Strep Throat Strain That Can Cause a Flesh-Eating Disease Doubles in U.S.

Strep Throat Strain That Can Cause a Flesh-Eating Disease Doubles in U.S.

Group A Streptococcal (group A strep throat) infections have more than doubled over the last decade, especially in 10 states.

Why? The bacteria have become resistant to antibiotics.

Researchers at the CDC led the study, which JAMA published last month.

The states:

• California
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• Georgia
• Maryland
• Minnesota
• New Mexico
• New York
• Oregon
• Tennessee

The authors started the article with this line (emphasis mine): “Group A Streptococcus (GAS) causes a spectrum of clinical syndromes, from noninvasive diseases, such as pharyngitis and impetigo, to invasive infections with high mortality, such as sepsis, necrotizing fasciitis, and streptococcal toxic shock syndrome.”

Medical experts believe that group A strep is the most common cause of necrotizing fasciitis.

Necrotizing fasciitis is a “flesh-eating disease” that can quickly become a life-threatening emergency:

Necrotizing fasciitis is a severe rapidly spreading bacterial infection that can cause death. The word “necrotizing” refers to something that causes the death of something else. The word “fasciitis” refers to inflammation of the fascia, which is the subcutaneous (under the skin) tissue that surrounds muscles and nerves and holds everything, including fat and blood vessels, in the correct position.

Necrotizing fasciitis is a form of necrotizing soft tissue infection (NSTI). Some people call necrotizing fasciitis or any NSTI the “flesh-eating disease.” Other NSTIs are necrotizing myositis and necrotizing cellulitis.

So it eats the tissue under your skin. The CDC said “up to 1 in 5 people died from infection” even if they received attention.

The Rise

Okay, I had to get the scary part out of the way.

The strain mainly affected those who live in clusters, such as “residents of long-term care facilities, people experiencing homelessness, and people with injection drug use.”

Strep is highly contagious!

Group A strep is highest among those over 65, which is not a shock. You probably think children fall right behind because schools are Petri dishes.

Nope: “However, since 2017, adults aged 18 to 64 years have surpassed children younger than 2 years as the age group with the second-highest incidence.”

The researchers noticed an increase in Group A strep among those “who inject drugs.” It mirrored the rise in people who have been injecting “illicitly manufactured fentanyl.”

The high from fentanyl does not last very long, which means more injections and more needle sharing:

The association between illicitly manufactured fentanyl use and hepatitis C virus seroconversion has been documented and a similarly elevated risk with illicitly manufactured fentanyl use may exist for invasive GAS as for hepatitis C virus, which saw a contemporaneous increase in incidence since 2013. Skin breakdown, abscess, and cellulitis are common among people who inject drugs or experience homelessness. People who inject drugs presenting to emergency departments with skin and soft tissue infections are at elevated risk of subsequent hospitalization and death. Reducing barriers to timely access to wound care and harm reduction services, such as medication-assisted treatment and syringe service programs, and prompt treatment of minor skin infections may help prevent the development of invasive GAS. Understanding the different risks for GAS infection among sheltered and unsheltered homeless populations and the potential impact of sanctioned encampments with access to portable hygiene facilities and other innovative housing approaches could be further explored.

Again, it is highly contagious!

Yes, it’s mostly spread through coughing and sneezing.

But you can pass group A strep through contact with infected wounds or sores on the skin!

Donations tax deductible
to the full extent allowed by law.