2 Strep A Associated with Childhood Mortality in the United States: What Every MD Parent Needs to Know

MARYLAND — Public health officials are monitoring a rare and invasive form of a usually mild, common bacterium known as group A streptococcus, which has been linked to at least two U.S. child deaths. This development is due to a shortage of antibiotics to treat infections.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is investigating the possibility Increase in invasive streptococcal A infectionsBetween 1,500 and 2,300 people have died annually over the past five years, the agency said.

Group A streptococci (iGAS) are highly contagious and are commonly transmitted to humans through the nose, throat, and skin. It usually causes a sore throat and can be treated with a liquid antibiotic suspension, amoxicillin. However, the drug shortage is expected to last for several months. alternative therapy Available.

In the invasive form, Streptococcus A invades the bloodstream, lungs, spinal cord, and other places in the body not normally home to bacteria, causing pneumonia, endocarditis (infection of the lining of the heart), meningitis, urinary Pathological infections, sepsis, necrotizing fasciitis, a serious skin and tissue infection, and streptococcal toxic shock syndrome cause hypotension and damage to organs such as the kidneys, liver, and lungs.

In September, the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Health and the Baltimore County Department of Health identified three cases of severe invasive group A streptococcal infection in people who had recently undergone liposuction at Monarch Med Spa, a cosmetic surgery center in Timonium. investigated the cluster. The proceedings took place from mid-August to mid-September. All three patients were hospitalized. One person later died, according to the health department.

parents showing children Symptoms of invasive group A streptococci. The CDC says you should contact your doctor. Those symptoms are:

• fever above 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit;
• severe muscle pain;
• progressive dizziness, weakness, confusion;
• local muscle tenderness; and
• Redness at the site of the wound.

a Group A Streptococcal Infection It can become dangerous when bacteria invade other parts of the body.

“This streptococcus exits the throat and enters the bloodstream and possibly other organs.” Dr. William Schaffnermedical director of the National Infectious Diseases Foundation Bethesda, based in Maryland, told US News. “These are very serious sepsis infections that can be life-threatening.”

Serious illnesses that can be attributed to invasive group A streptococci include:

• Dangerous respiratory tract infections such as pneumonia or emphysema
• skin infections such as Necrotizing fasciitisbetter known as “cannibalism”
• Streptococcal toxic shock syndrome, in which blood pressure drops and organs fail as a result of severe infection of deep tissues and bloodstream

Antibiotics can get rid of group A streptococci quickly and easily, Schaffner says.

“Once it gets into the bloodstream, it needs to be treated as soon as possible, but the antibiotics we have work admirably against group A streptococci,” Schaffner said.

There is no vaccine against group A streptococcus, but keep children up to date with vaccines Colorado epidemiologist Dr. Rachel Harleety said in a news release that influenza, COVID-19 and chickenpox can help protect against serious illness.

The California Department of Public Health recommends that parents keep their children up-to-date on immunizations for chickenpox (chickenpox) and influenza (influenza), as Group A streptococcal infections occasionally follow viral infections such as chickenpox and influenza. He said it was necessary to ensure that the

” CDC We also advise parents and caregivers to learn about the symptoms of severe infections associated with iGAS, such as severe skin infections (a.k.a. “cannibal” infections) and toxic shock syndrome,” California said. public health officials said. they, their children, or other family members these infections.“

in Colorado, Reports of 11 cases of invasive group Streptococcus A For children ages 10 months to 6 years in the Denver metropolitan area from November 1st. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment said it was aware of the deaths of two of those cases. Both were young children who had not yet reached school age. Since 2018, there have been no confirmed deaths in children from Group A Streptococcus in the state.

Minnesota health officials also Recommendations for invasive group A streptococcisaid the number of cases reported so far in November (46) was more than double that of any other month of the year.

Infections are also rising in Europe, where UK health officials said Thursday that streptococcal infections 74 dead, including 16 children.

The World Health Organization said Thursday that increases in invasive group A streptococcal disease were also reported in France, Ireland, the Netherlands and Sweden. children under 10 years old.

Health officials aren’t sure what caused it. Increase in invasive streptococcal infectionsCDC spokesperson Kate Grusic said in an email: CNN The agency has not determined whether Group A streptococcal infections are returning to normal pre-pandemic levels, or if anything else is at work.

“The recent rise in respiratory viruses, particularly influenza, may also contribute to the potential increase in iGAS infections,” Grusich said. Concomitant or antecedent skin disease may increase the risk of iGAS infection.”