What is group A streptococcus bacterial infection?
What is group A Streptococcus (GAS)? Group A streptococci are bacteria commonly found in the throat and on the skin. The vast majority of GAS infections are relatively mild illnesses, such as strep throat and impetigo.
What does Group A streptococcus do to the body?
Group A strep can result in no illness at all, mild illness (strep throat or a skin infection such as impetigo) or severe disease (necrotizing fasciitis or streptococcal toxic shock syndrome). Necrotizing fasciitis (occasionally described as “the flesh-eating bacteria”) destroys muscles, fat, and skin tissue.
Which Streptococcus comes under Group A?
Background. Infection with Streptococcus pyogenes, a beta-hemolytic bacterium that belongs to Lancefield serogroup A, also known as the group A streptococci (GAS), causes a wide variety of diseases in humans.
How do you get Streptococcus A?
These bacteria are spread by direct contact with discharges from the nose and throat of infected people or by contact with infected wounds or sores on the skin. The risk of spreading the infection is highest when a person is ill, such as when people have “strep throat” or an infected wound.
What are the symptoms of group A strep?
Symptoms of group A streptococcal infection
- a sore, red throat with thick pus-like fluid around the tonsils.
- fever and chills.
- enlarged and tender lymph nodes in and around the neck.
- vomiting and abdominal complaints, particularly in children.
Is group A streptococcus contagious?
Yes, group, A Streptococcus bacteria is contagious. The bacteria spread through contact with someone who has a GAS infection including: Breathing in droplets of the bacteria released into the air after a cough or sneeze.
What causes strep A?
Group A streptococcal (GAS) infection is caused by bacteria known as Group A (beta-haemolytic) Streptococcus, the most common type of which is Streptococcus pyogenes. GAS is a common infection that can cause sore throats (pharyngitis), scarlet fever or impetigo (school sores).
What causes Streptococcus A?