Streptococcus (strep A)

What is Streptococcus (strep A)?

• Group A Streptococcus (GAS), also known as Strep A, are bacteria commonly found on the skin or in the throat.
• Occasionally, this can lead to a condition called scarlet fever, which typically affects young schoolchildren and is characterized by a sore throat, high fever and rough skin rash.
• Even it can cause severe diseases such as sepsis, streptococcal toxic shock syndrome and necrotizing fasciitis.
• According to British Health Security Agency (UKHSA), in children under 10 years, the rate of GAS infection is higher than levels reported in the years preceding the COVID-19 pandemic but substantially higher than in the past two years, according to UKHSA.

Q1) What is the modern name for scarlet fever?

Scarlet fever, also called scarlatina, is characterised by a scarlatiniform rash and usually occurs with group A strep pharyngitis. It can also follow group A strep pyoderma or wound infections. Characteristics of the rash typically include: Erythematous rash that blanches on pressure.

Source: The Hindu

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