Strep A Guidance

Posted by: devon - Posted on:

With the large amount of national publicity about the increase in Strep A infections, we are now seeing increasing numbers of parents and carers contacting their GP surgery, taking children to urgent treatment centres and emergency departments across Kent and Medway.

Here at Bearsted we received 800 telephone calls on Monday morning.

Advice to parents:

The UK Heath Security Agency has an advice page –  https://ukhsa.blog.gov.uk/2022/12/05/group-a-strep-what-you-need-to-know/

As a parent, if you feel that your child seems seriously unwell, you should trust your own judgement.

Contact NHS 111 or your GP if:

  • your child is getting worse
  • your child is feeding or eating less than normal
  • your child has had a dry nappy for 12 hours or more or shows other signs of dehydration – https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/dehydration/
  • your baby is under 3 months and has a temperature of 38C, or is older and has a temperature of 39C or higher
  • your baby feels hotter than usual when you touch their back or chest, or feels sweaty

Call 999 or go to A&E if:

  • your child is having difficulty breathing – you may notice grunting noises or their tummy sucking under their ribs
  • there are pauses when your child breathes
  • your child’s skin, tongue or lips are blue – https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/blue-skin-or-lips-cyanosis/
  • your child is floppy and will not wake up or stay awake

@UKHSA is also running a public information campaign on social media so parents are aware of this advice.