In light of recent events in Japan, Spanish people want to know What is Group A Streptococcus and what are its symptoms?. The infection, caused by a rapidly spreading and potentially deadly bacterium, has caused alarm in Japan.
Other countries such as Canada and the UK have also seen significant growth. According to “El Periódico”, the last large-scale outbreak in Spain occurred at the end of 2022. As of April 2023, at least two minors have died in Madrid and at least three minors have died in Catalonia.
Now, Japanese health authorities are warning their people that the virus is dangerous and can spread at high speeds, causing so-called ” Streptococcal toxic shock. This is a rare but serious infection. Strep toxic shock syndrome can progress rapidly and lead to a drop in blood pressure, multiple organ failure, and even death.
but, What is Group A Streptococcus? How is the situation in Spain?bacteria Streptococcus pyogenes is a common suspect in consultations Tonsillitis and pharyngitisespecially for girls and boys, especially between winter and early spring.
The big question is: Why are we seeing a resurgence in these severe infections, whether in Japan, Canada or Europe? Scientists say there is no single determinant but a complex set of factors, some of which emerged even before the Covid-19 pandemic.he said maybe Strep infection rates have been rising for years silent.
What is Group A Streptococcus
Group A Streptococcus is a type of bacteria that usually Cause milder symptoms or illness, such as painful strep throat, skin infection, or scarlet fever. In these cases, antibiotics usually do the trick.
The invasive form occurs when strep bacteria penetrate soft tissue or the bloodstream. Although relatively rare, these infections often progress rapidly, as happened in Japan, leading to a range of serious illnesses from toxic shock syndrome to sepsis, including inflammation of the brain.
Doctors say they are finding that Group A strep infections are more aggressive, rather than causing milder illness. These severe cases are a challenge for health professionals as they require urgent medical care.
A Canadian study published in September 2022 examined national infection rates between 2009 and 2019.The study found that the incidence of these infections increased from 4 to just over 8 cases per 100,000 people, i.e. doubled in just ten years. Now, the Public Health Agency of Canada says that rate could reach 12 cases per 100,000 people by 2023.
Symptoms and how they spread
Illnesses caused by group A Streptococcus usually occur in Fever and other symptoms, muscle pain, vomiting and sore throat. Infections are usually treated with antibiotics. Group A Streptococcus is spread through close contact, including open wounds and airborne droplets when coughing, talking, or sneezing.
Therefore, Japanese health authorities recommend good hand washing, especially after coughing, sneezing or preparing food, to reduce the possibility of contagion. Additionally, the use of face masks is recommended, especially if you have relevant symptoms.
Why is Group A Streptococcus increasing?
Global travel may be another factor nearby environment and different strains Across national borders. According to some authors, during the pandemic, group A streptococci decreased by 50% to 60% over the next year and a half. As coronavirus and flu vaccination rates decline, strep infections have increased.
Additionally, scientists hypothesize that strep is affecting large numbers of people who are already debilitated by other infections, such as COVID-19 or respiratory syncytial virus.
Additionally, there is currently no vaccine against group A Streptococcus. Identifying and tracking all the strains that cause severe disease (potentially more than 230) while monitoring fluctuations in the most common strains is complex. Population, population.
Because antibiotic use shortens the length of most strep infections, its impact is expected to be reduced, although there are concerns about the development of bacterial resistance or more aggressive strains.Meanwhile, several doctors claim A Streptococcus infection rates expected to decline Over time, aggressive forms of the disease remain relatively rare.