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The Ministry of Public Health (MSP) released a statement on Tuesday reporting an “expected” increase in cases. Streptococcus (Strep) “Depending on the time of year,” “specifically, an outbreak (two or more cases) occurred in a cluster at a school in Montevideo,” resulting in the death of a five-year-old child.
“Group A Streptococcus is a group of bacteria that can cause mild infections, such as pharyngitis or scarlet fever, or less commonly, severe illness,” the ministry explained in a statement. The bacterium affects children, adolescents and adults and “may present with severe or mild clinical manifestations” such as pharyngitis or scarlet fever.
The Ministry of Health reported that its health surveillance unit (Devisa) “was informed of the outbreak and took appropriate measures: it contacted the Education Center, which provided corresponding prevention advice and actively monitored the situation.”
Two other patients affected by the school outbreak developed symptoms of scarlet fever and pneumonia respectively; “Hospitalized at home and making good progress.”
Transmission and symptoms
Strep infection “is spread through respiratory droplets, or through direct contact with an infected person who talks, coughs, sneezes, or touches infected surfaces (if they put their hands in their mouth, share glasses, plates, toys or other utensils) to spread germs,” the portfolio states. “It usually takes two to five days for someone exposed to group A strep to develop pharyngitis or scarlet fever,” he added.
Symptoms of pharyngitis include: sore throat, fever, headache, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, redness of the throat and tonsils, bad breath, and swollen lymph nodes in the neck.
The most common symptoms of scarlet fever are: redness, sore throat, fever of 38.3°C or higher, a red rash with a sandpaper texture, dark red skin in the armpits, elbows and groin creases, and white moss on or on the tongue. Back of throat, “raspberry” tongue, headache, nausea or vomiting, swollen glands, body aches.
suggestion
If some of these symptoms occur, MSPs urge “consult a healthcare provider for prompt diagnosis and avoid self-prescribing antibiotics.”
To prevent strep throat and scarlet fever, health authorities recommend covering your mouth when coughing or sneezing; wearing a mask; washing your hands frequently; avoiding sharing glasses, bottles, utensils, towels, and other personal items; ventilating rooms daily; cleaning and disinfecting surfaces and toys to avoid overcrowding.
“Children with respiratory symptoms, including sore throat, should not attend educational or sports centers or social gatherings,” the Department of Health warns. “To resume activities after having strep throat or scarlet fever, children must have been at home for more than 24 hours Asymptomatic and receiving antibiotics for more than 24 hours,” he said.