The death of several children in the United Kingdom and France linked to streptococcal infections caused a lot of reaction, and worries even at home.
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According to Dr. Jesse Papenburg, pediatric infectious disease specialist and microbiologist, strep A is the main cause of throat infections.
“The vast majority of these infections are not severe. With antibiotic treatment, we reduce the time of symptoms and the risk of complications, “says the doctor.
However, he adds that a small percentage of infections become invasive and can create complications.
Dr. Papenburg points out that public health data from serious Strep A infections are not available.
“Talking with other colleagues, we have the impression that there is an increase in cases of invasive streptococci in recent weeks,” he believes.
According to him, certain strains of the bacteria more virulent might be responsible for this increase.
“The other thing is that we know that a recent viral infection can make us more susceptible to a secondary bacterial infection, such as strep A,” adds Dr. Papenburg.
The doctor explains that the transmission of streptococcus A is done by respiratory droplets, but that close and direct contact is necessary to be infected.
However, according to the Department of Health and Human Services, there are no excess cases and deaths this year compared to pre-pandemic years.
To date, 14 strep A-related deaths have been reported in 2022, for a case fatality rate of 4.5%.
The age of death ranges from less than 1 year to 93 years; the average is 59 years.
Less than 5 deaths have been recorded in children.
– Respiratory disorders (pneumonia)
– Destruction of the skin and connective tissues
– Fever accompanied by a dangerous decrease in blood pressure, vomiting and diarrhea
