Japan is facing a medical emergency, with 77 people dying from a bacterial infection between the beginning of the year and March. As of June 2, the Ministry of Health has recorded 977 cases of streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS), a dangerous and highly fatal bacterial infection.
Experts are so far unable to identify the reason for this increase which has led to exceeding the record of 941 infections, reached in 1999, while last year there were 97 deaths.
What is Stss
Stss is a rare but serious bacterial infection that can develop when the bacteria spreads into deep tissues and the bloodstream. Patients initially suffer from fever, muscle aches and vomiting, but symptoms can quickly become life-threatening with low blood pressure, swelling and multi-organ failure as the body goes into shock. CNN explained that «the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Even with treatment, STSS can be deadly. Out of 10 people affected, three will die from the infection”
Most cases are caused by the group A streptococcus (Gas) bacterium, which mainly produces fever and throat infections in children. In rare circumstances, Streptococcus A can become invasive when the bacterium produces a toxin that allows it to access the bloodstream, causing serious illnesses such as toxic shock.
In extreme cases it can also cause “flesh-eating” necrotizing fasciitis, which can lead to limb loss. However, according to the CDC, most patients who contract this disease have other health problems – such as cancer or diabetes – that could reduce their body’s ability to fight infections.
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