A quadruple amputee spoke out about his devastating experience with Strep A on Tuesday after cases of the virus started to rise again.
Alex Lewis said that he was diagnosed with the condition in 2013 and only given a three percent chance of survival, according to The Sun.
The 42-year-old father said that he woke up on the morning of November 17, 2013, in unbearable pain and that his skin had started turning purple.
According to Lewis, he initially believed that he had contracted “man flu,” however, five weeks later, his organs began to shut down.
Doctors later learned that he had contracted Strep A toxic shock syndrome, septicemia and necrotizing fasciitis. In an effort to save Lewis, doctors were forced to remove both arms and legs.
After spending six months in the hospital and enduring 18 operations — including reconstruction on his lips, Lewis was released.
“The National Health Service would have spent a huge amount of money on me initially, and when it comes to the aftercare,” Lewis said on “Good Morning Britain” in 2017.
Lewis revealed that it costs him nearly $85,000 to $110,000 a year to keep his wheelchair, and prosthetics operational.
Now, as cases of strep continue to rise, Lewis has become vocal in the hopes of saving lives.
“Don’t be afraid to ask for help and advice. We know the NHS is under a lot of pressure, but contact your GP, call 111 or go to A&E if necessary and get your child on antibiotics,” Lewis said of Britain’s health agency. “It’s better to be safe than sorry. I’m very lucky to be here. Don’t be afraid to push to have your child seen.”
In the US, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that there are between 14,000 to 25,000 cases of invasive group A strep in the US per year. Within the last five years, the CDC estimated that 1,500 and 2,300 people have died due to the disease.
Lewis’ campaign comes after nine children in the UK have died from Strep A — the most recent being a 5-year-old girl.
“I saw an interview with the father of a little girl in Alder Hey hospital and that was pretty raw,” lamented Lewis. “I can only imagine what he’s going through and I know my family went through similar. It’s tough.”
