Group A streptococcus (GAS) is a common bacteria.
Lots of us carry it in our throats and on our skin and it doesn’t always result in illness. However, GAS does cause several infections, some are mild and easily treated with antibiotics.
But rarely, the infection can cause serious problems. This is called invasive group A strep (iGAS) and this is what you may be reading about in the media and causing you concern.
The most serious infections linked to GAS come from invasive group A strep, known as iGAS.
These infections are caused by the bacteria getting into parts of the body where it is not normally found, such as the lungs or bloodstream. In very rare cases an iGAS infection can be fatal.
It’s always concerning when a child is unwell. GAS infections cause various symptoms such as sore throat, fever, chills, and muscle aches.
As a parent, if you feel that your child seems seriously unwell, you should trust your own judgement.
Here is Dr Ed Capo Bianco explaining a little more
NHS website information
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/strep-a/
Contact your GP or NHS 111 if:
- your child is getting worse
- your child is feeding or eating much less than normal
- your child has had a dry nappy for 12 hours or more or shows other signs of dehydration
- your baby is under three months and has a temperature of 38C, or is older than 3 months and has a temperature of 39C or higher
- your child is very tired or irritable
Call 999 or go to A&E if:
- your child is having difficulty breathing – making grunting noises or their tummy sucking under their ribs
- your child’s skin, tongue or lips are blue
- your child is floppy and will not wake up or stay awake
Here is a very useful parent guide produced by a local Paediatric Network with a traffic light guide and symptom list