The Different Types of Strep Bacteria
Although streptococci throat is a coarse form of infection from streptococcal bacterium , it is not the only kind . streptococcic infection are any eccentric of transmission because of the streptococcal , or “ strep ” grouping of bacteria .
There are a telephone number of unlike streptococci , which create symptom graze from a mild pharynx infection to a life story - threatening infection of the line of descent or organs . Anyone can be pretend , from baby and low nestling to older adults .
Most strep infections can be treated with antibiotic .
A culture test is one way to detect streptococcus bacteria.
Streptococci contagion are divided into several groups : Group A streptococcus , Group B strep , Group C strep , and Group G streptococcus .
Group A Streptococcus
Group A streptococci , sometimes forebode GAS , lean to affect the throat and the skin . mass may carry GAS in these field yet not show any symptom of illness . Most chemical group A strep contagion cause comparatively meek illness , but on rarefied function , these bacteria can lead to wicked and even life - threatening disease .
Group A streptococci infections spread through direct contact with mucous secretion from the nose or pharynx of septic somebody or through contact with infected wounds or sores . ( 1 ) Illnesses from radical A strep infection let in :
Strep ThroatIn full general , strep pharynx is a balmy sickness , but it can be very painful . symptom includesore throat that descend on very apace , pain when swallowing , feverishness , violent and swollen-headed tonsils ( sometimes with white-hot patches or streaks of pus ) , small red spots on the ceiling of the mouth , and swollen lymph nodes in the front of the neck opening . streptococcus throat may also be accompanied by headache , abdominal botheration , nausea , or emesis , specially in children . Illness typically attest two to five day after picture .
A doctor can not say if someone has streptococci pharynx just by calculate , so a diagnostic test is take . A speedy streptococcus exam involve swab the pharynx and function a research laboratory psychometric test to see if GAS is the suit of the sickness .
While mostsore throatsare due to computer virus , strep throat is due to bacterium and therefore can only be treated with antibiotics .
While anyone can get strep throat , it ’s more common among school - maturate shaver 5 through 15 . Parents and adult who are often in contact with kid of these ages are more probable to get strep pharynx than adults who are not . ( 2 )
Scarlet FeverAlso referred to as scarlatina , blood-red feveris a comparatively mild illness characterized by a very red huffy throat , a red rash that has a sandpaper feel , and a “ hemangioma simplex , ” or red and bumpy , knife . Other symptom can include fever , swollen glands in the neck , off-white coat on the lingua , and bright red skin in the underarm , elbow , or groin .
The unwellness typically start out with a fever and sore pharynx . The blizzard — induce by a toxin made by grouping A strep bacteria — normally appear a day or two later on , although it can begin before the sickness or up to seven days later .
Scarlet fever is highly contagious . It can be diffuse from individual to person when someone who is infected cough or sneezing : the bacteria travels in minuscule droplets in the atmosphere . you could get sick by breathe in those droplet or by touching something that the droplet have landed on and touching your olfactory organ or sassing . Drinking from the same glass or eating from the same plate as an septic person can also spread the illness . It is also possible to get scarlet fever sore on the skin cause by GAS .
Scarlet fever is treated with a track of antibiotic . complicatedness sometimes occur and can include abscesses around the tonsils , swollen lymph node in the cervix , and fistula and ear contagion . Other , more rare complications can affect the gist , including creaky febrility andkidney disease .
Like strep throat , scarlet feverishness is more common in children than adults , particularly those ages 5 through 15 . near physical contact with someone who has the infection is the biggest risk factor for getting the illness . There is no vaccine for scarlet fever , but people can protect themselves bypracticing good hygienics , include using a tissue to breed your mouth when sneeze or coughing , wash hands oftentimes , using alcohol - free-base hand sanitizer if soap and water are unavailable , and cough or sneezing into your upper arm or human elbow rather than your hands if a tissue paper is not available . ( 3 )
ImpetigoThis is an infection of the top layers of cutis that typically starts when bacteria gets into a cut , pelf , or insect bite . It is usually make by thebacteriaStaphylococcus aureusbut can also be induce by group A strep . It is most common among child ages 2 to 6 .
Symptoms begin as antsy red or pimple - like sore environ by red skin , unremarkably on the boldness , arms , or peg , that are occupy with pus . Impetigo is contagious and can be pass around by contact with sore or adenoidal discharge of an infected person . It can be treat with a bout of antibiotics . ( 4 )
Post - strep GlomerulonephritisAlso referred to as PSGN , this is a kidney disease that can germinate after a gasolene transmission — but PSGN is not a GAS infection of the kidneys . It ’s a result of the dead body ’s immune system of rules fighting off the grouping A strep transmission . PSGN commonly occurs 10 days after strep pharynx or cherry-red fever and about three hebdomad after a GAS skin infection .
Symptoms of PSGN include obscure , reddish - chocolate-brown urine , swell in the face , hands and feet , decreased amount of urine or decreased need to urinate , and fatigue duty .
The condition is treated by managing symptom , include limit salinity and water intake or prescribing medication to reduce swelling . Antibiotics can also aid kill any streptococcus A bacteria pass on in the soundbox .
Most people with PSGN recover within a few hebdomad , but in rarified representative long - terminal figure kidney legal injury , including kidney unsuccessful person , can occur . ( 5 )
Group B Streptococcus
Group B streptococcus , also known as group B streptococcus or GBS , is a type of bacterium that can cause illness in multitude of all ages , though it can be particularly severe in newborns , most commonly causing sepsis , pneumonia , and meningitis . In adults , the most common health issues due to GBS let in urinary tract infection , skin infections , blood stream infections , pneumonia , pelt and soft - tissue paper infections , and bone and joint infection .
In baby , mathematical group B streptococcus infections occur as either early - onset or previous - onset . Early - onset occurs in babies untried than 1 week former , and the contagion is most often draw from female parent to babe during labour . symptom of GBS infection in newborn babies usually get within the first few hour or solar day of give birth and include being floppy or unresponsive , poor eating , grunting when breathing , and unusually fast or slow breathing and trice .
Antibiotics given to the mother during labor can help prevent the bed cover of the contagion to the baby .
tardy - onset radical vitamin B strep infection in babies can occur at 1 week through 3 months old . A GBS contagion is sometimes decease from female parent to baby , but it can also come from another source .
former - onset used to be the most coarse type of grouping B streptococci infection in newborns , but because of prevention effort , both early - onset and late - onrush come at similar low pace , harmonise to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) .
In adults , group B strep contagion occurs less frequently than in baby , but it can affect anyone . The author of disease do by GBS in adults are unknown , but the bacterium are present in both the gastrointestinal and GU tracts , and may be the generator of transmission .
If the infection leads to sepsis or pneumonia , it can be fatal . On modal , 1 in 20 nonpregnant adults with an invasive streptococcus B complex contagion decease , the CDC cover . The prospect of GBS infection increase with age . young adult who do not have any other medical weather have a lower risk of death from GBS . ( 6 )
Group C and G Streptococci
Group C and G streptococci are much less understand than streptococci A and B because the diseases stimulate by these bacteria are far less common .
Group C and G strep most commonly live in animals such as horses and kine and can distribute to humans through cutting Milk River or contact with these animals . The bacteria can also survive in mass ’s throats and on human skin , especially in areas damage by conditions like eczema or on mucose surfaces , such as the vagina or gut .
Infections can be treated with antibiotics , but austere infections can be fateful , especially when they have introduce the bloodstream . ( 7 )
Jane Yoon Scott , MD , is an infective disease physician and an adjunct prof of medication atEmory Universityin Atlanta . Dr. Scott enjoys connecting with her patients , empowering them to understand and take ownership of their health , and encouraging them to ask question so that they can make informed and thoughtful decisions .
She graduated with the highest honors from the Georgia Institute of Technology , then received her MD from the Medical College of Georgia . She make out her internal practice of medicine abidance training and chief residence at Temple University Hospital , as well as a society in infectious diseases at Emory University . She is instrument panel - certified in both inner practice of medicine and infective diseases .
When she is not check patients , Dr. Scott work with neighboring health departments to promote public health , particularly to community that have been historically underserved . She also teach aesculapian trainee and lectures medical students at the Emory University School of Medicine .
In her barren time , Dr. Scott appreciates a good coffee workshop , weekend hikes , playing guitar , saunter through cities , try out restaurants , and travel to new places .
Ashley Welch has more than a X of experience in both damp news and long - form storytelling . She is passionate about start to the crux of the latest scientific written report and sharing important information in an easy - to - digest style to better inform decision - making . She has written about wellness , science , and wellness for a variety of outlets , includingScientific American Mind , Healthline , New York Family , Oprah.com , and WebMD .
She served as the health editor for CBSNews.com for several years as a newsperson , writer , and editor in chief of day-by-day health intelligence articles and lineament . As a former staff member at Everyday Health , she covered a full range of chronic conditions and diseases .
Welch holds a knight bachelor ’s degree from Fordham University and a master ’s degree from the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at the City University of New York , where she study wellness and science reporting . She savour yoga and is an aspiring runner .
Resources We Trust
Streptococcus
Do You Really Need Antibiotics for Strep Throat?
Strep Throat Cases Are 30 Percent Higher Than Previous Peak in 2017
What Is Strep Throat? Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention
Dangerous Form of Strep May Be on the Rise
Impetigo
How to Get Rid of Impetigo: Treatment Options
Staph / MRSA
What Is Staph Infection? Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention
Everything You Need to Know About the Superbug MRSA
Strep Throat Symptoms and Diagnosis
How to Treat Strep Throat
Strep Throat Complications and How to Prevent Them
