Streptococcal Group A invasive disease

Other Names: Group A Streptococcal disease; GAS; Group A Streptococcal infection

Bacteria called group A Streptococcus (group A strep) can cause many different infections. Some of these are common, relatively minor infections, like strep throat. Others are less common, but very serious and even deadly. People can easily spread group A strep to other people. Practicing good hygiene, like washing your hands often, is the best way to protect yourself from group A strep infections.

Diseases Caused by Group A Strep

Strep Throat:Strep throat is a common type of sore throat in children, but it’s not very common in adults. Doctors can do a quick test to see if a sore throat is strep throat. If so, antibiotics can help you feel better faster and prevent spreading it to others.

Scarlet Fever:If your child has a sore throat and a rash, it may be scarlet fever (also called scarlatina). Your child’s doctor can do a quick strep test to find out. If your child has scarlet fever, antibiotics can help your child feel better faster and prevent long-term health problems. Antibiotics can also help protect others from getting sick. The bacteria sometimes make a poison (toxin), which causes a rash — the “scarlet” of scarlet fever.

Impetigo:Impetigo (im-peh-TIE-go) is a bacterial infection of the skin that is more common in young children than other ages. Doctors use antibiotics to treat impetigo and prevent rare, but serious long-term health problems. Antibiotics can also help protect others from getting sick. Impetigo is a skin infection caused by one or both of the following bacteria: group A Streptococcus and Staphylococcus aureus.

Necrotizing Fasciitis:Necrotizing fasciitis (NECK-re-tie-zing FASH-e-i-tis) is a rare bacterial infection that spreads quickly in the body and can cause death. Accurate diagnosis, rapid antibiotic treatment, and prompt surgery are important to stopping this infection. There are many types of bacteria that can cause the “flesh-eating disease” called necrotizing fasciitis.

Cellulitis: Cellulitis is a common bacterial skin infection that causes redness, swelling, and pain in the infected area of the skin. If untreated, it can spread and cause serious health problems. Good wound care and hygiene are important for preventing cellulitis. Different types of bacteria can cause cellulitis, which is an infection of the deeper layers of the skin.

Streptococcal Toxic Shock Syndrome: Streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS) is a rare, but serious bacterial infection. STSS can develop very quickly into low blood pressure, multiple organ failure, and even death. Good wound care, hand hygiene, and cough etiquette are important for preventing this serious and often deadly disease. Bacteria called group A Streptococcus or group A strep can cause STSS when they spread into deep tissues and the bloodstream.

Rheumatic Fever: Rheumatic fever (acute rheumatic fever) is a disease that can affect the heart, joints, brain, and skin. Rheumatic fever can develop if strep throat and scarlet fever infections are not treated properly. Early diagnosis of these infections and treatment with antibiotics are key to preventing rheumatic fever.

Post-Streptococcal Glomerulonephritis: Post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis (gloe-mer-u-low-nuh-FRY-tis) — or PSGN — is a rare kidney disease that can develop after group A strep infections. The main way to prevent PSGN is to prevent group A strep infections. PSGN is a kidney disease that can develop after infections caused by bacteria called group A Streptococcus (group A strep).

Streptococcal Group A invasive disease Resources
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