.

Two of the most serious but rare forms of invasive disease are necrotizing fasciitis and streptococcal toxic shock syndrome.

Necrotizing fasciitis is also referred to as the “flesh-eating disease” and can occur if a wound becomes infected.

Streptococcal toxic shock syndrome is a rapidly progressing 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 mortality rate.