Bacteria called
Certain types of group A strep bacteria can cause severe infections including: Bloodstream infections (bacteremia). An infection that causes a rash, sore throat and a high fever (scarlet fever). Multi-organ infections (toxic shock syndrome).
Complications can occur after a strep throat infection. This can happen if the bacteria spread to other parts of the body. Complications can include: Abscesses (pockets of pus) around the tonsils or in the neck.
Group A strep can commonly exist in your throat, nose, and skin, causing mild infections. However, if these bacteria enter your lungs, bloodstream or muscle tissue, they can cause serious infections and toxic shock syndrome.
Streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS) is a rare, but serious bacterial infection. STSS can develop very quickly into low blood pressure, multiple organ failure, and even death.
Early signs and symptoms of STSS may include fever, dizziness, confusion, low blood pressure, rash and abdominal pain.
Group A Streptococcus, also called group A strep, is a bacterium that can cause many different infections. These may cause sepsis. Sometimes incorrectly called blood poisoning, sepsis is the body's often deadly response to infection.
Sepsis can be divided into three stages: sepsis, severe sepsis and septic shock.
This organism lives in the nose and throat of many people. In its dormant state, group A strep does not cause symptoms. However, when this organism becomes active, it can invade into deeper tissues, such as the tonsils.
Strep symptoms often begin to improve by about day 3-4 of illness, or 3 days after starting antibiotics. If you find your symptoms are worsening after 3 days, or not improving at all after 7-10 days, speak with your healthcare provider. Antibiotics for strep throat are usually prescribed for 10 days.
Pneumonia—when the bacteria that cause strep throat move into the lungs. Toxic shock syndrome—in rare cases, the bacteria can enter the bloodstream. If the bacteria release toxins in multiple organs while in the bloodstream, it causes toxic shock syndrome, which can result in catastrophic organ failure.
A. Strep throat typically resolves in three to five days if untreated. Despite the short duration, antibiotic treatment is recommended to reduce the risk of complications. Symptoms typically resolve within one to three days following the start of antibiotics.
Group A strep is considered invasive when the bacteria infect an area that doesn't normally have bacteria. “So, for example, your blood or your bone or your joint or your pleural space,” Eckard said. The pleural space is in the lung area.
How Quickly Can Sepsis Develop? Sepsis can develop quickly from initial infection and progress to septic shock in as little as 12 to 24 hours.1 You may have an infection that's not improving or you could even be sick without realizing it.
Key points. Group B Strep is one of the many bacteria that normally live in our bodies and which usually cause no harm. Group B Strep may be passed from person to person through direct physical contact. It is not a sexually transmitted disease.
Though strep throat (streptococcus) is often very painful and highly contagious, it doesn't often require a trip to the emergency room. However, in some rare cases, patients with extreme symptoms should seek emergency medical attention for proper care.
Carson adds: "For adults, red flag symptoms can be someone in a confused state, possibly with slurred speech. They may be shivering and feel cold, but have a temperature and clammy, sweating skin. Heart rate can be raised, and blood pressure will be lower than normal. They may also have shortness of breath.
In sepsis, blood pressure drops, resulting in shock. Major organs and body systems, including the kidneys, liver, lungs, and central nervous system may stop working properly because of poor blood flow. A change in mental status and very fast breathing may be the earliest signs of sepsis.
Strep A is very common in school-age children, with one in 10 children having the bacteria in their throats at any one time.
Red and swollen tonsils. Swollen neck glands that may be tender or painful. Difficulty with swallowing.
Sometimes viral illnesses cause a sore throat that may be mistaken for strep throat. These include common cold viruses, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), influenza (the "flu"), croup, mononucleosis (“mono”), measles, and chickenpox.