What is Strep A?
Strep A is a common type of bacteria. Bacteria called group A Streptococcus (group A strep) can cause many different infections such as Strep Throat, Scarlet Fever, impetigo and rheumatic fever. Group A strep bacteria are very contagious.
How can Strep A be caught?
Generally, people spread the bacteria to others through:
- Respiratory droplets
- Direct contact
Group A strep bacteria often live in the nose and throat. People who are infected spread the bacteria through close contact, by talking, coughing, or sneezing, which creates respiratory droplets that contain the bacteria. People can get sick if they:
- Breathe in respiratory droplets that contain the bacteria
- Touch something with those droplets on it and then touch their mouth or nose
- Drink from the same glass or eat from the same plate as a person infected with group A strep
It is important to know that some infected people do not have symptoms or seem sick so it is vital that good hand and environmental hygiene practices are followed.
How can Strep A be prevented?
Wash your hands thoroughly
It’s important to make sure that you and any children you know wash their hands thoroughly throughout the day. Washing your hands is one of the best ways to help prevent a range of infections. Make sure children wash their hands regularly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds each time throughout the day.
Use a hand sanitiser
Hypochlorous acid is very effective against Strep A, and kills most strains of Streptococcus in 15 seconds on hands and surfaces. Hypochlorous can be therefore used as a precaution against the spread of Strep A and Scarlet Fever. Using hand sanitiser can help provide an extra barrier throughout the day, on top of hand washing. Try using a skin disinfectant and hand sanitiser to help keep hands clean in between washing.
Cover your mouth
Help to reduce the spread of Strep A and other infections by teaching children to cover their mouths when sneezing or coughing, either with their elbow or a tissue. Making sure that children know how to limit spreading possible bacteria can help to reduce the cases of Strep A within schools.
Avoid sharing items
Strep A is spread by people’s respiratory droplets. This means that it’s important not to share items such as water bottles, cutlery, drinking glasses and packets of food. Within schools, this is especially important to help prevent the spread of Strep A. Make sure children are aware of the items they need to make sure not to share, particularly during lunch and break times.
We hope you found our tips for preventing Strep A helpful. For more information about Strep A, visit the NHS website.
Explore our Salvesan hand sanitiser to help provide an extra barrier against Strep A bacteria.