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Group A strep bacteria

Group A streptococcus, often shortened to GAS or strep A, is a bacterium that can cause throat infections, scarlet fever and skin infections. Most infections can be treated well, but sometimes the bacteria enter deeper parts of the body and cause severe illness such as necrotising fasciitis, streptococcal shock or sepsis. Watch for rapidly increasing pain, rapid deterioration, confusion, breathing difficulty and someone who looks very ill.

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  • Group A streptococcus, also called strep A or GAS, is a bacterium that can cause many different infections. Common examples include throat infections, scarlet fever, impetigo and some wound or skin infections.
  • Most infections stay near the surface and improve with targeted treatment and proper follow-up. However, the same bacteria can sometimes affect deeper tissues, the blood or organs and become life-threatening.
  • Not every sore throat or red skin patch is caused by strep A. Viruses and other bacteria can cause similar symptoms. The overall picture, severity and sometimes a test therefore matter when deciding on antibiotics.
  • Two serious emergencies are necrotising fasciitis, in which tissue rapidly dies, and sepsis or streptococcal shock, in which the whole body's functions are disrupted. These often cause much more severe illness than an ordinary throat or skin infection.
  • Watch for rapid deterioration: severe pain, confusion, fast breathing, grey or purple skin, little urine, collapse or someone who looks unusually ill. Waiting is then unsafe.

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