Strep A: What are symptoms of contagious bacterial infection spreading in UK?

Health authorities in the UK are now providing guidance to the schools on how to manage bacterial infection named Strep A. Three children reportedly died due to the infection, which is also known as Strep A - or Group A streptococcus (GAS). According to the United Kingdom's Health and Security Agency (UKHSA), the incidence rates of the illness are greater this year when compared to two years ago.

The UKHSA says that people with this illness shouldn't go to nursery, school, or work for at least 24 hours after they start taking antibiotics.

Strep A, is a type of bacterium that lives in the throat and on the skin. Most people don't get sick from it, which is called being "colonized" by the NHS.


But it can cause a wide range of infections on the skin, in soft tissues, and in the nose, throat and lungs. It can be passed on by coughing, sneezing, or touching a sick person. People, who carry the bacteria, may not have any visible signs of illness, but they are just as likely to pass on Strep A.

Tonsillitis, pharyngitis, scarlet fever, cellulitis, pneumonia and skin infections like impetigo or erysipelas are common ailments that can occur due to the infection.



Most throat infections get better on their own and don't need treatment. Antibiotics may be needed to treat skin infections. But GAS can also sometimes cause very bad infections. This is called invasive GAS (iGAS).

Invasive GAS disease happens when bacteria get past the body's natural defenses and enter parts of the body where they don't usually live, like through the blood. Some early symptoms and signs of invasive GAS are
fever, a lot of pain in one area of the body, redness at the site of a wound, vomiting or diarrhea and severe muscle aches.

If you or your child seems to have symptoms of GAS or iGAS, you should call your doctor right away. Parents have been told to think about getting their kids a nasal flu shot if it's right for them.

FAQs:

1. Is Strep A a dangerous illness?
   Group A Streptococcus, or "group A strep," is a type of bacteria that can cause many different kinds of infections. These infections can cause anything from minor illnesses to major ones.
2. What does it mean if you have Strep A and test positive?
   Most of the time, a positive strep screen means you have group A Streptococcus.