Precautionary Measures for Streptococcus A Infections: The Tragic Story of a Nova Scotia Couple

2024-04-07 00:10:44

The family of a Nova Scotia couple, who died within hours of each other from a Streptococcus A infection, deplores the lack of precaution and reaction from doctors.

On February 25, Ginny and Jeffery Killam, both 59, died within two hours of each other in hospital, Global News reported.

“Sunday morning at 10:30 a.m., our father-in-law had a cardiopulmonary arrest, and [ensuite] they were losing mom,” explained Meta Ross. “So in two hours, we lost them both.”

Sammi and Meta Ross, two sisters, said doctors failed to recognize the warning signs until it was too late for their mother and stepfather.

Ginny Killam, as soon as the first symptoms appeared, went to see her doctor, who sent her home with a diagnosis of the flu.

Two days later, the symptoms got worse. She was “grey,” she was sweating and clammy, according to the testimony of the two sisters. An ambulance rushed her to hospital and she went into septic shock that night.

Jeffery, who accompanied his wife to the hospital, began developing symptoms the next day and was admitted to the hospital. The sisters, having finally learned from Public Health that their mother and stepfather had Streptococcus A, were then placed on antibiotics as a precaution.

Both sisters believe that if their mother had been tested for strep earlier, she might have survived. They also believe that the hospital should have taken precautions to protect their father-in-law once the diagnosis was confirmed, especially since he was on dialysis, and therefore vulnerable.

The Nova Scotia Department of Health said 40 people in the province have caught Strep A this year, and 10 have died from it, compared to five last year.

Strep A are bacteria found on the skin and throat that can cause a wide range of illnesses in children and adults. Invasive Group A Strep occurs when bacteria cause deeper infections and are isolated from a normally sterile body site, such as the blood.

Symptoms:

• High fever (which gets worse or resists despite treatment)
• Severe pain, swelling and redness
• Dizziness and confusion
• Rashes that spread quickly
• Nausea and/or vomiting
• Severe pain in the arms, legs, neck or back
• Dehydration
• Change in skin color

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