Fifteen children have died of Strep A in the UK in the past few weeks. Could an outbreak occur in the United States?

cIt started as a common bacterial infection that ended in the deaths of fifteen children infected with Strep A in Britain.

The health authorities have issued a dire warning to parents in the UK as the number of child deaths caused by the infection continues to rise. The latest victim, a five-year-old Irish girl, fell seriously ill last week before dying on Monday of complications from Strep A.

While pediatric patients usually have mild symptoms such as fever, swollen tonsils and lymph nodes, complications can arise when the infection reaches the bloodstream, leading to a life-threatening illness known as invasive group A strep (iGAS).

In the US, iGAS cases have declined during the pandemic, the CDC said The independent on Wednesday that doctors in the United States notified the agency of a possible recent increase, which is now being actively monitored.

Dr Mark Hicar, pediatric infectious disease specialist and associate professor at Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at University of Buffalo, She said The independent that it’s hard to say whether the US could see an outbreak similar to the recent one in the UK.

According to data from the CDC, seven children under 17 out of 100,000 in surveyed areas died from complications of Strep A before the pandemic in 2019.

One death per 100,000 inhabitants in monitored areas was reported in 2020 when the latest report was released.

The CDC only tracks infections for iGAs and does not track noninvasive strep A infections. Only 10 states reported data for iGAS in the most recent report.

“The mitigation measures (e.g. school and workplace closures, masking) used during the first two years of the COVID-19 pandemic helped reduce the spread of many viruses and bacteria,” a spokesperson said.

“Now that these germs are spreading again, we may be returning to typical iGAS infection patterns, including a seasonal increase in the winter months.

What are Strep A infections?

Group A strep is a common bacterial infection, mostly seen in children.

In severe and rare cases, the infection causes conditions such as a pink-red rash (scarlet fever), bacterial skin infection (impetigo), necrotizing tissue (fascisitis), streptococcal toxic shock syndrome, pneumonia, and sepsis.

However, most group A strep infections have mild flu-like symptoms.

“There are many strains of Group A Streptococcus and there have been isolated outbreaks in the UK in the past (2015 and 2018),” said Dr. Hicar. “… with the previous increase in UK cases, there didn’t seem to be any effect on US cases, then [whether there will be one now] it’s hard to say.”

The doctor. Hicar says some strains of the infection can lead to a “sandpaper rash,” which often makes children sick and is known as “scarlet fever.”

“It usually happens with [throat infections or] cases of pharyngitis, but can [happen with] also impetigo infections. This appears to be the form currently reported in the UK,” she said.

He added that immunocompromised children are at a higher risk when contracting strep A.

“Some children without a well-functioning spleen or who have other forms of immunosuppression are at increased risk for sepsis, toxic shock, and necrotizing fasciitis (the flesh-eating group A strep infection),” said Dr. Hicar.

The mother of two-year-old Tayden, who was diagnosed with aplastic anemia earlier this year, was warned by doctors that her daughter could delay her transplant after the little girl contracted Strep A last year. week.

“She was restless and tired the day before the fever,” said Heather, who lives in Utah. The independent.

Tayden’s symptoms disappeared within 48 hours of being given antibiotics. She should recover for the transplant.

Can infections increase after the pandemic?

A CDC spokesman said The independent that more data needs to be collected to get a better idea of ​​recent Strep A trends in the United States.

“Recent increases in respiratory viruses, particularly influenza, may contribute to a possible increase in iGAS infections. Concomitant or previous viral infections such as the flu and skin conditions such as chickenpox may increase the risk of iGAS infections,” the spokesperson said.

The doctor. Hicar added that wearing the mask didn’t appear to reduce infections.

“Masks help well with respiratory viruses like flu and Covid, but other organisms that can stay on surfaces [such as Strep A] they tend not to be as affected by mask wearing,” she said. 🇧🇷[US] data available since 2020, the first year of the pandemic, appear stable for invasive group A streptococcus infections and mortality rates.

The CDC estimates 14,000 to 25,000 iGAS cases in the past five years and between 1,500 and 2,300 deaths in the same time period.

What symptoms should parents be aware of?

According to the CDC, most children infected with Strep A will experience pain when swallowing, fever, red and swollen tonsils (sometimes with white spots or streaks of pus), and swollen lymph nodes in the front of the neck.

Dr. Hicar says The independent that the sore throat and fever should go away within a few days. She advised parents to see their doctors if symptoms persist.

“If your child has been diagnosed [Strep A] and it seemed like it was getting better but then it got worse, talk to your doctor about it,” she said. “It could start one of those rare, more serious complications.”

He reiterated that while most cases aren’t dangerous for babies, complications can become life-threatening if the infection reaches the bloodstream (bacteremia), the lungs (pneumonia), or the brain (meningitis).

How do children get infected?

Crowded environments, such as schools and daycare centers, increase the risk of Strep A infections.

The bacterium is highly contagious and can be spread through respiratory droplets when talking, coughing or sneezing and through direct contact when patients develop skin sores, according to the CDC.

In very rare cases, it can also be spread through food if not administered correctly.

“As social animals, we are constantly bombarded with bacteria and viruses that, for the most part, our immune systems defend against,” says Dr. The independent.

“… the greater the exposure [a person] they have, the more likely they are to be infected. However, there are many benefits of peer interaction and socializing.

What should you do if you suspect your child has strep A?

Strep A infections can be diagnosed using a rapid strep test that involves swabbing the throat.

Doctors also administer throat cultures to patients. Although this method takes one to two days, it is more effective than the quick test.

What is the treatment for strep A?

There is currently no vaccine to prevent strep A infections.

Antibiotics reduce symptoms and prevent complications and are the most widely used form of treatment. Once antibiotics are prescribed, patients should start feeling better within 48 hours.