Yahoo Sports Strep infections have impacted Mecklenburg County kids. Here’s how to keep them healthy
A spike in strep cases in North Carolina resulted in a child’s death and another being hospitalized in Mecklenburg County.
Both children had an infection from the group A strep (GAS) bacteria that causes strep throat, The Charlotte Observer reported.
A spike in cases typically happens from October to April every year, Dr. Amina Ahmed, chief of pediatric infectious diseases and immunology at Levine Children’s Hospital, told the Observer.
But data show that infections are spreading more rapidly than usual.
Since October 2022, North Carolina has seen 62 pediatric infections, state data indicated. Mecklenburg County had the most cases, accounting for nine of the state’s infections. For comparison, before last year, there were an average of 15 invasive pediatric strep throat cases between October and April, according to state data from the past seven years.
Though experts thought that the spike in cases was caused by decreased immunity from wearing masks or a more powerful bacteria strain, they aren’t sure why cases are spiking again, according to Ahmed.
Here’s what you need to know about strep throat, and how to prevent infections.
Who is most likely to get strep?
Most cases of strep throat occur in children ages 5 through 15 years old, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Parents of school-aged children and adults who come into contact with children are also at an increased risk.
People in crowded settings, such as schools and daycares, also have a higher risk of becoming infected with strep throat.
How does strep spread?
Group A strep bacteria is typically spread through respiratory droplets or direct contact with someone who is infected, according to the CDC.
Bacteria in the nose and thread can spread through talking, coughing or sneezing, according to the CDC. People can get sick if they breathe in those droplets, touch something with the droplets on it then touch their mouth or nose, or drink something from the same glass or eat something from the same plate as an infected person.
Strep bacteria can also spread through direct contact from infected sores on the skin, or by coming into contact with fluid from the sores, according to the CDC.
“It usually takes two to five days for someone exposed to group A strep bacteria to become ill with strep throat,” the CDC says.
What are the symptoms of strep throat?
According to the CDC, common symptoms of strep throat include:
Fever
Pain when swallowing
Sore throat that may start to look red
Red and swollen tonsils
White patches of streaks of pus on tonsils
Petechiae (Tiny, red spots on roof of mouth)
Swollen lymph nodes in front of neck
How do doctors test for strep?
According to the CDC, there are two types of tests for strep throat: a rapid strep test and a throat culture.
During a rapid strep test, doctors will swab your throat then run a test on your swab to see if it contains bacteria that is causing the illness.
A throat culture is used to find infections that a rapid test may have missed, according to the CDC. These tests are important for children and teens since they can get rheumatic fever, a condition that can affect the heart, brain, joints and skin, from untreated infections.
How is strep treated?
Strep throat is treated using prescribed antibiotics like penicillin or amoxicillin.
Over-the-counter pain relievers, including Advil, Motrin and Tylenol, can help reduce pain and fever, according to Mayo Clinic.
Aspirin should not be given to children under three since it has been linked to Reye’s syndrome, a life-threatening condition that involves swelling in the liver and brain.
How to prevent strep throat infections
Washing your hands with soap and water is the best way to prevent strep throat infections, according to Mayo Clinic.
Teaching your children to cover their mouths when they cough or sneeze, and not sharing personal items, such as drinking glasses and eating utensils, can also reduce your risk of infection.
