CDC issues strep A warning as infection continues to spread

Leading American officials have issued a warning Strep A epidemic sweeping America – a sign that officials are worried the bacterial infection will continue to grow in the coming months.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued by the emergency advisory message Thursday, notifying doctors and public health authorities of the situation.

America has suffered two confirmed deaths from strep as part of this outbreak, both in Denver, Colorado. Doctors in hospitals in at least six states have given anecdotal reports that cases of the infection have increased this year.

The CDC doesn’t track strep A nationally, so it’s impossible to know daily case numbers. Across the pond, 21 the children died of the disease in the United Kingdom – and US officials fear that this outbreak will reach the same levels in the country.

The CDC said it will investigate reports of strep A cases nationwide.

The agency also highlighted the ‘importance of early recognition, diagnosis and appropriate treatment’ of strep A in adults and children.

Officials are warning of a recent surge in infections — and an increased seasonal risk of illness in every age group.

Cases of both strep A and strep throat — known as strep throat — typically peak between December and April in the US.

Sore throat is most often seen in children between the ages of five and 15.

A person can get strep A from someone who has strep throat – another form of infection.

Bacterial infections such as Streptococcus A are more common after viral illnesses because the immune system has been worn down by the previous illness – leaving it vulnerable.

The CDC warns that the elderly and the immunocompromised are most at risk from strep A — but the infection rarely poses a risk to healthy children.

Conditions that put someone at increased risk include diabetes, kidney disease, heart disease, and cancer.

In addition, people with wounds or skin conditions, as well as those who inject drugs or are homeless, are more likely to get Strep A.

Earlier this week, one of the largest children’s hospitals in the Missouri reported an influx of children with bizarre Strep A symptoms.

Children’s mercy Kansas A city hospital recently admitted seven children with symptoms such as a “stuck” eye, lumps behind the ear and problems swallowing – leading to drooling.

Doctors were initially puzzled by these cases – but further testing revealed that each child was suffering from Streptococcus A. They noticed that these were not the typical symptoms of a Streptococcus A infection.

Some experts feared that isolation robbed children of immunity from common infections, making cases of Streptococcus A and other infections more severe than usual.

Earlier this week, the CDC admitted that closing schoolsmask orders, lockdowns and other pandemic orders may have contributed to the increased severity of strep A this year.

Pandemic prevention measures such as masking school closings may have contributed to the explosion of influenza and RSV cases.

In turn, this could have encouraged more bacterial infections like Streptococcus A, which often attack when the immune system is vulnerable after a viral infection.

“We just don’t see this many people together in such a short amount of time,” said Dr. Angela Myers, director of infectious diseases at Children’s Mercy. The Washington Post.

Typical symptoms of Streptococcus A include rash, fever, sore throat, flushed cheeks, muscle aches and skin sores.

While other more serious symptoms can occur in cases of invasive group A strep (iGAS) – eye problems and drooling are usually not related to the infection.