There are lots of viruses that cause sore throats, colds and coughs circulating, especially over winter. These usually resolve without needing any special medical treatment or medicines. However, children can occasionally develop a bacterial infection on top of a virus and that can make them more unwell.
One of these bacteria is called Group A Strep (GAS). You may have heard this in the news as it has been found in some children who have become very sick, very quickly. Fortunately, this is still rare.
There is much more GAS around this winter than in recent years, causing a lot of children to be unwell. We think this is because there is much more mixing now and these bugs are new to many young children, so they are more likely to catch and spread them.
Parents and carers can also access the Trust’s online symptom checker – here you’ll find information on several of the most common symptoms (including symptoms of Group Strep A and Scarlet Fever) in children requiring urgent care and decide where best to get the right care for your child. Visit the online symptom checker.
