Streptococcus
These tiny bacteria look like a harmless string of pearls–at least under a microscope. In people, they wear many faces: mild discomfort, minor inconvenience, or searing tragedy - Dr. Greene
image by: hygiene in practice
HWN Recommends
Strep Vaccine Could Save Lives and Reduce Health Care Costs—So Why Don't We Have One?
Does the world need a vaccine for strep throat? In a rare alignment, the pharmaceutical industry and global health advocates like the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation both see such a shot as a low priority. And for the many American families for whom strep is just a routine, if annoying, feature of winter, that perspective may seem correct. But two researchers on opposite sides of the globe disagree—and in light of a recent spike in deaths, rising antibiotic resistance and a litany of other issues caused by this seemingly manageable infection, they may just be right.The group A streptococcus bacterium, the microbe responsible for strep, causes 616 million cases of sore throat each year worldwide.…
Resources
Strep Is on the Rise. Here’s How to Minimize Your Risk
Sore throat is the telltale sign. About one in 10 adults with a sore throat has strep, according to the C.D.C. Coughing, sneezing, congestion and runny noses are typically indicative of another illness. “The no cough is key,” said Dr. Sindhu Aderson, the Central Region medical director and an attending physician at Northwestern Medicine Immediate Care.
Why Is Strep So Bad Lately?
Doctors attribute the rise to the return to normal life after isolation during the first years of the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as a drug shortage and an increase in some respiratory illnesses.
Streptococcus: A-to-Z Guide from Diagnosis to Treatment to Prevention
Streptococcus: These tiny bacteria look like a harmless string of pearls–at least under a microscope. In people, they wear many faces: mild discomfort, minor inconvenience, or searing tragedy. Strep bacteria are easily killed by common antibiotics if the illness is identified and treated in time.
My Son Almost Lost His Mind From Strep Throat
When Melanie's son John started acting strangely, none of the doctors knew what was wrong, until his school nurse spoke up. Internet research revealed that PANDAS — pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorder associated with streptococcus — is a condition brought on by exposure to the bacteria that causes strep throat, though it may also be caused by a virus or a parasite.
Strep Infection May Have Felled Mozart
What killed Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart at the age of 35? German stamp marking 200th anniversary of Mozart's death. Wikimedia Commons Historians and medical experts have debated the question for nearly 218 years. A European group now has evidence the prodigious composer was the victim of a strep outbreak. The researchers looked at causes of death in Vienna in the winter of 1791 -- Mozart died on December 5 of that year -- and during the same period in the adjacent years.
Streptococcal skin infection
Streptococci are classified as Gram-positive cocci based on their appearance under a microscope. They are spherical or ovoid in shape and tend to forms chains with each other. Streptococci that cause human disease are usually facultative anaerobes; that is, they prefer lower levels of oxygen in their environment. Streptococci are further classified into subtypes based on sugar chains expressed on their outer shell (Lancefield group) and their behaviour when grown in the laboratory (alpha- or beta- haemolysis).
The Different Types of Streptococci (Strep Bacteria)
There are a number of different streptococci, which create symptoms ranging from a mild throat infection to a life-threatening infection of the blood or organs. Anyone can be affected, from babies and small children to older adults.
What are Streptococcal infections?
There are many different types of Streptococci and infections vary in severity from mild throat infections to pneumonia.
Strep Vaccine Could Save Lives and Reduce Health Care Costs—So Why Don't We Have One?
Does the world need a vaccine for strep throat? In a rare alignment, the pharmaceutical industry and global health advocates like the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation both see such a shot as a low priority. And for the many American families for whom strep is just a routine, if annoying, feature of winter, that perspective may seem correct. But two researchers on opposite sides of the globe disagree—and in light of a recent spike in deaths, rising antibiotic resistance and a litany of other issues caused by this seemingly manageable infection, they may just be right.
MedlinePlus
Strep is short for Streptococcus, a type of bacteria. There are two types: group A and group B. Group A strep causes •Strep throat - a sore, red throat, sometimes with white spots on the tonsils •Scarlet fever - an illness that follows strep throat. It causes a red rash on the body. •Impetigo - a skin infection •Toxic shock syndrome •Cellulitis and necrotizing fasciitis (flesh-eating disease) Group B strep can cause blood infections, pneumonia and meningitis in newborns.
Group A (GAS)
While group A streptococcal infections have not been reportable diseases for several decades, the true incidences of ARF, streptococcal pharyngitis, scarlet fever and invasive infections are unknown - Dennis L. Stevens PhD MD
Group A and B Streptococcus
Infections with group A and B Streptococcus (respectively Streptococcus pyogenes and Streptococcus agalactiae) are frequent. The two bacteria are part of the commensal flora and they only cause symptoms in certain conditions (opportunistic pathogens) or in people at risk. Group A Streptococcus is responsible for several benign infections (including strep throat and impetigo) but can also cause invasive and sometimes fatal infections (such as toxic shock syndrome and necrotizing fasciitis). Group B Streptococcus is responsible for severe invasive infections (including bacteremia and meningitis) in newborns.
Group B (GBS)
Group B strep (GBS) is a type of gram-positive streptococcal bacteria also known as Streptococcus agalactiae. This type of bacteria (not to be confused with group A strep which causes "strep throat") is commonly found in the human body, and it usually does not cause any symptoms. However, in certain cases, it can be a dangerous cause of various infections that can affect nonpregnant adults, pregnant women, and their newborn infants - Steven DoerrMD
Impetigo
Impetigo, or “school sores”, is a contagious infection of the very top layer of skin. It’s most common in children aged two to six, and ends up spreading from child to child in schools and daycare centres, but can affect children and adults of all ages.
PANDAS
Anything that can give you a fever, in the right genetic and immune setting can give you PANDAS - Dr. Rosario Trifiletti
Scarlet Fever
Scarlet fever is pretty rare these days, but it hasn't been completely eradicated. It's easily identifiable by its rough and itchy rash...
Strep Throat
Asking people about just two symptoms — fever and lack of cough — is the most important - Nancy Shute
National Library of Medicine
Prompt penicillin treatment of streptococcal pharyngitis reduces the antigenic stimulus and therefore prevents glomerulonephritis and acute rheumatic fever. Vancomycin resistance among the enterococci is an emerging microbial threat. Vaccines are under development.
Introducing Stitches!
Your Path to Meaningful Connections in the World of Health and Medicine
Connect, Collaborate, and Engage!
Coming Soon - Stitches, the innovative chat app from the creators of HWN. Join meaningful conversations on health and medical topics. Share text, images, and videos seamlessly. Connect directly within HWN's topic pages and articles.