What is Strep A Infection?

Strep A Infection refers to diseases caused by bacteria known as Group A Streptococcus (abbreviated as GAS). These diseases are quite varied; some are mild and easily treatable, while others can be more serious. As with any disease, it is easier to prevent Strep A infections through precautions before exposure than to treat the disease after it occurs.

How is Strep A Infection Spread?

Infections caused by Group A Streptococcus bacteria can spread in various ways through respiratory droplets or direct contact. Knowing how the infection spreads helps in preventing the disease. Individuals can contract the infection through:

• Inhalation of respiratory droplets containing the bacteria,
• Touching a surface contaminated with droplets and then touching the mouth or nose,
• Using a cup or eating from a plate previously used by someone infected with Group A strep bacteria,
• Direct contact with an infected person.

In addition to the above-mentioned methods of transmission, the disease can also spread when skin wounds are infected with Group A strep bacteria. People can become infected by touching skin lesions caused by the bacteria or by coming into contact with fluids from these wounds.

What are the Symptoms of Strep A Infection?

It is important to know the symptoms of Strep A Infection for diagnosis and to help healthy individuals avoid the disease. People with Strep A Infection may not always show symptoms, but this does not mean they are not contagious. People with a sore throat symptom caused by Group A Streptococcus generally have higher contagiousness compared to those without symptoms. Common symptoms of Strep A infections include:

• High fever, swollen lymph nodes, or widespread body pain, similar to flu symptoms
• Sore throat (Strep throat or tonsillitis)
• Rough skin rashes (Scarlet fever)
• Skin sores (Impetigo)
• Pain and swelling in the skin (Cellulitis)
• Severe muscle aches
• Nausea and vomiting

Strep A infections are more common in children than in adults; however, this does not mean that adults are not at risk. Therefore, if someone around you is showing these symptoms, precautions should be taken by everyone, whether children or adults, to prevent the disease. Most Strep A infections are not serious and can be treated with antibiotics, but rarely, the infection can lead to serious problems. Invasive Group A Streptococcus (iGAS) is the bacterial group responsible for these serious issues.

What are Strep A Infections?

Group A Streptococcus bacteria can cause a wide variety of infections, ranging from mild to life-threatening, affecting the skin, soft tissue, and respiratory system. These include:

• Tonsillitis
• Sore throat
• Scarlet fever (often in children, usually with red spots)
• Impetigo (a superficial skin infection that often affects children)
• Erysipelas (a type of cellulitis)
• Cellulitis (a type of bacterial skin infection)
• Pneumonia

In some rare cases, patients may develop complications after a streptococcal infection, such as:

• Rheumatic fever
• Glomerulonephritis (heart and kidney diseases caused by an immune reaction to the bacteria)
• iGAS (Invasive Group A Streptococcus) infections

Infections caused by Group A Streptococcus bacteria can, in rare cases, lead to more serious infections known as invasive Group A Streptococcus (iGAS) infections. iGAS infections include:

• Bacteremia (bloodstream infection)
• Septic arthritis (a joint infection usually caused by bacteria)
• Meningitis (inflammation of the brain membranes)
• Necrotizing fasciitis (a severe infection involving the death of soft tissue beneath the skin)
• Streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (a systemic syndrome with symptoms of low blood pressure and multiple organ failure that progresses rapidly)

iGAS infections are typically seen in older adults, children (aged 5-15), or individuals with risk factors such as intravenous drug use, alcoholism, a weakened immune system, or cancer.

Diagnosis of Strep A Infection

The diagnosis of Strep A infection in individuals with symptoms can be made in two different ways. The first method is a throat culture, where a swab is taken from the throat, which provides a definitive result. This method typically takes 24-48 hours to yield results. While a throat culture gives a definitive result, it takes longer, so a quick alternative, the Strep A Test, can also be used.

What is the Strep A Test?

The Strep A test is a type of rapid antigen test. Antigen tests are diagnostic tests based on antigen-antibody reactions, which are easy to perform and interpret. This test allows for quick results, but it may not always be reliable. It is possible for someone to test negative for Strep A even if they are infected. For the most accurate results, it is best to perform this test in conjunction with a throat culture. In a throat culture, it takes time to observe whether Group A strep bacteria grow from the sample swab. During this time, the throat culture can sometimes detect infections that the rapid antigen test might miss.

In children and adolescents, untreated Strep A throat infections can lead to rheumatic fever, so a culture is necessary. In adults, after a negative result from the rapid antigen test, a throat culture is generally not required, as, unlike children, adults are not usually at risk of developing rheumatic fever following a strep throat infection.

However, if you have symptoms of a Strep A infection despite a negative rapid antigen test, your doctor may want to perform a throat culture. As with any infection, it is important to consult a healthcare facility for diagnosis and treatment to minimize contagion and avoid potentially serious complications.

Treatment of Strep A Infection

Most Group A Streptococcus infections are relatively mild and resolve on their own without the need for antibiotics. Typically, symptoms resembling those of Strep A infections, such as a sore throat, are caused by viruses rather than GAS bacteria. If you or your child have a runny nose and sore throat, the infection is likely to be virus-related. Sore throats caused by viruses usually do not require antibiotics unless there are concerns about complications. Always consult a healthcare provider before using antibiotics. Your doctor may consider antibiotics if they believe they are necessary for your or your child’s recovery or symptom relief, or if your child is at risk of serious complications from a Strep A infection or has scarlet fever. If you have symptoms like a sore throat or fever, it is advisable to visit the nearest healthcare facility for your health’s sake.

Prevention of Strep A Infection

As with any disease, prevention before contracting Strep A is easier and healthier. Group A Streptococcus spreads through close person-to-person contact, respiratory droplets (moisture from breath), and direct skin contact. To reduce the risk of acquiring or spreading the infection, you can take the following steps:

• Wash your hands thoroughly with soap for 20 seconds
• Use disposable tissues for coughing and sneezing, and wash your hands afterward
• Avoid close contact with others when you’re feeling unwell
• Do not share contaminated food, utensils, cups, bathrooms, bed linens, or towels
• Strep A infection can develop as a secondary infection in people already suffering from diseases like the flu. Getting a flu vaccination and adhering to COVID-19 preventive measures can help prevent this.

However, individuals in high-risk groups are more likely to contract Strep A infection. People in crowded environments, such as schools, nurseries, and military barracks, as well as the elderly, children, and those with a weakened immune system, are at increased risk.

If you experience symptoms of Strep A, do not hesitate to visit the nearest healthcare facility.