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Last week, several child deaths were reported in England but also in France, all involving streptococcus A. Should we fear this bacterium? What precautions should be taken ? Update with Dr Gérald Kierzek, emergency doctor and medical director of Doctissimo.
The case is rare enough to be mentioned: Friday, December 2, France Blue revealed the death of a 3-year-old girl from the Landes, following an angina which would have degenerated due to streptococcus A. Two other children, including the brother of the young victim, also contaminated, were still this weekend in serious condition. On the same day, on the other side of the Channel, the British health authorities announced 6 deaths in children under 10 at the end of November following invasive infections with streptococci A, this same bacterium.
The British health security agency evokes a sharp increase in cases this year, without however mentioning a new strain. Should we see this as a new winter threat for our children? Let’s do a check in.
Streptococcus A, present in mostly mild infections
Strep A is a bacterium present in a wide range of infections, ranging from strep throat, to skin infection. It can also cause scarlet fever, as was the case in a small epidemic in Spain A week ago. The bacteria, which most often causes no symptoms, is found in the throat, skin and airways of infected people.
As the Institut Pasteur reminds us on its dedicated page, streptococcal A infections are frequent (just like those with streptococcal B.) These two bacteria only cause symptoms “under certain conditions”, or “in people at risk”. . In the vast majority of cases, streptococci A are therefore the cause of common ailments such as angina, impetigo – but which can sometimes become invasive: in rare circumstances, streptococci can enter the bloodstream and cause serious diseases, called invasive streptococcal A infections. This is the case in bacteraemia, necrotizing skin infections, or even meningitis, which may be associated with streptococcal toxic shock syndrome.
Group A streptococcus is transmitted between humans (and therefore children) by inhaling droplets of secretions from the throat or nose, when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Contact with infected skin wounds can also transmit the bacteria, especially if a child suffers from impetigo for example. Strep A infections such as scarlet fever, impetigo or strep throat should be treated with antibiotics. After 3 doses of antibiotics, it is estimated that small patients are no longer contagious and can return to communities.
What precautions should be taken ?
To prevent any infection during this almost winter period, hygiene plays an essential role: wash your hands frequently, especially before meals and after coughing or sneezing. Cough into a handkerchief, not their hand. Toys of affected children should also be cleaned.
Angina in children: when should we be worried?
Still, a death from angina, although rare, can scare many parents. For Dr Gérald Kierzek, emergency physician and medical director of Doctissimo, this is an opportunity to recall a simple principle: you should always consult a doctor in the event of angina.
“There is not only a bacterial risk, but also a risk of phlegmon (accumulation of udders in the tonsils) which will clog, and make the infection asphyxial. Rapid dehydration is also possible in children who can no longer eat because of angina”
As such, the symptoms to watch out for are:
- A red throat with swollen tonsils;
- Pains ;
- A child who has trouble breathing and is salivating;
- Fever.
When these signs appear, it is necessary to do a test with your doctor to check if the infection is of viral or bacterial origin.
Finally, the emergency doctor reminds us: to fight against the child’s pain, “We never self-medicate with anti-inflammatories. In the case of an infection that is bacterial and when the immune system is depressed, taking anti-inflammatories can increase the rate of spread of the infection and put your child in danger”.
Do you suspect angina? Do not delay to consult.