Pharmacy Daily | Alert on for signs of bacterial disease

PHARMACISTS should advise the community to be aware of the signs and symptoms of rare but severe, invasive bacterial infections following a recent increase in cases, NSW Health said.

Executive Director of Health Protection NSW, Dr Richard Broome said there had been increases in both meningococcal disease (IMD) and invasive group A streptococcus (iGAS) infections in recent weeks.

Cases of IMD were above average in NSW towards the end of last year, and cases of iGAS have increased in NSW, in other states, and overseas.

Dr Broome said it was important the community was aware while the infections are very rare, both can be very serious and can cause death or permanent disability.

"In their early stages, invasive bacterial infections including IMD or iGAS sometimes mimic symptoms of viral infections like COVID and influenza and can also follow or occur at the same time as a viral infection," Dr Broome has warned.

"Rapid intervention and effective treatment for invasive bacterial infections are available and can be lifesaving.

"We urge people to pay close attention to symptoms, trust their instincts, and seek urgent medical care if symptoms worsen or if they or the people they care for appear very unwell.

"While notification data on iGAS has only recently become available in NSW, the number of people unwell with the condition has clearly increased here and across the world," Dr Broome said.

Between Sep and Dec 2022, 137 cases of iGAS were notified in NSW, while there were 36 cases of meningococcal disease reported across the state last year.

Indicators of serious illness include fever, a fast heart rate, cold hands and feet or a mottled look to the skin, difficulty waking or increased lethargy or confusion.