A boy from East Lancashire was left fighting for his life after catching group A streptococcus, also known as strep A.
Jake Bond, aged six, from Clitheroe, is currently wheelchair bound and in need of surgery after catching the infection back in December.
Mum, Victoria Bond, said the experience has left the family traumatised but adds she is glad that he now back at home.
Jake was sent home from school on December 1 after vomiting.
Victoria said: “He was sent home from school after vomiting. He also had a high temperature.
“He also developed a rash and sore throat.”
Two days later he was blue lighted to Royal Blackburn Hospital, where he would spend the next four weeks fighting for his life.
Victoria said: “He deteriorated very quickly.
“One minute he was sat up chatting to the nurses, telling them all he didn't have time to be ill as he had a school nativity to perform.
“The next he was put on a ventilator after suffering a respiratory arrest.
“We never expected this to happen. We thought we were going to come home the same day. It all happened so fast.”
Jake was later transferred to Alder Hey Children's Hospital in Liverpool. According to Victoria, doctors said he only had a five per cent chance of survival.
Victoria said: “He was not meant to survive and was one of the sickest boys in the hospital.
“His heart was weak and was covered in machines and tubes that helped him to breathe.
“I thought I was going to lose my little boy, it was an extremely upsetting time – but my little fighter kept on fighting.”
Victoria said Jake spent four weeks in hospital, two of which were for intensive care.
Two surgeries later Jake is now back home but the battle isn’t completely over. The infection has spread to his right leg, which surgeons will need to operate on.
Victoria says he is currently wheelchair bound and has “lost his independence”.
According to Victoria, the ordeal was “traumatising” and something she will never forget.
She said: “It was a traumatic event for all of us something we are not going to get over.
“The days and nights in hospital with Jake all blurred together especially the first week, and it has changed our lives.”
Despite the troubles ahead, Victoria said she is just grateful that her child survived.
She said: “I'm just glad we are home together as a family again.
“Doctors have deemed his recovery as truly remarkable.
“I think prayer played a part in his recovery, as well as excellent medics and most of nursing staff who need to be applauded.
“I want to give thanks to all involved in Jake's care. You saved my boy’s life.”
According to the NHS, strep A are bacteria commonly found on the skin or in the throat. Under some circumstances these bacteria can cause disease.
Common symptoms of strep A include:
- flu-like symptoms, such as a high temperature, swollen glands or an aching body
- sore throat (strep throat or tonsillitis)
- a rash that feels rough, like sandpaper (scarlet fever)
- scabs and sores (impetigo)
- pain and swelling (cellulitis)
- severe muscle aches
- nausea and vomiting
Strep A infections are more common in children, but adults can also sometimes get them.
Most strep A infections are not serious and can be treated with antibiotics.
But rarely, the infection can cause serious problems. This is called invasive group A strep (iGAS).
According to the latest government data, 235 deaths have been recorded within sevent days of an iGAS infection diagnosis (from any cause), between September 12, 2022, and January 29.
Of those people who died, 30 were aged 18 or under.
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