The 4 signs you must rush your child to A&E – as GPs warn of ‘real danger’ they could be overwhelmed by Strep A
GPs are urging parents who are concerned their kid might have Strep A to call NHS 111 before visiting a surgery.
It comes as nine children have died from the invasive form of the disease during the recent outbreak.
The bug can cause many health issues, most of which are mild. They can include scarlet fever, tonsillitis and, very rarely, invasive group A streptococcal disease (iGAS) - where the bacteria gets into the bloodstream.
Doctors union, the British Medical Association (BMA), have said GPs are already seeing an increase in demand as cases of Strep A surge.
"What mustn’t happen is that general practice gets overwhelmed," Dr Kieran Sharrock, the BMA's acting chair of GPC England said.
"We are already working at capacity, with too few doctors, and need to make sure that we remain available for other patients who need us," he explained.
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This comes as millions of patients across the country are already struggling to be seen by a GP.
Dr Kieran added the NHS England should be directing patients to NHS 111, who can advise parents if they need to book a GP appointment.
"To help us, NHS England should ensure concerned patients are initially signposted to contact NHS 111, so that they are given the right advice or directed to the most appropriate service if necessary, while allowing GP practices to continue delivering care to those patients who need them most."
Current NHS advice on Strep A suggests parents contact their GP if their child appears to have the bug and is getting worse.
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The 4 signs you must rush your child to A&E
Strep A strep infections are very common in children, and thankfully, severe cases (invasive group A strep, which can trigger sepsis, meningitis and pneumonia) are rare.
Paediatrician, Dr Chrissie Jones of the University of Southampton said: “Group A strep infections are well treated with antibiotics and this reduces the chance of complications and reduces spread to other people.
"Most children will be treated safely with oral antibiotics at home, but some children will need to be seen in hospital and treated with antibiotics through the vein."
The NHS advises you should only call 999 or go to A&E if:
- Your child is having difficulty breathing – you may notice grunting noises or their tummy sucking in under their ribs
- There are pauses when your child breathes
- Your child’s skin, tongue or lips are blue
- Your child is floppy and will not wake up or stay awake
The expert added: “There are also all the normal seasonal viruses going around at the moment, so many children will have a sore throat or fever won’t have a bacterial infection caused by Group A strep.
"These infections will normally resolve without treatment, but if they are not getting better then it is important to seek medical review."
Meanwhile, Prof Paul Hunter of University of East Anglia (UEA) outlined when it was important to see a GP
“The critical thing is if your child has a sore throat, particularly if are unwell in themselves and have a high fever then either contact your GP or NHS 111.”
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NHS health officials say you should contact NHS 111 or your GP 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 old and has a temperature of 38C, or is older than three months and has a temperature of 39C or higher
- Your baby feels hotter than usual when you touch their back or chest, or feels sweaty
- Your child is very tired or irritable
Q&A with Sun' Dr Jeff Foster
Q) What is Strep A?
A) Group A Streptococcus is the name of a bacteria which can cause different infections and is commonly found in children under the age of ten.
Every year doctors will see a lot of children with suspected Strep A. You can get mild cases where you might not even know what it is because they would just have a temperature and a sore throat.
It can become scarlet fever which you can spot if your children develops a rash. It looks like sandpaper and develops around four or five days after the temperature starts.
The child would also get red flushing cheeks.
Q) What is invasive Group A Strep or iGAS?
A) In very rare cases the bacteria can get invade parts of the body including the blood, muscles or lungs.
Early signs and symptoms of such disease include a high fever, severe muscle aches, pain in one area of the body, redness at the site of a wound and vomiting or diarrhoea.
Q) How does it spread?
A) It is spread by droplets and close contact — through your spit, sneezing, coughing and touching infected surfaces.
It is passed on in the same way as a common cold.
Q) Why has there been such an increase in cases?
A) It is believed to be because during Covid lockdowns young children were not mixing which would usually help to build up the immune system.
If you are constantly exposed to a little bit of Group A Strep and similar bacteria then your immune system would be ready and would nail it when it comes back into contact.
Q) How is it treated?
A) Scarlet fever and impetigo, which are both caused by Strep A, can be treated with antibiotics.
Mild cases which cause a sore throat or a high temperature will usually clear up on their ow