The 'streptococcus' (Strep A) bacterium came to the fore in Ankara after the sad news of little Aras. The boy, who was only 3 years old, died on his birthday due to this bacteria. His family informed people about the illness after the pain they experienced. At this point, "What is Strep A, what are its signs and symptoms, how is it transmitted?" began to seek answers. Here are the symptoms and things to know about Strep A bacteria.
Strep A bacteria is one of the important agenda items regarding health in this period, with the death of many children one after another in England. With the winter season, spending time in closed and crowded environments increases the rate of spread of viruses and bacteria. One of the bacteria that causes the disease is Streptococcal infections, popularly known as Beta. This bacteria, which mostly affects children, can cause serious problems if not treated and taken precautions. From the Department of Pediatrics and Health at Memorial Şişli Hospital, Uz. Dr. Serap Sapmaz gave information about the "Group A Streptococcus" bacterium, known as "Strep A", which has been widely seen in the world recently.
What is Strep A bacteria?
Group A streptococcus, also known by the abbreviation GAS, is a type of bacteria commonly found in the throat and skin. Group A streptococcal infections often cause sore throat and tonsillitis, also called tonsillitis. This type of bacteria can cause scarlet fever and skin infections such as impetigo and cellulitis. In rare cases, the bacterium can also cause a life-threatening necrotizing fasciitis and toxic shock syndrome known as invasive group A streptococcal disease (iGAS). In some individuals, a group A streptococcal infection can lead to serious complications that can damage the heart (a condition known as rheumatic fever) or the kidneys (known as glomerulonephritis). Streptococcus A is also known as Beta among the people.
Children are at risk
Group A streptococcus bacteria can cause illness in anyone, but the people most at risk are as follows:
- Children up to the age of 15
- Individuals over 65
- Those with weakened immune systems
- Those with chronic disease
- Those who do not pay attention to hygiene rules
It is important to detect beta
This infection can cause sore throat, difficulty in swallowing, tonsillitis, a condition called tonsillitis, scarlet fever, cellulitis, skin diseases called impetigo, pneumonia, kidney inflammation, heart rheumatism, acute rheumatic fever and toxic shock syndrome, especially in children. For this reason, it is important to take a throat culture in children with sore throat. Most upper respiratory tract infections are caused by viruses. Rest and plenty of fluids are recommended.
What are the symptoms of Strep A infection?
Symptoms of Streptococcus A can be listed as follows:
- Throat ache
- Fire
- Having scarlet-like rashes on the skin
- White inflamed appearance in the throat
- enlargement of lymph nodes
- Red dots on the palate
- Weakness, tiredness
- Muscle pains
- Headache
Quick Strep A test should be done and throat culture should be taken without losing time.
White inflamed sores in the throat, enlargement of lymph nodes in the neck, and red spots called petechiae on the palate are more common in this disease. Throat culture should be taken together with the “rapid strep A test” in patients presenting with sore throat and fever. If the rapid Strep A test is positive, antibiotic treatment is started immediately. If the result of the test is negative, there may be growth in the throat culture at a rate of 25 percent. For this reason, it is very important to follow the result of throat culture. If, as a result of the test, it is stated that "Group A streptococcus (Beta) has grown in the throat culture", antibiotic treatment is started immediately.
Early treatment is important
It should be treated within 9 days of the onset of the symptoms of the disease. Antibiotics are not required in any other type of throat infections, but the aim of treatment in Beta is to prevent complications such as heart rheumatism and kidney inflammation. In treatments (in the absence of allergy), a single dose of penicillin can be injected, and oral antibiotics should be used for 10 days, up to 20 doses.
Heed the protection recommendations
Streptococcus group A can be transmitted. For this reason, in order to prevent transmission, situations such as hugging, shaking hands, using a common towel, and using a common spoon with sick people should be avoided. Personal hygiene measures should be taken very seriously. Infectiousness ends 24-48 hours after antibiotic treatment is started. People who do not receive treatment can transmit the infection for up to 2-3 weeks.
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