Strep A reassurance amid pressure on ED
CONCERNED parents have added to the pressure on the hospital’s Emergency Department by bringing in children with mild symptoms, due to worries about Strep A.
But they have been reassured by Medical Specialist Group paediatric consultant Dr Clare Betteridge that there has not been an increase in cases this year,
A Health & Social Care spokeswoman said that attendance numbers at the Emergency Department were extremely high even allowing for normal winter pressures.
‘The Emergency Department has seen an increase in people attending over recent weeks for a variety of reasons, including parents worried about scarlet fever and Strep A symptoms,' she said.
The Strep A bacteria is carried quite normally in some people’s throats, but can transition into Strep throat, [commonly known as tonsillitis] or scarlet fever. Both of these are very common. Scarlet fever is usually a mild illness, but it is highly infectious.
There has been a sharp rise in infections in the UK, but so far it has not been a serious problem in Guernsey.
‘It is understandable people are worried,’ said Dr Betteridge.
‘But what we are seeing is the UK media highlighting the normal amount of cases of Strep A that are regretfully seen every year.’
Symptoms include a sore throat, headache, and fever, along with a fine, pinkish or red body rash with a sand-papery feel.
‘It’s only when Strep A gets into the bloodstream that it becomes a problem,’ said Dr Betteridge.
‘But that is very rare. Many people carry it harmlessly without even knowing, but they can spread it to others who might become ill.
‘It can affect adults just as easily but children are more likely to get it as they socialise and tend to be less conscious of their personal hygiene.
‘Why some children get an infection and some people just get carry the bacteria we have no idea.’
While still uncommon, there has been an increase in invasive Group A Strep cases in the UK this year, particularly in children under 10.
Dr Betteridge asked that parents only attend the Emergency Department if their child was seriously unwell.
‘The indicators are that they are too breathless to talk, become pale, mottled and cold and blue around the lips, dehydrated, confused or have a rash that does not disappear with pressure.’
