OSPEDYC explains what this infection is, how to catch it early, and the importance of seeking medical attention and avoiding self-medication, which may lead to resistance in the future.
Argentina has registered hundreds of cases of strep pharyngitis and has seen 118 confirmed cases of invasive strep pharyngitis so far this year, including 16 deaths, the health ministry said. The provinces with the largest cumulative number of confirmed cases in 2023 are Buenos Aires (35 cases), Santa Fe (20 cases), Chubut (10 cases) and Tierra del Fuego (10 cases).
Streptococcal pharyngitis is a bacterial infection, most commonly Streptococcus pyogenes, that causes acute pharyngitis and skin infections such as impetigo, cellulitis, and scarlet fever. “Transmission occurs through direct contact with an infected person’s wound or through droplets expelled by coughing, sneezing or talking,” explained OSPEDYC National Medical Director Dr. Valeria El Haj.
It is worth noting that this is happening in an international context, with the World Health Organization (WHO) reporting on 8 December 2022 that at least 5 member states (France, Ireland, Netherlands, Sweden and the United States) of the European region have and the Kingdom of Northern Ireland have reported an increase in the number of cases of invasive disease caused by group A Streptococcus (Streptococcus pyogenes).
Diseases caused by Streptococcus pyogenes
OSPEDYC states that S. pyogenes commonly causes mild illnesses such as pharyngitis, impetigo, cellulitis, and scarlet fever. However, in rare cases, this infection can lead to invasive disease that can lead to a life-threatening condition and kill more than 500,000 people worldwide each year.
The incubation period varies according to clinical presentation and is 1 to 3 days. Pharyngitis is diagnosed by culture and treated with antibiotics, with penicillin being the preferred treatment.
“If left untreated, strep throat can lead to complications such as kidney inflammation and rheumatic fever. The infection is more common in children, but it can affect people of any age,” adds El Haj.
Signs and symptoms of strep throat include:
A sore throat usually comes on quickly.
pain when swallowing
The tonsils are red and swollen, sometimes with white spots or pus.
There are small red spots (soft or hard) on the back of the upper jaw.
Lymph nodes in the neck are swollen and tender.
fever.
Headache.
acne.
Nausea or vomiting, especially in young children.
widespread pain.
May have many of these signs and symptoms, but not strep throat. The cause of these signs and symptoms may be a viral infection or another disease. For this reason, doctors usually do specific tests to detect strep throat (jaw swab).
antibiotic treatment
Appropriate antibiotic treatment after the first 24 hours eliminates transmissibility. It is important to avoid self-administering antibiotics and to consult a doctor when certain symptoms occur.
Where antibiotic therapy is medically indicated, the program must be completed (without shortening or abandoning therapy prematurely), because the fact that inappropriate use of antibiotics promotes bacterial resistance threatens their future effectiveness.
“Ill persons should avoid public places (work, school) and limit household contact. Also, it is important not to share items for personal use (cutlery, glasses, towels, etc.) and to regularly ventilate the room properly. Likewise, hands Hygiene and personal hygiene also help control transmission”, concludes the OSPEDYC professional.