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Group A Streptococcus
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What is group A streptococcus? Group A streptococcus is a type of bacteria. It is found most often in the throat and on the skin. Group A strep usually causes relatively mild illnesses, such as strep throat or impetigo. Two rare, but very severe forms of group A strep infections are necrotizing fasciitis and streptococcal toxic shock syndrome. Both of these infections can be deadly. What types of infection does group A strep cause? Strep throat is one of the most common kinds of group A infections. Its symptoms include a red and painful sore throat with white patches on the tonsils, swollen lymph nodes in the neck, fever, and headache. Nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain can also occur but are more common in children than adults. Impetigo, another common group A infection, has symptoms that start with red or pimple-like sores surrounded by reddened skin, most often on the face, legs, and arms. The sores then form pustules that break open after a few days and form a thick crust. Itching is common with impetigo. The bacteria that cause necrotizing fasciitis are sometimes described by the media as "flesh-eating bacteria." The infection destroys muscle and fat tissue. Early symptoms include fever, severe pain, swelling, and redness at the wound site. Streptococcal toxic shock syndrome is an infection that can become severe very quickly. It causes shock and injury to internal organs, such as the kidneys, liver, and lungs. The early symptoms may include fever, dizziness, confusion, flat red rash, and abdominal pain. It is not the same as another condition called toxic shock syndrome that is linked to tampon use. How does it occur? Group A bacteria are spread by direct contact with secretions from the nose and throat of infected persons or by contact with infected wounds or sores on the skin. The bacteria can get into the body through sores or other breaks in the skin like cuts, wounds, or chickenpox. The risk of spreading the infection is highest when you are ill, such as with strep throat or an infected wound. People who carry the bacteria but have no symptoms are much less contagious. Who is most at risk for serious infections? Few people who come in contact with group A strep bacteria will develop life-threatening infections. Many will have a routine throat or skin infection and most will have no symptoms at all. People at higher risk of developing severe infections are those who have chronic illnesses like cancer, diabetes, AIDS/HIV, or kidney disease requiring dialysis and those who use medicines such as steroids or chemotherapy. How is it treated? Many different antibiotics can treat group A infections. Early treatment may reduce the risk of death. It is always important to take all antibiotics as prescribed. To avoid spreading the bacteria to others, stay home from work, school, or day care for at least 24 hours after taking an antibiotic. How can I help prevent the spread of infection? To avoid spreading group A infections, wash your hands with soap and water, especially after coughing and sneezing, before preparing foods, and before eating. If you have a sore throat, see your healthcare provider to rule out strep throat. Keep wounds clean and watch for possible signs of infection such as increasing redness, swelling, drainage, and pain at the wound site. Seek medical care if a wound looks like it is infected, especially if fever develops.  Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to
change as new health information becomes available. The
information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a
replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or
treatment by a healthcare professional.
HIA File INF4513F.HTM Release 9.0/2006. Copyright © 2006 McKesson Corporation and/or one of its subdiaries. All Rights Reserved.
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