Invasive group A streptococcus

Introduction

Group A streptococcus (Strep A) is a type of bacteria that is found on the skin and in the throat.

It is usually responsible for common childhood conditions like:

• strep throat
• tonsilitis
• impetigo or school sores
• scarlet fever.

Strep A can also cause complications that can damage the heart, like rheumatic fever, and kidneys, like glomerulonephritis. In rare cases can cause a serious, life-threatening infection called Invasive group A streptococcal disease (iGAS).

iGAS can happen when the strep A infection gets into parts of the body where bacteria is not normally present.

These include areas like the:

• muscles
• lungs
• blood stream.

iGAS is a life-threatening disease and needs urgent admission to the hospital. It can cause other life-threatening infections like:

• sepsis - the body not responding properly to infection
• toxic shock syndrome - toxins from infection getting into the blood stream
• necrotising fasciitis - infection that results in the death of the body’s soft tissue
• meningitis - swelling of the membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord
• pneumonia - an infection that causes the air sacs in the lungs to fill with fluid.

Symptoms of a strep A infection can look different depending on:

• which part of the body has the infection
• the type of illness caused by the infection
• how severe the illness is.

General symptoms can include:

• fever
• muscle pains
• sores
• swelling and redness of the infected area.

Symptoms will be either:

• in the throat, like in strep throat or tonsilitis
• on the skin, like impetigo or cellulitis
• both in the throat and on the skin, like in scarlet fever.

Symptoms of iGAS will show between 12 – 24 hours after the infection develops.

They include:

• high fever, chills and/or sweats
• shortness of breath
• chest pain
• severe muscle ache and tenderness
• nausea and vomiting
• redness around any wounds or sores.

Present to your nearest emergency department immediately if your child is showing signs of iGAS.

Your child’s doctor will diagnose strep A and iGAS based on the symptoms they show, and by doing tests including blood test and swab of the throat or skin sores.

Strep A and iGAS are treated with antibiotics. Your child will need to isolate until they have completed the first 24-hour period of antibiotics. You should then keep your child at home from daycare and school during the full course of antibiotics to reduce the spread of infection in the community.

For severe infections, your child will need to be admitted to hospital for treatment. Your doctor may also prescribe antibiotics for members of your household who have been exposed.