{"product_id":"invasive-group-a-streptococcal-infection-igas-information-sheet-english-audio-he8144","title":"Invasive Group A streptococcal infection (iGAS) - Information sheet - English audio - HE8144","description":"\u003ch2\u003e\n\u003cimg\u003eInformation Sheet for close contacts\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eInvasive group A streptococcal infection (iGAS) is a very serious bacterial infection caused by a type of bacteria called Group A \u003cem\u003eStreptococcus\u003c\/em\u003e (GAS).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe bacteria can make you very sick if it gets inside parts of your body like your blood, muscles, or the birth canal after a baby is born.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eiGAS can make you feel very unwell very quickly, and sometimes it can cause death. It's important to get help quickly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSigns and symptoms — What you can see and feel\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe symptoms of iGAS are:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ehigh fever (feel hot to touch, uncontrollable shakes, temperature over 38°C)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eheadache\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003etrouble breathing\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003esevere pain in arms or legs\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003esore throat \u003ca href=\"#throat\"\u003e(please see advice on page 4)\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ered or sore skin around cuts or wounds \u003ca href=\"#skin\"\u003e(please see advice on page 3)\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSeeking medical help\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you or someone in your household develops symptoms of iGAS, suddenly becomes seriously unwell or you're feeling concerned in general, please seek medical help quickly. This is especially important if you or the person has recently been in close contact with someone who has iGAS.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eContact your GP or healthcare provider urgently for advice. You can also call Healthline on \u003ca title=\"0800 611 116\" href=\"Tel:0800611116\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e0800 611 116\u003c\/a\u003e, anytime 24\/7 for free health advice and information about what to do next. In an emergency call 111.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf English isn't your first language, Healthline has interpreters available. If you have a disability or are Deaf, hard of hearing, deafblind or have a speech impediment, please see healthcare services listed at the end of this information sheet.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow iGAS spreads\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe bacteria that cause iGAS are often found in the throat and on the skin. People can spread the bacteria when they cough, sneeze, kiss, or have close contact with others. You can have these bacteria even if you don't feel sick.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePeople at higher risk of iGAS\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eiGAS can affect anyone, but it's more likely if you've been close to someone with iGAS, like:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003efamily members or people you live with\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eclose friends or partners.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMost people who have been near someone with iGAS don't get sick, but they should still watch out for symptoms.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecial advice for parents and babies\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf a parent who has given birth or their baby gets iGAS within 28 days of birth, the parent or baby that doesn't have iGAS may need medicine to prevent them from getting sick. A doctor or healthcare provider will help you get the right medicine if needed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePrevention\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou can reduce the risk of getting and passing on the bacteria that cause iGAS by:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ewashing your hands:\u003c\/strong\u003e Use soap and water, scrub well, and dry them properly.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ecovering your wounds:\u003c\/strong\u003e Keep any cuts clean and covered with a bandage.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003enot sharing personal items:\u003c\/strong\u003e Things like towels, cups, or toothbrushes should not be shared. If you need to share items like towels, make sure you wash them first with laundry detergent.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat should close contacts do?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIf you've been near someone with iGAS\u003c\/strong\u003e, you can do all your normal activities but watch out for symptoms of iGAS in the next 30 days.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong id=\"throat\"\u003eIf you or a household member get a sore throat in the next 30 days,\u003c\/strong\u003e especially if you\/they:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eare a Māori or Pacific person and aged between 3 and 35 years old\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ehave a family member or someone else in your house who has had rheumatic fever before.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is important you contact your doctor or healthcare provider even if you don't have any other symptoms. Tell them you have been in contact with someone who has iGAS.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong id=\"skin\"\u003eIf you or a household member get a skin infection in the next 30 days,\u003c\/strong\u003e it is important that you contact your doctor or healthcare provider. Tell them you have been in contact with someone who has iGAS.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIf you feel sick in the next 30 days,\u003c\/strong\u003e it's important that you contact your doctor or healthcare provider right away. Tell them you have been in contact with someone who has iGAS. You can also take this information sheet with you to show them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFor free general health advice and information\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCall Healthline on \u003ca rel=\"noopener\" title=\"0800 611 116\" href=\"Tel:0800611116\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e0800 611 116\u003c\/a\u003e, anytime 24\/7 for free health advice and information about what to do next. You can choose to speak with a Māori clinician if you are calling between 8am and 8pm. Interpreter services and NZ Relay support are also available.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor people living or visiting rurally, you can contact a doctor after hours at Ka Ora Telecare 0800 2 KA ORA \u003ca rel=\"noopener\" title=\"call 0800 252 672\" href=\"tel:0800252672\" aria-describedby=\"a11y-new-window-external-message\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e0800 252 672\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, or \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/kaora.co.nz\/app\/\" aria-describedby=\"a11y-external-message\"\u003eKa Ora Telecare\u003c\/a\u003e This service is available from 5.00pm–8.30am on weekdays, and 24 hours a day on weekends and public holidays.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFree NZ Relay Services are available at \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/nzrelay.co.nz\/index\" aria-describedby=\"a11y-external-message\"\u003eNew Zealand Relay Services\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e,\u003c\/span\u003e if you are Deaf, hard of hearing, deafblind or have a speech impediment.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eDisability helpline\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA dedicated helpline for Disability support is available Monday to Friday, between 8.00am and 5.00pm. Call free on\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca aria-describedby=\"a11y-new-window-external-message\" href=\"tel:0800111213\" title=\"call 0800 11 12 13\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e0800 11 12 13\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, or \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca aria-describedby=\"a11y-new-window-external-message\" href=\"sms:8988\" title=\"text 8988\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003etext 8988\u003c\/a\u003e for help and information or visit \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/healthpoint.co.nz\/disability-helpline\/\"\u003eDisability Helpline • Healthpoint\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFor more information, visit\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVisit the Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora website \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.healthnz.govt.nz\/health-topics\/conditions-treatments\/infectious-diseases\/igas-invasive-group-a-streptococcal-infection\"\u003eiGAS (invasive group A streptococcal infection)\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cimg\u003e\u003cimg\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"HealthEd","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49083731509476,"sku":"HE8144","price":0.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0102\/6916\/3582\/files\/audio-icon.png?v=1774917636","url":"https:\/\/healthed.govt.nz\/products\/invasive-group-a-streptococcal-infection-igas-information-sheet-english-audio-he8144","provider":"HealthEd","version":"1.0","type":"link"}