INTRODUCTION
Streptococcal infections have several types, and those can range from mild cold-like symptoms to severe symptoms with a fatality rate of up to 60%. Every year in my country it causes outbreaks in schools, kindergartens, etc. This paper describes several types of streptococcal infections and how we can prevent spreading in our community.
Agent
The agent of Streptococcal infections is Streptococcus pyogenes (group A streptococci). Streptococcus pyogenes are Gram-positive cocci belonging to the genus Streptococcus, the size is about 0.5 to 1.0 μm in diameter, and each cell is spherical or elliptical and appears like a lot of cells linked together like a chain (Li & Zhou, 2015).
Host
Streptococcus pyogenes are present in soil, sewage, rivers, the sea, cultivated land, etc, and usually reside in the human large intestine, pharynx, gastrointestinal tract, and epidermis, too (Welch, 2022). It is also known to cause adhesion and infection to the skin of most animals such as dogs, cats, chinchillas, and also fish, etc.
Streptococcus pyogenes is a bacterium so common in the natural environment that it is difficult to eliminate or uninfected. Our bodies have barrier functions such as skin and mucous membranes so that we can coexist successfully with Streptococcus pyogenes. However, when the immune system is weakened due to aging, stress, other infectious diseases, immunosuppressants, etc., it infects and proliferates in the human upper respiratory tract mucosa, dermal cells, muscle cells, and fat cells, causing various symptoms.
Environment
In addition to being highly contagious, Streptococcal infection spreads easily to those around you because the symptoms are mild at first. In particular, parents of young children who tend to get sick regularly tend to underestimate the initial symptoms. It is particularly prevalent at kindergartens and schools where young children, who have difficulty wearing masks and washing their hands thoroughly, spend time in groups. Since children have high resilience, there are few cases where the symptoms worsen. However, it is a life-threatening threat to people with weakened immune systems due to anticancer drug treatment or HIV infection. We must avoid epidemics in hospitals and facilities for the elderly at all costs.
Three interventions for preventing Streptococcal infections from spreading
1. Individual level: Thoroughly wash hands and gargle, and immediately isolate children with a fever or rash.
Streptococcal infection is spread by droplet transmission by inhaling droplets from coughs and sneezes, contact transmission by touching them, and oral transmission by sharing a meal with an infected person. Hand-washing and gargling are effective in removing pathogens adhering to the skin and mucous membranes of the throat, and children need to make this a habit on a regular basis. It is very important not to send sick children to kindergarten or school, even if the symptoms are mild. In my country, people infected with Streptococcus pyogenes must stay home for 7-10 days.
2. Community level: closely monitor the epidemic and consider closing kindergartens and schools if necessary.
Children become infected at school and spread the infection to their families at home. It is transmitted from children to parents, and parents spread the infection to their colleagues at work. Also it is transmitted from children to grandparents, spreading the infection to other elderly people. In this way, Streptococcal infections spread to the whole society through the home. Therefore, when an epidemic becomes prominent in a community, closing schools, which are the source of infection for children, effectively controls the spread of infection.
3. National level: Correctly publicize the dangers of Streptococcal infections and preventive measures to the public, and cooperate with local governments and hospitals to make systems to enable faster diagnosis and treatment.
CONCLUSION
Streptococcal infections are infections caused by Streptococcus pyogenes. It is an infectious disease that is prevalent mainly among children, but the infection spreads to the whole society through the home. Since children have high resilience, there are few cases where the symptoms worsen. However, it is a life-threatening threat to people with weakened immune systems due to anticancer drug treatment or HIV infection. We must thoroughly wash hands and gargle, and immediately isolate children with a fever or rash. When an epidemic becomes prominent in a community, closing schools, which are the source of infection for children, effectively controls the spread of infection. And the government should correctly publicize the dangers of Streptococcal infections and preventive measures to the public, and cooperate with local governments and hospitals to make systems to enable faster diagnosis and treatment.
References
Li, Y., & Zhou, X. (2015). Oral Mucosal Microbes. Atlas of Oral Microbiology from Healthy Microflora to Disease, 5. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-802234-4.01002-8.
New York States Department of Health. (2011). Streptococcal Infections (invasive group A strep, GAS). Retrieved from https://www.health.ny.gov/diseases/communicable/streptococcal/group_a/fact_sheet.htm#:~:text=What%20is%20group%20A%20Streptococcus,as%20strep%20throat%20and%20impetigo.
Welch, A. (2022). The Different Types of Streptococci (Strep Bacteria). EverydayHealth. Retrieved from https://www.everydayhealth.com/strep-throat/different-types-streptococcal/
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