Losing a child is every parent’s worst nightmare, but when it happens suddenly and unexpectedly, the pain can be unbearable. In September 2021, the parents of a 10-year-old girl named Emily had to say goodbye to their daughter after she died from strep A, a bacterial infection that can rapidly progress to a life-threatening condition. In this article, we’ll dive into Emily’s final days and explore the emotional journey her parents went through while watching their daughter fight for her life. Through their heartbreaking story, we hope to shed light on the severity of this illness and raise awareness about the importance of seeking prompt medical attention when symptoms arise.
Vivienne Murphy, a 10-year-old girl from Millstreet in Co Cork, died from Strep-A infection just two weeks after exhibiting a sore throat. Her parents, Lilly and Dermot Murphy, have since spoken out about the incident, highlighting the symptoms that their daughter experienced, and ultimately hoping to bring awareness to the danger of Strep-A.
Vivienne’s only symptoms other than the sore throat were a high temperature, a rash, and some aches and pains. After complaining of feeling ill on February 14th, 2019, Vivienne’s parents discovered a rash when they opened her shirt and took off her school clothes. After visiting an out of hours GP service, Vivienne was believed to have a viral illness. However, over the next few days, Vivienne’s parents raised concerns with doctors on three separate occasions due to their daughter’s high fever and spreading rash.
On February 24th, Vivienne’s parents brought her to the emergency department at Cork University Hospital, where they discovered a black mark on her right leg. The nurse’s panic indicated that the situation was dire. A blood test confirmed their worst fears – Vivienne’s leg had to be amputated as the disease had progressed into necrotising fasciitis, a rare bacterial infection that spreads quickly through the body, which can cause death.
Vivienne was transferred to Temple Street in Dublin for the surgery, during which doctors had to remove 17% of her body to stop the disease from spreading. Despite the surgery, Vivienne went into cardiac arrest, causing significant brain damage, and eventually dying on March 1st.
As a result of their experience, Lilly and Dermot Murphy hope to raise awareness about the symptoms of Strep-A and to encourage parents to be vigilant about their child’s illness. They also highlighted the lack of intensive care available for children outside of Dublin, suggesting that Vivienne’s story could potentially save a child’s life.
The Health Service Executive (HSE) expressed their condolences and sympathy to the Murphy family in a statement shared with RTE.
In summary, the pain and heartache that comes with losing a child is unimaginable, and the parents of the 10-year-old girl who died from strep A know this all too well. In her final days, they watched helplessly as their beloved daughter fought for her life, and ultimately, passed away. Although their grief is overwhelming, they are using their experience to raise awareness about the dangers of strep infections and the importance of seeking medical attention immediately. Through their unimaginable pain, they are choosing to honor their daughter’s memory by spreading information that could save another child’s life. In the end, their love for their daughter remains constant and unyielding, and their courage to share their experience serves as a powerful reminder to cherish every moment with loved ones.
