Overview
Streptococcal infections (strep for short) cause a variety of health problems. There are two types: group A and group B . Antibiotics are used to treat both.
Group A strep causes :
- Strep throat - a sore, red throat, sometimes with white spots on the tonsils
- Scarlet fever - red rash on the body
- Impetigo - a skin infection
- Toxic shock syndrome
- Cellulitis and necrotizing fasciitis (flesh-eating disease)
Group B strep can cause blood infections, pneumonia and meningitis in newborns. A screening test during pregnancy can tell if you have it. If you do, I.V. antibiotics during labor can save your baby's life. Adults can also get group B strep infections, especially if they are elderly or already have health problems. Strep B can cause urinary tract infections, blood infections, skin infections and pneumonia in adults.
Types of streptococcal bacteria
There are more than 20 different types of streptococcal bacteria. The two most common types in humans are:
- group A streptococcus (GAS), and
- group B streptococcus (GBS).
Complications
Untreated group A strep infections can result in rheumatic fever and post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis (PSGN). Rheumatic fever can develop about 18 days after a bout of strep throat and causes heart disease with or without joint pain. It can be followed months later by Sydenham chorea, a disorder in which the muscles of the torso, arms, and legs move involuntarily in a dancing and jerky manner.
PSGN is an inflammation of the kidneys that may follow an untreated strep throat but more often comes after a strep skin infection.
Both disorders are rarely seen in the United States because of prompt and effective treatment of most cases of strep throat.
How common are Streptococcal Infections ?
Non-invasive GAS infections are common. It is hard to get a precise figure because most infections are mild, and many people do not report their symptoms to their GP. One estimate is that one in every four sore throats is caused by a GAS infection.
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