The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Thursday alerted the medical community to an increase in pediatric cases of invasive Group A streptococcal infections.
Group A streptococci are the same bacteria that cause throat infections and scarlet fever. However, invasive infections refer to more serious cases in which the bacteria spread to areas of the body that such pathogens do not normally reach, such as the bloodstream.
The CDC warned in its health advisory that “although rare, these serious and invasive conditions are associated with high mortality rates and require immediate treatment, including appropriate antibiotic therapy.”
The rise in invasive Streptococcus A was first noticed in November in the United States among children in a Colorado hospital, the CDC said. According to the report, a potential increase in cases “in other federal states” was then identified.
According to the Colorado Health Department, two young children have died in the Denver metropolitan area since November 1.
CNNbreakingnews.net reported last week that several children’s hospitals in the US have noticed an increase in invasive Group A streptococcal infections. At the time, the CDC said it was hearing “anecdotes from some U.S. doctors about a possible increase in childhood infections” and was still “talking to monitoring centers and hospitals in several states to find out more.”
In its opinion on Thursday, the authority found that the increase in streptococcal infections is due to an increase in respiratory viruses such as RSV, influenza and Covid. According to the Ministry of Health and Social Affairs, 74% of inpatient cribs across the country were full on Wednesday.
In some cases, children who develop a severe streptococcal infection start with a viral respiratory infection.
Krankenhäuser in den USA melden steigende Streptokokken-A-Fälle bei Kindern
However, the total number of invasive Group A streptococcal infections among children remains low and the condition is rare, according to the CDC.
As with other illnesses, the risk of getting Streptococcus A increases seasonally in all age groups, according to the CDC. In general, people over 65 and people with chronic conditions are most susceptible to invasive streptococcal infections.
The CDC therefore emphasized the “importance of early diagnosis, diagnosis, and appropriate treatment of these diseases in children and adults.”
Invasive group A streptococcal infections can trigger:
- Lower respiratory tract infections, such as pneumonia or empyema, which are characterized by pus pockets in the fluid-filled space that surrounds the lungs. Early signs include fever, chills, shortness of breath, or chest pain.
- Skin infections such as cellulitis or necrotizing fasciitis, also known as carnivorous disease. Both include red, warm, swollen, or painful rashes, although necrotizing fasciitis spreads rapidly and can result in ulcers, blisters, or black spots.
- Toxic streptococcal shock syndrome, an immune response that can cause organ failure. The condition often starts with fever, chills, muscle aches, nausea, or vomiting and then causes a rapid heart rate or respiration.
In England, at least 21 children have died of invasive Group A streptococci since mid-September. The British health authority said in a report on Thursday that 94 deaths were recorded in England in all age groups.