What Is Strep Bacteria?
The strep bacteria, which is also known as streptococcus, are contagious germs normally found in the lining of a person’s throat. They can cause a wide range of difficulties when a person gets infected. The problems caused by strep range from minor to severe, and antibiotics are often used to treat the bacteria. Direct physical contact is generally needed to spread the strep bacteria from person to person. When someone becomes infected, they will normally have a thick mucous discharge carrying the bacteria. This is the main way the bacteria get out of the body. The strep bacteria can also be spread via an open wound, but this is somewhat less common. Due to the way it is spread, symptomatic people are generally much more likely to be contagious than those that simply carry the bacteria.