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Dublin Live

Health

Emma Nevin

Strep A and iGAS symptoms to watch out for as 16 Irish people die from disease since October

Disease Bacteria HSE

Six children and ten adults have died in Ireland since October from iGAS, an illness caused by Strep A.

Strep A (Group A streptococcus) is a common bacteria. It is sometimes found in the throat or on the skin without causing any symptoms.

The bacteria usually causes mild illness like sore throats and skin infections. However, in rare cases, these bacteria can cause a severe and life threatening illness called invasive group A streptococcal disease (iGAS).

In an update on the disease earlier this month, the Health Protection Surveillance Centre said that there has been an increase in notified invasive Group A Streptococcus (iGAS) infections in Ireland since October 2022.

They confirmed that between 2nd October 2022 and 15th March 2023, 179 cases of iGAS were notified in Ireland. Of these, 65 (or 36%) were in children aged under 18 year, of whom 55 were aged 0-9 years.

This contrasts with the pre-pandemic years when approximately 25% of iGAS infections were in children aged under 18.

Since October 2022, there have been six deaths in children: four deaths in children aged under 10 years old and two deaths in children aged 10-17 years and 10 in adults (age range, 50-96 years).

Here is all of the HSE's advice on symptoms, causes and treatment of Strep A and iGAS.

Symptoms of Strep A

Strep A infections cause symptoms such as:

sore throat
high temperature (38 degrees Celsius or higher)
chills
muscle aches
minor skin infections
scarlet fever rash

Most people with a high temperature or a sore throat have a virus and not strep A.

How you get Strep A

Strep A is spread by close contact. It can be passed on through coughs and sneezes, or from a wound.

You may have the bacteria in your body without feeling unwell or showing any symptoms of infections. You generally don't need treatment if you feel OK.

But you can still pass it on even if you have no symptoms. You are at a higher risk of spreading strep A if you are unwell.

Infections caused by Strep A

Strep A can cause infections in your:

skin
soft tissue (muscles, tendons and ligaments)
respiratory system (nose, throat and lungs)

Possible infections include:

tonsillitis
pharyngitis
scarlet fever
impetigo
cellulitis

It's rare that you will get a serious infection.

Treating Strep A

You can usually treat your child's symptoms at home. Ask your pharmacist for advice on medicines.

You can usually give your child liquid paracetamol (for example, Calpol) or ibuprofen. This should help improve their symptoms. Follow the dosage instructions on the bottle or packet.

Trust your instincts. Contact your GP, GP out-of-hours or emergency department if you are worried about your child.

Infections caused by iGAS

Invasive group A strep (iGAS) is the most serious infection linked to strep A.

Infections caused by iGAS can:

cause severe muscle, fat and skin tissue infection
lead to sepsis
cause organ failure, for example in the kidneys, liver or lungs
cause a fast drop in blood pressure

These infections are very rare.

Signs and symptoms of iGAS

It's not always easy to tell if you have iGAS. Symptoms can appear like symptoms of other conditions.

They can include some of the below:

high temperature (38 degrees Celsius or higher)
muscle pain or severe muscle aches
severe pain in a wound
redness at the site of a wound
dizziness and confusion
a flat red rash over large areas of the body
diarrhoea or vomiting where there is no other obvious cause

Having these symptoms does not always mean you have iGAS. But you should get urgent medical help if you or your child feel very unwell. Trust your instincts. iGAS is a serious infection that can lead to sepsis.

For more information about Strep A and iGAS, you can visit the HSE's website.

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