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.