Young children deaths from Group A Strep
June 20, 2026
23 min
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286 of 364
June 20, 2026
Young children deaths from Group A Strep
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Dr John Campbell Episodes Around June 20, 2026
Episode 286 of 364 — walk the feed in the order it was published.
23:51This episodeYoung children deaths from Group A Strep
Summary
Group A strep bacterium causes scarlet fever, which has caused nine UK child deaths this season.
Most likely
Respiratory viral infections
Group A streptococcus
Invasive Group A streptococcus
https://what0-18.nhs.uk
Currently high rates in the UK
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/ukhsa-update-on-scarlet-fever-and-invasive-group-a-strep
Higher than normal for the time of year
UK, Notifiable diseases
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/notifiable-diseases-and-causative-organisms-how-to-report#list-of-notifiable-diseases
Week 46, (W/E 19th November) 851 reported cases
(Average is 186 cases)
Close contact, droplets, hands, food
Incubation, 2 to 5 days
Most common, 2 years to 8 years
90% under 10 years
Typically lasts for 7 – 10 days
Rash disappearing in 7 to 10 days
Should ne immune for decades or life
Invasive Group A strep (iGAS)
Rare occasions,
bacteria get into the bloodstream
More cases of iGAS,
particularly in children under 10
Scarlet fever
Caused by the bacteria Group A streptococcus
Usually a mild illness
Highly infectious
At increased risk
Elderly
Immunocompromised
Clinical features
Sore throat/tonsillitis
Headache
Fever (temperature of 38°C (100.4°F) or above
Painful, swollen glands in the neck
A red tongue (strawberry tongue)
Rash of scarlet fever
Starts 12 to 48 hours after symptoms
Often begins with small spots on the body,
then spread to the neck, arms and legs over the next 1-2 days.
Fine, pinkish or red body rash
It is often 'sand-paper' like to touch (but not itchy)
Darker skin, rash more difficult to see
Sandpapery feel
Diagnosis of scarlet fever / Group A strep less likely
Child who also has a runny nose with their tonsillitis
Antibiotics
Reduce the chance of infection becoming more severe
Stop spread of infection
Penicillin V
Amoxicillin
(Plenty in the UK)
10 days
Finish the course
Home until at least 24 hours after the starting
Possible complications
Occasionally, Group A streptococcus can spread to other areas of the body,