Last month, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced an investigation into a rise in invasive strep A infections, also known as iGAS, in children – which has led to deaths in the UK and US.
“While the number of cases generally remains low and iGAS infections remain rare in children, CDC is investigating these reports,” the advisory said.
Group A strep (streptococcus) is a bacteria that can cause a number of infections, including strep throat which affects the throat and tonsils and is most common in ages 5 to 15, although adults can also be infected.
Invasive strep A occurs when the infection spreads to other parts of the body such as the bloodstream. It can cause serious problems such as cellulitis, bacterial skin infections, and toxic shock syndrome, which can lead to low blood pressure and organ failure.
While experts don’t know the specific reason for the increase in invasive strep cases, Dr. Glenn Fennelly, professor and chairman of pediatrics at Texas Tech Physicians El Paso, said. fortune It may be because a new, more invasive strain of strep A has been introduced into certain communities, and it can spread easily because many pandemic safety measures have been lifted.
In some cases, infections have been reported in areas with increased cases of COVID-19, RSV, and influenza, the CDC said in a health advisory.
“Infectious diseases come in waves,” said Dr. David Hill, a hospital pediatrician for Goldsboro Pediatrics in North Carolina. fortune. “I’m not surprised or alarmed, but it’s something parents should be aware of.”
What are the symptoms of strep throat and invasive strep A?
Strep throat has the following symptoms, according to the CDC:
- A sore throat that can come on suddenly
- Pain after swallowing
- Swollen lymph nodes in the front of the neck
- A small red spot on the roof of the mouth
- Fever
- Tonsils are red and swollen
It is not uncommon to have a runny nose, congestion, or cough when you have a throat infection. If you have a sore throat and a fever, you are more likely to have strep throat than if you have a sore throat with a cough or congestion.
These symptoms may indicate an invasive strep A infection:
- Fever
- Behavioral changes
- Feeling weak
- Muscle pain and swelling
- Vomiting
- The presence of a rash
How to treat a sore throat?
An official test at a doctor’s office or urgent care is the best way to know if treatment for strep is warranted.
Antibiotics are used to treat strep throat. When antibiotics are prescribed, Hill said it’s important to take the full course even after symptoms disappear to prevent rheumatic fever, a potentially serious outcome of untreated strep throat in children. Oral amoxicillin, the most commonly used antibiotic for strep throat, faces shortages that are “anticipated for months,” according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.
“Oral amoxicillin is considered the first-line drug and the best – it’s well absorbed,” says Fennelly. “If that’s not available, doctors use oral or injectable penicillin, or an antibiotic called cephalexin.”
Strep throat can be transmitted through saliva, so experts say monitor children’s habits and avoid sharing drinks, food or silverware, and encourage hand washing. It can also be transmitted through respiratory droplets from coughs and sneezes.
Using anecdotal evidence, many cases of invasive strep A develop after children are infected with the flu, Fennelly said, so continuing influenza vaccination is an important step.
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