Strep A: What is it and how can you protect against it?

What is Strep A?

Strep A is a type of bacteria called Streptococcus pyogenes that can cause a variety of infections in humans. These infections can range from mild, such as strep throat, to more severe conditions such as necrotizing fasciitis (also known as "flesh-eating disease"). 

How is Strep A spread?

Strep A infections are spread through direct contact with an infected person via coughs and sneezes, open wounds or through contact with an object or surface that an infected person has touched. 

80% of infections are spread through touch and people can touch up to 300 surfaces per hour, meaning infected people can be moving germ spreaders through your factory, school, healthcare centre, business….

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms of a Strep A infection can include fever, sore throat, and swollen lymph nodes. If left untreated, complications can occur such as rheumatic fever or kidney inflammation.

How do you protect against it?

To protect against Streptococcus pyogenes (Strep A), the following steps can be taken:

• Practice good hygiene, such as washing hands frequently and thoroughly.
• Use a good disinfectant - such as Bioguard on all surfaces people come in contact with.
• Avoid close contact with people who have a strep infection.
• Keep any cuts or wounds clean and covered to prevent infection.
• Avoid sharing personal items, such as toothbrushes or eating utensils, with others.
• If you have a strep infection, stay home and avoid close contact with others until you have been on antibiotics for at least 24 hours and are no longer contagious.

Is Bioguard effective against Strep A?

Bioguard products have been tested to the gold EN13727 standard with a 30 second contact time and tested in dirty conditions to reflect real life use, unlike some alternative products that are only tested in clean conditions with long contact times. Bioguard has shown to be effective against streptococcus at up to 1:1000 dilution.

EN13727 standard is the gold standard used by healthcare professionals to determine product suitability for hospitals, a product passing this standard will offer more effective protection.

In addition to the efficacy of our product. Bioguard products are also:

• Safe – No alcohol or harsh chemicals to cause skin irritation or damage to contact surfaces. Dermatologically and MEA tested for safety.
• Easy to use – Product cleans and disinfects and can be used across all contact surfaces including hands meaning you can clean and disinfect your whole environment with one simple and easy to use product.

Hygiene Group use Bioguard products and you can purchase your Bioguard products from Hygiene Stores by emailing enquiries@hygienestores.co.uk or calling 0121 458 5598.