GAS Infections Claim More Lives in UK

The number of women who are dying of infection in pregnancy and childbirth is rising sharply in UK. Concerns over Group A Streptococcal disease (GAS) have been raised. Death rates due to streptococcal infections have particularly risen by 1/3 since 2005. Several deaths could be prevented if the infections were diagnosed early and treated with antibiotics. This report, titled Saving Mother's Lives, has been published by Experts at the Centre for Maternal and Child Enquiries (CMACE). It has issued a warning to health expert to be alert about the signs of GAS.

The most common type of GAS infections are- sore throat (strep throat) and minor skin infections like impetigo (a skin condition in children). Pregnant women or newly delivered moms are particularly vulnerable to a severe form of the infection, which can be fatal. GAS infections pose a more serious problem if the bacteria penetrate further in the body, like the blood or into a deeper layer of skin. The report states that General Practitioners, midwives and nurses sometimes missed out the initial symptoms of this deadly bug. Sometimes, women did not realize how ill they were and did not bother to seek help.

Experts have asked the women to be vigilant about the symptoms of the bug and ensure that they wash their hands at frequent intervals to prevent the spread of this infection.


Source: Medindia