A mum whose whole family are on antibiotics after her children were struck down with Strep A has urged people to trust their instincts.
Hollie Lee and her two children and partner were left "really ill" after developing the infection in the past week.
On Friday, two-year-old Ruby Rigby was rushed to hospital by ambulance after suffering a seizure when her temperature rocketed above 40C.
And just days before the Birmingham family's youngest member, baby Mason, was also rushed to A&E with a high temperature, cough and runny nose.
As Hollie, Mason, Ruby and dad Michael Rigby waited in the emergency department, the tot developed a "sandpaper-like rash" which spread across his body and was eventually diagnosed with Strep A, quickly followed by his sister.
Now the family, who are all on antibiotics which Hollie and Michael were told to take as a precaution, are trying to raise awareness to others concerned about Strep A.
The mum-of-two told Birmingham Live : "The doctor at the hospital said to me that it's always been around and it's nothing to be overly concerned about, but when your kids are having temperatures of 40C and it's not coming down, it's awful to see them like that.
"The kids have been really bad with it. I couldn't get in at the GP, I rang 111, they said 'take him straight to A and E because his temperature's not coming down.
"I took him to Heartlands A and E, it was absolutely rammed there; full of poorly children. A lot had the same symptoms as Mason."
The worried mum detailed how Mason's oxygen levels were so low he had to be put on oxygen while at the hospital.
Hollie added: "I later started to notice a sandpapery, rough rash. As soon as I told the nurse, we were seen within about 20 minutes.
"It started on his belly, it spread all over his body within about 20 minutes. It just came on all of a sudden, very abruptly."
Common symptoms of Strep A include a high temperature, sort throat, aching body, and a rash.
After waiting around five hours after being swabbed, nurses confirmed Mason had Strep A and he was immediately given antibiotics, which took quick effect and the youngster was showing positive signs within the first few hours.
Just days later, Ruby, who has an underlying health condition, suffered a seizure, brought on by the fever.
Hollie explained how "all of a sudden" she became really ill and was taken to hospital by ambulance.
She was taken straight from the ambulance and onto a bed, before being seen within 20 minutes
"She was absolutely out of it, she couldn't speak. I was in a right state," the mum added.
