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Severe Strep Infections
 Symptoms
 Diagnosis
 Treatment


Severe Strep Infections

Some types of group A strep bacteria cause severe infections, such as

  • Bacteremia (bloodstream infections)
  • Toxic shock syndrome (multi-organ infection)
  • Necrotizing fasciitis (flesh-eating disease)

In 2006, 4,587 cases of severe group A streptococcal disease were reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Those at the greatest risk of getting a severe strep infection are

  • Children with chickenpox
  • People with suppressed immune systems
  • Burn victims
  • Elderly people with cellulitis, diabetes, blood vessel disease, or cancer
  • People taking steroid treatments or chemotherapy
  • Intravenous drug users

Severe group A strep disease may also occur in healthy people who have no known risk factors.

Understanding Severe Strep Infections


Volunteer for Clinical Studies
Volunteer for NIAID-funded clinical studies related group A strep infections on ClinicalTrials.gov.

See Also

Group A Streptococcal Infections

Related Links

For more information about severe strep infection symptoms, see the Center for Disease Control and Prevention information on Group A Streptococcal (GAS) Disease.

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Volunteer for Clinical Studies
Volunteer for NIAID-funded clinical studies related group A strep infections on ClinicalTrials.gov.

See Also

Group A Streptococcal Infections

Related Links

For more information about severe strep infection symptoms, see the Center for Disease Control and Prevention information on Group A Streptococcal (GAS) Disease.