Strep Throat Surges Among Children, Raises Concerns Over Antibiotic Shortage
Strep throat cases are on the rise among children in certain areas of the United States, sparking concerns about a potential shortage of antibiotics to treat the illness as winter approaches. Health professionals are noting an unprecedented number of otherwise healthy adults and children being admitted to emergency rooms with strep throat symptoms.
Dr. Jennifer Stevenson, the head of the emergency department at Henry Ford Medical Center – Fairlane in Dearborn, Michigan, revealed that she has seen a surge in strep throat cases over the past six to eight months. In fact, strep throat has become the second most common diagnosis in her emergency department since March, following chest pain. It is worth noting that many of these patients also tested positive for COVID-19.
The increase in strep throat cases is not limited to Michigan alone. Dr. Thomas Lacy, the division chief for Nemours Children’s Primary Care, has observed a 300% to 400% rise in strep throat cases since the beginning of the school year in Delaware and Pennsylvania. Similarly, Florida has seen the number of strep cases more than double compared to the same period last year.
The exact reason behind this surge remains unclear, although experts speculate that the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic may have contributed to the rise in strep throat cases. Researchers at Epic Research, which monitors electronic health records nationwide, have noticed a steady increase in strep throat diagnoses, particularly among children aged 4 to 12, since August.
Fortunately, the strep throat outbreak is not widespread across the country. Major medical centers in Cleveland, Pittsburgh, San Diego, and Seattle have not reported notable increases in strep throat cases.
Unlike other illnesses such as COVID-19 or measles, strep throat diagnoses are not typically required to be reported to local or state health departments. Nonetheless, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that there are 5 million outpatient visits each year due to noninvasive group A strep.
Although there had been an unusual spike in strep throat cases last year, current levels appear to be returning to pre-pandemic proportions, according to Epic data. Dr. Victoria Valencia, the interim director of the Health Center for Student Care at Tulane University in New Orleans, noted that strep throat cases on campus are similar to the numbers seen in 2019 before the pandemic.
Strep throat is usually easily treatable with the commonly used antibiotic amoxicillin. However, there has been a shortage of this drug for approximately a year, especially in the form given to young children, as reported by the Food and Drug Administration. Spot shortages have forced healthcare providers to turn to alternative antibiotics, which are not typically used as first-line treatments.
While most pharmacies in affected areas have been able to stock the antibiotic, concerns remain that as the cooler months approach, more infections could occur, making it difficult for parents to find the necessary medication for their children.
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In conclusion, the increase in strep throat cases among children has raised concerns about a potential shortage of antibiotics, particularly amoxicillin, which is widely used to treat the illness. Health professionals urge parents to be vigilant and seek early treatment for their children to prevent the further spread of strep throat.