What can be done to help prevent invasive group A streptococcal infections?
The spread of all types of GAS infections may be reduced by good handwashing, especially after coughing and sneezing, before preparing foods and before eating. Persons with sore throats should be seen by a doctor who can perform tests to find out whether it is “strep throat”; if so, the person should stay home from work, school, or day care until 24 hours or more after taking an antibiotic. All wounds should be kept clean and watched for possible signs of infection: increasing redness, swelling, drainage, and pain at the wound site. A person with signs of an infected wound, especially if fever develops, should seek medical care. Because people who live in the same household as a person who has necrotizing fasciitis or streptococcal toxic shock are at higher risk of getting a similar infection, some public health units or family physicians offer preventative antibiotics to contacts of these severe cases. The Ministry of Health of Ontario has issued recommendations for management and tre
