Japan is experiencing an alarming situation due to the increase in cases of serious infections caused by streptococcus
bacteria at an unprecedented rate
.
This was confirmed by the
National Institute of Infectious Diseases (NIID)
.
378 cases
were registered
in January and February alone, an alarming number if one takes into account that during all of 2023 there were
941
.
It should be noted that Japan has been living with this type of disease since 1992 and that it used to affect an average of between 100 and 200 people per year.
The NIID reported that group A strep infections are becoming more dangerous with the emergence of
streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS)
.
What is toxic shock syndrome?
STSS is a condition caused by bacterial toxins that can trigger serious health problems, such as necrotizing fasciitis,
which has a 30% mortality rate
.
Specifically, toxic shock syndrome is one in which the bacteria spread to deep tissues and the blood.
It is still unclear how it enters the body, but it is believed to be through cuts in the skin or through the mucous membranes.
Another disturbing fact about what is happening in Japan is that specialists have not yet identified why the rare bacteria sometimes becomes fulminant.
As the disease is present in almost all of Japan, the Government called on the population to take measures to counteract the advance of the disease.
The main ones:
hand washing and wound care
.
Scanning electron micrograph of Streptococcus pyogenese bound to a human neutrophil (blue).
Photo: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms of strep infections can include fever, rash, peeling skin, and low blood pressure.
There may also be symptoms related to the specific underlying infection, such as mastitis, osteomyelitis, necrotizing fasciitis, or pneumonia.
If strep reaches the bloodstream, muscles, and lungs, symptoms can quickly worsen and cause low blood pressure, multiple organ failure, and even
death
.
If you do, the disease usually manifests itself in a sore throat or skin infections.
Group A strep can be transmitted in the throat or skin and by
close contact
with an infected person through coughing
, sneezing, or contact with a wound
.
Who can suffer from STSS?
People of all ages, but
the most common is among people aged 30 or older
.
Alcohol use disorder or diabetes can also increase your chance of getting it.
Trend on Google
In the week of March 17, the term "toxic shock syndrome" was trending on Google.
This is shown in the following Trends graph.
Photo: Google Trends
The interest in the advancement of this disease is evidenced by the pronounced peak.