Tonsillitis caused by group A streptococci should be treated by healthcare to a greater extent than before, according to the Public Health Agency. Otherwise, there is a risk that some will become seriously ill with sepsis, reports Vetenskapsradion.
We have seen a very high level of severe streptococcal infections, so-called invasive streptococcal infections, which are very, very serious infections with a high mortality rate, says state epidemiologist Magnus Gisslén to the radio.
Healthcare is therefore recommended to test and prescribe penicillin to a greater extent.
It can go very quickly. It can affect people who are completely healthy, it can affect young people, and it can go from being relatively fine to becoming very ill in a matter of hours, says Magnus Gisslén.
The Public Health Agency updated its recommendations in consultation with the Medical Products Agency two weeks ago, due to the high incidence of invasive group A streptococci in 2023 and 2024.
Group A streptococci (GAS) are the type of streptococci that cause the most infections and the most serious infections in humans.
They can, for example, lead to tonsillitis, scarlet fever, rose fever, impetigo, blood poisoning, and soft tissue infections.
The best way to prevent spread is good hygiene, for example, in preschools.
The incubation period is between one and three days. The diagnosis is made through rapid testing, culturing, or by detecting the bacterium's genetic material.
Patients infected with invasive group A streptococci need immediate care. This may require, for example, respiratory or dialysis care.
Only invasive group A streptococci are notifiable according to the Communicable Diseases Act.
Source: The Public Health Agency
