An Arizona girl has had several of her limbs amputated over the past two weeks after contracting a mysterious, deadly bacterial infection, according to her distraught family.
Sophomore Victoria Pasten Morales has reportedly undergone eight surgeries since being diagnosed with group A streptococcus, which can cause the potentially fatal disease.
The 7-year-old girl became ill with fever and vomiting in late February, and her lips and hands later turned blue, one of her parents told local media.
“Everything happened so quickly. It happened so quickly. I don’t know where it came from, but it all happened within 12 hours,” said mother Obduria Morales. He told Fox 10 in Phoenix.
“Diseases come unexpectedly,” Victor Pasten added in Spanish. “From morning to night, everything can change in just one second.”
The girl was taken to Phoenix Children’s Hospital, where she underwent a rigorous diagnosis and underwent numerous procedures.
“Unfortunately, they had to amputate both legs and her right hand. Her left hand is still recovering,” Pasten told the station on Sunday.
According to Fox 10, Victoria’s kidneys are also affected and she requires a ventilator while she is awake.
Although unable to speak, the girl was shown blowing kisses and nodding when staff from her school traveled to Victoria to wish her well, the teacher said in a GoFundMe post reported by Fox 10. said.
To date, more than $23,000 has been raised for families facing the financial burden of a shocking medical emergency.
Bacteria called group A streptococcus can cause a variety of infections, ranging from mild to more serious illnesses. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Morales said her daughter has become a “warrior” after overcoming a terrifying ordeal.
“It’s not going to be easy for her,” she told FOX 10. “It’s going to be tough, but she’s strong.”
Her parents, who have three other children, cannot explain how she contracted the debilitating infection.
“Even the doctors can’t tell us how she got infected with this bacteria,” Morales said.
