A fast-spreading, insidious and dangerous disease: Streptococcus A

Recently, “epidemics” have been the main item in the health news. After the Covid-19 pandemic, there is a lot of news on the agenda about epidemics or some diseases that can develop into epidemics. In addition to “known infectious” diseases such as the flu and the common cold, infectious diseases such as RSV, which many people were not previously familiar with, negatively affect millions of people. One rapidly spreading disease is a disease caused by a bacterium called Streptococcus A.

It is stated that the disease has developed into a serious epidemic, especially among children, in some European countries, especially in England. For this reason, experts warn against a disease that can cause fatal complications in children in a certain age range. Another issue that worries specialists about the disease is the “insidiousness” of the disease. This disease, which most often occurs with flu-like symptoms, in some cases can lead to death very quickly. So, what should be done to prevent this insidious and dangerous disease? What are the symptoms and treatments for the disease? Let’s look at the details together…

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Bacteria of concern in new outbreak in Europe: what is Streptococcus A?

Streptococcus A is a bacterium also called “group A streptococcus”.

It has been known since December last year that the bacterium has become a serious epidemic in England, and some children, especially in a certain age range, have died due to the disease. It is claimed that between 2017 and 2018 there were 4672 cases in the UK, and in 2022 the number of cases increased to 33 thousand 836! In other words, it is claimed that a disease called Streptococcus A has seriously spread, especially after the easing of Covid-19 restrictions.

The disease has the ability to spread, especially in crowded places such as schools and kindergartens. For this reason, experts around the world say that especially parents of children under the age of 10 should be especially careful about streptococcal A infection. Because it is not easy to distinguish the symptoms of the disease from the flu. For this reason, infections that are not diagnosed on time can cause serious health problems and, unfortunately, death.

The disease is usually transmitted through close contact, coughing and sneezing.

In addition, an increase in the incidence in winter is noted, as in other respiratory diseases. However, Streptococcus A is known to be highly contagious.

What are the symptoms?

Streptococcus A infection usually presents with a sore throat and some skin infections. However, fever, sweating, loss of appetite, fatigue and moodiness are also common symptoms of the disease.

But what makes streptococcus A infections dangerous is the possibility that infections can lead to other diseases. This can cause a disease characterized by symptoms such as high fever, sore throat, rash, swelling of the cervical glands, especially in children, called “scarlet fever”. Experts state that the infection can cause serious health problems from time to time due to the fact that it causes various diseases.

How is strep A treated?

An effective vaccine against this disease has not been developed. However, experts say that antibiotics of the penicillin group are extremely effective in the treatment process, especially in cases that can be diagnosed at an early stage. That’s why it’s so important that children with Strep A-like symptoms seek professional help as soon as possible.

What should be done to prevent the disease?

Experts say that the most effective methods of protection against a rapidly spreading disease are social distancing and hygiene measures similar to the period of a pandemic.

Is Turkey ready for a Streptococcus A epidemic?

The spread of the disease in some European countries, especially in England, has also worried parents in our country. However, although the authorities have not made any statements, it is known that many children in our country have to go to hospital emergency services frequently due to various diseases, and many children who show symptoms of streptococcal infection also go to hospitals. . So, is Turkey ready for a Streptococcus A epidemic?

According to experts in Turkey, the answer to this question is yes. After all, this disease is not alien to many doctors in our country. In addition, doctors have extensive experience in diagnosis and treatment. However, many different infectious diseases affect many people during the winter months we are in. Streptococcus A can also become more dangerous than usual when it occurs with other diseases. For this reason, some experts argue that doctors in Turkey should also be wary of a possible epidemic.

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