Dr Jeremy Carr, Head of Infection and Immunity at Monash Children’s Hospital, recently spoke with Nine News about the increase of young children contracting Group A streptococcal (GAS) disease.
Often referred to as Strep A, this bacterium generally causes mild disease, such as throat and skin infections. ‘Strep’ throat is a common illness and usually self-resolves in a few days. However, in rare cases Strep A can cause severe and potentially fatal disease, known as invasive group A streptococcal disease (iGAS).
WATCH: Health authorities warn of the resurgence of potentially deadly Strep A | 9 News Australia
Parents and GPs are being warned about the resurgence of a rare by potentially life-threatening bacterial infection.
Strep A has been around for centuries and is commonly present in the throat or skin without causing any symptoms. However cases of iGAS have recently increased. This includes rapidly progressing sepsis, toxic shock syndrome, pneumonia and necrotising fasciitis.
In three months, Monash Children’s has seen as many iGAS presentations as we would typically see in a year. A similar rise in cases has been seen across Australia, UK, Europe and the UK.
Symptoms of iGAS vary depending on the site of infection and are often non-specific. Symptoms may be difficult to differentiate from common symptoms of a viral infection, but the severity and persistence of symptoms or presence of multiple symptoms may be signs of a serious infection.
Symptoms may include:
- Fevers or chills
- Shortness of breath and/or chest pain
- Lethargy, change in personality, confusion or decreased conscious state
- Nausea, vomiting or abdominal pain
- A red ‘sunburn’ rash, or warm, painful, and rapidly spreading skin infection
- Cold, mottled limbs or painful limbs
- Poor feeding or poor urine output
If you are concerned about yourself or your loved one with Strep A, please speak to your GP or primary care physician. If it’s an emergency, please visit your closest Emergency Department.