Professor Penny Ward, of the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Medicine, raised concerns doctors may be dismissing cases of Strep A as viral winter illnesses, such as flu or the common cold, if children are only presenting with early signs like a fever or cough.’
Classic signs of Strep A not immediately obvious’
“It does seem that the message that a lot of winter illnesses are predominantly viral may have been taken a little bit too seriously, and perhaps the classic signs of Strep A are not immediately obvious in these children – things like sore throat, rash, fever,” she said.
At the early stages of illness, viral and bacterial illnesses are “indistinguishable” and the vast majority of childhood illnesses are viral, she added.
Do not delay giving antibiotics to treat Strep A, GPs told
Do not delay giving antibiotics to treat Strep A, GPs told
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