COVID19 to streptococcus, Japan health experts noticed the significant rise in the flesh-eating bacteria

Health experts from Japan are concerned that this streptococcus outbreak could become dangerous.

From COVID-19 to streptococcus: What do we do? All you need to know about the bacteria and how it’s relevant to the previous world pandemic.

How is streptococcus in Japan?

A few days ago, Japan warned the public as the number of patients affected by flesh-eating bacteria, streptococcus, in Tokyo and overall Japan, went up higher by 3% and 4% respectively. Some experts were concerned and started to warn the public about this situation.

Some considered the situation to be the result of the previous world pandemic, COVID-19. A great number of people have already been infected with the notorious virus, the rise of strep could be another side effect left to the immune systems. In other words, more people are prone to streptococcus infection post-pandemic.

What is streptococcus?

What conditions does it bring? Streptococcus, also known shortly as strep, is the name of a type of bacteria (streptococcus pyogenes). There are many different types of strep, with streptococcus groups A and B being the most common. Streptococcus group A is considered by experts to be the most common cause of necrotizing fasciitis (flesh-eating disease).  The bacteria is spread through body fluids like droplets, mucus, and saliva.

About necrotizing fasciitis or flesh-eating disease. Necrotizing fasciitis, or flesh-eating disease, is a bacterial infection. The term “necrotizing” means “causing the death of tissues.” Necrotizing fasciitis can develop and spread quickly and can cause death if critical.

Necrotizing fasciitis is rare but can affect people with certain health conditions more easily. People with health conditions such as diabetes, cancer, kidney conditions, and liver cirrhosis are more prone to getting necrotizing fasciitis.

What are the signs of streptococcus infection?

How do I know if I get infected? Bacteria usually infect through skin breaks such as cuts, burns, and bites, including wounds from injections or surgery. See the doctor right away if you have the following symptoms after surgery.

Early symptoms include:

• Red, swollen, and warm area on the skin (spread rapidly)
• Pain, even beyond the affected area on the skin
• Fever

Symptoms that develop later include:

• Ulcers
• Black spots on the skin
• Skin color changes
• Pus or oozing
• Dizziness
• Fatigue
• Diarrhea
• Nausea

How do I get tested for streptococcus?

The sooner you get tested, the better. It’s important to get tested with reliable and accurate tests to prevent the infection from getting worse and becoming deadly. The diagnosis isn’t always smooth because the early symptoms are similar to several other diseases.

The methods that medical experts use to diagnose streptococcus are:

• Biopsy (tissue sample)
• Blood testing
• CT scan, MRI, or ultrasound of the damaged area

It’s important to get tested and receive medical treatment as soon as possible. A doctor may start treatment right away if the possibility of the patient having streptococcus is prominent.

How can I prevent streptococcus infection?

There’s still no vaccine that can prevent streptococcus group A. To protect yourself and loved ones from group A strep, firstly, wash your hands as often as possible, and secondly, take good care of your open wounds, and keep the bandage on. Go to the doctor for puncture wounds if they are deep.

If you have skin breaks or open wounds, avoid spending time in hot tubs, pools, lakes, and rivers, etc.

Streptococcus can be treated!

Streptococcus can be treated with antibiotics. Patients may receive antibiotics through an IV, injecting the medication right into the veins. In cases where the infection has developed too far and antibiotics can no longer reach all the infected areas, your doctor will assign a surgery method instead. Surgery is also used as a means to treat streptococcus as the bacteria can spread very fast.