Danniella Westbrook claims she has ‘Strep A’ and was ‘hours away from cardiac arrest’

Danniella Westbrook shared a concerning clip from a hospital bed on Thursday night claiming she has ‘Strep A’.

The former EastEnders star, 49 followed up with a selfie shared to Instagram in which she said that she was ‘hours away from a cardiac arrest’ before going on to thank medics from Whipps Cross Hospital for ‘saving her life’.

It comes after she shared a worrying video from the back of an ambulance silently inhaling what appeared to be gas and air – which has since been deleted.

In her latest post, Danniella uploaded a clip to her Instagram stories of herself lying in bed in a hospital gown alongside the caption: ‘Septics, Strep A and constant temperature off 39.8.’ [sic].

Strep A, medically known as Group A Streptococcus or Group A Strep, are bacteria that cause a range of infections, including strep throat, tonsillitis and impetigo — a skin infection. It can also cause scarlet fever.

The bacteria, which can cause no symptoms, can be found in the throat, skin and respiratory tract of those infected.

Alarming: It comes after she shared a worrying video from the back of an ambulance silently inhaling what appeared to be gas and air – which has since been deleted

The camera then panned across her looking distressed in bed before focusing on a cannula in her arm. 

On her next story, she posted a message which read: ‘Huge thank you to whipps cross and the nhs. Who have managed to get me stabalised.

‘They informed me that if i’d left it till morning I would of had a heart attack the pressure on my chest was so bad.’ [sic] 

Update: The former EastEnders star, 49, also said that she was ‘hours away from a cardiac arrest’ before going on to thank medics from Whipps Cross Hospital for ‘saving her life’

Danniella later shared a selfie to her grid, where she gave a further update on her condition, telling fans she was close to having a cardiac arrest and was now resting after her ordeal.

She wrote: ‘Whips cross just saved my life and I am forever grateful. If you have this flu bug and tight chest ring an ambulance I was hours away from a cardiac arrest my chest was so tight . Now I need complete bed rest for a few days #blessed.’

MailOnline have contacted representatives of Daniella for comment. 

Poorly: Danniella uploaded a clip to her Instagram stories of herself lying in bed in a hospital gown alongside the caption: ‘Septics, Strep A and constant temperature off 39.8.’ [sic] (pictured with a cannula in her arm)

Grateful: On her next story, she posted a message which read: ‘Huge thank you to whipps cross and the nhs. Who have managed to get me stabalised’

Danniella’s latest health updates follows a video she shared the previous night in which she appeared to have a cut on her face and looked to be on her way to hospital.

Danniella has not said why she was in the ambulance or given any details about her recent health.

MailOnline has contacted representatives of Danniella Westbrook for comment. 

Recovering: Danniella later shared a selfie to her grid, where she gave a further update on her condition, telling fans she was close to having a cardiac arrest and was now resting after her ordeal

Concern: Danniella’s latest health updates follows a video she shared the previous night in which she appeared to have a cut on her face and looked to be on her way to hospital

What are the symptoms of Strep A? How does it spread? And is it the same as scarlet fever? Everything you need to know about the killer bug sweeping Britain 

What is Strep A?

Group A Streptococcus (Group A Strep or Strep A) bacteria can cause many different infections.

The bacteria are commonly found in the throat and on the skin, and some people have no symptoms.

Infections caused by Strep A range from minor illnesses to serious and deadly diseases.

They include the skin infection impetigo, scarlet fever and strep throat.

While the vast majority of infections are relatively mild, sometimes the bacteria cause an illness called invasive Group A Streptococcal disease.

What is invasive Group A Streptococcal disease?

Invasive Group A Strep disease is sometimes a life-threatening infection in which the bacteria have invaded parts of the body, such as the blood, deep muscle or lungs.

Two of the most severe, but rare, forms of invasive disease are necrotising fasciitis and streptococcal toxic shock syndrome.

Necrotising fasciitis is also known as the ‘flesh-eating disease’ and can occur if a wound gets infected.

Streptococcal toxic shock syndrome is a rapidly progressing infection causing low blood pressure/shock and damage to organs such as the kidneys, liver and lungs.

This type of toxic shock has a high death rate.

READ MAILONLINE’S FULL Q&A ON STREP A. 

The alarming video comes after Danniella revealed that she will undergo two more reconstructive operations in Turkey in the coming months in a bid to fix her face.

The star needs several more operations to correct her ‘collapsing’ face due to a previous cocaine addiction and osteoporosis. 

Her latest bout of cosmetic surgery will take place abroad ahead of her acting comeback, with the second to happen after Christmas. 

Danniella told The Sun: ‘I go away next week to Turkey to have another face operation and then another one after Christmas.’ 

She previously underwent a rib insertion procedure in 2018, after osteoporosis rotted away her cheekbones and gums and, after spending the last year getting lip filler and Botox, in addition to surgery on her face, she is hoping to get back to her best.

In April Danniella stepped out with a bandage over her nose after another procedure. 

The actress’ battle with drugs has been well-publicised, and she famously had her nose reconstructed after her septum collapsed from excessive cocaine use in 2002.

At the height of her use it was reported she would take up to five grams of cocaine a day, blowing close to £250,000 on the drug.

The star has since embarked on multiple rehab stints in order to battle her demons – and revealed she was finally clean in June last year, after attending a clinic in Mijas, Spain.  

Danniella first appeared in EastEnders in 1990 at the age of 16 and acted on the soap for three years. 

She returned in 1996 but her time was cut short when her off-screen behaviour got her sacked.

She returned again shortly after, but was axed again in 2000 after further disruptive behaviour, admitting she blew £100k on cocaine at the time.

The part was recast between 2002 and 2005, and played by Kim Medcalf, but Danniella returned to the role once more in 2009 until 2010.

She was back once more in 2016 for the storyline surrounding on-screen mother Peggy Mitchell’s death, which is to date her final appearance.

Danniella’s new adult pantomime Sinderfella is due to run from Friday December 9 until Thursday December 22 and features party anthems Never Going To Give You Up, It’s Raining Men, I Will Survive, Dancing Queen, Like A Virgin, and Time Of My Life.

Sinderfella is played by London drag artiste Luna Cortez. 

It is described as having ‘an utterly filthy laugh-a-minute script and a whole load of audience participation’ and ‘the perfect way to kick start your Christmas with a bang!’

Plans: Danniella revealed that she will undergo two more reconstructive operations in Turkey in the coming months in a bid to fix her face 

Help: Her latest bout of cosmetic surgery will take place abroad ahead of her acting comeback, with the second to happen after Christmas

Tough: The actress’ battle with drugs has been well-publicised, and she famously had her nose reconstructed after her septum collapsed from excessive cocaine use in 2002 (pictured left in 2009 and right this year)

Simon Gross, who plays Jordan the Ugly Sister, said: ‘Sinderfella takes all the ingredients of the pantomimes we grew up with and know and love but takes the double entendre to the next level! 

‘All the bits that were knowingly laughed at by your Dad are exposed in all their glory in a fairy tale romp. 

‘This year we’re really looking forward to pushing the boundaries to bring you the most memorable and hilarious night out on the heart of the West End.’

Actress: Danniella first appeared in EastEnders in 1990 at the age of 16 and has had several stints on the soap over the years (pictured 2009)