Their heart-wrenching story serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of vigilance when it comes to our children’s health and the devastating consequences of neglecting even seemingly minor symptoms….
The devastated parents of a 10-year-old Irish girl who tragically lost her life have made the difficult decision to release details of their daughter’s untimely death in the hope it will help prevent future tragedies.
A young Irish girl named Vivienne Murphy died of her illness in March 2019 shortly after complaining of a sore throat. Lilly and Dermot Murphy, Vivienne’s parents, spoke about her sudden illness on RTE’s This Week program.
Around Valentine’s Day, Vivienne started experiencing a fever and a rash, which set off a terrible chain of events. Her condition rapidly deteriorated over a short period of time, necessitating hospitalization. After initial treatment at Cork University Hospital, Vivienne had to be transferred to Dublin’s Temple Street for a more thorough diagnosis.
Coming up today, the harrowing story of ten yr old Vivienne Murphy who died of invasive Strep infection, her parents speak to us to raise awareness of the devastating consequences. pic.twitter.com/fgd1al8qlO
— This Week RTÉ (@thisweekrte) April 16, 2023
The devastated parents of a 10-year-old Irish girl who tragically lost her life have made the difficult decision to release details of their daughter’s untimely death in the hope it will help prevent future tragedies.
A young Irish girl named Vivienne Murphy died of her illness in March 2019 shortly after complaining of a sore throat. Lilly and Dermot Murphy, Vivienne’s parents, spoke about her sudden illness on RTE’s This Week program.
Around Valentine’s Day, Vivienne started experiencing a fever and a rash, which set off a terrible chain of events. Her condition rapidly deteriorated over a short period of time, necessitating hospitalization. After initial treatment at Cork University Hospital, Vivienne had to be transferred to Dublin’s Temple Street for a more thorough diagnosis.
Vivienne’s failure to respond to medicine and her subsequent deterioration raised questions about the original medical theory that she had a viral infection. Lilly revealed the couple’s growing anxiety: “We said it can’t be, there has to be something else, it’s been going on for days.”
Dermot continued: “We realized she was getting worse and the rash looked incredibly angry. He described the scene as it got worse. She was in discomfort during the evening and we noticed the knee on her right leg had started to swell.
He described their frantic attempts to alert the doctor of the first consultation to the alarming scenario, stressing that their child’s condition was deteriorating.
Their tragic story took a grim turn when a black spot appeared on Vivienne’s leg, stunning the medical team. The Murphys learned of their daughter’s serious condition — that she had contracted Strep A — after several tests.
The black mark indicated the onset of sepsis and necrotizing fasciitis, a deadly, rapidly spreading bacterial disease often known as the “flesh-eating disease.”
Vivienne had to undergo a procedure that “took hours” at Temple Street Hospital after receiving the worrying diagnosis. The brave young girl thanked her sister before being put to sleep. “She conducted herself with dignity. Her last words in this world were these. She was incredibly empathetic. Dermot thought, “The world is a sadder place without her.
After the surgery, the doctors gave shocking news. “He said I think I stopped the disease from spreading but I had to cut off 17% of your daughter’s body,” Dermot described the breathtaking scene. He stated his initial thought that if they had acted sooner, only minor surgical treatment would have been necessary.
However, when Vivienne’s heart stopped, their situation worsened. Dermot remembered in great detail the team’s attempts to revive her. But when it later emerged that the cardiac arrest had caused serious damage and ultimately led to her death, their fleeting moment of optimism was dashed.
The Murphys gave honest advice to all parents after their tragic loss. “Be careful if your child develops a fever or rash as these conditions can change so quickly. They warned: “Our daughter initially showed signs and symptoms but died within ten days. We ask parents to be aware of these things, not be passive, and never believe that they are overreacting as parents when they are not.
The tragic loss of 10-year-old Vivienne Murphy is a heartbreaking reminder of the importance of vigilance and swift action when it comes to the health of our children. The Murphys’ decision to share their harrowing experience is a courageous act to prevent similar tragedies in the future. Their heartfelt plea for parents to be proactive and trust their instincts underscores the vital role parental awareness plays in protecting our children’s well-being. As we reflect on Vivienne’s life and the profound impact of her passing, we are reminded of the value of every moment we spend with our loved ones and the responsibility we have as parents to protect their health and safety. The story of the Murphy family will forever serve as a poignant reminder of the power of parental love and the urgency of recognizing the signs of serious illness. May Vivienne’s memory inspire us all to cherish our loved ones and take action to protect their precious lives.