Salut warns of rise in bacteria causing pharyngitis and skin infections

Ministry of Health warns of rise in bacteria causing pharyngitis and skin infectionshe Streptococcus pyogenes or Group A Streptococcus – as explained this week by Girona newspapers—. Data from Catalonia’s Infection Surveillance Information System (SiViC) shows that cases of pharyngitis caused by streptococcus have not stopped rising since early January, during the peak of influenza, covid-19 and VRS.

Specifically, in the week of February 19 to 25, a total of 4,238 cases of pharyngitis caused by streptococcus were detected (37% of the total cases). The SiViC system states that “the incidence of strep throat continues to rise, with 54 cases per 100,000 inhabitants.” ”The reason why the second wave of epidemic persists is Streptococcus pyogenes

”, Salut concluded.

Similarly, Scarlet fever cases have also increased since the first week of January. A total of 444 cases were detected last week, or 6 cases per 100,000 inhabitants.More similarities ImpetigoAmong them, 1,058 cases were confirmed, showing a clear upward trend since the beginning of the year. In this case, the incidence rate is 13 cases per 100,000 inhabitants.

Salut had written an informative account of strep a year ago, after a strep outbreak spread in the UK. This is a bacterium that can colonize the throat, skin and anogenital tract and is a common cause of pharyngitis and bacterial tonsillitis in school-age children, the department explains.The most common symptoms of infection are sore throat, Headache and fever.When it affects the skin, it produces Pictures of impetigo Sometimes, due to the production of toxins, it can cause scarlet fever

(thin red rash). The incidence of pharyngitis usually increases during winter and early spring. Although outbreaks in kindergartens and schools are common, most cases are mild and respond well to antibiotic treatment.

Group A Streptococcus: Symptoms, Transmission, and Treatment

It is a highly contagious bacterium that is usually spread from one person to another through one of the following pathways: Respiratory droplets spread through coughing and sneezing, direct contact through skin lesions (wounds) and rarely indirect contact through contact with contaminated objects and food. Sick people have greater infectious potential, but asymptomatic people can also spread the virus. The incubation period of the disease is 2 to 5 days after exposure to gases and before onset of illness (tonsillitis, pharyngitis, scarlet fever). The incubation period for impetigo is 7 to 10 days.

Confirmed patients must receive antibiotic treatment for the recommended time, therefore adequate treatment is the main measure to control transmission. After 24 hours of adequate antibiotic treatment, the patient is no longer infectious. It is recommended to avoid contact with susceptible people in the first 24 hours, and to stop going to school or work within 24 hours of starting treatment, as long as the patient’s general condition allows. Because of its effectiveness, penicillin for 10 days is the treatment of choice, but amoxicillin may also be an acceptable alternative. Good hand and respiratory hygiene are important to stop the spread.