What is Strep A?

What is Strep A?

• Strep A, also known as Group A Streptococcus, is a bacterium found in the throat and on the skin.
• It can cause many different infections, ranging from mild to serious. Some of these diseases include Strep throat, Scarlet fever, Impetigo,Necrotizing fasciitis, Cellulitis etc.
• These are communicable and can spread through coughs, sneezes and close contact.
• These infections usually tend to be fairly harmless but in very rare circumstances when the bacterium produces a toxin it can gain access to the bloodstream and cause really serious illness.
• Antibiotics are usually effective at treating Strep A or iGAS infections. Currently, there is no vaccine available to prevent them.

 

---

Q1) What is Group A Streptococcus?

Group A streptococci are ubiquitous bacteria encountered on a daily basis, which have the potential to cause a wide range of infections in humans ranging from relatively minor cases of pharyngitis to life-threatening infections such as necrotizing fasciitis.

Source: Times of India