Good Morning Britain's Dr Amir Khan has shared how to distinguish Strep A from a common cold or flu.
The medical expert appeared on today's edition of the ITV news programme. Dr Khan shared signs and symptoms of how to identify the bacterial infection, known by its full name as Group A streptococcus.
The advice comes after seven children across the UK have died after contracting an invasive form of the infection. Dr Khan told broadcasters Rob Rinder and Susanna Reid some of the symptoms associated with Strep A.
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He said: "We see it in children and adults. It most often causes sore throats but it can cause skin infections and other types of infections as well. The most common symptoms are a sore throat.
"The tonsils at the back of the throat are usually covered in a white pus. It gives you a high fever. It can give you muscle aches as well and swollen glands."
The doctor explained the symptoms can overlap with the common cold and flu. He added: "It can be very difficult to tell the difference between that kind of infection and between cold and a flu. Often the runny nose is absent with Streptococcus so we don't have that kind of congestion associated with this."
Dr Khan explained Streptococcus is most common in children aged 5 - 15 and is treated with antibiotics. He said: "We like to start antibiotics sooner rather than later if you are symptomatic and unwell with Streptococcus to prevent complications from happening.
"It can cause Scarlet fever, the bacteria releases a toxin and it causes a fine, pinprick sandpaper-y rash which can appear red on white skin. It doesn't necessarily appear red on darker skin, it can just feel like sandpaper.
"Very rarely it can become invasive Streptococcus when its spreads beyond the tonsils and throat and into the blood stream. It can make you very ill then and that's when we send people into hospital and to prevent really serious complications and death from happening."
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