Strep A affects around 750 million individuals worldwide and kills 500,000 people each year.
A toddler in Australia was initially dismissed by doctors with a misdiagnosis of having “just a fever,” but she was later admitted to the intensive care unit after being diagnosed with a Strep A infection. The child spent nearly two months in the ICU, suffering kidney failure and swelling that affected her ability to walk. Strep A is a bacterial infection that can cause various issues, including sore throats, scarlet fever, and skin sores. However, it can also lead to severe and deadly conditions such as Streptococcal Toxic Shock Syndrome and necrotizing fasciitis (flesh-eating disease).
The rise of Strep A cases among children in Australia is concerning, with severe cases increasing by over 500% since the pandemic began. The number of children admitted to the hospital with Strep A has surged from 23 in 2020 to 107 in 2022, according to the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute. Worldwide, Strep A affects around 750 million individuals and leads to 500,000 deaths each year.
While there is no vaccination available for Strep A, practicing basic hygiene measures, such as regular handwashing, is recommended to reduce the risk of infection. It’s also advised to wash utensils used by sick individuals, dispose of used tissues properly, and encourage them to cover their mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing.
