‘Wheezy chest’ virus nearly killed Jamie, 4
Mum’s hunch saved strep A toddler whose lung collapsed
A boy with a “wheezy” chest was left fighting for life after an invasive Strep A infection caused his lung to suddenly collapse.
Jamie Guthrie, from St Monans, Fife, underwent emergency surgery after developing necrotising pneumonia in January 2023.
The four-yearold’s life was saved by a hero medic at the Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy, who suspected the strep infection had invaded his tiny body.
Instead of waiting 48 hours for test results, the consultant immediately started him on an intensive course of antibiotics.
But Jamie’s condition worsened with mum lynsey’s “maternal instinct” telling her something was wrong. A chest X-ray revealed the youngster’s lung had collapsed and he was rushed to the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People in edinburgh, where a drain was fitted into the organ.
Jamie spent 44 days in hospital but is recovering well. Mum-of-two lynsey, 29, told the Record: “He’s always struggled with his chest so when I noticed him wheezing, I took him to the doctor as a precaution.
“They said to get him checked at the hospital who said he was stable and sent us home with a ‘wheeze management plan’ as normal.
“But the next morning, we woke up to Jamie screaming hysterically. He was absolutely boiling hot to the touch and had a fever just under 40.”
Medics discovered Jamie had RSV – a common virus among children – and kept him in hospital overnight. But he was diagnosed with pneumonia the next day.
An experienced consultant suspected the then three-year-old may have invasive Strep A and began treating him right away.
lynsey added: “Thank God that we were in the hospital when he deteriorated so they caught it immediately and that his doctor didn’t wait. She literally saved his life.”
Jamie was eventually allowed home on February 21, 2023, with his mum, dad Graeme, 29, and big brother Jack, six, now raising funds to refurbish the Victoria Hospital’s parent room.
lynsey added: “Staff at the hospital went above and beyond for Jamie, from decorating his room for his birthday to making sure the rest of the family were OK.”
Thank God his doctor didn’t wait. She saved his life
LYNSEY GUTHRIE ON SON JAMIE’S ORDEAL