A number of schoolchildren have died this week amid a deadly Strep A outbreak.
Health officials confirmed a youngster from St John’s School in Ealing, west London, had died from the bacterial infection, while the parents of a four-year-old boy from Buckinghamshire confirmed he had died from Strep A.
It comes after a pupil from Victoria primary school in Penarth, four miles south of Cardiff, also died.
Last week, a six-year-old died after an outbreak of the same infection at a school in Surrey.
What is Strep A?
Group A streptococcus (or Strep A) is known to cause scarlet fever, throat infections and, in very rare cases, invasive disease.
This can occur when bacteria get into parts of the body where it is not usually found, such as the blood, muscle or lungs.
It can happen if the bacteria get past a person’s defences, such as through an open wound or when a person’s immune system is depleted.
Most people who come into contact with the bacteria remain well and symptom-free.
What should you do if you think your child has Strep A infection?
Strep throat is different from a regular sore throat and the pain can come on very quickly, so the NHS recommends people see their GP if a sore throat does not improve after a week, if they are worried or if they have a high temperature or feel hot and shivery.
People with weakened immune systems such as those having chemotherapy should also see a doctor.
Impetigo is a skin infection that starts with red sores or blisters that then burst, leaving crusty, golden patches. The infection can be treated with antibiotics.
Scarlet fever symptoms are often flu-like, including a high temperature, a sore throat and swollen neck glands.
If a rash appears 12 to 48 hours later, starting on the chest and stomach and then spreading, then you should see a doctor.
A white coating also appears on the tongue which peels, leaving the tongue red, swollen and covered in little bumps (often called “strawberry tongue”).
Signs of necrotising fasciitis include fever (a high temperature above 38C), severe pain and swelling, and redness at the wound site would also warrant a trip to your doctor.
Early signs and symptoms of toxic shock may include fever, dizziness, confusion, low blood pressure, rash and abdominal pain and should all be seen by a doctor.
What are the symptoms of Strep A?
The bacteria can be found in the throat and on the skin and people may carry it without displaying any symptoms.
It can live in throats and on hands for long enough to allow easy spread between people through sneezing, kissing and skin contact.
Invasive Strep A can cause further complications. Symptoms include:
- high fever
- severe muscle aches
- localised muscle tenderness
- redness at the site of a wound
Dr Yimmy Chow, health protection consultant at UKHSA London, said: “Group A streptococcal infections usually result in mild illness, and information has been shared with parents and staff about the signs and symptoms.
“These include a sore throat, fever and minor skin infections, and can be treated with a full course of antibiotics from the GP. In rare incidences, it can be a severe illness and anyone with high fever, severe muscle aches, pain in one area of the body and unexplained vomiting or diarrhoea should call NHS 111 and seek medical help immediately.”
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