BANGOR, Maine (NEWS CENTER)-- A 23 month old girl from Stockton Springs is fighting a brave battle against a strep infection that might cost her one of her lower legs.
Hailey Mello started feeling ill Friday morning while at daycare. Her mother picked her up and took her immediately to her pediatrician in Belfast. Hailey became seriously ill and was taken by lifeflight to Eastern Maine Medical Center.
After testing and cultures it was determined that Hailey had Streptococcus A. According to family friends, it has caused some tissue damage and Hailey may need to have her lower right leg removed below the knee.
Friends have set up a fundraiser for the family. Tomorrow night, the Anglers Restaurants in Newport, Searsport and Hampden will donate 10 percent of their proceeds to help the family with medical costs.
A pediatrician at EMMC said what happened to Hailey is an extremely rare case. Pediatrician Colette Sabbagh said Streptococcus A is a scientific term for strep throat.
Sabbagh said strep throat is most common in kids four to 12 years old. It spreads from person to person and early signs of strep throat are headache, sore throat and loss of appetite.
Sabbagh said it is rare for someone to be hospitalized from strep throat, but it can happen.
"They can develop an abscess which is basically the infection, the puss gets walled off. It creates a mass basically. This is not just with strep but with any throat infection, this is a possibility and it does not happen often. But when it does happen you may need to surgically drain it. Usually need IV antibiotics and it becomes more complicated," Sabbagh said.
Sabbagh said what happened to Hailey is extremely rare, if you have strep throat and if your symptoms get worse, Sabbagh recommends going to the doctor.
NEWS CENTER