About Invasive Strep Throat

Overview

Invasive Strep Throat refers to a severe form of strep throat where the bacteria, known as group A Streptococcus, spreads beyond the throat and affects other parts of the body. In typical cases of strep throat, the infection is localized to the throat and tonsils. However, in invasive strep throat, the bacteria can invade deeper tissues, leading to potentially life-threatening complications. These complications may include necrotizing fasciitis (a serious skin infection that affects the tissue beneath the skin) or streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (a rare but serious condition characterized by rapid progression and organ failure). Invasive strep throat requires immediate medical attention and hospital care. It is important to note that while cases of invasive strep throat have increased recently, they are still relatively rare compared to typical cases of strep throat. If you suspect you or someone you know may have invasive strep throat, it is essential to seek medical help immediately.

Causes and Risk Factors

Invasive strep throat, also known as invasive Group A Streptococcal (GAS) disease, occurs when the bacteria spreads beyond the throat and causes severe infections in other parts of the body, such as blood, muscles, fat tissue, or the lungs.

The non-modifiable risk factors for invasive strep throat include:

Age: Children under the age of 18 and adults over 45 years old are at higher risk.
Chronic Conditions: Certain chronic conditions like diabetes, cardiac disease, and cancer increase the risk.
Immunocompromised State: HIV infection weakens the immune system, making individuals more susceptible to invasive GAS infections.

The modifiable risk factors for invasive strep throat include:

Household Factors: Overcrowding and exposure to children with sore throats in the home are associated with increased risk.
Medication Use: New use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) has been linked to higher risk in some studies.

It's important to note that these risk factors increase the likelihood of developing invasive strep throat but do not guarantee its occurrence. To understand your individual risk and take appropriate preventive measures, consult with your healthcare professional.

Symptoms

Invasive strep throat can lead to complications if left untreated. The symptoms of regular strep throat include:

Sore throat without a cough
Severe pain when swallowing
Swollen lymph nodes in the neck
Red and inflamed tonsils, often with white pus on them
Fever
Small red spots on the roof of the mouth

As the strep infection spreads, additional symptoms may occur. Symptoms of invasive GAS are related to the part of the body infected.

GAS infections that spread to muscle or fat tissue may cause symptoms such as fever, severe pain and swelling, and redness at the infection site.
GAS infections that spread to the blood may cause symptoms such as fever, dizziness, confusion, nausea and vomiting, body rash, and pain in the abdomen (belly) area.

It's important to note that invasive strep throat is a serious condition that requires immediate medical attention. If you suspect you have invasive strep throat, it is crucial to see a healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment.

Diagnosis

To diagnose Invasive Strep Throat, doctors typically perform the following examinations, tests, and procedures:

Physical Exam: A thorough examination of the mouth, throat, neck, and nose to look for signs of infection.
Rapid Strep Test: A swab is taken from the throat to check for the presence of strep bacteria. This test can provide quick results.
Throat Culture: If the rapid strep test is negative but there is still a suspicion of Invasive Strep Throat, a throat culture may be done. A swab is taken from the throat and sent to a lab for analysis. It can take up to 48 hours to get the results.

To determine if the infection causing strep throat has spread to other parts of the body, additional examinations or tests may include:

Imaging Tests: X-rays or CT scans may be performed to evaluate the extent of infection and identify any complications such as abscesses or swelling in the throat.
Blood Tests: Complete blood count (CBC) and inflammatory markers like C-reactive protein (CRP) may be done to assess the severity of infection and monitor response to treatment.

It's important to consult with your healthcare professional for a proper diagnosis and to determine the appropriate examinations, tests, and procedures based on your individual situation.

Treatment Options

The goals of treatment for Invasive Strep Throat are to:

Eliminate the infection: Antibiotics, such as penicillin or amoxicillin, are the standard treatment for Invasive Strep Throat. Other antibiotics may be prescribed for people who are allergic to penicillin. These antibiotics work by killing the bacteria causing the infection. It is important to take the full course of antibiotics as prescribed by your doctor to ensure complete eradication of the infection.
Relieve symptoms: Over-the-counter pain medications, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, can help manage pain and reduce fever associated with Invasive Strep Throat. Medicated throat lozenges may also provide relief from throat pain and irritation.
Prevent complications: Prompt treatment with antibiotics can help prevent further spread of infection and complications associated with Invasive Strep Throat, such as injury to the kidneys, liver or lungs. It is crucial to complete the full course of antibiotics as prescribed to minimize the risk of complications.

In some cases, hospitalization may be needed to treat the invasive infection and may include surgery to remove tissue damaged by infection.

Medication dosing may be affected by many factors. Check with your health care professional about dosing for your individual situation. Other side effects can occur. Check with your health care professional or read the information provided with your medication for additional side effect information.