Parents around the country are now questioning if they will send their young children to school with the fear that there will be a Strep A outbreak in the republic.
So far, there have been nine reported deaths due to Strep A in the UK, including five-year-old Stella-Lily McCorkindale from Belfast.
And the heartbreaking news that a four-year-old girl from the greater Dublin area has also died with Strep A-like symptoms has put Irish families on high alert.
READ MORE: Three key Strep A symptoms identified
While the disease is usually treatable with penicillin if caught early, superintendent pharmacist of Carrigaline CarePlus Pharmacy, Nigel Moloney, spoke exclusively to the Irish Mirror to give his advice on what to look out for in your children.
What is Strep A?
He said: “Streptococcus is a bacterium that lives on our skin and in our mouths normally, and in most cases, it does not pose any threat to health.”
“However, it can cause a number of common infections that most people will be familiar with such as strep throat, impetigo (that is a skin infection around the mouth & face), cellulitis & and scarlet fever. All of these are fairly common conditions that require treatment with antibiotics - usually penicillin.
“Scarlet fever usually occurs in children and causes a pick to red rash [a bit like sunburn] on the ears, neck, chest and face.
“The rash usually feels rough like sandpaper. Usually, kids will have a sore throat or temperature before the rash develops.
“Typically, the tongue develops a white coating, and this peels off after a few days to leave the tongue looking red and swollen - a bit like a strawberry.
“The glands in the neck can be swollen, kids feel unwell and lethargic with headache, loss of appetite and tummy pain. The skin on the hands and feet can peel for up to 6 weeks after the rash has faded."
How is Strep A spread?
“Step A is very contagious and is spread by skin-to-skin contact or by coughing or sneezing. And usually the incubation period, or time from exposure to onset of symptoms is between one and four days.
“Kids are contagious until 24 hours after they have started antibiotics. The antibiotic course will usually be for 10 days, and kids start to feel well again 4-5 days into the course of antibiotics.
“In terms of how to manage scarlet fever, apart from antibiotics that your doctor will prescribe, lots of cool drinks, keep the bedroom at a cool temperature, Calpol for aches pains and high temperatures. Calamine lotion or Eurex cream for itchy skin.”
How dangerous is Strep A and what steps can I take?
“Group A Streptococcus happens when the bacterium gets into a part of the body where it would usually not be found, for example through a skin lesion, or lesions in the lungs following a viral infection such as covid-19, flu, RSV.
“It can be a very serious illness causing life-threatening skin and lung infections as well as septicaemia. Treatment will usually be in hospital with antibiotics being given into the veins and often supportive care such as oxygen or surgery can be required.
“The best steps for prevention include hand washing, careful disposal of nappies, tissues and hankies but also ensuring kids are up to date with vaccines for Covid-19 & Flu to limit the amount of damage or lesions in the lungs, that these viral illnesses can cause.”
When should I contact my GP or go to A&E?
“Parents should always follow their instincts, but general guidance would be, contact your GP if your child is getting worse despite treatment with antibiotics.
“If they are eating much less than normal. If they have a dry nappy for more than 12 hours or appear to be dehydrated.
“If they are under three months old and have a temperature of 38, or higher, or if they are over three months and have a temperature of 39, or higher.
“Or if their back or chest feels hot or sweaty.
“In serious cases, call 999 or go to an Emergency department if they have difficulty breathing, or there are pauses between breaths.
“Also, if their skin, tongue or lips are blue. Or they are floppy or will not wake up or stay awake.”
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