How can parents tell if their children have Strep A, Covid or a cold?
A number of youngsters have died due to Strep A and people are being asked to keep an eye out for symptoms. But it may be difficult to tell the difference between illnesses.
Strep A, or Group A Streptococcus as it’s also known, is a bacteria most commonly found in the throat and nose that can lead to numerous infections such as scarlet fever, tonsillitis and impetigo. The bacterium is very common and lots of people will have it unknowingly but in some cases, it can spread to others who may have an increased chance of becoming ill from the infection. However, in most cases health issues caused by Strep A are mild, reports the Liverpool Echo.
Read More: Mapped: Invasive Group A Strep and scarlet fever cases in the North East
There are also plenty of colds and other bugs doing the rounds, as well as Covid. And symptoms can overlap. With this in mind, we have listed the main symptoms and differences between the three.
Strep A
The bacteria commonly causes infections of the skin, soft tissue and respiratory tract. This is why the term 'Strep Throat' is common to describe a sore throat associated with Strep A bacteria.
Common symptoms include:
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Fever
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Swollen tonsils
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Pain when swallowing
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Tonsils with white patches
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Swollen neck glands
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High temperature
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Skin rash
If your child experiences any of these symptoms, you should contact NHS 111 or your GP and keep them away from others where possible for the time being.
Navin Khosla, Medical Writer at NiceRx said: “The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has reported a higher number of cases of Strep A than they usually would around this time, which has left many people feeling anxious and wanting to know how they can spot the signs of the infection.
"As the infection is often spread by coughs, sneezes and close contact, outbreaks usually take place within schools, which is why parents are feeling worried about recent news articles. In most cases, the infection is mild but it’s still important to spot the most common symptoms, which can include a high temperature, swollen neck glands, skin rash and a fever to name a few.
"As alarming as recent news stories and headlines are regarding Strep A, it’s important to understand that most cases are mild and lots of people have the infection without even knowing.”
Covid
Since Covid was first identified in the UK more than two years ago, its most common symptoms have varied significantly. Different variants have given prominence to the many signs coronavirus can cause.
Scientists detected a loss or change to taste or smell as a common symptom fairly early on, but data now suggests while these still present as symptoms, they have become a lot less common.
According to the Zoe app, the most recent top five covid symptoms if you have had two or more vaccines are:
- Sore throat
- Runny nose
- Blocked nose
- Persistent cough
- Headache
If you have had one vaccine, the most common symptoms are:
- Headache
- Runny nose
- Sore throat
- Sneezing
- Persistent cough
And for those who are unvaccinated the most common symptoms are:
- Headache
- Sore throat
- Runny nose
- Fever
- Persistent cough
NHS advises adults try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people if you have symptoms of Covid-19 and either:
- you have a high temperature
- you do not feel well enough to go to work or do your normal activities
Children, it says, should try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people if they have symptoms of Covid-19 and they either:
- have a high temperature
- do not feel well enough to go to school, college or childcare, or do their normal activities
The NHS adds: "They can go back to school, college or childcare when they feel better or do not have a high temperature. If your child has mild symptoms such as a runny nose, sore throat or mild cough, and they feel well enough, they can go to school, college or childcare."
A common cold
While sneezing is a covid symptom, it is more common with a cold than with coronavirus, according to experts. The NHS lists common cold symptoms as:
- a blocked or runny nose
- a sore throat
- headaches
- muscle aches
- coughs
- sneezing
- a raised temperature
- pressure in your ears and face
- loss of taste and smell
The symptoms are the same in both adults and children, though children may be unwell for a longer period of time. People with suspected colds are advised to get plenty of rest, stay hydrated, and to treat themselves at home.
Pharmacists can help with medicines such as painkillers for earaches, or decongestants for blocked noses. Contact a GP if you are concerned about a child's symptoms.
Read Next:
- Group A Strep: North East GP shares advice for 'understandably nervous' parents and highlights key symptoms to look out for
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How does Strep A bacteria spread, what infections can it cause and how does it become invasive?
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Newcastle primary school issues warning to parents and carers after pupil contracts scarlet fever
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Antibiotics could be given to children in schools to stop Strep A, reports say
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Strep A tests sell out online as parents try to buy at-home kits
