Beta infection is most common between the ages of 5-15, especially in children who go to kindergarten and school. The real name of the bacterium, known as Beta microbe among the people, is Group A Beta Hemolytic Streptococcus. It is more common in late autumn, winter and early spring than at other times of the year.
Beta infection is transmitted through contact with respiratory secretions of sick people. For this reason, transmission is much easier in crowded environments such as kindergartens and schools. Rarely, it can be transmitted through hygienically unprepared food. The incubation period is 2-5 days. The contagiousness of the sick person disappears 24 hours after the treatment is started. If not treated promptly, quickly and appropriately, it can have life-threatening consequences.
What are the symptoms?
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High fever
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Sore throat, headache, difficulty swallowing
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Swelling in the neck
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Abdominal pain, joint pains
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vomiting, loss of appetite, weakness
Diagnosis is made by the growth of this bacteria in throat culture, but nowadays there are also streptococcal antigen test methods that can result in faster results. ASO test has no meaning in diagnosis. ASO value may increase in children with this infection, but since it regresses to normal values within 6 months, it is not used in the diagnosis of acute infection.
The treatment is with penicillin group antibiotics, according to Nelson of Pediatrics. Penicillin treatment can be administered as a single dose injection or as a 10-day syrup or tablet.
The most important point to know in beta disease is; If the disease is not treated, the symptoms will regress spontaneously within 5 days. However, children who are not treated within 13 days may experience some life-threatening problems in the long term. For example, diseases such as acute rheumatic fever with heart valve involvement, nephritis with kidney involvement or toxic shock syndrome. The most important method of protection is hand cleaning.
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