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Arizona girl, 7, fights for life on ventilator and has multiple limbs amputated after contracting rare bacterial infection where her 'lips and hands turned blue'
A seven-year-old girl from Arizona is fighting for her life and is now on a ventilator after she had to have three of her limbs amputated to save her life.
Victoria Pasten-Morales fell ill suddenly with the symptoms of a fever and pain followed by vomiting. But her condition became serious and escalated within hours.
The second-grader was admitted to Phoenix Children's Hospital where she has been in intensive care for the last two weeks.
During that time, she has undergone eight surgeries and now has a long road to recovery together with the support of her parents and three siblings.
Doctors say Victoria contracted the bacterial infection, group A streptococcus which causes sepsis - often known as blood poisoning.
The youngster was admitted to Phoenix Children's Hospital where she's undergone eight surgeries, battling group A streptococcus, losing three limbs as a result
Victoria is being supported by her loving family which includes three siblings and her parents
Aside from the devastating loss of her limbs, the bacteria has now affected her kidneys and lungs meaning she now requires a ventilator to breathe.
The little girl is still in the ICU but is awake and able to communicate with doctors and her family. It is not known how the youngster contracted the infection.
'Everything happened very fast. It occurred very fast. We don't know where it came from, but it all happened in less than 12 hours,' mom, Obdulia Morales, said to Fox 10.
'Her lips and hands started turning blue,' Obdulia said. 'Not even the doctors can tell us how she got this bacteria.'
'Unfortunately, they had to amputate both feet and her right hand. Her left hand is still recovering,' dad, Victor Pasten, added. 'Diseases come unexpectedly. From morning to night, everything can change in just one second.'
The family say their lives have been changed forever and have set up a GoFundMe to help deal with the medical expenses.
Victoria Pasten-Morales, 7, is fighting for her life, and on a ventilator after three limb amputations following a sudden bacterial infection
Victoria's parents say their lives have been changed forever and have set up a GoFundMe to help deal with the medical expenses.
Despite everything she's gone through, the second grade is still offering kisses to her family from her intensive care hospital bed - a testament to her unwavering strength
The second-grader is seen enjoying a snack at her school while dressed as Minnie Mouse
Despite trauma, Victoria's eyes still light up when her family enters her hospital room
'It's not going to be easy for her. It's going to be hard but, she's strong. She's a warrior,' mom, Obdulia said.
The family say that despite the trauma of the last two weeks, Victoria's eyes still light up when her family come into the room and she is still able to blow kisses.
Sepsis is a medical emergency health experts call a 'silent killer.' It's caused by the body's extreme reaction to an infection.
Sepsis occurs when chemicals released in the bloodstream cause the immune system to go haywire.
Instead of sending infection-fighting white blood cells to attack a foreign invader, it targets healthy tissues and organs.
Infections that lead to sepsis most commonly start in the lungs, urinary tract, skin, or gastrointestinal tract, but almost any infection can lead to sepsis - even things as innocuous as paper cuts.
Bacterial infections are one of the most common causes of sepsis. Blood tests can look for an increase in white blood cells, which indicates an infection is present
Also known as flesh-eating disease, necrotizing fasciitis is a severe, rapidly spreading infection that kills one in five sufferers, according to the CDC. It's most commonly caused by group A strep.
Symptoms include a red or warm area of the skin that spreads quickly, severe pain, and fever. As necrotizing fasciitis spreads, it can cause ulcers or blisters on the skin, skin color changes, pus or oozing, dizziness, fatigue, diarrhea, and nausea.
The CDC estimates 700 to 1,150 cases occur in the US every year.
Sepsis can closely resemble the flu, which makes it extremely difficult to spot early.
There is no single test for sepsis, but doctors look for signs of infections with measures such as blood tests.
Sepsis can progress to septic shock, which is characterized by a severe drop in blood pressure.
Signs of septic shock, according to the Mayo Clinic, include not being able to stand up, extreme fatigue or not being able to stay awake, and a major change in mental status.
The CDC recommends seeking help immediately if you have signs of sepsis. If left untreated, sepsis and septic shock are fatal.