SEVERAL children on the East Bank of Demerara (EBD) are being treated for Impetigo, a highly contagious, superficial skin infection that most commonly affects children between ages two and five years.Reports are that at least 10 children who attend a nursery school in the area were treated for the ailment at the Diamond Hospital, East Bank Demerara over the past month.
They were asked to remain isolated for at least a week. Several children from other parts of the East Bank were in recent times treated for the condition at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).
The skin infection is characterised by red sores which pop easily and leave a yellow crust. In addition, the patient will experience fluid-filled blisters, itchy rash, skin lesions and swollen lymph nodes. It usually lasts for a week-long period.
Minister of Public Health, Dr George Norton told the Guyana Chronicle on Wednesday that he is not aware of an outbreak of the medical condition. He said however that “there are always cases”, but not at an alarming number.
According to the Public Health Minister, treatment of the skin infection depends on its severity.
“If it’s an infection, it will need antibiotic treatment or ointments and it (treatment) can go down to capsules or injections and so on,” he said.
Medical reports of some students seen by this publication indicate that patients ages four and five were taken for treatment at the East Bank Demerara Regional Hospital at various times over the past month after their parents had observed several lesions on their skins.
In one report, the parents of a four-year-old were told that she was suffering from the condition and they were advised to ensure the child remains isolated for a week until the treatment for impetigo was completed.
Other reports, which were written earlier this month at the Diamond Hospital also recommended isolation during treatment.
The parents of a five-year-old patient, who sought treatment at the GPHC Paediatric Clinic, were asked to ensure that the child remain isolated until the lesions on her skin healed.
The child has lesions that stretched from the left ear to other parts of her face.
Medical personnel attached to the GPHC told the Guyana Chronicle that several children have received treatment at the public medical institution for the ailment.
It was noted that several persons have complained that while their children were given medication to counter the ailment, the condition was ongoing with slow signs of healing.
Among children, impetigo is the most common bacterial skin infection and the third most common skin disease overall, behind dermatitis and viral warts.
According to online research, impetigo is usually transmitted through direct contact. Patients can further spread the infection after removing part of the infected skin.
Infections often spread rapidly through schools and daycare centres it was noted. Although children are infected most often through contact with other infected children, fomites (objects which can spread or carry infection) are a key factor in the spread of impetigo.
The incidence is greatest in the months when an area is experiencing dry weather conditions and the infection often occurs in areas with poor hygiene and in crowded living conditions.
