Group A Streptococcus (GAS)
Dear Parents/Carers
As you will have heard in the press there has been an increase in the number of cases amongst children of Group A Streptococcus (often referred to as Strep A), the name given to a type of bacteria sometimes found in the throat or on the skin.
A Streptococcus infection usually causes mild illness such as scarlet fever (seek advice and treatment from your Doctor), sore throat, skin infections.
While infections are usually mild, if the bacteria gets into parts of the body such as the lungs, blood or muscle it can cause Strep A.
The symptoms to look out for are:
- Fever (a high temperature above 38°C (100.4°F))
- severe muscle aches
- localised muscle tenderness
- redness at the site of a wound
If your child is showing any of these symptoms, or is deteriorating after having scarlet fever, a sore throat or respiratory infection, please seek medical advice from your Doctor as quickly as possible to stop the infection becoming more serious.
For UKHSA Group A Step FAQs 2022 click here
Kind regards
BBA
