Generally, general practitioners avoid prescribing antibiotics en masse, as it can lead to the development of antibiotic resistance in the population.
Nick Gibb, minister of education, has stated that pupils at Strep A-affected schools may be given antibiotics to prevent the spread of the infection.
Mr. Gibb told that the UK Health and Security Agency (UKHSA) is “working closely with the schools concerned and providing very precise guidance to those schools where penicillin may be used.
Health officials will “have more to say about that,” he added.
This invasive Strep A outbreak’s symptoms include sore throat, fever, high temperature, and a red or raised rash on the skin, according to the general advice provided to parents.
His remarks followed the ninth death of a youngster caused by the virus.
On Monday, health minister Lord Markham first proposed the notion in the House of Lords.
The Conservative peer stated, “We have instructed doctors to proactively prescribe penicillin as the best line of defense on this, and where there is a spread in primary schools, which we know is the primary vector for this, they should work with local health protection teams and sometimes consider the prophylactic use of antibiotics.”
Overnight, the I daily stated that all children in a year group who have been exposed to Strep A, even those without symptoms, will be given penicillin or an alternate antibiotic.
Generally, general practitioners avoid prescribing antibiotics en masse, as it can lead to the development of antibiotic resistance in the population.
However, according to health officials quoted in the article, the seclusion of youngsters during the epidemic may have contributed to their diminished immunity.
The UK Health Security Agency informed the PA news agency that prescribing medicines to youngsters exposed to non-invasive Strep A in a school or nursery was “unusual.
The agency said that the Outbreak Control Team (OCT) only considers the move in “extraordinary circumstances” and on a “case-by-case” basis.
UKHSA stated, “There is no evidence of (antibiotics’) effectiveness in this situation (including children who have been in contact with non-invasive Strep A) for routine outbreak control.”
“The OCT may consider it in rare instances, such as when reports of adverse outcomes or hospitalizations are received.
Antibiotic chemoprophylaxis is not regularly indicated for contact with non-invasive (Group A streptococcus) GAS infections in school and childcare settings.
On Monday, when asked about the recent increase in cases, the official spokesman for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak stated, “We are observing a greater number of Group A strep cases than typical this year.
The known bacteria cause a minor infection that is easily treated with medication, but in rare cases, they can enter the bloodstream and cause severe sickness.
It is still uncommon, but parents must be aware of the symptoms.
Strep A infections are often mild and respond well to medicines.
Group A strep bacteria are responsible for the skin diseases impetigo, scarlet fever, and strep throat.
There has been a significant increase in the number of cases of scarlet fever.
According to the most recent UKHSA numbers, 861 instances were reported for the week ending November 27, compared to an average of 186 for the same period in previous years. The number was somewhat lower than the previous week’s 901 cases, but the number for the first 47 weeks of 2022 is already 10 times that of the same period in 2021.
In the week ending November 27, there were eight cases of the more severe invasive group A streptococcal illness (iGAS) in England and Wales.
Scarlet fever is characterized by sore throat, headache, and fever, as well as a fine, pinkish or red rash with a “sandpapery” texture.
On darker skin, the rash may be less noticeable but will still have a sandpaper-like texture.
