Robert Zakar gives back to community

My Baby Boy Had A Runny Nose Then Needed Both Legs And His Fingers Amputated – Don't Ignore The Signs Like I Did

WHEN little Ryan Lines got a sore throat and runny nose just under a year ago, his parents weren't initially too concerned.

But it wasn't long before the then 13-month-old was rushed to hospital after a group A Streptococcus infection - known as Strep A - sent him into septic shock.

4

Just a month after his first birthday, little Ryan Lines experienced a runny nose and sore throat, as well as muscle aches and lower urine outputCredit: Instagram/ Jessica Lines

4

Not long after, Ryan - pictured with mum Jess and dad Sam - was rushed to hospital after it was revealed he had gone into septic shock from a Strep A infectionCredit: Instagram/ Jessica Lines

Ryan was flown from his home in the outback town of Broken Hill in Australia to the Adelaide Women's and Children's Hospital.

The tot suffered extensive blood clotting in his hands and lower legs, causing the tissue there to die.

He had to have both legs and some of his fingers amputated in order to save his life.

Ryan's symptoms before he was hospitalised hadn't appeared too worrisome.

A month after his first birthday, he woke up with a snotty nose, but still seemed his usual happy self, his mum Jess Lines told Sepsis Alliance.

She went on: "By that afternoon he was having slight temperatures and was starting to not be himself, he was very clingy and wimping, quiet dazed".

And though he had been "walking for a few months", the youngster wasn't able to bear his own weight.

Little Ryan also experience some pain is his muscles and appeared to be peeing less.

Most read in Health

UNDER PRESSURE

Nottingham hospitals declare critical incident as Brits told not to call 999

RARE CASE

Girl, 12, was unable to wear shoes and struggled to walk due to giant big toe

OP HORROR

Bizarre things people do while under anaesthetic - from kissing to masturbating

MY ORDEAL

I got a hairy skin graft to save my nose after a dog attack - I love my new look

His parents took him to hospital, only to be told he was teething or had a virus and should be released.

"The next morning we noticed Ryan still wasn't improving, so we went back and demanded more tests," his mum recalled.

"Before we knew it, we were flown out on a plane to nearest major city as our little boy had declined so fast."

The toddler went into cardiac arrest and underwent CPR but pulled through. But he sustained lasting damage to his limbs.

Jess told ABC News: "It's crazy to me to think that he just had a simple runny nose and sore throat and it advanced into something so serious."

His parents are now calling on parents of other young children to trust their gut if they feel like something is wrong and to know the signs of sepsis.

Multiple surgeries later, Jess said Ryan is a fairly typical "cheeky" toddler.

Overall, she said her baby boy - now almost two - is doing "pretty good".

"He has his moments where he's a little bit frustrated but he's [still] a cheeky nearly two-year-old," Jess said.

Ryan now has to rely on prosthetics for his legs, which his parents are trying to get him used to.

"He's not walking with them yet, but he is trying to take movements with them, so it'll just be a time thing to see when he can actually do that and when he gets his strength back," she said.

The tot recently had a procedure to address scarring on his hand and is due to return to hospital in six months to have X-rays done on his legs to assess when the bone will need to be shaved back.

Jess said Ryan likely has a "forever journey" ahead of him, adding that he'll probably need the help of a wheelchair at some point.

The family also received $130,000 (£67,500) in donations through a GoFundMe to help the almost-two-year-old in his recovery.

What is Strep A?

Strep A is a common type of bacteria that lots of us carry in our skin and throats, which doesn't always result in illness.

It can, however, cause infections, some mild and some more serious, including strep throat, tonsillitis and scarlet fever.

The most serious infections arise from a strain called invasive group A strep, known as iGAS.

They happen if bacteria get into parts of the body where they're not usually found, like the lungs or bloodstream.

Though iGAS infections remain uncommon, there was a jump in cases in the UK in late 2022, particularly in children under 10.

Sadly, 48 children died of Strep A between September 2022 and May 2023.

Common symptoms of a Strep A infection include:

flu-like symptoms, such as a high temperature, swollen glands or an aching body

sore throat (common with 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

The NHS notes that you should get an urgent GP appointment if:

your child is unwell and is getting worse

your child is feeding or eating much less than normal

your child has fewer wet nappies than usual or is peeing less than usual, or shows other signs of dehydration

your baby is under three months and has a temperature of 38C, or is three to six months and has a temperature of 39C or higher

your child is very tired or irritable

What is sepsis?

Sepsis is a life-threatening reaction to an infection; the immune system overreacts and starts to damage the body's tissues and organs.

It can lead to shock, multiple organ failure and sometimes death, especially if not recognised early and treated promptly.

Sepsis always starts with an infection, and can be triggered by any infection including chest infections and UTIs.

But it's not known why some people develop sepsis in response to these common infections whereas others don't.

How to spot sepsis in children

Your little one may have sepsis if:

they're breathing very fast

their skin looks mottled, bluish or pale

they have a rash that doesn't fade when you press it

they're lethargic and difficult to wake up

they feel abnormally cold to the touch

they have a 'fit' or start convulsing

For children under the age of five, red flag signs include :

not feeding

vomiting repeatedly

not peeing for 12 hours

You should get urgent help if your little one is experiencing these symptoms.

Source: The UK Sepsis Trust

4

The tot had both his legs and some of his fingers amputatedCredit: Go Fund Me

4

Little Ryan is now adjusting to his new life and getting used to using prostheticsCredit: Instagram/ Jessica Lines

Signs And Symptoms Of Influenza (The Flu)

Medically reviewed by Michael Menna, DO

Influenza—the flu—is a viral infection of the respiratory tract (the lungs, voice box, throat, nose, mouth, and airways). This disease typically sets on rapidly and causes a range of symptoms, including cough, fever, sore throat, and fatigue, among others. Influenza can cause more severe symptoms or even become fatal among more vulnerable populations, such as those older than 65, infants, or those with chronic disease.

The flu is very common. It affects anywhere from 3 to 11% of the US population—millions of Americans—every year. It is a highly contagious disease that is spread through respiratory droplets in the air or on surfaces. Since it's so widespread, let's take a look at influenza's signs and symptoms and learn when it's time to call your healthcare provider or get emergency help.

Common Symptoms

Unlike those of the common cold, the symptoms of influenza occur quickly after exposure. They typically last for one to two weeks, though you may feel sick for longer. The most common symptoms include:

Fever and/or chills: Feeling feverish and experiencing chills are signs of the body fighting off the infection. You may have sweats and fluctuations in temperature, with temperatures climbing to between 100-104 degrees.

Cough: A need to cough is another common sign of influenza. When you're infected with the flu, your lungs form mucus to trap the virus. Coughing helps to rid your body of this infected mucus.

Sore throat: Not everyone who has influenza experiences a sore throat, but a dry, painful throat can sometimes be a sign of infection. It arises as the virus enters your body through soft tissues in the nasal passages and airways, causing irritation.

Runny nose: As with a sore throat, the soft tissues of the nasal passages can sometimes become inflamed due to infection. Also known as rhinitis, this causes a runny or stuffy nose (nasal congestion), a common symptom of respiratory infections.

Body aches: Another characteristic sign of influenza is pain in the muscles and joints, or myalgia. These aches occur due to your body's immune reaction to the influenza viruses, which causes inflammation.

Headaches: Another symptom often distinguishing influenza from the common cold is headache. This is caused by cytokines, or molecules that your body emits as part of its natural immune reaction to the infection.

Fatigue: Feeling very tired and needing more sleep is also a sign of influenza infection. Your body expends more energy fighting off the disease, and sometimes other symptoms can affect your sleep.

Not everyone with the flu will experience all, or even any, of these symptoms. It is possible to have the flu and spread it to others without realizing that you have it.

Less Common Flu Symptoms

In some, more severe cases—and especially if the body isn't able to fight off the infection—influenza spreads from the respiratory tract to other parts of the body. This can lead to several complications, including a sinus infection, ear infection, and pneumonia.

Sinus Infection

Sinus infections (sinusitis) are characterized by an infection of the pockets of air in your forehead, nasal passages, and cheeks, and are a moderate complication of influenza. This causes fluid buildup in these spaces, leading to:

Headache

Runny or stuffy nose

Pain or pressure in the face

Post-nasal drip (mucus in the throat)

Sore throat

Cough

Bad breath

Ear Infection

If the virus spreads to the passages of the middle ear, ear infection, or otitis media, can result, causing inflammation. Ear pain and pressure, fever, and fussiness (in infants and children) are the most common signs of this condition.

Pneumonia

A severe infection, pneumonia is characterized by fluid or pus (a viscous fluid) buildup in the air sacs, or alveoli, of the lungs. It ranges in severity and can be fatal. Pneumonia causes:

Cough with or without mucus

Chest pain when coughing or breathing

Chills

Fever

Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

Low oxygen levels in the blood (hypoxemia)

Rare Symptoms

In rare, severe cases, influenza can lead to life-threatening complications. Certain populations are at increased risk of these, including infants or children under the age of 5, people older than 65, pregnant people, and those with chronic health conditions, such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease.

Myocarditis

Myocarditis occurs when the infection spreads to the muscles of the heart. This very serious condition causes:

Fatigue and loss of energy

Chest pain

Swelling in the arms or legs

Irregular heartbeat

Wheezing

Persistent cough

Thick mucus, sometimes with spots of blood

Cardiac arrest (the heart stopping)

Encephalitis

If the infection spreads to the tissues of the brain, it can cause a severe infection called encephalitis. This causes many symptoms, including:

Flu-like symptoms

Difficulties understanding speech or speaking

Double vision

Hallucinations

Loss of consciousness

Muscle weakness

Partial paralysis of arms or limbs

Seizures

Memory loss

Loss of touch sensation in parts of the body

Muscle Infections

Other rare complications of influenza affect the muscles. This can lead to myositis, a cluster of conditions that cause muscular weakness, fatigue, and pain. Sometimes, this leads to rhabdomyolysis, a potentially fatal breakdown of the muscles that can cause kidney or heart failure.

Multiple Organ Failure

Multiple organ failure is one of the most common causes of death in people who experience influenza complications. It is characterized by multiple organs, such as the lungs or kidneys, failing to operate. Symptoms of multiple organ failure include swelling in the limbs, headaches, itchiness, sleep difficulties and fatigue, weight loss and loss of appetite, pain and stiffness in the joints, and memory or cognitive problems, among others.

Sepsis

Sepsis is a blood infection that occurs due to an extreme immune reaction in your body. It is a dangerous medical emergency that requires immediate treatment. Sepsis causes:

Rapid breathing

Elevated heart rate

Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath

Disorientation or confusion

Severe pain or discomfort

Fever, chills, or shivers

Sweating or clammy skin

Influenza Symptoms in Children

Children, especially those under the age of 2, are at a higher risk of developing influenza as well as experiencing flu complications. Researchers estimate that about 9.3% of those under the age of 18 develop this disease, more than twice the rate of those older than 65.

This being the case, it's important to know the signs of influenza in infants and children. Many symptoms in adults also affect this population, including fever, chills, fatigue, body aches, sore throat, runny nose, and others. In addition, infants and children may experience nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and earaches.

When to Contact a Healthcare Provider

Any sign of an influenza complication warrants medical attention, which is critical given how severe this disease can be. Certain symptoms and signs warrant emergency help. In adults, these include:

Shortness of breath or breathing difficulties

Chronic pain or pressure in the chest

Dizziness, lightheadedness, and confusion that doesn't go away

Seizures

Lack of urination

Severe muscle pain, weakness, or loss of balance

A fever or cough that gets better but then returns and gets worse

Worsening symptoms of other conditions, such as asthma

In addition, some signs in children or infants also prompt calling 911, such as:

Rapid or difficult breathing

Bluish tint to the face or lips

Ribs retracting with every breath

Chest pains

Muscular pain, often causing the child to not want to walk

Dry mouth, lack of urination for 8 hours or more, and/or no tears when crying

No alertness when awake, a lack of interaction with others

Seizure

Fever above 104 degrees in children older than 3 months

Any fever in infants younger than 12 weeks

Worsening fever or cough

Worsening symptoms of other conditions

A Quick Review

Influenza, commonly known as the flu, is a viral infection that primarily affects the respiratory system. Typical signs of this condition include cough, runny nose, fever, body aches, fatigue, and headache, among others.

In rare and more severe cases, influenza causes complications ranging in severity from sinus or ear infection to pneumonia, endocarditis (infection of the hear), and encephalitis (an infection of the brain tissues).

Because of the risk of complications, it's important to seek out treatment, especially if your or your child's symptoms are severe.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does influenza last?

Typically, influenza symptoms occur within 48 hours of exposure to the virus. In most cases, you experience symptoms for 7-10 days, though some people may feel sick for two weeks or longer. Most often—and especially in absence of other health conditions or risks—influenza is a self-limiting disease, meaning the symptoms resolve on their own.

How are symptoms of the flu different than a common cold?

While there are many similarities between the symptoms of the common cold and influenza, there are key differences. Influenza has a more rapid onset and is more likely than a cold to cause fever, body aches, fatigue or muscular weakness, and headache. In turn, stuffy nose, congestions, sneezing, and sore throat can arise in both, but are more common if you have a cold.

Can you still have the flu if you don't have a fever?

Fever is often a hallmark of influenza, arising as your immune system tries to fight off the infection. However, it's important to note that some people develop the flu without experiencing fever or chills. This is especially the case if you're older than 65 or have a compromised or weakened immune system due to other conditions or diseases.

For more Health.Com news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on Health.Com.

View comments

When To Worry About A Sore Throat

Having a sore throat can be uncomfortable, or worse. In many cases, sore throats are caused by viral infections but an expert at Baylor College of Medicine says that although this may be the most common cause; multiple health conditions may play a role in having an itchy, irritated and painful throat.

"The most common reason for someone to develop a sore throat would be a virus, and this is often accompanied by a runny nose, cough or malaise," said Dr. Julina Ongkasuwan, assistant professor of otolaryngology at Baylor.

A severe sore throat may be an indication of possible strep throat, a bacterial infection. Individuals who develop strep throat often have high fevers or pus on the tonsils; however, Ongkasuwan said many other viral infections may be associated with high fevers so she recommends visiting your doctor for a throat swab.

"For most people experiencing a sore throat, I generally recommend rest and hydration. If you are highly concerned then you should get a strep swab, and you really shouldn't take antibiotics unless the strep swab is positive," she said.

Those who experience strep throat multiple times a year may be a candidate for tonsillectomy. "According to the Academy of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, if an individual has documented strep throat seven times in one year, five times per year for two consecutive years, or three times per year for three consecutive years, they can consider having their tonsils removed," Ongkasuwan said.

Other health conditions that can cause sore throat are reflux, tonsil stones, muscle tension, and mononucleosis, also known as mono. Acid reflux can cause heartburn and if the acid reaches the throat it can also lead to throat discomfort. Tonsil stones refer to food debris that get stuck in the tonsils resulting in inflammation and irritation.

For throat pain that persists beyond three weeks and is accompanied by difficulty swallowing or weight loss, Ongkasuwan recommends visiting a doctor to rule out any severe health conditions.

There are ways to sooth a sore throat without having to take antibiotics, such as non-caffeinated warm tea or hot water with honey.

"Sore throats are very common. While viral infections are the most common cause, severe or persistent pain may be indicative of a more serious problem. If your throat pain lasts longer than 3 weeks or if you are concerned, visit your local doctor."

---