Perth mother's desperate plea after doctors missed deadly infection

Perth mum Claire O'Dowd is urging parents to be careful after two doctors missed the signs that her son had a potentially fatal infection. Photo / 7 News

A Perth mother has issued a desperate warning to parents after doctors missed the symptoms of her son's deadly infection.

Claire O'Dowd is urging parents to be aware of the dangers of septic arthritis after her son Liam was hospitalised for nine days with the potentially fatal infection.

The young boy had a high temperature, a full body rash, and couldn't stand on one leg as the infection spread from his ankle joint through his bloodstream.

Although O'Dowd knew her son was seriously ill, she told 7 News two doctors missed the signs of the deadly infection.

"I had no idea how serious it would get and how fast it came on," she said.

"I just didn't even think to look for something more."

Perth mum Claire O'Dowd is urging parents to be careful after two doctors missed the signs that her son had a potentially fatal infection. Photo / 7 News

O'Dowd called the ambulance when she checked on Liam in the middle of the night and saw that his eyes were open but he was unresponsive.

When they arrived at the hospital, she said the doctors saw her son was sick with something more than just a typical virus.

"Once we saw a doctor I think they straight away saw there was more to it than just a virus and some temperatures," she told 7 News.

Read More

• Eagle-eyed client spots rare illness countless doctors ...
• Baby death inquiry finds disease could be missed by ...
• HB teen could have lived - Hawkes Bay Today News - ...
• Baby hits head on cot, spends month in hospital with ...
• 'I've got relatives with ME/CFS' - Dr Richard Medlicott's ...

Liam had septic arthritis, a deadly and painful infection in a joint that is usually caused by bacteria and can travel through the bloodstream.

The young boy's infection was caused by Strep A, the fifth most lethal bacteria on the planet. Although it normally presents as a sore throat and can be dismissed in the early stages, the fast-acting infection can be fatal within hours.

Liam spent nine days in Perth Children's Hospital, where he had surgery on his infected ankle joint.

O'Dowd said she's thankful the infection was caught in time, but she is concerned for parents who aren't aware of how quickly the infection can escalate.

She said she wholly supports the push to create a vaccine for Strep A.

"I think a vaccine would be quite important, especially for a little body to have to go through this much and how fast it happened," O'Dowd said.

Strep A predominantly affects children and it causes 500,000 deaths each year.