Her 3-Year-Old Died of Invasive Strep A. Now She's Educating Other Parents About Warning Signs (Exclusive)

A rare but potentially fatal condition struck one family without warning during a vacation to Germany two years ago. And now, a heartbroken mom has gone viral on TikTok, opening up about losing her 3-year-old daughter to invasive Strep A in 2022.

In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, Violetta Hyatt describes daughter Maddie as a “kind, compassionate, and curious little girl” whose advanced vocabulary often surprised strangers. Before her death, Maddie was an "extraordinary big sister” to her then-3-month-old sibling, too.

Related: 5-Year-Old Dies After Being Misdiagnosed by Doctors Who Said She Had a Cold

The illness began with a fever, leading to a visit to the doctor. When the fever persisted and Maddie’s breathing became rapid, her parents took her to the hospital. Initially diagnosed with viral respiratory infection, doctors believed Maddie had human metapneumovirus (hMPV), which typically causes cold-like symptoms. In one of her videos, Hyatt writes that the doctors had "false confidence they were treating her correctly."

But Maddie’s condition deteriorated rapidly the night before her death. “We didn’t even know Maddie had invasive Strep A until after she passed away,” Hyatt reveals. Maddie succumbed to the infection less than five days after she first spiked a fever and only after two days in the hospital.

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After losing Maddie, Hyatt decided to share her daughter's story on TikTok in an effort to raise awareness about the potential dangers of Strep A. “I wouldn’t want this to happen to any other child or family,” she shares. Her advocacy has already made an impact, with some parents attributing Maddie’s story for “potentially saving their children’s lives.”

In one video that has been commented on more than 1,000 times, Hyatt writes that Maddie "didn't have some of the typical strep A symptoms like: sore / red throat strawberry tongue rash (scarlet fever)."

Related: Toddler Ends Up in ICU After Strep A Infection Is Dismissed as 'Just a Fever'

According to the CDC, "Group A strep bacteria can cause many different types of infections that range from minor to serious. The bacteria can also cause inflammatory diseases." While some infections it causes — like impetigo, strep throat and scarlet fever — are treatable, it can also lead to cellulitis, necrotizing fasciitis and streptococcal toxic shock syndrome.

“Symptoms aren’t always typical,” Hyatt warns as she emphasizes the importance of advocating for one's children. “It’s better to advocate in a non-serious situation than not to advocate in a serious one," she adds. "Most importantly, advocate for your child and trust your gut. You won’t always have time on your side.”

Since sharing her story, Hyatt has found comfort from the support she’s received from the TikTok community. “Although this is a terrible club to be in, there is some comfort in knowing you are not alone,” she shares. “Somehow TikTok feels like a safe space where I can share my grief without burdening others.”

She often posts about her grief, with one video that shows her going underwater to illustrate what it can feel like getting more than 3 million likes and sympathetic comments. Another looks back on happy memories with Maddie and is captioned, "losing myself after losing my daughter."

As Hyatt continues to navigate her grief through counseling and the support from her online and in-person community, she remains determined to educate others about Strep A using her platform.

"if i knew what i do now, maybe things would be different," she captions another video. "but hindsight is always 20/20."

Read the original article on People