The heartbroken parents of a 10-year-old girl who died after having 17 percent of her body cut away have shared their story hoping that it can help save other children.
Vivienne Murphy passed away only weeks after complaining about a sore throat.
Her parents Dermot and Lilly said that their daughter started to feel unwell, developing fever and rash. Only a few days later, her condition worsened and they had to rush her to a hospital.
Doctors initially believed that Vivienne contracted a viral infection but when she failed to respond to any medication, her parents said it must be something else.
“It’s been going on for days,” Lilly recalled.
“We realized she was still getting worse, and the rash was really angry looking. By the evening she had pain and we noticed that her right leg started swelling at the knee,” Dermot added.
They were told by the doctor that it could be a flu virus and the parents mentioned their daughter’s knee, saying she could not stand anymore.
Medical staff were also shocked to find a black mark on Vivienne’s leg, and the Murphys were told that their child was ‘critically ill’ as they confirmed that she had contracted Strep A.
“The doctor marked it with a skin marker, but we could see it was growing outside the mark,” Dermot said.
“We [were told] at that stage the black mark meant that Vivienne had sepsis and was going into shock.”
According to the Mirror, the black mark indicated the presence of necrotizing fasciitis, a rare bacterial infection that quickly spreads through the body. It is also known as ‘flesh-eating disease.’
“She said ‘thank you, nurse, I’m sorry for crying. I know you’re only trying to help me,’” Dermot said of their daughter.
“That was the dignity she had. They were her last words on this planet. She had so much empathy. The world is a sadder place without her.”
After 17 percent of her body was cut away to stop the disease from spreading, Vivienne went into cardiac arrest and was later pronounced dead.
“If your child has a fever, or a rash, be vigilant, these things can change so quickly. Our daughter started off with signs and symptoms and within ten days she was gone,” the grieving parents said.
“We are just begging and pleading that parents look out for these things, don’t be submissive, and don’t ever think that you are being an overreacting parent, because you are not.”
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