What is Strep A?

Fortunately for most people, being in contact with Strep A either doesn’t cause any symptoms or only a mild illness. The usual mild illnesses include:

• ‘strep throat’ - this is a mild throat infection causing a sore throat, swollen glands and discomfort in swallowing.
• earache due to a middle ear infection, often with a high temperature
• impetigo - a blistering type of skin infection usually affecting the nose, mouth or trunk
• sinusitis - infected spaces behind the forehead and cheekbones (normally filled with air) that cause facial pain and a runny or blocked nose scarlet fever - an infection causing a widespread fine pinkish-red rash over the body

More severe illnesses linked to Strep A are called invasive group A Strep (IGAS), where deeper tissues or organs are infected. These include:

• pneumonia - a lung infection causing breathing difficulties, cough and a high temperature

• meningitis - a potentially fatal infection of the fluid that surrounds the brain, causing headache, neck pain and stiffness, fever and confusion

• necrotizing fasciitis - a severe skin and muscle infection where there is a high temperature and skin pain, and potentially destruction of skin and tissue.

• Streptococcal Toxic Shock Syndrome (STSS). This is a blood infection that can cause fever, confusion, abdominal pain, and a rash. It can cause failure of the kidneys, liver and lungs.

It’s usually diagnosed by taking a swab of affected tissue or saliva and checking it for the presence of Strep A. You can also have a blood test to see if your immune system has produced certain antibodies in response to a strep A infection. If a more serious invasive Strep A infection is a possibility, you can also have blood tests to see if you have the bacteria in your blood.

How is Strep A treated?

Fortunately, most minor strep A infections usually get better on their own after a few days without needing any medical treatment. To help relieve any symptoms while this is happening you can take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen and also paracetamol to help reduce a high temperature and discomfort. (Aspirin should not be given to children aged under 16 because of the risk of Reyes’ syndrome.) If you have a skin infection this may require treatment with antibiotic tablets or creams and if you have a ‘strep throat’ stay home from work or school until after you have taken antibiotics for 24 hours as this reduces the chance of you giving the infection to someone else. Always take any prescribed antibiotics as directed.

Am I fit for work?

If you have strep throat you’re not fit for work.

Your doctor may prescribe antibiotics for a strep throat, but your pharmacist may also suggest some other things to help improve your symptoms whilst you're getting back to normal. These could include;

• painkillers such as those containing paracetamol, or anti-inflammatories containing either aspirin or ibuprofen.
• anaesthetic lozenges or sprays to numb the pain of a sore throat.
• a localised anti-inflammatory throat spray or rinse.
• suggesting you gargle with salt water

Contact your doctor urgently or go to your nearest emergency centre if your child:

• is causing you to have increasing concern about their health
• is feeding or drinking less than usual
• has not peed for 12 hours or more
• is very tired, floppy or irritable
• has a temperature greater than 38.5 degrees

How can I reduce my risk of catching Strep A?

Because strep A is spread by close contact - such as from skin-to-skin contact or from inhaling infected breathing or sneezing droplets from someone else - there are ways of helping to reduce this risk;

• wash your hands properly with soap for 20 seconds
• use a disposable tissue to catch coughs and sneezes
• keep away from others if you feel unwell
• don’t share contaminated food, utensils, cups and glasses, baths, bed linen or towels