How are group A strep infections spread?
They are spread by direct contact with secretions from the nose and throat of an infected person or direct contact with secretions from infected sores on the skin. Casual contact rarely results in infection. What are the symptoms? A person may not have any signs or symptoms. If symptoms develop, they may include fever, sore throat, rash, or sores on the skin. It is rare that the illness progresses to severe infection. Infected skin is very painful, red, hot, and swollen and may progress to blister formation with necrosis (death of the tissues). Once a person comes in contact with the bacteria it may take 1-3 days to show symptoms. What is the treatment? Group A strep infections are treated with antibiotics. An infected person will no longer be contagious after 24 hours of treatment. The individual can be contagious for 10-21 days without treatment, but if it is a serve infection they may be contagious for weeks or months. Hospitalization may be necessary when severe disease occurs. How
