'My pain was ten out of ten': Little girl's life is saved after she went to hospital with a splitting headache only to find she had a deadly disease - amid fears thousands of children are at risk

  • Girl, 7, experienced '10 out of 10 pain' when she was struck with a deadly virus
  • Sarah Baker, from NSW, complained to her mother Skye about intense pain 
  • She was diagnosed with meningococcal disease and was saved by swift doctors
  • Sarah's case comes amid growing concern about the potentially fatal disease 

By Zoe Zaczek For Daily Mail Australia

Published: | Updated:

A seven-year-old girl who experienced '10 out of 10 pain' when she was struck with a deadly virus is lucky to be alive after her mother displayed quick-thinking and rushed her to hospital for treatment.

Sarah Baker, from New South Wales, complained to her mother Skye about intense pain and the family swiftly took her to the doctors.

The little girl was diagnosed with meningococcal disease - which is not covered by routine immunization meaning thousands of children could be at risk. 

Sarah Baker (right), from New South Wales, complained to her mother Skye (left) about intense pain and the family swiftly presented her to the doctors

Sarah Baker (right), from New South Wales, complained to her mother Skye (left) about intense pain and the family swiftly presented her to the doctors

Recalling the moment she took her daughter to hospital, Skye said the doctors straight away thought something wasn't right. 

'Straight away, the doctors said, ''Look, with that headache and vomiting, I really don't like that she's drowsy and I think we'll do a lumbar puncture'',' Skye told Nine News. 

The seven-year-old said her pain during the ordeal reached the maximum in a threshold out of 10. 

'It was really sore, and it felt like my head was pounding,' she said. 

Sarah's case comes amid growing concern about the potentially fatal disease as many parents believe their children are protected - but there is one dangerous strain that is not vaccinated against.

Australia's routine immunisation program does not protect against the B strain of the meningococcal virus.

The little girl (pictured) was diagnosed with meningococcal disease and Skye has since praised the medical team for their prompt action, amid fearing the worst

The little girl (pictured) was diagnosed with meningococcal disease and Skye has since praised the medical team for their prompt action, amid fearing the worst

Professor Robert Booy, the medical advisor at Meningococcal Australia, said meningococcal can kill in 10 per cent of cases and 20 per cent can lead to serious complications. 

'Most parents don't realise that our routine vaccines don't cover all strains. Meningococcal B is not covered, yet it's the most common in babies and it's the most common in teenagers,' Mr Booy said.

The South Australian government announced in 2018 they would provide a free vaccine for the meningococcal B strain to groups at risk but other states and territories are yet to follow suit.

Mr Booy said the South Australian government had paved the pay by providing access to the expensive vaccine.

Professor Robert Booy, the medical advisor at Meningococcal Australia, said meningococcal can kill in 10 per cent of cases and 20 per cent can lead to complications (stock image)

Professor Robert Booy, the medical advisor at Meningococcal Australia, said meningococcal can kill in 10 per cent of cases and 20 per cent can lead to complications (stock image)

While NSW authorities recognise the seriousness of the disease they are yet to take the same steps. 

'Meningococcal B vaccine protects against some serogroup B strains and is strongly recommended for young children and adolescents but is not funded by the National Immunisation Program,' the NSW Health website says.

'Because routine vaccines do not protect against all strains of meningococcal disease, all people must still be alert for the symptoms and signs of meningococcal disease, even if they have been vaccinated.' 

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