What are the more severe streptococcal infections?
Some types of group A streptococcus bacteria cause severe infections. These include i Bacteremia (blood stream infections) i Toxic shock syndrome i Necrotizing fasciitis (sometimes called flesh-eating disease) According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 8,800 cases of severe group A streptococcal disease were reported in 2000, a rate of 3.1 per 100,000 people. All severe group A strep infections may lead to shock, organ failure, and death. Health care workers must recognize and treat such infections quickly. Doctors diagnose these infections by looking at blood counts and doing urine tests as well as cultures of blood or fluid from a wound site. Antibiotics include penicillin, erythromycin, and clindamycin. If tissue damage is severe, a doctor may need to remove the tissue surgically or amputate the limb. Who is at greatest risk for severe infection? i Children with chickenpox i People with suppressed immune systems i Burn victims i Elderly people with cellu
