An Australian toddler had to have both his legs amputated after suffering from a Strep A infection that took over his whole body.
On December 8, one-year-old Ryan Lines was taken to a hospital in Broken Hill, New South Wales (NSW) after his runny nose rapidly increased into septic shock.
According to News.com.au, the young boy suffered from a cardiac arrest before being flown to the Women's and Children's Hospital in Adelaide to undergo further treatment.
His parents Jessica and Sam Lines have been with their son in hospital for 62 days, where he is undergoing surgery to amputate both legs and preparing to have his fingertips removed.
Jessica told the DailyMail Australia she was shocked by how rapidly her son's condition deteriorated.
"I noticed Ryan had a runny nose, temperature, and was very limp and lethargic. This is what made me take him to the hospital," she told Daily Mail Australia.
She also said the family was preparing for the worst-case scenario for their son.
"After he cardiac arrested, we were told that we could be looking at worst case, where Ryan would have severe brain damage, lose parts of his face and his full legs and hands, thankfully that's not the case," she told the Daily Mail Australia.
Across Australia, cases of Strep A have spiked. Strep A, also known as group A Streptococcus, is when bacteria can be found in the throat and skin and can turn deadly if left untreated, News.com.au reported.
A GoFundMe page has been set up to help the young boy and his family, with donations reaching up to AUD$108,252 (NZ$118,855.82) at the time of publishing.
