Group A Streptococcal diseases: Symptoms and treatment

On this page

• Symptoms of Group A streptococcal diseases
• If you become ill
• Antibiotics for Group A streptococcal diseases

Symptoms of Group A streptococcal diseases

Symptoms of non-invasive infection with Group A streptococcus (GAS) include:

• fever
• sore throat (pharyngitis)
• skin infections such as
• impetigo (sores that can blister and develop a honey-colored crust)
• erysipelas (raised, bright red infection of the skin)
• Scarlet fever (a rash that can feel rough like sandpaper, is worse in the skin folds and can cause some skin peeling when it resolves)

Invasive Group A streptococcal infections (iGAS) are rare and can cause severe symptoms and signs, such as:

• fever and shortness of breath due to pneumonia
• Fever, severe pain and redness due to breakdown of the tissuesCO under the skin as a result of necrotizing fasciitis
• fever, chills, muscle aches, and nausea and vomiting

If you become ill

Seek medical attention if you think you have a GAS infection (non-invasive or invasive). Only your health care provider can diagnose GAS disease and provide you with the appropriate treatment.

Antibiotics for Group A streptococcal diseases

Antibiotics are used to treat both non-invasive and invasive GAS diseases. Treatments aim at relieving symptoms, curing the infection and/or attempting to prevent future complications. If you are diagnosed with a GAS infection, you are advised to stay home for 24 hours after starting antibiotics. This will help prevent other people from becoming sick.