Brecon Boy, 3, Nearly Dies from Common Disease Combination

Parents’ warning after son nearly dies from scarlet fever and sepsis

The parents of a three-year-old boy from Brecon are warning other parents to be aware of the dangers of scarlet fever after their son nearly died from the condition.

Harry Martin came down with scarlet fever on December 21 and was taken to the Prince Charles Hospital in Merthyr Tydfil the following day.

He was diagnosed with scarlet fever and sepsis and spent four days in intensive care before being transferred to the Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital in Cardiff for further treatment.

Harry’s mother, Kirsty, said: “It was the worst time of our lives. We were told that Harry could die at any moment.

"We just want to make other parents aware of the dangers of scarlet fever and to urge them to seek medical help if their child develops any of the symptoms.”

Scarlet fever is a bacterial infection that causes a rash and a sore throat. It is most common in children aged 2 to 8 years old.

The symptoms of scarlet fever include:

• A rash that starts on the chest and stomach and spreads to the rest of the body
• A sore throat
• A high temperature (fever)
• Swollen glands in the neck
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea and vomiting

Scarlet fever is treated with antibiotics and most people make a full recovery within a few days.

However, in some cases, scarlet fever can lead to complications such as sepsis, pneumonia, and meningitis.

Sepsis is a life-threatening condition that occurs when the body’s immune system overreacts to an infection.

The symptoms of sepsis include:

• A high temperature (fever)
• Chills
• Rapid breathing
• Fast heart rate
• Confusion
• Low blood pressure

If you think that your child may have scarlet fever or sepsis, it is important to seek medical help immediately.