A recent explosion in strep infections, many of which are presenting with few or atypical symptoms, is concerning experts around the U.S.
Strep throat — caused by the bacteria Group A streptococcus and common in children and teens — can occur any time of year, but peak season usually starts in December and goes through April, Dr. Victoria Regan, a pediatric specialist at Memorial Hermann in Houston, tells TODAY.com.
In a recent TikTok video that has garnered over 350,000 views, pediatric nurse practitioner Dakota Felckowski explains the recent trends she is seeing among her patients. Group A streptococcus bacteria can cause a range of illnesses, from strep throat to a skin infection called impetigo to scarlet fever. Invasive strep is a rare condition which occurs when the bacteria spreads to parts of the body that it doesn't normally infect, like the bloodstream.issued a warning about the increase in invasive strep infections after two children died.
"These are not typical, which makes it really tricky to diagnose and treat, and strep infections need to be treated with antibiotics," Felckowski stresses.