Gr. A Strep Infection and Prevention In the Office
Group A streptococcus (G-AS), also known as Streptococcus pyogenes, is a highly common and contagious bacterium that is responsible for causing several diseases, ranging from some mild skin rash and sore throat to severe, life-threatening infections, like rheumatic fever, necrotizing fasciitis, and toxic shock syndrome.
The bacterium is commonly found in the throat and skin and can easily spread through skin contact and respiratory droplet transmission. Children and individuals working or living in crowded settings are more likely to get the infection. The workplace and communal areas in the office are particularly the areas where G-AS is rapidly spread therefore proper daily office cleaning by cleaning professionals is essential to prevent illness.
Due to the high incidence and easy transmission of the infection, prevention holds key importance in managing the disease.
Let’s learn about the ways by which you can keep yourself and others from getting the infection. But before that, we should understand more about Group A Streptococcus infections and the importance of prevention in the office and more imporantly bring the infection home.
How Common Is Group A Streptococcus Infection?
Group A Streptococcus bacteria exclusively infects human beings. The incidence varies depending on the type of infection.
For example, it is one of the commonest etiological agents of certain ailments, like sore throat. According to the statistics of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 15% to 30% of cases of pharyngitis (sore throat) in school-aged children are due to Group A Streptococcal infection. At the same time, 1 out of 10 adults with such symptoms come out to have strep throat.
Skin infections, like cellulitis and impetigo, are also common. About half the number of impetigo cases are caused by Group A strep infection.
More severe and invasive infections, like necrotizing fasciitis and toxic shock syndrome, are rare among the population. Still, around 9,000 to 11,500 cases of invasive GAS infection occur each year in the US, and causes up to 1,800 deaths annually.
What Diseases are caused by Group A Streptococcus Bacteria?
A Group Streptococcus causes a wide range of diseases, as listed below;
- Strep throat
- Impetigo
- Scarlet fever
- Cellulitis
- Necrotizing fasciitis
- Toxic Shock Syndrome – etc
How does Group A Streptococcus Infection Spread?
Strep A infections are contagious and spread through respiratory droplets or contact with an infected person.
It can transmit through coughing, sneezing, skin contact with secretions from an infected open wound, or contact with an object or surface touched by an infected person.
Your hands are also one of the main culprits. 80% of the transmission occurs via touching. You will be surprised that a person normally touches 300 surfaces every half an hour.
After you get infected with the bacterium, the infection usually takes 2 to 5 days to develop.
What are the Signs and Symptoms of Streptococcal Infection?
Group A Strep infections can present with several signs and symptoms of varying severity;
- Pain and difficulty in swallowing due to sore throat
- Fever
- Small red spots on the roof of the mouth (palate)
- Red and swollen tonsils
- Enlarged lymph nodes in the neck
- Headache – etc
Skin infection caused by Group A Strep may have the following symptoms;
- Skin rash
- Itching
- Small, reddish-purple sores on the mouth, nose, and limbs
- Clear or pus-like discharge from the skin lesions – etc
Severe infection, as caused by the invasive GAS bacteria, can lead to symptoms like diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, high-grade fever, wounds or blisters over the skin, severe pain, swelling, and change in skin color, etc.
Who is more at Risk of Getting the Infection?
Anyone who comes in contact with the infectious microbe can get the infection. However, certain individuals are more at risk of developing Strep infection. These include;
- School-aged children, i.e., between 5 to 15 years of age
- People who work or live in crowded settings, like;
- Offices
- Schools
- Hospitals
- Daycare centers
- Military training facilities – etc
How is Group A Strep Infection Diagnosed?
A doctor will ask you about your symptoms and do a physical examination. If there is a suspicion of strep infection, they may run the following tests to confirm the diagnosis;
- Blood test
- Rapid strep test – it involves swabbing your throat and then testing the swab.
- Throat culture
- Imaging tests, like ultrasound, CT scan, and MRI, can also be done in some cases to see the extent of the diseases underneath the skin
What is the Treatment of Group A Streptococcus Infection?
Our immune system is quite incredible. You can get over the infection without taking antibiotics.
However, you should get it treated as it not only accelerates the recovery but also makes you less vulnerable to others. Besides, the treatment also prevents you from the rare complications of strep e.g. rheumatic fever.
Gr. A streptococcus infection is treated with the help of the following medications;
- Antibiotics, like penicillin or amoxicillin
- Painkillers, including Ibuprofen, acetaminophen, etc
For how long do the Bacteria Survive on Inanimate Surfaces?
A systemic review of multiple research studies has concluded that if no regular and proper surface disinfection is done, the bacteria can survive on inanimate surfaces for months and continue to be a source of infection to those who come in contact with the bacterium. Regular office cleaning will certainly aid in proper hygience and cleanliness of all high touch surfaces. i.e light switches and door handles.
For how long do I remain Contagious?
You can spread the infection to others even a few days before you develop the symptoms yourself. However, you no longer remain contagious after 12 hours of taking your first dose of antibiotics.
Ways to Prevent Group A Streptococcal Infection
Considering the high prevalence of Group A strep infection and its contagious nature, it is important to adopt ways to prevent the infection.
Here are some simple and general tips for the prevention of Streptococcus A infection;
- Wash hands frequently and thoroughly to maintain a good hand hygiene
- Use hand wash, sanitizers, antibacterial soaps, and disinfectants
- Avoid close contact with infected people
- Do not share your items with others, like handkerchiefs, utensils, toothbrushes, etc.
- Clean your wounds, cuts, or any infected skin lesions, and cover them to prevent the spread of infection.
- Stay home and avoid close contact with other people if you get the infection. Do this until you are no longer contagious (usually 24 hours after starting the antibiotic therapy)
- Cover your mouth or nose while coughing or sneezing
- Keep your environment and surroundings clean
As discussed earlier, crowded places with closed contact gatherings have increased infection transmission risks. Therefore, one should also follow the following tips in these specific crowded settings;
Ø In the Schools
- High-touch areas, like door handles, desks, chairs, etc., should be cleaned regularly.
- Floors should be moped with disinfectants
- Encourage the wearing of masks
- Sports equipment should also be kept clean
Ø In the Hospitals
- Environmental Services (ES) staff should clean the hospital rooms and other areas.
- Avoid contributing to the clutter. Limit the number of visitors to the patients.
- Put waste, wet dressings, syringes, and other items into the allocated waste containers.
- Ask the ES staff to clean your room and linens daily
- Do not let the visitors use the personal rooms or belongings of the patients
- Encourage using face masks and hands gloves
- Use hand sanitizers frequently
- Proper ventilation should be ensured
Ø In the Offices or WorkPlaces
- Keep the high-touch areas, like keyboards, laptops, telephones, door knobs, desks, etc., clean.
- Ensure proper hand hygiene
- Take off if you get the infection
- Keep your surroundings clean. It’s not the responsibility of the janitorial staff only.
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References
- Strep throat: All you need to know [Internet]. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; 2023 [cited 2023 Jun 19]. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/groupastrep/diseases-public/strep-throat.html
- Newberger R, Gupta V. Streptococcus Group A.
- Pereira LB. Impetigo-review. Brazilian Annals of Dermatology. 2014 Mar;89:293-9.
- Kramer A, Schwebke I, Kampf G. How long do nosocomial pathogens persist on inanimate surfaces? A systematic review. BMC infectious diseases. 2006 Dec;6(1):1-8.
- Department of Health [Internet]. [cited 2023 Jun 19]. Available from: https://www.health.ny.gov/diseases/communicable/streptococcal/group_a/fact_sheet.htm#:~:text=Group%20A%20streptococci%20are%20bacteria,as%20strep%20throat%20and%20impetigo.
Prevent infections by keeping your environment clean [Internet]. [cited 2023 Jun 20]. Available from: https://apic.org/monthly_alerts/prevent-infections-by-keeping-your-environment-clean/
