It has caused concern the death of an 8-year-old child in “Aglaia Kyriakou” from streptococcus

The necropsy – necropsy which is expected in the next 24 hours will determine if group A streptococcus is the one responsible for the death of the little boy and indeed in the ICU.

According to EODY, group A streptococcus, also known as pyogenic streptococcus or GAS (Group A Streptococcus) is a bacterium that can cause various infections in humans, usually mild but in rare cases very serious, even fatal if not treated properly .

In a small percentage (1-5%) of people the bacterium is found in their throat or skin or in other places, without getting sick, i.e. these people are healthy carriers of the bacterium.

How is group A streptococcus transmitted?

  • Of infected droplets from patient secretions

  • Contact with contaminated surfaces
  • Contact with infected skin lesions of patients
  • From healthy carriers of the bacterium

Group A streptococcus is much more easily transmitted by people who are symptomatic and ill than by healthy carriers of the bacterium.

How can a group A strep infection manifest itself?

Group A strep usually causes infections such as strep throat, fever and a skin rash known as scarlet fever, skin infections such as impetigo and cellulitis, which is inflammation of the skin and subcutaneous fat. In some cases, if the streptococcal infection is not treated with the appropriate antibiotics, it can lead to serious complications such as kidney (poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis) or heart (rheumatic fever).

The symptoms that the affected person will present depend on the type of infection caused by the bacterium. For example pharyngotonsillitis is manifested by fever, angina (sore throat), dysphagia, swollen tonsils with a whitish coating, swollen lymph nodes and hemorrhagic spots (petechiae) on the palate. In rare cases, group A streptococcus can cause invasive disease in humans (iGAS-invasive Group A Streptococcus), i.e. a very serious infection that without appropriate and immediate treatment can lead to death. Forms of invasive bacterial disease are necrotizing fasciitis and streptococcal toxic shock syndrome.

Who are most vulnerable to getting sick?

Anyone can get a strep infection. However, the most vulnerable to the bacterium are young children, the elderly, the immunocompromised, people with chronic diseases and those who live in poor hygiene and overcrowded conditions. Streptococcus pyogenes is one of the most common causes of pharyngitis in school-aged children.

Is there a vaccine for group A strep?

There is currently no vaccine to prevent streptococcal infection from group A pyogenic strep. However, there are some vaccines under study against the bacterium.

Preventive measures

  • Correct application of hygiene and hand hygiene rules

  • Application of personal protection measures
  • Avoiding condensation and proper ventilation of the premises
  • Proper cleaning and disinfection of surfaces and frequently used objects, according to the instructions of the experts
  • Confining sick people to home care for at least 24 hours after starting their antibiotic treatment

How can an infection be diagnosed?

There are various tests to diagnose group A strep infection depending on the patient’s clinical presentation. For example, streptococcal tonsillitis can be quickly diagnosed with a pharyngeal swab culture as well as a rapid streptococcal antigen detection test known as a step test.

What is the treatment?

Group A streptococcal infection should be promptly treated with appropriate antibiotics, depending on the severity of the infection.

When is medical help needed?

Persisting fever, severe angina, dysphagia, fever combined with a rash, severe diarrhea are symptoms that require immediate medical attention. Invasive streptococcal infection develops rapidly, so any suspected disease requires immediate medical evaluation.