Strep A is on the rise in children as common medications become scarce
A dangerous form of Strep A could be on the rise in children, adding another infection to worry about for pediatricians this winter.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention was notified in November of a possible spike in cases in children at a Colorado hospital, according to a health advisory Thursday. Other states are also reporting cases of invasive Strep A. Britain has also been hit by the infection, and more than 20 children have died from it.
Invasive streptococci, caused by the same bacteria as typical stage infections, are rarer and more severe, and in some cases can be fatal. Strep A is a bacterial infection caused by group A Streptococcus bacteria and is most common during the winter months.
In addition, increased rates of infection have been noted when influenza is also prevalent. Cases of seasonal influenza are currently high in the US, exceeding levels reported in recent years.
Various respiratory illnesses are circulating in the US, including cases of respiratory syncytial virus, influenza and Covid. The rise in these infections this year has helped trigger a growing shortage of common children’s medications. Tamiflu, amoxicillin and ibuprofen were all reported in short supply.
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