Cassie Sutton was just five years old — full of life, starting school, and thriving. But what began as a simple sore throat quickly spiraled into a heartbreaking tragedy that could have been avoided.
Despite multiple doctor visits, Cassie was told she only had a cold and was sent home. The truth was far more dangerous, and a quick, simple test could have saved her life.
It all started like so many other childhood illnesses: a sore throat and hoarse voice.
But within three days, 5-year-old Cassie had completely lost her voice, leaving her mother Jasmine and stepfather Justin deeply worried. Cassie wasn’t acting like herself, Jasmine recalled.
Concerned, the Australian parents took Cassie to a local doctor. The diagnosis was quick and seemingly straightforward — a viral infection. The family was told to simply wait it out, believing rest and time would heal their little girl.
But Cassie’s condition didn’t improve. Instead, it worsened.
Breathing became a fight for survival
As the days passed, Cassie’s breathing grew more labored, resembling what Justin described as “an asthma attack or the labored breath of someone with emphysema.” Alarmed, the family rushed her to the emergency room.
Despite obvious signs of distress, doctors again dismissed the severity of her illness after negative tests for COVID-19 and RSV. Once again, no bacterial tests were performed — and no antibiotics were given.
Sent home a second time, Cassie’s health took a devastating turn.
The hidden danger
What was missed? A common but potentially deadly bacterial infection: group A Streptococcus, or strep A.
This infection affects millions of children worldwide and is easily treated with a simple course of antibiotics. A quick throat swab can confirm the diagnosis. Untreated, strep A can escalate rapidly, leading to severe complications — even death.
Strep A often presents with a sudden, severe sore throat, fever, and swollen lymph nodes — symptoms that can be confused with a cold. But unlike viral infections, strep throat rarely causes coughing, making it easier to identify if tested properly.
A race against time
Back at home, Cassie’s condition deteriorated rapidly. Her lips turned blue, and she drifted in and out of consciousness. Justin began CPR, continuing for 10 to 15 minutes until paramedics arrived.
“She was going in and out of consciousness and had sort of collapsed in Jaz’s arms,” Justin said.
Airlifted to Westmead Children’s Hospital, Cassie was given every chance. Doctors performed CPR for 78 minutes straight, but the lack of oxygen had already caused irreversible brain damage.
It wasn’t until then that a throat swab finally confirmed the diagnosis: Cassie had strep A. The infection was treatable — but tragically, the diagnosis came too late.
A powerful message
Cassie’s parents are left grappling with the pain of losing their daughter — a loss that could have been prevented with timely diagnosis and treatment. But rather than focus on blame, they have turned their grief into a plea for awareness.
Justin urges, “What I’ve said to everyone is we’re going to worry about those doctors later because that’s a fight for a different day.” Instead, the family hopes to raise awareness so no other parents suffer the same fate.
In a final act of generosity, Cassie’s family donated her organs on Jersey Day, a national campaign promoting organ donation. Three children received life-saving transplants, offering a glimmer of hope from tragedy.
Justin described Cassie as a “real-life superhero” who, even in death, changed the lives of others.
Why this matters to every parent
Group A Streptococcus infects around 750 million people worldwide every year and is responsible for a significant number of sore throat cases in American children. When left untreated, it can cause life-threatening complications such as rheumatic fever, which damages the heart.
Parents are urged to trust their instincts. If something feels wrong, push for tests — especially if a child’s symptoms worsen or don’t improve.
Cassie’s story is, sadly, not unique. Strep A causes about 50,000 deaths annually.
Recently, Australia has seen a significant rise in strep A infections among children, according to a study published in Lancet Regional Health. From July 2018 to December 2022, three children in the country lost their lives due to severe complications related to this infection.
Don’t ignore the warning signs
- Severe sore throat
- High fever that spikes quickly
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Absence of cough alongside fatigue and fever
If these symptoms appear, ask your healthcare provider to test for strep A.
Because sometimes, a simple test can mean the difference between life and death.
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