Six children died because of an infection by Streptococcus from group A, according to information from the UK Health Safety Agency.
Generally, the frames related to this bacteria are mild, but some people may develop more serious symptoms.
The most common and least worrisome discomforts are sore throat and low-grade fever. O Streptococcus from group A can also cause scarlet fever, marked by redness of the skin, and rheumatic fever, which affects joints, heart and brain.
Most of the time, the disease is treated with antibiotics and most patients make a full recovery.
However, in a very small number of cases, the infection can deepen – and the bacteria will end up in the lungs or bloodstream, for example. In these situations, known as invasive infection by Strepcoccusthe condition is usually more severe.
There are a number of symptoms that indicate a more serious illness, such as high fever, lack of appetite, dehydration, changes in behavior and excessive sleepiness, says doctor Colin Brown, deputy director of the Health Security Agency.
According to the specialist, parents should seek a health service as soon as possible if they notice these discomforts in the child.
“Be sure to talk to a healthcare provider if your child is showing signs of worsening after a bout of scarlet fever, sore throat or respiratory infection,” he added.
In the UK, the last high season for invasive Streptococcus of group A occurred in 2017 and 2018, when four deaths were recorded in children under 10 years old.
In Brazil, there are no recent statistics on invasive infections related to this specific microorganism.
In 2011, the Ministry recorded a similar outbreak in the Federal District, when three children and one adult died. At the time, the Federal Government said that these had been the first deaths from the bacteria registered in the country.
A study carried out by the Federal University of São Paulo (Unifesp) in 2006 detected the presence of this bacterium in the throat of 8 to 24% of children who attended day care centers.
The increase in deaths observed in the UK is likely related to large amounts of the pathogen in circulation. This is due to the resumption of activities after the end of restrictions related to the covid-19 pandemic, health authorities believe.
Pediatric infectologist Elizabeth Whittaker, professor at Imperial College London, explains to BBC News that, “during the first two years of the pandemic, there were few cases of Streptococcus of group A”.
“It started circulating again in 2022, when restrictions were lifted,” he says.
“Typically, we see a large number of infections [do tipo] in late spring or early summer [entre os meses de março e setembro no Hemisfério Norte], after outbreaks of chicken pox. High numbers at this time of year are unusual and probably occur because normal seasonality has not yet returned,” says the expert.
“Tragically, when there are large numbers of infections, severe cases also increase. We are now seeing more cases of pneumonia than expected, probably because Streptococcus from group A are coinciding with the peak of winter respiratory viruses, typical of this time of year”, concludes Whittaker.
What is Streptococcus A?
This is a bacteria that commonly causes throat or skin problems.
Many people carry the microorganism without showing any symptoms. Even so, they end up transmitting the Streptococcus for other people, who may get sick.
What are the ways of transmission?
The bacteria is passed from one person to another through close contact or through coughing and sneezing.
Outbreaks sometimes happen in places like schools and nursing homes.
What are the main symptoms?
Most of the time, symptoms are mild: sore throat or skin infection.
These discomforts are usually easily treated with antibiotics.
But the Streptococcus from group A can cause a number of other problems – and some of them are more serious.
The main one is scarlet fever, which mainly affects young children and usually improves with the use of such antibiotics.
Another is rheumatic fever, an inflammation that affects the joints, heart and brain, usually the result of an infection that has not received adequate treatment.
What is scarlet fever?
It is a rash that comes with flu-like symptoms such as fever, sore throat and swelling in the neck (popularly known as “bumps”).
In these cases, the skin also takes on a rougher appearance, like sandpaper.
Another typical manifestation is the “strawberry tongue”, when the appearance of that part of the body resembles the fruit, in an intense red and with white dots.
Is Streptococcus A dangerous?
On rare occasions, this infection can lead to an invasive condition, in which the bacteria ends up in the bloodstream or lungs.
In these situations, the disease is more worrisome and can be deadly.
Invasive disease occurs when bacteria are able to bypass the body’s immune barriers.
This happens when the individual is already sick or undergoes treatments that impair the defense system, such as some cancer therapies.
The warning signs of invasive disease by Streptococcus include high fever above 38°C, severe muscle aches, lack of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, changes in behavior and excessive sleepiness.
In these situations, it is essential to seek medical support quickly.
Is there a vaccine?
Not. The best way to fight the infection is to make a timely diagnosis and take the antibiotics prescribed by the doctor.
The main forms of prevention involve basic hygiene care, such as washing your hands well, covering your nose and mouth during coughs and sneezes, and not sharing personal objects with someone who is infected.
This report was originally published here.
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