Posição atual:home >site analise futebol virtual bet365 >Cases of invasive group A strep are rising across the country. Here's what you need to know texto
time:2024-04-28 08:03:15 fonte:Organização de redeeditar:site analise futebol virtual bet365
Health·CBC ExplainsCases of invasive group A strep are rising across the country. Here's what y
Canada is experiencing a record number of cases of dangerous, fast-moving strep infections.
Invasive group A strep, or iGAS, is a bacterial infection that can lead to serious, life-threatening complications. Provinces have also reported dozens of deaths in just the last few months, including at least 10 children across Ontario and in B.C.
The latest tally of 4,600 iGAS samples processed for 2023 suggests the infection rate could now be as high as 12 cases per 100,000 people.
Here's a look at common symptoms, when to seek medical attention, and who is most at risk.
Group A Streptococcus is a family of bacteria that causes mild illnesses, such as strep throat or skin infections.
John McCormick, a professor of microbiology and immunology at the University of Western Ontario, explains that there are non-sterile sites in our body where bacteria can exist without major concern.
In rare cases, the bacteria can move into a sterile site, such as into blood, soft tissue or underneath the skin. That's when the more dangerous invasive infection occurs. Group A strep bacteria in those places can lead to toxic shock syndrome, necrotizing fasciitis (flesh-eating disease), meningitis (inflammation around the brain) and sepsis (a blood-borne infection).
Both forms of a group A strep infection share symptoms such as redness, pain and fever. But someone with invasive group A strep will be very, very ill, according to Dr. Donald Vinh, an infectious disease specialist at Montreal's McGill University Health Centre.
"What we do know is that when people come to the hospital and they have [iGAS], they tend to be quite sick," said Vinh. "As a general rule, if you're well or, you know, well enough to do your normal activities, you don't usually have iGAS."
Keep a watch for symptoms like a lack of mental awareness, trouble breathing or chest pains, nausea, light-headedness and low blood pressure, he said.
Acetaminophen is normally effective in bringing down a fever from a group A strep infection. "If it doesn't, that's a worrisome sign," said Dr. Brian Conway, medical director of the Vancouver Infectious Diseases Centre.
WATCH | Invasive group A strep worse for the very old and the very young:Because iGAS can lead to many different complications, people should also be on the lookout for symptoms of necrotizing fasciitis, meningitis and sepsis.
Necrotizing fasciitis can cause extreme pain and fast-spreading redness in specific spots on the body. Symptoms of meningitis include a severe headache, stiff neck, vomiting, sensitivity to light, and confusion. Sepsis can cause a fever or low body temperature, difficulty breathing, clammy or sweaty skin, and extreme pain.
Experiencing any of these is a reason to seek medical attention, said Vinh.
If you are unsure, most provinces have an 811 health information line, which will connect you to a registered nurse, said Conway. These phone lines are in service around the clock.
WATCH | 'I don't know how to tell other people how fast it was':Having strep throat does not mean you will definitely develop iGAS — and you can develop iGAS without having had strep throat, said Vinh.
"It's not on a continuous spectrum. We think that these are different syndromes caused by the same bacteria."
Nevertheless, you should still get tested and treated for strep throat, said Vinh, as there are complications that could arise. Rapid tests for strep throat can be performed at many doctors' offices and even some pharmacies.
McCormick also said people should be getting strep throat checked, noting that an invasive infection can move rapidly.
But, he added, "it's a rare type of thing so the general population shouldn't be super worried."
There is no test available to the public to diagnose iGAS.
It is diagnosed by finding group A strep in a bodily sample where you normally wouldn't find bacteria, said Vinh.
"For example, it will take samples of your blood or samples of fluid around your lung," he said. These tests would need to be conducted in a hospital.
An iGAS infection is treated with high doses of intravenous antibiotics.
In the case of severe complications, such as sepsis or necrotizing fasciitis, surgery and amputation might be necessary.
Conway said that cases of severe sepsis would require a patient to be admitted to the ICU. "There can be damaged organs, such as your kidneys, that may not be completely reversible."
One study has found that the flu or chickenpox precedes iGAS in about 15 per cent of cases.
"Prior viral infections can predispose people to get invasive disease," said McCormick, "the big one is really chickenpox."
He said children who develop chickenpox, which is a viral infection, are much more susceptible to developing streptococcal disease. This is because chickenpox creates skin lesions, which then create portals for bacteria to enter.
Conway said that anyone with a weakened immune system, "especially if they have underlying heart or lung disease," is at risk.
LISTEN | Senior health and medical reporter Lauren Pelley on the rise of invasive strep A:
Front Burner19:53Invasive strep A: what you need to knowThere is currently no vaccine for strep A but it is recommended to get your flu, COVID-19 and chickenpox (varicella) vaccines, said Vinh.
"If we prevent that upstream event, we think that we prevent afterward or decrease the risk for invasive group A strep."
S&P 500 fecha perto da marca de 5.000 pontos com balanços e dados de...2024-04-28 07:56
US reimposes some sanctions on Venezuela over ban on opposition candidates2024-04-28 07:51
I bought an entire storage unit of 90s fashion on Facebook Marketplace2024-04-28 07:38
Rebeldes houthis do Iêmen reivindicam novo ataque contra navio dos EUA2024-04-28 07:06
Ukraine's Zelenskyy replaces top general in major shake2024-04-28 07:02
Love Island host Maya Jama goes braless and nearly bursts out of very sexy dress for hot new shoot2024-04-28 07:00
Centro da Valorização da Vida abre vagas para voluntários na capital paulista2024-04-28 06:44
Dólar interrompe série de baixas e sobe ante o real com foco no exterior2024-04-28 06:35
California woman missing after going hiking during atmospheric river storm2024-04-28 06:11
Assembleia da FAEP mobiliza autoridades políticas ligadas ao agro2024-04-28 05:18
Em janeiro, IBGE prevê safra de 303,4 milhões de toneladas para 20242024-04-28 07:29
Armenia country profile2024-04-28 06:45
Mãe de Gisele Bündchen morre aos 75 anos em Porto Alegre2024-04-28 06:44
Turkey shooting: Gunmen kill one person during Sunday service at Istanbul church2024-04-28 06:40
Super Bowl: Usher tries to squeeze 30 years in halftime show2024-04-28 06:32
Prosa Agro Itaú BBA2024-04-28 06:28
Analista revela como qualquer brasileiro pode se tornar ‘sócio’ de Warren Buffett; entenda2024-04-28 05:52
Afcon viewers in disbelief at ‘worst refereeing decision they’ve ever seen’ as forgotten ex2024-04-28 05:41
Açúcar: Altas de cerca de 3% do petróleo dão suporte para NY e Londres nesta...2024-04-28 05:26
Hezbollah ataca Israel com mísseis em dia intenso de combates2024-04-28 05:19