2023-07-09 12:37:00
NOTE: THE NATION
The Ministry of Health of the Nation warned through a statement regarding an increase in cases due to infection with a bacterium that usually causes acute pharyngitis and that in the year caused the death of at least 16 people. It is Streptococcus pyogenes, which usually also causes skin infections such as impetigo, cellulitis and scarlet fever.
With the arrival of winter and the tendency of people to be closer and in closed spaces, greater possibilities of contagion of different infections and diseases are generated. One of them is related to the aforementioned bacterium, which is spread by coughing, sneezing or contact with a wound.
“During 2023, the National Health Surveillance System (SNVS) was notified 118 confirmed cases of invasive infection by Streptococcus Pyogenes throughout the country, of which 16 died”, says the statement from the portfolio directed by Carla Vizzotti, with the province of Buenos Aires being the district with the highest number of cases: 35. Santa Fe with 20, Chubut with 10 and Tierra del Fuego with 10.
The report details that it is a bacterial infection that in most cases causes mild diseases such as tonsillitis, pharyngitis, impetigo, cellulitis and scarlet fever, although it warns that in some cases it can lead to acute and severe symptoms that can cause life-threatening conditions being responsible for more than 500,000 deaths annually worldwide.
In the country, the Ministry pointed out that since 2018 a specific surveillance on the bacterium has been carried out and that in recent years there has been an almost exponential increase in cases. ”In previous years (2019-2022), the highest number of cases had been registered in 2022 (closed year) with 75 reported cases. The number of cases in 2023 represents an increase of 281% over the same period in 2019.”
However, the problem does not concern only Argentina, but was reported by the World Health Organization. “WHO reported that at least five Member States in the European region (France, Ireland, the Netherlands, Sweden, and the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland) had reported an increase in the number of cases.”
Regarding the incubation period, “it varies according to the clinical presentation, between one and three days. Treatment of infected persons with antibiotics for at least 24 hours usually eliminates their ability to spread.
symptoms of pharyngitis
*Sore throat
*Fever
*Headaches
*Abdominal pain
*Nausea and vomiting
* Redness of the pharynx and tonsils
*Bad breath
* Enlarged lymph nodes in the neck
Recommendations and what to do
*Proper hand hygiene and personal hygiene can help control transmission.
*Avoid self-medication with antibiotics and make a medical consultation to have a timely diagnosis.
*In the case of receiving a medical indication for antibiotic treatment, it is essential to complete the scheme.
*Have up-to-date influenza and COVID-19 vaccination.
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