Group A Streptococcus (strep) is a caused by a bacterium found in the throat and on the skin and is a potentially life-threatening disease. Two severe forms of invasive strep are 1) “the flesh-eating bacteria” (necrotizing fasciitis) and 2) Streptococcal Toxic Shock Syndrome (STSS). Both severe forms, however, are rare. Strep bacteria are spread through contact with infected persons or wounds. Necrotizing fasciitis can be caused by infected cuts, scrapes, burns, insect bites, puncture wounds, blunt trauma, and surgical wounds. While anyone can be infected with invasive strep, individuals with chronic diseases (cancer, diabetes, and chronic lung or heart disease), persons using steroid medications, individuals with skin lesions, and individuals living in residential communities (nursing homes, mental health facilities, and prisons, etc.) have a higher risk. In rare cases, invasive strep can cause pneumonia, organ failure, long-term heart problems, rapidly progressing life-threatening skin infection, and lead to amputations and death.

Symptoms of strep develop rapidly, within 12- 24 hours. Early symptoms can include high fever, severe muscle aches, severe pain, wound redness, dizziness, confusion, and widespread rash. Early symptoms of necrotizing fasciitis can include fever, red, warm, or swollen skin that spreads rapidly, and severe pain. Late symptoms of necrotizing fasciitis can include fatigue, dizziness, diarrhea, nausea, ulcers, blisters, black spots, skin color changes, and pus oozing from the wound.

The initial treatment for strep infection is antibiotics. The bacteria can be spread up until 24 hours after antibiotic treatment. If the infection becomes severe, rapidly developing into necrotizing fasciitis, intravenous (IV) antibiotics and surgery must also be administered rapidly to stop the disease from spreading. Surgeons must remove all the affected tissue, sometimes necessitating amputations and multiple surgeries. Patients are usually admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). Blood transfusions may be also be necessary.