Can adults get Strep A? Infection rates are rising across the UK with 16 children dying from the infection

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So far, sixteen children have died from Strep A amid an increasing number of infections in recent weeks.

The death toll rose again Thursday as the hospital’s A&E departments were left “overwhelmed” with young patients.

The infection has hit the NHS during its busiest period, with pharmacies grappling with topical shortages of antibiotics – leaving parents struggling to find medicine for their sick children.

Dr Adrian Boyle, chair of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine, said: “There is huge pressure in our pediatric departments, and it’s not just worrying parents with strep, but the ongoing problems we have with respiratory syncytial virus and influenza.

“We think we’re seeing baby attendance double, and part of the problem is that Group A Strep doesn’t require some face-to-face counseling.”

On Monday, a primary school student in Belfast died after being diagnosed with a severe form of Strep A.

Staff at Black Mountain Elementary said Stella Lilly McCorkindale was a “clever and talented little girl”.

Two victims have also been named seven-year-old Hannah Roab from Penarth in Wales and four-year-old Mohammed Ibrahim Ali from High Wycombe in Buckinghamshire.

But why is Strep A common in children and can adults get it? We look at the infection below.

What is Strep A?

Group A Streptococcus (GAS) is a common bacteria. It does not always lead to disease, but causes a number of infections including tonsillitis, pharyngitis, scarlet fever, impetigo, and cellulitis. It can be spread through close contact with an infected person, or transmitted through coughing and sneezing or from a wound.

The most serious infections associated with GAS arise from invading group A bacteria, or iGAS. These types of infections occur when bacteria enter parts of the body that are not normally present, such as the lungs or bloodstream.

Necrotizing fasciitis, necrotizing pneumonia, and streptococcal toxic shock syndrome are the most severe forms of iGAS infection. Although still uncommon, there has been an increase in cases this year among children under the age of 10.

Can adults get Strep A?

Adults can become infected with Strep A. Scarlet fever is most common in children, but people at risk for scarlet fever include parents of school-age children and those who are often in contact with children.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that those who are exposed to group settings such as schools and nursing homes are also at increased risk.

The NHS also notes that people at risk of iGAS include people who:

have been in close contact with someone with the disease are over the age of 65 have diabetes, heart disease, or cancer, have recently had chickenpox, have HIV, use certain steroids or other medications given intravenously.

UK Health Security Agency data shows that at weeks 37 to 46 there were 0.5 cases of iGAS per 100,000 among those aged 15-44. That rate rises to 0.6 for those ages 45 to 64, 1.3 for those ages 65 to 74 and 2.4 for those 75 and older.

Comparatively, the numbers stay between the 1-4 category at 2.3 per 100,000. 21 percent of iGAS injuries reported so far this season are in children ages 10 and under.

Under NHS advice, pregnant women or those on gynecological treatments are advised to wash their hands before and after going to the toilet, dispose of tissues after use and wash their hands if they have a cough or cold.

Why is Strep A spread among children?

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is currently investigating reports of an increase in group A strep infections in the lower respiratory tract in children over the past few weeks.

There is no evidence of a new strain spreading, with the UKHSA attributing the increase in cases to large amounts of the bacteria circulating.

In a statement, it noted that there were “2.3 cases per 100,000 children ages 1 to 4 compared to an average of 0.5 in pre-pandemic seasons (2017 to 2019) and 1.1 cases per 100,000 children ages 5 to 9 compared to before it was reported.” The average epidemic is 0.3 (2017 to 2019) for the same time of year.”

It’s not clear why specifically the death rate among children is currently so high, but scientists speculate that it is a result of high levels of infection combined with low rates during Covid-19 restrictions.

With limited social interaction and preventative measures in place, the spread has been relatively contained. Children who did not contract Strep A in 2020 or 2021 are now infected, called immunodeficiency debt.

The UKHSA urges parents to teach their children the importance of hand and respiratory hygiene in an effort to prevent the spread of infection. Parents should call 999 or go to A&E if their child is having trouble breathing, has blue tongue or lips or won’t wake up or stay awake.

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