Latest news with #GroupAStreptococcus
Medical News Today
6 days ago
- General
- Medical News Today
Can strep throat cause appendicitis?
Strep throat and appendicitis are separate conditions, and there is no evidence that strep throat leads to appendicitis. Sometimes, strep throat causes abdominal pain, which can mimic appendicitis. This may be due to the inflammatory response the infection causes or to swallowing Streptococci bacteria, which can irritate the bowels. Strep throat, or streptococcal pharyngitis, is a highly contagious bacterial infection caused by Group A Streptococcus bacteria. It is most common in children ages 5 to 15 years . It causes symptoms such as a sore throat, pain when swallowing, and a sudden onset of fever. Appendicitis is swelling and infection of the appendix, a small pouch in the bowel on the right side of the abdomen. It typically develops when something in the digestive tract becomes stuck in the appendix. Appendicitis causes symptoms such as pain in the abdomen and fever. If the appendix bursts, it can lead to serious complications, and surgery is usually necessary to remove it . Abdominal pain may occur due to an inflammatory response to Streptococcus bacteria or appendicitis. In a 2018 study , researchers found that of 207 people undergoing ultrasound imaging for suspected appendicitis, 8 had appendicitis, and 35 had strep pharyngitis. None of the people involved had both conditions at the same time. Doctors must treat appendicitis quickly to prevent serious complications. If anyone experiences the following symptoms of appendicitis, they should call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room: abdominal pain that is worsening gradually abdominal pain that moves to the lower right side fever and vomiting People may also experience nausea, constipation, diarrhea, urinary frequency, painful urination, and sudden confusion, which is more common in older adults.
Gulf News
01-05-2025
- Health
- Gulf News
'Flesh-eating bacteria': Leg amputated after acupuncture treatment, Hong Kong clinic probed
A Hong Kong clinic is under scrutiny after a patient contracted flesh-eating bacteria linked to contaminated shorts. A serious public health probe is underway in the Asian trading hub after a 47-year-old man had his left leg amputated reportedly due to a severe flesh-eating infection following an acupuncture treatment at a traditional Chinese medicine clinic. According to a report by the South China Morning Post on Wednesday (April 30, 2025), authorities discovered Group A Streptococcus (GAS) — the bacterium responsible for necrotising fasciitis — on a pair of patient shorts used at the Causeway Bay clinic the man had visited. Contaminated shorts The shorts, reportedly already washed, were part of standard attire provided to acupuncture patients. Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medicine technique that involves inserting thin needles into specific points on the body to relieve pain and treat various health conditions. It's based on the idea that a vital energy, called "qi", flows through the body in channels called meridians, and acupuncture aims to restore the balance of this energy. A 2024 study published in ScienceDirect stated that GAS produces a variety of virulence factors and "exotoxins" that can lead to deadly infections such as necrotising fasciitis, impetigo, and cellulitis. Hong Kong's Department of Health confirmed that while the bacteria were found on the clothing, it remains unclear whether the patient wore them during his visit. Officials stated no additional cases of infection have been reported from the clinic in question or another facility in Sheung Wan the patient had also visited. Advisory Nonetheless, a formal advisory was issued to all Chinese medicine practitioners in the city, emphasising strict adherence to infection control protocols. GAS is considered a highly aggressive bacterium that can lead to life-threatening infections, particularly in cases of skin trauma. It has become a significant threat to the healthcare system, infecting more than 18 million people and resulting in more than 500,000 deaths annually worldwide, as per ScienceDirect. Deadly pathogen A 2019 study published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases highlighted that GAS can invade deep tissues rapidly, with mortality rates for necrotising fasciitis reaching as high as 30% without early surgical intervention. Similarly, research from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in 2022 found that even minor breaches in skin integrity, such as needle punctures, can become entry points for the pathogen in unsanitary conditions. Chan Wing-kwong, chairman of the Hong Kong Registered Chinese Medicine Practitioners Association, urged caution stating it's too early to draw definitive conclusions, and emphasised that the risk of such infections in acupuncture settings remains low.
South China Morning Post
30-04-2025
- Health
- South China Morning Post
Is acupuncture safe in Hong Kong, and how to avoid ‘flesh-eating' infection?
A case of 'flesh-eating infection' which has left a 47-year-old man with his left lower leg amputated after acupuncture treatment has sparked public concerns over the safety of the traditional Chinese medicine practice in Hong Kong. Advertisement The Post looks into the incident, the risks of acupuncture-associated infections, and how patients can better protect themselves. What happened to the patient? The Centre for Health Protection on Tuesday revealed a case of a 47-year-old man who underwent an amputation of his left lower leg two days after developing a Group A Streptococcal infection, following acupuncture treatment he received at two traditional Chinese medicine clinics. The man developed a fever and left thigh pain on April 11 and subsequently sought care from a private hospital, where he was diagnosed with septic shock and necrotising fasciitis, commonly known as 'flesh-eating infection'. The man, who had underlying illnesses, was transferred to Queen Mary Hospital in Pok Fu Lam the next day and underwent a left lower limb amputation on April 13. His clinical specimens tested positive for Group A Streptococcus. Advertisement According to the centre, the man received acupuncture treatments on April 7, 9 and 10 from two registered traditional Chinese medicine practitioners in Sheung Wan and Causeway Bay.
Malay Mail
30-04-2025
- Health
- Malay Mail
‘Flesh-eating infection' after acupuncture for back sprain costs Hong Kong man his leg
HONG KONG, April 30 — A 47-year-old man here had his left lower leg amputated after developing a severe bacterial infection days following acupuncture at two traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) clinics. According to the South China Morning Post, the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) said the man developed a fever and thigh pain on April 11 and was later diagnosed with septic shock and necrotising fasciitis, also known as a 'flesh-eating infection'. 'During the investigation, the team suspected that the Chinese medicine practitioner had not strictly followed infection control procedures when performing acupuncture,' a CHP spokesman said. After initial treatment at a private hospital, the patient was transferred to Queen Mary Hospital on April 12, where doctors performed the amputation the following day. Health officials said the man had existing health conditions and remained hospitalised in stable condition. The man had sought acupuncture on April 7, 9, and 10 after injuring his back and experiencing numbness in his leg and foot. Authorities confirmed that he had not travelled abroad, suffered skin wounds, or had contact with infected individuals during the incubation period. Environmental testing at the Causeway Bay clinic found a sample contaminated with Group A Streptococcus, genetically matching the patient's infection, while further testing continues. The Department of Health said it may refer the case to the Chinese Medicine Council of Hong Kong for possible disciplinary action if misconduct is confirmed. Sung Chuk-kei, head of a Chinese medicine practitioners' union, urged the public not to generalise the case but acknowledged the need for stronger hygiene protocols and oversight within the sector.
