Strep A infection control

Group A Streptococcus (GAS), also known as Strep A, are bacteria commonly found in the throat or skin. Strep A bacteria can cause various infections, ranging from mild illnesses to serious and deadly diseases.

If you suspect a Strep A outbreak, you should act quickly and arrange a specialist Strep A infection control service to stop the bacteria from spreading.

Pediatrician examining little girl with a suspected Strep A infection

Group A Streptococcus (GAS), also known as Strep A, are bacteria commonly found in the throat or skin. Strep A bacteria can cause various infections, ranging from mild illnesses to serious and deadly diseases.

If you suspect a Strep A outbreak, you should act quickly and arrange a specialist Strep A infection control service to stop the bacteria from spreading.

Blurred image of patients sitting waiting for doctor in hospital

The Impacts of Strep A Outbreak

Outbreaks of Group A Streptococcus can have significant impacts on both individuals and communities. This includes:

  • Public Health Burden: Strep A outbreaks put immense pressure on healthcare systems due to their rapid transmission, resulting in a surge of cases.Overwhelmed medical facilities face challenges in providing timely and high-quality medical care.
  • Increased Hospitalisations: Severe infections can lead to Group A Streptococcal Disease and cause life-threatening complications, resulting in a surge of patients requiring intensive care. This puts further strain on healthcare resources.
  • Economic Impact: Strep A outbreaks can have severe economic consequences, with medical costs, income loss, and disruptions to businesses in affected areas.
  • Social Impact: Strep A outbreaks can create fear and anxiety within communities, exacerbating mental health issues. Social distancing and isolation worsen feelings of loneliness, particularly affecting vulnerable groups like the elderly.

If you want to find out more about Strep A and its impact, check out What Is Strep A: The Ultimate Guide by Ultima Environmental

Our Strep A infection control service

Our expertly trained team will visit your premises and perform a specialist disinfection service to eliminate infectious bacteria and reduce the risk of infection.

This service will help you maintain the highest level of hygiene and protect your employees and visitors against Strep A and other potentially harmful bacteria. We can visit your premises at a time that suits you to ensure minimal disruption to your business operations.

You can have confidence knowing that our deep cleaners have the experience and equipment to carry out Strep A infection control safely, effectively and discretely.

A technician swabbing a door handle to ensure it has been properly cleaned
A technician using a fogging machine to disinfect a contaminated area

Why you should choose Ultima for your Strep A infection control

At Ultima, we provide a fully-regulated Strep A infection control service that will eliminate infectious bacteria and protect you and your employees against the risk of infection.

Our fully-trained cleaners have provided infectious control and disinfection services in London and nationwide for over 20 years. You can have peace of mind knowing that our team has the experience and knowledge to meet your sanitation requirements.

FAQ’s

What is Strep A?

Strep A, short for Group A Streptococcus (GAS), are bacteria commonly found in the throat or skin. Some people carry Strep A without any symptoms and its presence is harmless – this is known as being colonised.

However, Strep A bacteria can cause a wide range of infections, ranging from mild to severe. Anyone can get streptococcal infections, although they are more common in children.

What infections can Strep A cause?

Most infections caused by Strep A are fairly mild and can be treated easily at home.

  • Flu-like symptoms such as a high temperature, swollen glands or an aching body
  • A rash that feels rough, like sandpaper
  • Sore throat
  • Scabs and sores
  • Pain and swelling
  • Muscle aches
  • Nausea and vomiting
Why is Strep A infection control important?

Rarely, Strep A can cause serious infections known as invasive Group A Streptococcal Disease (also known as GAS disease). This can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention. The CDC estimates that between 1,500 and 2,300 people die annually due to invasive GAS disease.

How does Strep A spread?

People who contract a Strep infection can then spread it to others by talking, coughing, or sneezing, which creates respiratory droplets that contain the bacteria.

How can I protect my employees from Strep A?

The best way to stop Strep A infections from spreading is by encouraging your employees to wash their hands often. You should also encourage employees to follow good hygiene habits such as always covering their mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing.

Anyone with symptoms of a Strep A infection should be told to stay off work and avoid contact with others. If you have a suspected Strep A outbreak in your workplace, arrange a specialist infection control service to treat contaminated areas.

What can I do immediately if I suspect a Strep A outbreak?

If you suspect a Strep A outbreak, taking immediate action is essential to contain the spread and protect yourself and others. Here are some steps you can take:

  • Isolate: If you or someone else shows symptoms of a Strep infection, it’s crucial to isolate to prevent further transmission.
  • Seek medical attention:According to current NHS guidelines, if you have symptoms of a Strep A infection, it is important to contact NHS 111 or your GP surgery. In case of serious complications like difficulty breathing or staying awake, call 999 or go to A&E immediately.
  • Practice good hygiene:It’s important to maintain good hygiene measures to reduce the risk of spreading the infection. Frequently wash your hands with soap and water, cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, and regularly disinfect hard surfaces.
  • Arrange Strep A infection control:If you are worried about a Strep A outbreak in your facility or community, get in touch with disease control specialists to implement appropriate measures.
How do I arrange Strep A infection control?

Get in touch with our expert team if you would like to arrange Strep A infection control or have any questions. We provide specialist disinfection services throughout the UK and our infection control team will arrange to visit your premises as soon as possible.

What other disinfection services do you offer?

As a leading professional cleaning company, we offer various disinfection services including Norovirus infection control and Avian Flu infection control. Our fully-trained deep cleaning team has the skills and expertise to meet your hygiene needs.

Visit our website to browse our full range of cleaning services or give us a call if you have any questions.