Streptococcus pyogenes (Group A Streptococcus) is one of the most common pathogens.
or disease causing bacteria found in humans. A person can harbor the bacteria in their respiratory tract without any signs of disease . It is estimated that 5-15% of normal individuals harbor it.If a persons immune defenses is weaken the Streptococcus pyogenes bacteria can then infect. Acute disease associated with Streptococcus Pyogenes occur mainly in the respiratory tract or skin.
On rare occasions chronic infections occur which are severe and life-threatening. This bacteria makes toxins that can get into the blood stream and invade tissue and organs such as lungs, kidneys and liver rapidly.
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Streptococcus pyogenes (Group A streptococcus) can causes the following infections : .
1. Strep Throat (acute pharyngitis) person has red and painful sore throat with white patches on their tonsils. They may have swollen lymph nodes in the neck, a fever and headache. The bacteria spreads from person to person by contact with saliva and nasal mucus secretions. Spreading of Group A strep. Is easier in crowded settings such as dormitories ,school. A person is sick 3 days after being exposed to bacteria. And can infect others for up to 2 to 3 weeks after even if they do not have any symptoms.
2 .Impetigo (skin infection) this is a common skin infection in children ages 2 to 6. The bacteria gets into cuts and scratches. Usually a person has red sore or pimple like sore surrounded by redden skin, the sores fill up with pus , brake open , form thick crust and become itchy. The Group A Strep bacteria spreads by direct contact with sores. Scratching the sores can spread the bacteria to other parts of body. Person infected shows symptoms after 1 to 3 days. If the sores are not open the person is not infectious.
3. Necrotising Fasciitis ( The Flesh-eating Bacterial Disease) this is a rare infection of the skin and deeper tissue . The Group A Streptococcus invades rapidly eating away the skin and tissue.
