Health warning as deadly infection spikes, with children most at risk

A two-and-a-half-year-old girl almost died after contracting a bacterial infection on the rise across Australia. Doctors warn children under five are most at risk.

Little Farah, despite being fully immunised, was recently hospitalised with pneumonia and empyema (pneumonia infection around the lungs) and ended up with a collapsed lung and several other complications. Picture: Supplied

A two-and-a-half-year-old NSW girl was given a 50 per cent chance of survival after contracting a bacterial infection that is spiking in Australia, with doctors warning children under five are most at risk.

Dubbo toddler Farah Elsayed almost died after contracting a serious infection caused by the pneumococcal bacteria, which lives in the nose and throat and is responsible for a range of diseases, including meningitis, pneumonia and middle ear infection.

The young girl was fully vaccinated against pneumococcal disease, with no family history of lung disease.

Despite this, the immunised toddler almost died from the bacteria, which had caused an infection in and around her lungs.

Her parents were Mariam and Mohamed Elsayed were told there was only a 50 per cent chance that Farah would be able to return home.

Despite being fully immunised, Farrah, 2, was recently hospitalised with pneumonia and empyema (pneumonia infection around the lungs) and ended up with a collapsed lung and several other complications. Image: supplied

The sharp rise in cases of invasive pneumococcal disease has doctors worried.

The infection around Farah’s lung had become jelly-like, the pus had coagulated and Farah was urgently airlifted to Randwick Children’s Hospital.

“I asked the doctors many times ‘what is the reason?’ I need to know how to avoid this in the future. They told me she is just an unlucky girl,” said Ms Elsayed.

For Ms Elsayed one of the worst moments was seeing her toddler lie in the huge hospital bed.

“It was difficult for me. I am afraid about her future. I am afraid to apply to enrol her in nurseries in case she catches another infection. How do I handle this in the future?” said Ms Elsayed.

New data shows Australia has recorded the highest number of invasive pneumococcal disease cases in 15 years. In NSW alone, there have been 650 cases this year, up from 327 in 2020, health data shows.

The sharp rise in infections has doctors concerned, with Dr Nusrat Homaira, pediatric respiratory epidemiologist, warning the rise in infections could lead to an increase in hospitalisation of infants and young children.

“Pneumococcal disease impacts the most vulnerable in our community, particularly those

under the age of 5,” Dr Homaira said.

“We’re continuing to see a rise in the most prevalent subtype which is of particular concern in children, as in some cases it can lead to a serious infection around the lungs known as empyema.

“Given the latest data, there is a strong need to address rising case numbers and those subtypes that could continue to remain a challenge.”

Pneumococcal infections can lead to pneumonia, middle ear infections and even meningitis.

Symptoms depend on the site of infection and age of the infected. Pneumonia can cause shortness of breath, fever, lack of energy, loss of appetite, headache, chest pain and cough.

Meningitis can be fatal, causing fever, headache, stiff neck, nausea, vomiting, and drowsiness.

While Farah survived her ordeal, it will have life long impacts on her future.

She was subjected to 21 X-rays and has been left with a hospital-acquired skin condition that will require life-long vigilance.

Originally published as Health warning as deadly infection spikes, with children most at risk