Should we be worried about strep A?

This year, cases of an invasive bacterial infection are rising earlier than usual in the US, the UK and other countries across Europe. 

The group A Streptococcus bacteria - commonly known as Strep A - usually only causes mild illness. However, things have become severe in some cases, with several children dying in recent weeks.

So, should we be worried? And what symptoms should we look out for to help us identify this illness in ourselves and our families?

In today’s episode, Jonathan is joined by world-leading expert on the subject: Shiranee Sriskandan is a professor of Infectious Diseases at Imperial College London whose scientific research focuses specifically on Strep A bacteria. Regular guest and ZOE co-founder Tim Spector also joins, and as one of the world’s top 100 most cited scientists, Tim has been closely following infectious diseases in the community through the ZOE Health Study. 

Download our FREE guide — Top 10 Tips to Live Healthier: https://zoe.com/freeguide

Timecodes:

00:00  Introduction

00:10  Topic Introduction

01:40Quickfire Questions

03:15What is Strep?

04:04How common is Strep?

05:02Seasonality of Strep and symptoms in different climates

05:30What makes this year different?

06:31Can Strep make other illnesses worse?

07:07We've already seen signs of Strep rising over time, is this due to lockdown?

09:36How worried should we be about Strep infections?

10:10Group A Strep will often get better on its own

11:07The risk of rarer invasive infections is greater as the pool of cases increases

11:59Immune response to Strep A can increase chances of Rheumatic Fever

13:35What is Rheumatic Fever?

14:59What are the symptoms of Strep A

16:53How to treat Strep Throat

18:12What is the relationship between Strep A and Scarlet Fever

18:53Who gets Scarlet Fever and what are the symptoms?

19:34What are the distinguishing features between covid and other sore throats

20:53Do children get more fevers if they are younger?

22:54What to do if you think your child has strep throat

24:01Can you get rapid tests for Strep A?

24:25Why has Strep throat been seemingly more prominent in the US than the UK

25:41Different health services around the world and their respective responses to Strep

27:36Should we be testing and treating?

30:15What role does differing attitudes to healthcare play in this?

32:02Should we be cautious about using antibiotics for Strep A?

33:51What potential problems are there around antibiotics?

36:00Would a vaccine be the answer to stopping Strep in its tracks?

38:41Tim's top tips to boost your immunity this winter

41:06Summary

Episode transcripts are available here

Read about Tim Spector’s ZOE Health Study here

Follow ZOE on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zoe/

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