You have probably heard of strep throatand you’ve probably had a case of it yourself at some point in your life, but a new strain of strep bacteria, commonly known as strep A, is causing “super infections” all over the world and in some cases the symptoms are proving fatal.
Group A streptococcal (GAS) infection usually causes mold diseases such as tonsillitis, pharyngitis, impetigo, cellulitis and scarlet fever. However, in rare cases, GAS infection can lead to invasive iSGA, which can lead to life-threatening conditions,” warned the World Health Organization just a few days ago.
Cases of Strep A have appeared in France, Ireland, the Netherlands, Sweden and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, “mainly affecting children under the age of 10”, specifies the WHO. Now it’s in America, and adults can get infected too.
So what is strep A, how do you spot the symptoms, and what can you do to keep yourself and your family healthy? Read on for what the CDC and doctors advise as cases rise in the US
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The epidemic is difficult to follow because the symptoms vary enormously. Streptococcus pyogenes, also known as group A streptococcus (GAS), is a bacterium that can cause a range of infections in humans.
These infections can range from relatively mild conditions such as pharyngitis (also known as strep throat) and impetigo, to more serious infections such as necrotizing fasciitis (also known as flesh-eating disease ) and sepsis.
GAS infections are spread by close contact with respiratory secretions (such as saliva or mucus) from an infected person, or by contact with a surface or object that has been contaminated with these secretions. Symptoms of GAS infections can include sore throat, fever, redness and swelling in the affected area and, in more severe cases, difficulty breathing, severe pain and shock.
Why is it climbing now? The observed increase may reflect an early start to the GAS infection season coinciding with an increase in circulation of respiratory viruses and possible viral co-infection that may increase the risk of invasive GAS disease, in the context of a increased population mixing after a period of reduced GAS circulation during the COVID-19 pandemic,” the WHO states.
Last week, the first confirmed pediatric deaths were reported – two young people in the Denver area.
In Europe, two children in France, seven in the Netherlands and more than 16 in the UK have fallen ill and died from strep A. “These are cases beyond ordinary strep throat,” James Versalovic, MD, Ph.D.told NBC News.
Cases of Strep A have appeared in Colorado, Minnesota, Arizona, Texas and Washington. The Minnesota Department of Health released the following Health Notice:
“Based on preliminary data, the number of iGAS cases reported in November was double the number of cases in other months (46 cases in November to date compared to an average of 20 cases/month in 2022). To date, community-occurring cases are not known to be epidemiologically linked and there are no obvious geographic patterns of disease to monitor reported iGAS cases.”
The CDC says it is “investigating a possible increase in invasive group A streptococcal (iSGA) infections in children in the United States. iSGA infections include necrotizing fasciitis and strep toxic shock syndrome.”
The organization also warned of a current shortage of antibiotics, which is not helping the situation. “There is a nationwide shortage of the liquid antibiotic (amoxicillin suspension) most commonly prescribed to children to treat group A streptococcal infections. The shortage is expected to last for several months.”
CDC advice if you need amoxicillin in your area and can’t find it? Talk with [your] doctor about other antibiotic options.”
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As we said, group A streptococcal (GAS) infections are caused by bacteria that are transmitted through close contact with an infected person, such as through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Here are some steps you can take to stay safe:
Wash your hands frequentlyWash your hands frequently with soap and water, especially before eating and after using the toilet.
Avoid close contact with infected peopleAvoid close contact with people infected with GAS and avoid sharing personal items with them such as towels, toothbrushes and utensils.
Cover your mouth and nose: Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your elbow when coughing or sneezing to reduce the spread of respiratory droplets.
See a doctorIf you think you have a GAS infection, see a doctor as soon as possible. GAS infections can be serious and require treatment with antibiotics.
Antibiotics can help kill bacteria and prevent complications, but it’s important to complete the full course of antibiotics prescribed by a healthcare professional, even if you start to feel better, to make sure the infection is completely eradicated.
In severe cases, hospitalization and further treatment may be required.
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