Group A Strep Invasive Diseases

What are group A strep invasive diseases?

Group A strep invasive diseases are serious infections caused by a type of bacteria called group A streptococcus. It is also called group A strep or GAS. The bacteria are found most often in the throat and on the skin, and they usually cause relatively mild illnesses such as strep throat or impetigo. However, group A strep can cause 2 rare but very severe forms of strep infection: necrotizing fasciitis (sometimes described by the media as flesh-eating bacteria) and streptococcal toxic shock syndrome, or STSS. Both of these infections can be deadly.

How do they occur?

Group A strep bacteria are spread by direct contact with secretions from the nose and throat of infected people or by contact with infected wounds or sores on the skin. The bacteria can get into the body through sores or other breaks in your skin, such as cuts or other wounds.

Few people who come into contact with group A strep bacteria develop life-threatening infections. People at higher risk of developing severe infections are those who have:

• chronic illnesses
• cancer
• diabetes
• AIDS/HIV
• kidney disease that requires dialysis.

You are also at risk if you are taking medicines such as steroids or anticancer drugs. These medicines can weaken the immune system, making it harder for you to fight infection.

What are the symptoms?

Early symptoms of necrotizing fasciitis are:

• fever
• severe pain
• swelling and redness at the site of a wound.

It may start destroying muscle and fat tissue. A rash will develop, changing color after 1 to 2 days from red to purple to blue. Blisters with yellow fluid inside the blisters will form. In 4 to 5 days the skin starts to die. This is called gangrene. After 7 to 10 days the dead skin falls off.

Streptococcal toxic shock syndrome is an infection that can become severe very quickly. It affects many different parts of the body. It can cause kidney failure, breathing trouble, liver problems, low blood pressure, and an enlarged heart. Early symptoms may include:

• fever
• dizziness
• confusion
• a flat red rash
• abdominal pain.

Streptococcal toxic shock syndrome is not the same as another condition called toxic shock syndrome, which is linked to tampon use and caused by a different type of bacteria (staph bacteria). The strep infection is much more deadly.

How are they treated?

Both necrotizing fasciitis and streptococcal toxic shock syndrome are serious, life-threatening conditions. You may need to stay at the hospital, possibly in an intensive care unit. Treatment for necrotizing fasciitis includes careful cleaning of the wound, antibiotics to treat the infection, and surgery to remove skin and other tissue that is infected. Treatment for streptococcal toxic shock syndrome includes IV fluids, antibiotics, and medicines to raise your blood pressure and prevent organ damage. You may need a specialist in infections or critically ill patients to take care of you.

How long will the effects last?

Recovery from these infections depends on many factors, such as your age, other medical problems you have, and how quickly the infection is diagnosed and treated. Group A strep infection can be fatal. The earlier you get treatment, the greater your chance of surviving the infection.

Streptococcal toxic shock syndrome damages kidney function, but people who survive the infection usually return to normal kidney function after 4 to 6 weeks.

How can I help prevent the spread of infection?

To avoid spreading group A strep infections:

• Wash your hands with soap and water after coughing and sneezing, before you prepare foods, and before you eat.
• If you have a sore throat, see your healthcare provider to check for strep throat.
• Keep wounds clean. and watch for possible signs of infection such as redness, swelling, drainage, or pain.
• Dispose of bandages, gloves, etc., by keeping them bagged and separate from other trash and where no one else, including people who pick up the trash, will touch them. .

See your healthcare provider right away if a wound looks like it is infected, especially if you have a fever.

Edited by Lee A. Mancini, MD, CSCS.
Published by RelayHealth.
© 2009 RelayHealth and/or its affiliates. All Rights Reserved.