Group A Streptococcal infections (including iGAS)
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has reported notifications and GP consultations of scarlet fever in England are higher than normal for the point in the season.
Notifications of invasive group A Streptococcus (iGAS) disease are following a similar trend and are slightly higher than expected for this time of year. The relatively higher rates of iGAS in children are noted and may reflect increases in respiratory viruses.
Group A Streptococcal infections occur in community and health and care settings and can spread between patients and staff as a healthcare acquired infection.
As a bacterial infection antibiotics are usually prescribed if people present as unwell with a suspected or confirmed infection. A number of infections can be caused the bacteria including tonsillitis, quinsy, scarlet fever, impetigo, wound infections and iGAS. People of all ages can be affected by Group A Streptococcal infections.
iGas is a notifiable disease – see the RCN health protection pages for more information on Group A Streptococcal infections / Scarlet Fever
RCN members should refer to their local infection prevention and control policies on how to prevent the spread of Group A Streptococcal infections.
Useful resources
- Health Protection Scotland - Group A Streptococcal infections
- Public Health Wales - Important message about strep A
- UKHSA - Group A Streptococcus
- HSC Public Health Agency Northern Ireland - Factsheet: What is group A strep
- HSC Public Health Agency Northern Ireland - Public urged to be alert to signs of group A strep
Page last updated - 15/07/2023
