Mortality is high if streptococcus A is not treated early.

SAFAKNA TURKEY – Faculty of Medicine, Hacettepe University, Lecturer in the Department of Child Health and Diseases and Member of the Scientific Council of the Ministry of Health Prof. Dr. Atesh Kara said the Streptococcus A bacteria, which is spread among children in Europe and found in Turkey, is not a new species; however, he said that it causes the “invasive” diseases that plague society today.

prof. Dr. Kara said: “The bacterium we call Streptococcus (Strep A) as we know it in the community, Beta, is one of the bacteria we know to be the oldest source of infection. One of its main features is that it causes infections in our throat. In addition, it commonly causes skin infections during the summer and throat infections, which we call tonsil infections, especially in late fall and winter and early spring during the winter months. Previous viral infections, such as colds and flu, contribute to the infection with streptococcus A. But the most discussed infection today; no longer in the throat, no longer in the skin; An infection that reaches the organs, lungs, or muscles as it travels inward. The disturbing feature here is that; While throat and skin infections clear up in a very short time with antibiotic treatment, infections in the lung, muscle, or bone tissue, which we call invasive diseases, can be as high as 30-40 percent if antibiotics are not treated. .

“IMPACTS ALL AGE GROUPS”

prof. Dr. Cara said the age range in which streptococcus A is most common is 3-18 years old, and the age range in which it is most common is 7-11 years old; but he noted that it now affects almost all age groups, including adults.

Cara said: “Especially in older children, the very sudden onset of a 39-degree fever, the sudden onset of a sore throat and the presence of sensitive glands in the neck suggest the presence of strep A. Usually with this infection there is no runny nose, no sneezing, no watery eyes, no redness of the eyes. Does not sneeze, does not tear; but in a child with red tongue, 39 degrees fever, sore throat, we should strongly suspect strep A. While you have a sore throat, there may be redness and skin rash in some tables. We call it a scarlet fever infection. This is usually transmitted once, and then lifelong antibodies are produced to prevent infection with scarlet fever. In addition to a sudden rise in temperature, symptoms of a sore throat, if he is breathing rapidly, this will worry you, if he has a very high temperature, if he has weakness, it is useful to see a doctor as soon as possible.

“INCREASE IS NOT RELATED TO AN OPTION LIKE COVID-19”

Noting that recently streptococcus A has become widespread, prof. Dr. Kara said: “Yes, the numbers that we have seen as 2-3 cases per year in our major hospitals are now over 5-6 cases in 3-4 months. However, this increase is not associated with a variant, as in the Covid-19 outbreak. It also did not become resistant to antibiotics; but this is due to the ease of penetration of the microbe into the body and its rapid spread, especially since during this period there are many viral infections, and before that we had a period of calm.

“VACCINES FOR STREPKA AND NOT YET”

Cara, pointing out the importance of early treatment for streptococcus A infections, said: “If we look at the table, we can see that if treatment is not done early, the losses from infections caused by bacteria can be 20 to 40 percent. “. Strep A. In other words, there is a risk of losing 2 to 4 out of every 10 cases. A vaccine against streptococcus A has not yet been developed. There are studies on vaccines, they are at the level of phase studies; but not yet available. This infection; It spreads through tiny droplets that come out of our mouths when we talk. If a person who is sick, has a sore throat or has a fever wears a mask, the transmission of the infection to other people is reduced. We need to stay away from crowded places. Classes must be ventilated. Since it comes out with drops, the drops can get into the school, on the desk in the area where we are, on the pen that we use, in the areas that we touch in the minibus. Let’s be careful not to put our hands over our mouths and noses when we’re outside. If we wash our hands after touching the surrounding objects, this will be one of the adequate measures taken.”