After Doctors Misdiagnosed Her with a Cold, a 5-Year-Old Girl Died from a Treatable Illness Common in Children
After Doctors Misdiagnosed Her with a Cold, a 5-Year-Old Girl Died from a Treatable Illness. Cassie, a bright and energetic 5-year-old, began showing mild symptoms: a sore throat and raspy voice. Doctors dismissed it as a viral infection and sent her home without testing for bacterial causes.
Within days, she lost her voice and struggled to breathe, but again, medical staff assured her parents it wasn’t serious. Her condition worsened rapidly. By the time she was rushed to Westmead Children’s Hospital, it was too late. A throat swab finally revealed the true cause: Group A Streptococcus (Strep A) — a common, treatable infection in children.
Cassie was declared brain dead on August 28, 2023. Her death was entirely preventable. A simple throat swab…
