Last week, two brothers at a preschool in Kristianstad fell ill. One boy died and his brother is still in hospital. Something that has raised concerns and questions about streptococci and sepsis, also known as blood poisoning.
Jonas F Ludvigsson, pediatrician and professor, therefore gives a call that one should pay attention when it comes to invasive group A of streptococci in children in particular.
– Data from other countries that have shown that the number of deaths of children from group A streptococci increased. For one thing, you can imagine that it is a tribe right now that is a little more aggressive.
Many children get sick
According to the pediatrician, the statistics show that Sweden had just over 30 cases of invasive group A streptococci among children under 10 years of age, between October 2022 and February 2023.
– That’s about twice as much as we used to have a year before the pandemic.
The fact that many children were not exposed to diseases and received an untrained immune system may be a reason for the increase.
– Above all, I think that many children are extra sensitive to infections after the pandemic where we have had two years when Swedish parents have been good at keeping their children at home and where they have not been infected by infections, says Jonas F Ludvigsson and continues:
– When we now get a huge spread of both viruses and bacteria as we have seen, unfortunately many children get sick.
“Very common”
Streptococcus is a bacterium and is transmitted via the respiratory tract.
– It is very common to get strep. The vast majority have probably had strep throat at some point. You have had a sore throat or fever and often received penicillin for this. In rare cases, the infection can spread and become very serious.
However, it is not common for children to die due to these circumstances.
– It is extremely rare for children to die. The official statistics show that one to two children per year die of blood poisoning from streptococci, and that is what most people die of.
– Then there is another child who dies in another form from blood poisoning. But I think that the figures are a little underestimated and there may be a few more children involved in Sweden where children die of sepsis from streptococci.
The pediatrician urges parents to be extra attentive if you suspect that a child has been infected.
– If you have a child who has a very high fever and a sore throat, you should call 1177 or seek medical attention. For a streptococcal infection that causes symptoms must be treated.
Different types of streptococci
There are several different types of streptococcal bacteria. The most common and most talked about is streptococci type A.
Streptococcus A: Usually called GAS (Group A Streptococcus) or strep A. A common cause of strep throat. In rare cases can lead to secondary diseases rheumatic fever, reactive arthritis and kidney inflammation.
Streptococcus B: Found naturally in the intestines of many people. Usually does not cause any problems. Can spread to the abdomen and can cause a urinary tract infection. Pregnant women with strep B can infect the baby. The bacteria can be transmitted sexually but is not considered a sexually transmitted infection.
Streptococcus C and Streptococcus G: Both groups can cause strep throat, but strep C is best known for its association with making horses sick.