[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 112 (Wednesday, July 25, 2012)]
[House]
[Page H5209]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        GROUP A STREP INFECTIONS

  (Mrs. McCARTHY of New York asked and was given permission to address 
the House for 1 minute.)
  Mrs. McCARTHY of New York. Madam Speaker, I rise today to raise 
awareness of group A strep infection. A series of tragic events within 
my district have brought this pressing health situation to my 
attention. One of my constituents, Stephen Sweetman, a dedicated 
fireman, contacted my office after the deaths of his mother and his 2-
year-old son.
  Sean died just days after originally presenting with invasive strep A 
symptoms last February. After flying to New York for Sean's wake, Mr. 
Sweetman's mother died of group A strep infection just 14 days after 
her grandson. Both were originally misdiagnosed with a stomach bug.
  While medical diagnosis presents enormous challenges, especially for 
rare diseases, I am deeply concerned with the medical 
misidentifications which led to these terrible deaths. Recently, 
several of my colleagues and I sent a letter to the Appropriations 
Committee asking that we focus on this issue.
  I hope that we can come together to raise awareness for group A strep 
infections.

                          ____________________