Hundreds of cases of strep throat have been registered in Argentina. So far this year, there have been 118 confirmed cases of invasive infection with the bacteria, including 16 deaths, the Ministry of Health 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 Valeria El Haj, national medical director of OSPEDYC.
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 They state that Streptococcus 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 from one to three days depending on the clinical presentation. 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,” Elhaj added.
Signs and symptoms of strep throat include:
* Sore throat usually comes on quickly.
*Pain when swallowing.
* Red and swollen tonsils, sometimes with white spots or pus.
* 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. It is also important not to share items for personal use (cutlery, glasses, towels, etc.) and to regularly ventilate the environment properly. Likewise, hands Hygiene and hygiene help control transmission,” concluded the OSPEDYC professional.
Respiratory Infections: Accurate Diagnosis
Respiratory tract infections are a leading cause of infectious morbidity and mortality worldwide, particularly affecting children under 5 years of age and adults over 65 years of age.
These infections are usually viral (more than 80%), mixed (both viral and bacterial), or bacterial only (less commonly); they are contagious and spread quickly. Although knowledge about modes of transmission is evolving, current scientific information indicates that the primary mode of transmission for most acute respiratory infections is droplets (particles) expelled from speaking, coughing, or sneezing; face or hands, or by contact with contaminated surfaces) or close-range infectious respiratory aerosols.
“While the COVID-19 pandemic is over, it is important that we continue to practice the habits that we have learned during these difficult years and that we have incorporated naturally and without shame: If any symptoms of respiratory illness , , use a mask or chin strap to help us take care of ourselves and those around us; wash our hands frequently (keep a bottle of alcohol gel handy), ventilate the environment (10-15 minutes several times a day, especially when many people pass by the same space), sneezing or coughing into the elbow or the back of the hand are very simple preventive measures that can have a huge impact on reducing the spread of respiratory infections,” said Francisco Nacinovich (MN: 75,823), Buenos Aires Cardiovascular Director of the Institute of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Infection Control (ICBA).
Given the seasonality and the low temperatures in recent weeks (which came later in our country), the most widespread virus is the so-called Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), which, although it mainly affects children, can also affect children. Adults of any age people (especially adults over the age of 60). In addition, the influenza virus that causes influenza is circulating in our country, and it is strange that the influenza virus is still circulating in our country since the first months of the year despite the high temperatures.
“It is important to note that RSV and influenza not only cause the typical respiratory symptoms we know (cough, fever, nasal congestion, sore throat, headache, and muscle aches) but also exacerbate conditions such as cardiovascular events and diabetes. , chronic respiratory disease and heart disease etc. Fortunately, there are different types of tests that can diagnose persistent respiratory disease,” Nacinovic said.