What is Strep A bacterial infection that has led to the deaths of 6 children in the UK?

Following the deaths of six children in the United Kingdom, health officials are advising parents and schools to watch out for Strep A infections. The number of Strep A infection cases have increased in the last month in the UK, especially after COVID-19 restrictions such as masking and social distancing are no longer mandatory. Here is everything you need to know about his bacterial infection.

Strep A, also known as Group A Streptococcus, is a bacterium found in the throat and on the skin. It can cause many different infections, ranging from mild to serious. Some of these diseases include:

-Strep throat

-Scarlet fever

-Impetigo

-Necrotizing fasciitis

-Cellulitis

-Streptococcal toxic shock syndrome

-Rheumatic fever

-Post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis

Some people can get infected with group A strep and exhibit no symptoms. Usually it leads to fever and throat infections. These are communicable and can spread through coughs, sneezes and close contact. Some common symptoms linked to these infections include:

-Pain when swallowing

-Fever

-Skin rashes

-Swollen tonsils and glands

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Beate Kampmann, professor of Paediatric Infection & Immunity, and director of the Vaccine Centre at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, said in a recent statement that these infections usually tend to be fairly harmless.

“(But) in very rare circumstances when the bacterium produces a toxin it can gain access to the bloodstream and cause really serious illness,” she said, as quoted by CNN. Some of these serious illnesses include sepsis, heart inflammation and toxic shock with organ failure.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) explains the term invasive Group A Streptococcus (iGAS) on its website. It is used when the bacteria invades the body and overcomes its natural defenses to enter areas such as the blood. It can be dangerous for the infected person. The UKHSA added that the increase in invasive Group A Streptococcus cases this year has mostly been observed in children under 10 years of age.

Antibiotics are usually effective at treating Strep A or iGAS infections. Currently, there is no vaccine available to prevent them.

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According to the UKHSA, the recent rise in cases is probably not due to any new strain but could be a result of “circulating bacteria and social mixing.” Parents are advised to seek medical advice immediately if their child looks ill with symptoms such as fever, vomiting, muscle aches and/or a rash.