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What Is Strep?

There are two groups of the bacterial infection known as strep. Both group A and B infections are caused by the bacterium Streptococcus pyogenes. Group A causes infections such as the common strep throat, and Group B can cause multiple infections in both newborns and adults.

  1. Contracting Strep

    • The bacterium that causes strep is transmitted by air when an infected person sneezes or coughs or through touching objects where the bacterium has landed such as a table or doorknob.

    Group A

    • Group A strep is the cause of strep throat, a flesh-eating disease, toxic-shock syndrome, impetigo and scarlet fever.

    Group B

    • Group B strep can cause problems for newborns, blood infections, pneumonia and meningitis, and urinary, skin and blood infections in adults, as well as pneumonia. Pregnant woman my carry this bacterium and not feel sick.

    Group A Prevention

    • A physician can perform a strep test to determine if the bacteria are present and prescribe antibiotics. Patients should avoid school or work until having taken the antibiotics for 48 hours.

    Group B Prevention

    • Pregnant women should be tested for the group B bacterium and if positive should receive antibiotics during labor to avoid newborn infections. Similarly, antibiotics are used to treat adults with group B strep.

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