It is important for parents to be aware of the signs of group A streptococcal (GAS) infections.
A common bacteria called GAS can live harmlessly on our skin and in our throats. Sometimes it causes mild ailments like sore throats, sometimes more serious illnesses like scarlet fever, and very rarely, very serious diseases such as sepsis, pneumonia, or bone infections.
Hull and East Riding have seen an increase in cases this year, particularly among children under 10. Sadly, some deaths have occurred across the country.
The majority of sore throats and coughs are caused by viruses that will resolve on their own without antibiotics. It is important, however, that parents are aware of what to look out for and when to seek medical attention.
Dr James Crick, Associate Medical Director, Hull Health and Care Partnership explained:
“Group A strep is usually something that is present and nothing to worry about, however, what it can do is sometimes cause scarlet fever which is a common childhood infection that can be treated with antibiotics and need little medical assistance.”
“The symptoms of scarlet fever include a sore throat, headache, fever, nausea and vomiting and pinkish or red body rash with a sandpapery feel. On darker skin, the rash can be more difficult to detect visually but will have the same sandpapery feel to the touch.”
Dr Crick continued:
“If your child has those symptoms, the best thing to do is seek medical attention by contacting your GP or NHS 111 as early treatment with antibiotics is important to reduce the risk of complications such as pneumonia or a bloodstream infection.”
Generally, group A streptococcus bacteria only cause mild infections that can be treated with antibiotics. There is a rare possibility of these bacteria entering the bloodstream and causing invasive Group A strep (iGAS).
In addition to a higher number of scarlet fever notifications, the Public Health Agency is also aware of a higher number of iGAS cases being reported across the country at this time of year.
While iGAS is still uncommon, parents should be on the lookout for symptoms of illnesses caused by group A streptococcus bacteria and seek medical attention to prevent the infection from becoming severe.
Parents should contact NHS 111 or their GP if they feel:
their child is getting worse
their child is feeding or eating much less than normal
their child has had a dry nappy for 12 hours or more or shows other signs of dehydration
their baby is under 3 months and has a temperature of 38°C, or is older than 3 months and has a temperature of 39°C or higher
their baby feels hotter than usual when they touch their back or chest, or feels sweaty
their child is very tired or irritable.
Please call 999 or go to the Emergency Department if:
your child is having difficulty breathing – you may notice grunting noises or their tummy sucking under their ribs
there are pauses when your child breathes
your child’s skin, tongue or lips are blue
your child is floppy and will not wake up or stay awake
Dr Crick added:
“Please don’t put off seeking medical help if your child continues to get worse and if your child is experiencing any of the signs above relating to difficulties with breathing or experience blue lips or skin, call 999 or go to your nearest Emergency Department immediately.”
“Although scarlet fever mainly affects children under 10, people of any age can get it. Strep A infections are spread by close contact with an infected person and can be passed on through coughs and sneezes.”
“So please practice good hand hygiene and remember to always, catch it (always cough or sneeze into a tissue), bin it (always throw the used tissue in a bin) and kill it (always wash your hands with soap and water).”
Please consider that emergency departments are very busy at the moment, as are GP surgeries. If you feel that your child can stay at home or be seen elsewhere, such as in a pharmacy, please do so.
For further information on scarlet fever, visit www.nhs.uk/Strep-A