Streptococcus A (strep A)

Group A Streptococcus (GAS), also called Strep A, is a bacteria that lives commonly on the skin or in the throat. Most of the time it sits there quietly, but under some circumstances it can cause disease.

Strep A infection most often shows up as a mild sore throat (known as "strep throat") or as an infection of the skin and soft tissue, such as impetigo and cellulitis.

• you or your child is having difficulty breathing (you may notice grunting noises or their tummy sucking under their ribs)
• there are pauses when you or your child breathes
• you or your child's skin, tongue or lips are blue
• you or your child is floppy and will not wake up or stay awake
• your child is less than 3 months old and has a temperature of 38°C (101°F) or above and has not had a vaccination in the past 2 days
• your child is less than 3 months old and has a temperature of 36°C (97°F) or less and has not had a vaccination in the past 2 days

Contact your doctor if you or your child:

• is getting worse
• is feeding or eating much less than normal
• is showing signs of dehydration, like sunken eyes, drowsiness
• has not passed urine for 12 hours
• is older than 3 months and has a temperature of 39°C or higher
• feels hotter than usual when you touch their back or chest, or feels sweaty
• is very tired or irritable

If your doctor's chamber is closed, phone a doctor or the 16263 health line.

If you feel that you or your child is seriously unwell, trust your own judgement and get medical help.

If you or your child need to be tested for Strep A, your doctor or another health professional will advise you.

GAS bacteria (group A streptococcus, also called strep A) can cause many kinds of skin, soft tissue and respiratory tract infections. Some are mild and some can be life-threatening. They include:

• tonsillitis
• sore throat
• scarlet fever
• impetigo
• erysipelas (a type of cellulitis)
• cellulitis
• pneumonia

In rare cases, a person may go on to develop complications after the infection, known as post-streptococcal complications, such as:

• rheumatic fever
• glomerulonephritis (heart and kidney diseases caused by an immune reaction to the bacteria)

GAS (group A Streptococcus, or strep A) very rarely causes more serious illness, known as invasive group A Streptococcus (iGAS) infections. These can include:

• bacteraemia (an infection of the bloodstream)
• septic arthritis
• meningitis
• necrotising fasciitis (a severe infection involving death of areas of soft tissue below the skin)
• Streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (rapidly progressive symptoms with low blood pressure and multi-organ failure)

iGAS infections tend to happen in the elderly, the very young, or people with an underlying risk factor. The groups considered to be at risk of serious GAS infection are:

• people with existing health conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, or a weakened immune system
• people who have recently had flu or chickenpox
• newborn babies
• women who are pregnant or have recently given birth
• people who are homeless or inject drugs

Most GAS infections (strep A) are fairly mild and clear up on their own, without antibiotics.

Many symptoms that look like a GAS infection, such as a sore throat, are more often caused by viruses than by GAS bacteria. If you or your child has a runny nose along with the sore throat, a virus is the likely cause. Sore throats caused by viruses don't need antibiotics unless there are concerns about complications.

Your doctor will consider antibiotics if they think:

• you or your child need medicine to get better or to ease symptoms
• you or your child are at risk of serious complications from a GAS infection
• you or your child has scarlet fever

If you or your child is prescribed antibiotics, they could come as a liquid or as pills.

It's not uncommon for someone to carry GAS bacteria on their skin or in their throat without feeling unwell. These people often don't know they have the bacteria, and they won't need antibiotics.

Strep A bacteria (GAS) spread through close contact between people. This happens through respiratory droplets (the moisture in your breath) and through direct skin contact.

To help reduce the risk of picking up or spreading these infections:

• wash your hands properly with soap for 20 seconds
• use a disposable tissue to catch coughs and sneezes, then wash your hands afterwards
• keep away from others if you feel unwell

• Do not share contaminated food, utensils, cups and glasses, baths, bed linen or towels

Strep A (GAS) can be a secondary infection. It can develop in people who are already unwell with illnesses like the flu. You can help protect your child from this risk by making sure they get their flu vaccine this winter.

New evidence also shows that the nasal spray flu vaccine offered to children may protect them from GAS infection too.

Don't include personal information, such as your name, location or any personal health conditions.