As of today, nine children have died in the UK after falling ill with Strep A. Now, more children under ten have lost their lives from severe infection caused by invasive Strep A (sometimes abbreviated to iGAS) than did from Covid in the first three months of the pandemic in 2020.
In most cases, Group A Streptococcus, a bacterial infection common in school-age children, is mild. From ‘strep throat’ that can cause tonsillitis, to skin infections and scarlet fever, it can present in many forms. Spread by respiratory droplets (propelled outwards when you sneeze, cough or kiss), most cases result in mild symptoms and recovery after a short course of antibiotics. But if left untreated, the bacteria can infiltrate your internal organs, weld itself to your heart and kidneys and leave you seriously ill.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued a warning, calling on parents to be vigilant in looking out for symptoms.
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