Two children have tragically lost their lives in Ireland in recent days after developing the very rare but very serious infection known as invasive Group A Strep.
In the UK at least 15 children have died with the same illness in recent weeks leaving parents in both jurisdictions increasingly worried.
The deaths have prompted the HSE communicate with schools who have in turn communicated with parents, alerting them to the “large increase in general viral infections among children” as well as concerns about Group A strep.
While Strep A infections are usually mild and may result in sore throat or scarlet fever but the infections can in very rare circumstances develop into a more serious infection which can cause lethal sepsis, shock or meningitis.
Strep A can be treated with antibiotics, unlike viral infections, but given the symptoms are so similar to so many viral conditions how can parents tell the difference and are fears likely to send more people to their already stretched doctors in the winter months ahead?
In The News talks to GP Laura Lenihan – whose children recently came down with the illness and are now recovering – about Strep A and what people need to watch out for.
We also talk to pharmacist Cathy Maher about a shortage of some antibiotics and the need for changes to the system of prescribing to allow pharmacists swap antibiotics in short supply for more widely available ones to allow Strep A to be treated as fast as possible when it develops.
