There’s a lot of talk these days about streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS), an infection from Streptococcus pyogenesa type A strep that is spreading in Japan with currently approx 517 confirmed cases (88 in the capital alone Tokyo), about half of the cases recorded last year. It is a rare disease but with a mortality rate that in 2023 stood at 30%. Which is adopting different measures to contain the infection. It is called “flesh eating disease” because, in the rarest cases, it can occur necrosis of tissues. In any case, the alarm is at the moment circumscribed to Japan and for this reason there is no reason to create alarmism in other countries, also because this disease is not very common contagious.
What is the streptococcal toxic shock syndrome
There streptococcal toxic shock syndrome it’s a serious illness with a mortality rate of 30%in fact it is one systemic inflammatory response which involves everything‘body. It is generally caused by streptococci group Alike it Streptococcus pyogenesespecially the strain M1UK. In general, group A streptococcus is associated with diseases such as tonsillitispharyngitis or scarlet fever, although usually in milder forms. OccasionallyHowever, the infection can progress to the point of causing much more serious illnesses and serious complications, including this syndrome, also called “flesh-eating disease”.
Symptoms of “flesh-eating” disease
THE symptoms I am sudden: fever, chills, general malaise and body pain. Over the course of 3-7 days it occurs desquamation of the skin on the hands and feet. Conditions can get worse with hypotensiontachycardia, renal, hepatic malfunction (organ failure), reduction in platelets, as well as low blood flow to the brain, leading to confusion and hallucinations, up to necrosis from the skin rasheshence the term “flesh-eating disease”.
How it is transmitted
The transmission takes place via respiratory droplets released into the air by or through contact with infected individuals injuries contaminated by the bacterium, including small ones cuts or wounds to the limbs. However, it is about a disease that is not highly contagious.
Because for now there is no need to worry
Currently it is state of alert is restricted to Japanwhich he found 88 cases to date in the capital, that is, more than half of last year’s cases, as well as others 517 cases confirmed throughout the national territory. For this reason, Japan turned to Pyongyang in the North Korea for the cancellation of a football match, precisely to prevent further infections.
For now therefore, being thelimited alarm to Japan, and being the rare disease and of difficult transmissionyou don’t have to trigger it alarmism in other countries. Furthermore, Japan is adopting preventive measures at the proliferation of the bacterium, asking citizens the frequent hand washing and to accentuate the others hygiene standards.
