Strep throat itself has a near 100% survival rate with standard antibiotic treatment, but if untreated, the bacteria can cause severe, invasive Group A Strep (GAS) infections like Toxic Shock Syndrome or necrotizing fasciitis, which have high mortality rates, potentially 30-40% or more for Streptococcal Toxic Shock Syndrome (STSS). The key is early detection and treatment of strep throat to prevent these life-threatening complications, which are rare but serious.
Overall death rates for all invasive S. pyogenes infections range from 10–30% (18). For severe invasive infections, such as necrotizing fasciitis and STSS, death rates can rise as high as 80% (6, 16, 17).
“But if they're sick from a virus or catch strep from someone, the bacteria can invade their body through the mucous membranes in the nose and throat. This can cause the type of severe disease we describe as invasive group A strep infection, which can be deadly especially for children.”
Treatment for strep throat during pregnancy typically involves antibiotics, which are safe for both you and your baby when prescribed by a healthcare provider. The most commonly prescribed antibiotics include penicillin, amoxicillin, and cephalexin, and are considered safe during pregnancy.
Yes, strep throat can cause ear pain through referred pain from shared nerves or by leading to a secondary ear infection, as the inflammation and bacteria can affect the connected ear, nose, and throat system, especially the Eustachian tubes. This discomfort often feels like pressure or soreness in the ear, and it's crucial to see a doctor for treatment, as untreated strep can cause complications, notes the American Family Care and other sources.
If untreated, strep throat can cause complications, such as kidney inflammation or rheumatic fever. Rheumatic fever can lead to painful and inflamed joints, a specific type of rash, or heart valve damage. Strep throat is most common in children, but it affects people of all ages.
As we've established, bacteria from strep can cause pneumonia if it gets into your lungs and airways. Pneumonia can cause an array of symptoms that vary in severity including fever, shortness of breath, chest pain, and joint pain.
Warning Signs for an ER Visit
If strep throat symptoms progress to the point where breathing becomes labored or you experience shortness of breath, immediate emergency medical care is necessary. Difficulty breathing can be a sign of a more serious condition, such as epiglottitis or an abscess, which can block airways.
Group B streptococcus (GBS, or group B strep) rarely causes harm or symptoms. It causes no problem in most pregnancies but, in a small number, group B strep infects the baby, usually just before or during labour, leading to serious illness.
Five key warning signs during pregnancy needing immediate medical attention include vaginal bleeding, severe headaches with vision changes, decreased baby movement, severe abdominal pain/cramping, and signs of preterm labor like regular contractions or fluid leakage, as these can signal serious issues like miscarriage, preeclampsia, placental problems, or infection. Always contact your healthcare provider or seek emergency care for these symptoms.
In some cases, strep A infections can lead to sepsis. Sepsis is a potentially life-threatening condition that occurs when the body's response to an infection damages its tissues and organs.
Rheumatic fever is also a complication to watch out for. Rheumatic fever is a condition that can affect the heart, joints, brain and skin if strep throat is not treated properly. It can take about one to five weeks after strep throat infection for rheumatic fever to develop.
It's rare, but PSGN can develop after strep throat, scarlet fever, or impetigo. Symptoms of PSGN usually point to kidney issues and long-term kidney damage can occur. Treatment usually focuses on managing swelling and blood pressure but can include antibiotics.
Strep throat is very contagious. Some people with the infection don't have symptoms or look sick. But even if you don't have symptoms, you can still easily spread the infection to others. However, people who exhibit symptoms or appear sick are more contagious than people who don't have symptoms.
In general, TSS symptoms can develop as soon as 12 hours after a surgical procedure. Symptoms usually develop in 3 to 5 days in individuals who are menstruating and using tampons or menstrual cups.
Strep A is a silent killer, responsible for over 500,000 deaths annually, many linked to rheumatic heart disease. The burden is highest in low-income countries where early diagnosis and treatment are difficult.
Streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS) is a rare, but serious bacterial infection. STSS can develop very quickly into a life-threatening emergency. People with STSS need immediate care in a hospital and antibiotics. Treatment focuses on managing low blood pressure and multiple organ failure.
There have been no reports of group A strep infections being passed to the fetus during pregnancy. However, newborns can get group A strep infections at delivery or soon after delivery if they are exposed to group A strep bacteria.
Yes, strep throat can often resolve on its own, as the body fights off the Streptococcus bacteria, but it's generally not recommended to skip antibiotics because untreated strep carries serious risks like rheumatic fever (causing heart damage), kidney inflammation, and abscesses, and antibiotics quickly relieve symptoms and stop spreading the highly contagious infection. While symptoms may improve in a few days without treatment, the bacteria can linger, causing complications and making you contagious for longer (up to three weeks), whereas antibiotics clear the infection within about 24 hours.
Strep must be diagnosed by a doctor. An urgent care facility is the best bet in receiving fast and effective treatment for strep. The doctor will prescribe an antibiotic to cure the bacterial infection. If you have a cold, it is best to cope with the symptoms at home.
Serious strep A infections (invasive group A strep, iGAS) need to be treated in hospital with antibiotics.
Penicillin or amoxicillin is the antibiotic of choice to treat group A strep pharyngitis.
Can I sleep next to someone with strep throat? It's best to avoid close contact, including sleeping next to an infected person, to reduce the risk of transmission.
Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococci) is a leading cause of pneumonia, sepsis, and meningitis among adults. Mortality associated with invasive disease remains high at 5–35% depending on site of infection, age and comorbidity [1-4].
Group A Streptococcus, also called group A strep, is a bacterium that can cause many different infections. These may cause sepsis. Sepsis, which was often called blood poisoning, is a life-threatening emergency that happens when your body's response to an infection damages vital organs and, often, causes death.