Streptococcal Disease (Group A)

What is Group A Streptococcal (group A strep) disease?

Group A Streptococcus (group A strep bacteria) can cause many different infections that range from minor to serious. The most common minor infections caused by group A strep bacteria are strep throat and skin infections, such as impetigo. Serious infection can occur when the bacteria invade internal parts of the body. When group a strep is found inside the body, such as in blood, it is considered an invasive group a strep infection. Invasive infections of group a strep are serious and can be deadly.

Who gets group A strep disease?

Anyone who is exposed to the group A strep bacteria can get a group A strep infection. Viral infections, like flu or chickenpox, can increase the risk of getting a serious group A strep infection. Medical conditions that weaken the immune system can also increase the risk for getting a serious group A strep infection. People aged 65 years or older, residents of long-term care facilities, people who inject drugs or experience homelessness, and American Indian and Alaska Native populations are at increased risk for getting a serious group a strep infection. People with open wounds or certain skin diseases are also at risk for serious disease.

How is group A strep spread?

Group A strep bacteria are very contagious. The bacteria are often found in the nose and throat. The bacteria are spread by contact with body fluids, such as when talking, coughing, or sneezing. People also can get sick if they touch infected wounds or sores. People can get sick from touching their mouth and nose after touching something with the group A strep bacteria. Some people infected with group A strep may not appear sick or don’t have symptoms. These people can still spread the bacteria to others.

What are the symptoms of group A strep disease?

Group A strep can cause mild illnesses like strep throat, or other serious conditions. Strep throat can cause a fever, pain with swallowing, red throat and tonsils, and white patches. More serious illnesses can cause rashes, inflammation, lung infections, warm and red areas of the skin, organ failure, and blood infections. Sometimes group a strep can cause death from untreated or serious infections.

How soon after exposure do symptoms appear?

This depends on the illness caused by the group A strep infection. Symptoms of strep throat infections usually appear between 2 to 5 days. Some serious illnesses can show symptoms in as little as 24 hours.

How is group A strep diagnosed?

Minor illnesses like strep throat can be diagnosed with a quick test in the office. Invasive illnesses may require other testing, such as blood tests or cultures.

What is the treatment for group A strep infection or invasive disease?

Group A strep infections can be treated with antibiotics. Additional treatment in a hospital may be needed for invasive infections.

Do people who have been in contact with someone with group A strep infection need to be tested and treated?

Typically, if people do not have symptoms, they do not need to be tested for group A strep. In some situations, testing may be done to identify people without symptoms. People without symptoms that test positive are called carriers. Carriers can potentially spread the bacteria to others. Testing for carriers is important in certain high-risk groups or those living closely together. In households, people who are around those with minor infections do not need testing unless they experience symptoms. If there is a serious infection in a household, antibiotics may be given to high-risk individuals to prevent illness. This would be recommended by a healthcare provider or local health department. People who have been in contact with someone with a group A strep disease should seek medical care if they develop similar symptoms of illness.

How can group A strep infection be prevented?

Group A strep can be prevented with good hand washing and avoiding people that are sick. Do not use utensils, cups, linens, or towels after people who may have a strep skin infection. Covering coughs and sneezes when sick can limit the spread of the bacteria. Clean and care for wounds routinely. Seek testing when you are sick with symptoms of a group A strep infection. If given antibiotics for an infection, complete your antibiotics as written by your doctor. If sick, stay home until at least 12 hours on antibiotics and fever-free without the use of fever-reducing medication.

How can I get more information about group A strep disease?

• If you have concerns about group A strep, contact your healthcare provider.
• Contact your local health department. You can find your local health department at vdh.virginia.gov/health-department-locator/.
• Visit the CDC page on group A strep at cdc.gov/group-a-strep/ for more information.

Translations

Streptococcal Group A Fact Sheet in Arabic