How Strep A spreads and how to prevent becoming…

How Strep A spreads and how to prevent becoming infected - according to a local GP

At least nine children across the UK are known to have died from invasive Strep A infection. A Greater Manchester GP is now issuing vital warnings to worried families on how to stop the spread.

Strep A bacteria can cause many different infections, ranging from minor illnesses to serious and deadly diseases. The bacteria are commonly found in the throat and on the skin, and some people have no symptoms.

Infections caused by Strep A include the skin infection impetigo, scarlet fever and strep throat. Scarlet fever in particular has seen a recent surge in cases. While the vast majority of infections are relatively mild, sometimes the bacteria cause life-threatening illness called invasive Group A Streptococcal disease.

The bacteria are spread by contact with an infected person or by contact with infected skin lesions. Bacteria can be passed from person to person by close contact such as kissing or skin contact.

The risk of spread is greatest when somebody is ill, such as when people have strep throat or an infected wound.

"It's classed as a respiratory infection - passed on like all such infections by droplets in the air. Coughing, sneezing. It can also be passed on through hand contact with the bacteria," explains Dr Helen Wall, a GP from Bolton, and Greater Manchester’s Clinical Director Population Health and lead for immunisations and screening.

"Important advice would be to reinstate that hefty hand-washing that we were doing so well during the pandemic... if you are vulnerable and you are concerned, putting a mask on stands as good advice.

"I can't see it coming back that we have a national mandate to mask again but it's still sensible if you are concerned yourself about catching Covid, flu or Strep. Please respect others that do that because they might have an underlying concern or they may just not want to be ill for Christmas."

Invasive Group A Strep disease can be a life-threatening infection in which the bacteria have invaded parts of the body, such as the blood, deep muscle or lungs. Two of the most severe, but rare, forms of invasive disease are necrotising fasciitis and streptococcal toxic shock syndrome.

Necrotising fasciitis is also known as the “flesh-eating disease” and can occur if a wound gets infected. Streptococcal toxic shock syndrome is a rapidly progressing infection causing low blood pressure/shock and damage to organs such as the kidneys, liver and lungs. This type of toxic shock has a high death rate.