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Original poster

Worried about Strep A outbreak

347 replies

Beebz · 01/12/2022 20:51

It has now been reported that a second primary aged child has now tragically died from Strep A (iGAS). This is so shocking and how completely devastating for their families, I literally cannot even imagine the hell they are going through.

Is this something new or does this happen to children in this country every year? I don't remember hearing anything like this about strep/scarlet fever in the news before? How likely is it for primary aged children to become this ill from it? Is there anything we can do to protect our DC's from contracting it? This seems incredibly serious.

OP posts:
ChristmasJoysuckers · 05/12/2022 18:35

Re children with it in a and e... shouldn't they be on quarantine? Separated from others if it's contagiousness?

Retsina24 · 05/12/2022 19:03

Schlaar · 05/12/2022 18:04

I am very worried. Eight children dead and no statement from the government, no comment from my kids school, nothing. It’s shocking that this is not being formally addressed by Public Health authorities.

I work in a school and don't think any advice has been put out to schools at all (yet). Wonder if it's a 'by area' approach.
It's such a worrying time.

Original poster
Beebz · 05/12/2022 19:10

Retsina24 · 05/12/2022 19:03

I work in a school and don't think any advice has been put out to schools at all (yet). Wonder if it's a 'by area' approach.
It's such a worrying time.

Show quote history

That is crazy. Look at the reaction to Covid that wasn't affecting kids as severely in comparison. It is ridiculous that firmer measures aren't being taken at this point.

OP posts:
Somuchgoo · 05/12/2022 19:40

It's very sad, but honestly, I'm not particularly worried at this point. It's still about a 1 in a million risk. It's good to be aware of the symptoms, but that's as far as my concern goes.

I don't think it's helpful if there a panic with parents rushing children to A&E as soon as they come down a sore throat and a fever, when flu, Covid and colds have those symptoms and are running riot right now.

Any concerning symptoms, then absolutely, be hot on it, but it's not going to be keeping me awake at night right now.

Tinywaffle · 05/12/2022 19:47

I really feel very sorry for GPs - it must be a nightmare as they will be being ( understandably) inundated due to parents quite reasonably worrying, at a time when there are loads of other bugs. And then the pressure to spot the children that are really ill.

WaddleAway · 05/12/2022 20:11

Our school have sent out a ‘what to look for’ letter today.

WaddleAway · 05/12/2022 20:12

Somuchgoo · 05/12/2022 19:40

It's very sad, but honestly, I'm not particularly worried at this point. It's still about a 1 in a million risk. It's good to be aware of the symptoms, but that's as far as my concern goes.

I don't think it's helpful if there a panic with parents rushing children to A&E as soon as they come down a sore throat and a fever, when flu, Covid and colds have those symptoms and are running riot right now.

Any concerning symptoms, then absolutely, be hot on it, but it's not going to be keeping me awake at night right now.

Agreed. The best thing to do is to be aware of the symptoms and to seek medical advice if they are displayed.

Anna783426 · 05/12/2022 20:17

My youngest daughter is now six weeks old and came down with this at 2.5 weeks old. We were very lucky the midwife sent us to the children's A+E who saw us straight away and started antibiotics whilst waiting for blood results to come back. We were in for five days. The only symptoms were lethargy, not feeding as well and going a bit pale. It's terrifying to think what if the midwife hadn't sent us, or the hospital team weren't as brilliant as they were. My 3 year old was poorly a couple of weeks later and I found it really tricky to know how seriously to take it.

OhhhhhhhhBiscuits · 05/12/2022 20:27

Beebz · 05/12/2022 19:10

That is crazy. Look at the reaction to Covid that wasn't affecting kids as severely in comparison. It is ridiculous that firmer measures aren't being taken at this point.

Show quote history

Firmer measures are not needed. Covid was a novel virus, strep a has been around for centuries. Strep a affects millions of people every year and always has done. People need to be alert but not overly anxious about this.

Original poster
Beebz · 05/12/2022 21:46

I have just seen on Twitter that they are considering giving antibiotics to all children in primary schools that have had a case of Strep A as a preventative measure. I think this would go a long way to reassure parents and hopefully save lives, but if there is a penicillin shortage how will this work?

OP posts:
ChristmasJoysuckers · 05/12/2022 22:02

Op what's the source?. government?

bellamountain · 05/12/2022 22:03

Do we know what the situation is like in other countries in the Northern hemisphere? Have they seen an increase in cases and fatalities? My heart goes out to the families of the children.

HeBeaverandSheBeaver · 05/12/2022 22:11

If it's on twitter is must be true

Original poster
Beebz · 05/12/2022 22:13

ChristmasJoysuckers · 05/12/2022 22:02

Op what's the source?. government?

Saw it here, inews.co.uk/news/health/strep-a-antibiotics-could-be-given-to-entire-year-groups-in-affected-schools-as-eighth-child-dies-2011155

OP posts:
Scaevola · 05/12/2022 22:15

bellamountain · 05/12/2022 22:03

Do we know what the situation is like in other countries in the Northern hemisphere? Have they seen an increase in cases and fatalities? My heart goes out to the families of the children.

Yes.

Infectious diseases are definitely up - not just strep but also RSV.

And it's also happening in countries which did not lock down (such as Sweden)

Workyticket · 05/12/2022 22:24

Ds had scarlet fever when he was 3. Cleared up beautifully with antibiotics

A few months later he came down with all the same symptoms again. I took him to the GP but she said no, he couldn't have it again, I was being over anxious etc

I pushed and pushed until she swabbed him. Low and behold tge swab was positive and she rang dh (not me) to confirm and ask him to pick up antibiotics

Parents should always go with their gut and advocate when they need to

Beezone · 05/12/2022 22:25

Truthfully. I’m finding this really difficult. I think I need to avoid the news for a bit. I’m feeling really on edge. Like a cloud hanging over me.

i have three kids including one that got covid really badly and gets every bug going. We’ve even seen a paediatrician to check all is ok with my kid, blood tests run etc but they say some kids just get sick more often and its “Just bad luck”. My kid gets regular fevers and a simple cold results in a 40 degree fever. She gets regular croup coughs that make her cough so hard she vomits - chest infections and ear infections too and just doesn’t do well with regular winter bugs.

im really worried I won’t know if it’s something bad til it’s too late. A 40 degree fever is quite a regular occurrence in this house.

plus our experience of the nhs has been hit and miss (we often end up going private as we’ve had such terrible experiences). Not a dig at doctors… but this latest panic might just kill the nhs!

nothingleftttt · 05/12/2022 22:35

Our school sent out a message about a confirmed case in the school and guidance today.

Pepper62 · 05/12/2022 22:37

What worries me the most, aside the obvious of those poor children dying, is the fact that sometimes there are no symptoms at all.

I went into hospital to give birth and was the picture of health, within 12 hours I was being admitted to the ICU. I had no sore throat, no rash, nothing. I went from absolutely fine to severe sepsis in no time at all.

Was it an asymptomatic strep throat infection I already had which then overwhelmed my immune system, or did I pick it up in the hospital during induction? I will never know the answer to those questions but seeing all of this on the news its sure as hell coming back to haunt me.

Pepper62 · 05/12/2022 22:47

To add to that, I've just seen that the most recent death announced was of a 12 year old boy from our very Borough so the fucking thing is circulating here again (I was one of the iGAS cases from 2017-2018) and I have two children in local schools 🙁

nothingleftttt · 05/12/2022 22:50

Can someone explain IGA..... Does this mean that a person can get the same strep/Scarlett fever but some will develop into IGA
OR
Is IGA a seperate strai n of Strep/SCarlett fever?

WeWereInParis · 05/12/2022 22:53

nothingleftttt · 05/12/2022 22:50

Can someone explain IGA..... Does this mean that a person can get the same strep/Scarlett fever but some will develop into IGA
OR
Is IGA a seperate strai n of Strep/SCarlett fever?

The first one.

Pepper62 · 05/12/2022 22:59

Would anybody consider removing their child from school if you were made aware of an outbreak within said school? It's something I'm toying with doing if any notices come out from school, i still have PTSD from my last brush with iGAS and cannot go back there again, let alone my DC.

ofwarren · 05/12/2022 23:09

Pepper62 · 05/12/2022 22:59

Would anybody consider removing their child from school if you were made aware of an outbreak within said school? It's something I'm toying with doing if any notices come out from school, i still have PTSD from my last brush with iGAS and cannot go back there again, let alone my DC.

100% That's what I'm going to do

ofwarren · 05/12/2022 23:14

Does anyone know if ear ache is a sign in any kids?
My youngest has just woken up crying with it. He's had a cough for a week and his brother was put on antibiotics today for the a chest infection.
I've given him calpol and to be honest, I've given him 1 dose of his brothers antibiotics to tide him over till the morning. They are almost the same weight and I'm panicking he's going to get worse in the night.
He's not got a temperature as yet but is quite upset about his ear.

Luckily here, our GP will see him face to face in the morning as long as I ring at 8.

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