Group A streptococcus (GAS) has been on the rise in Ireland, and experts have warned parents to be on the lookout for any signs of the disease, according to the Irish Daily Mirror.
Meanwhile, increased cases of this rare illness have been reported in the United Kingdom.
The Threat
Many people harbor the GAS bacteria in their throats or on their skin.
Sickness is not usually the outcome of GAS infections, although this virus is responsible for a wide spectrum of ailments.
While iGAS infections are still rare, this year, there has been a modest rise in instances recorded in the UK, especially in children under 10. Regrettably, there is a small number of fatalities, as stated in the most recent report by the (Health Protection Surveillance Centre) HPSC on Strep A.
With all these in mind, here's what you need to know to keep your kids safe from contracting the virus and becoming ill.
Related Story: Strep A Infection Claims the Life of a Fourth British Kid
Protecting Children
Understanding the signs and being aware of when to seek medical attention is crucial.
In a report by the Irish Daily Mirror, family medicine specialist Dr. Belinda Griffiths at The Fleet Street Clinic says the common symptoms include a high fever and a painful throat.
As the disease develops, patients may have a rash or what is usually called a "strawberry tongue," which is a red, inflamed tongue.
Griffiths warns that children under the age of 10 are at a higher risk of contracting Strep A "because they have not been exposed to it." And children, more so than adults, are notorious for spreading infections like wildfire, so it only takes one to infect a whole class.
It is best to avoid physical touch as much as possible. Strep throat is probable but uncommon in adults.
Griffiths explains the difficulty, saying, "It's very difficult with small children - because they all cough in each other's faces."
Little children will not pay any attention to instructions, even if adults educate them to frequently wash their hands, sneeze into tissues, and avoid someone who has a cough.
At a certain age, it becomes more challenging to teach them beyond a given degree, Griffiths states.
She suggests staying at home to protect your kids from Strep A. "You could keep them at home, or I suppose you could make them wear masks, but children are very poor at wearing masks, and you can't keep them at home just to avoid Strep A."
Advice for Guardians
Griffiths recommends always being on the lookout for risk.
She points out the children are really skilled at masking symptoms. One moment, they are well and running about, and the next, they are terribly ill.
"The important message to get across is to be vigilant. If you're worried about your child, look in their throat, and check they're eating and drinking. Because the first thing they'll do is stop eating and drinking, and start complaining about their throat and their headache," Griffiths suggests.
If your kid develops symptoms, Griffiths recommends acting quickly to get penicillin or another appropriate treatment.
"With Strep A as it is at the moment, penicillin or an alternative is required - just to be safe," Griffiths says, adding that she generally would not recommend starting with antibiotics.
According to her, it is paramount to do everything you can to prevent the spread of illness, and that includes keeping your sick kid at home and notifying the teacher.
