What is Strep A and what are the symptoms?
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Cases of scarlet fever have risen tenfold this year, official figures show, amid a rise in Strep A infections.
The most recent figures released by the UK Health Safety Agency (UKHSA) show that there had been around 23,000 incidents of infection this year up to last week, compared to just 2,323 during the same period in 2021.
Scarlet fever is caused by a bacterium called group A streptococcus. Although it is usually a mild disease, it is highly infectious.
It comes after the health secretary insisted there was no problem with the supply of antibiotics used to treat strep A from manufacturers, although he admitted some GPs could face shortages as stocks are moved .
Steve Barclay told Sky News: “Sometimes GPs can have particular increases if they have a lot of demand in one area, and that’s quite routine, we can move stock into our depots.
“As of last night, when we checked (with suppliers), they said they could assure us that they had good stock and were moving it around to meet demand.”
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Strep A concerns create ‘carnage’ and ‘overwhelming demand’ on NHS
NHS 111, primary care and A&E services have suffered “carnage” following the recent outbreak of Strep A cases.
Senior staff working across NHS services have warned that news of the Strep A outbreak has pushed more parents to use services at a time when demand is already at record levels.
Leading epidemiologists speaking to The Independent have warned that the outbreak, which has killed at least nine children, could only be the beginning, with peaks normally expected closer to spring.
Eleanor Noyce December 8, 2022 3:00 am
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Can I be tested for Strep A? Online shops selling out as UK infections rise
Nine children have died from Strep A in recent weeks amid a rise in infections across the UK.
In some countries, rapid Strep A tests are used to detect the bacterial infection.
The tests commonly used in the United States are not too different in design from the lateral flow tests used to rapidly diagnose Covid-19. Throat swabs taken by a doctor and results are evident within 15 minutes.
If positive, an infected patient can start a course of antibiotics immediately. If it’s negative, but the medical professional still has reason to suspect Strep A, the swab is sent to a lab for further investigation.
Eleanor Noyce December 8, 2022 02:00 am
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How to avoid Strep A and is it contagious?
The UKHSA says GAS is spread by close contact with an infected person and can be spread by coughing and sneezing or through a cut.
Some people can have the bacteria in their bodies without feeling sick or showing any symptoms of infection, and although they can spread it, the risk of spreading it is much greater when a person is unwell.
Speaking to Sky News, Dr Colin Brown, deputy director of the UKHSA, suggested that the lack of mixing due to the Covid pandemic, with changes in mixing and susceptibility in children, was likely to “pre-empt the normal season of the scarlet fever” of spring this side of Christmas.
To slow the spread of infection and better protect children, UKSHA advises maintaining good respiratory and hand hygiene.
Eleanor Noyce December 8, 2022 1:00 am
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Strep A outbreak: Everything we know as nine children die of bacterial infection
Seven children have now died from a bacterial infection following outbreaks at several schools.
A Belfast primary school puppy is the latest victim of Strep A, becoming the ninth child to also die from the bacterial infection in recent weeks.
Health authorities are now investigating the recent surge in Strep A cases.
Here’s everything we know:
Eleanor Noyce December 7, 2022 11:58 p.m
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“As a parent, Strep A is all I can think about”
“To say that I am worried would be an understatement: especially when my two children have reported sore throats and stomachaches in recent days; and scarlet fever symptoms include sore throat, headache, fever, nausea and vomiting.
“These symptoms are common and also consistent with the winter bugs that parents know to expect, year after year.”
As a parent, Strep A is all I can think about, writes Victoria Richards:
Sam Rkaina December 7, 2022 11:00 p.m
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Ella’s deliciously frightened A after spending the night in A&E with her daughter
The woman behind the blog and food brand Delicious Ella has revealed she spent the night in A&E with her daughter after a Strep A scare.
Ella Mills posted a photo on her Instagram story of her daughter’s legs, which appeared to have been taken while she was waiting to be seen by a doctor.
“A night at A&E with my girl,” he wrote. “And the absolute angels who are NHS doctors and nurses,” the caption read.
“Spent seven hours there and they were always kind, patient and helpful, despite being extraordinarily busy. I had some signs of strep and a rash, but he’s fine at home now with antibiotics.
Eleanor Noyce December 7, 2022 10:39 p.m
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Strep A: Parents warned to watch out for these symptoms as scarlet fever cases rise
Health authorities are urging parents to watch their children for scarlet fever symptoms after a surge in cases caused by a recent surge in Strep A infections.
According to the latest figures from the UK Health Safety Agency (UKHSA), the number of scarlet fever cases is still higher than would normally be expected at this time of year. There were 851 cases reported in the 46th week compared with an average of 186 in previous years, the agency said.
The disease is caused by a species of bacteria called group A streptococcus. These bacteria also cause other respiratory and skin infections, such as strep and impetigo.
Eleanor Noyce December 7, 2022 10:00 p.m
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How to avoid Strep A and is it contagious?
Nine children are confirmed to have died from Strep A in recent weeks, and the UK Health Safety Agency (UKHSA) has confirmed there has been an increase in infections.
The latest confirmed death was a pupil attending a primary school in Belfast who died on Monday after being diagnosed with strep A. A statement from Black Mountain Primary School said the school developed a serious illness last week and was treated at the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children, where she had been in intensive care.
Although the vast majority of infections are relatively mild, sometimes the bacteria causes a life-threatening disease called invasive group A streptococcal disease, as in the case of Belfast.
Group A Streptococcus (GAS) is a common bacterium. In fact, many of us carry it in our throats and on our skin, and it doesn’t always cause illness, according to the UKHSA. However, GAS causes a range of infections, some mild and others more serious.
Eleanor Noyce December 7, 2022 9:00 p.m
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NHS England’s chief medical officer warns that Strep A combined with other infections could put pressure on the health service
NHS England’s national medical director has warned that this winter will “inevitably be tough” for the health service.
Professor Sir Stephen Powis pointed out that an increase in flu cases along with Strep A could put pressure on the NHS.
“So obviously we’re concerned about this winter, it’s the first winter in a few years that we’re going to see the flu again, and the flu in the last few weeks has been on the rise,” he told PA.
“We’re seeing other infections come back – group A strep is in the news at the moment, but RSV, another virus that affects children, has been circulating.
“And we’re seeing all these infections a little bit out of their usual pattern, a little out of their usual season, because we haven’t seen them in recent years because of the measures that have been put in place to reduce the transmission of Covid. .
“So we’re getting a lot of infections back and we’re getting them at times that we didn’t necessarily expect, but we’ve planned for it, we’ve expected it and our staff is working hard to manage it … but it’s definitely going to be a tough winter.”
Eleanor Noyce December 7, 2022 8:30 pm
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Two children admitted to hospital after scarlet fever outbreak at Welsh primary school
Two children have been hospitalized following an outbreak of scarlet fever at a primary school in Wales.
A total of 24 children at Brynaman Primary School in Carmarthenshire have been diagnosed with the infection.
Cllr Glynog Davies, cabinet member for education and the Welsh language, reported that five schools across the county had cases of scarlet fever.
“On Monday our headteachers were informed about this very important matter and we shared an information letter provided by Public Health Wales about the symptoms and also how to respond,” Davies told a meeting held by Carmarthenshire County Council.
“It is very important that we raise awareness about this.
“The staff at our schools are aware of this and are keeping an eye on the situation, keeping an eye on children with a high temperature or who have a sore throat or rash.
“If there are two or more cases in the same school environment within a 10-day period, the school should notify the health protection team for further guidance.”
Eleanor Noyce December 7, 2022 7:40 pm