March 23, 2023 – Cases of invasive group A strep infections, which rose again in December after a pandemic lull, have remained high to this point this 12 months, in line with the CDC. abc news reports.
“This follows confirmed reports that five children have died from invasive strep A bacteria in Illinois this year,” ABC said.
In December CDC warned that cases of invasive streptococcus genus A are increasing. The World Health Organization reported a rise in infections in several cases. British authorities reported almost 3 times as many infections at the top of 2022 as within the previous five years.
On Wednesday, the CDC told ABC News that the variety of invasive strep A cases amongst children on this country is back to pre-pandemic levels, and in some places even higher.
It is rarer and more dangerous than a standard strep throat infection, which will be treated with antibiotics. Early detection is vital for all types of strep throat.
Group A streptococci (GAS) are common bacteria that cause infections equivalent to strep throat. “If strep bacteria are not treated or are treated inadequately, they can lead to invasive group A strep,” says ABC. It gets worse when the strep bacteria enter the blood or spinal fluid and can cause flesh-eating disease and toxic shock, which sometimes results in death.
Look out for symptoms equivalent to the next:
- Shortly after an injury or surgery, the skin becomes red, warm, swollen or very painful
- Fever and chills, muscle aches, nausea and vomiting, followed by low blood pressure, increased heart rate or rapid respiration 24 to 48 hours later
Toxic shock can result in organ failure and death, in line with the CDC.