January: The month of Gram Positive Cocci:

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1) Group A Streptococcus:

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Location they are commonly found: Throat and skin.

General information:People can be carriers of Group A Streptococcus, this means that it lives on their skin and in their throat but they do not show any signs of being unwell as a result of it.

Illnesses:

• Streptococcal throat.

• Impetigo.

• Necrotising fasciitis

• Streptococcocal toxic shock syndrome.

Mode of transmission:

• Contact with mucous from the nose or throat of infected person.

• Infected wounds or sores.

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2) Group B Streptococcus:

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Location they are commonly found: Gut,rectum, bladder, throat and in some women the vagina.

General information: People can also be carriers of Group B Streptococcus.

Illnesses:

• Sepsis in newborn babies.

• Urinary tract infection.

• Bacteriaemia and pneumonia in adults.

Risk factors:

• Newborns , born to mothers who carry GBS.

• Adults who have chronic disease.

• Adults who are older than 65.

• Adults who are immunocompromised

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3)Entercoccus Faecalis:

Location they are commonly found: Human intestines, and can also be found in the intestines of animals.

General information: Like many other bacteria patients can be colonised with this bacteria without actually showing any symptoms. Patients who are immunocompromised can be at increased risk of getting this infection, especially those who are inpatients.

Illnesses:

• Urinary tract infections

• Bacteraemia

• Abdominal pelvic infections

• Root canal infections.

• Infectious endocarditis

• Wound infections.

• Urinary catheter devices

Mode of transmission:

• Physical contact from person to person

• Poor hand hygiene can contribute to its spread.

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