Streptococcal Infections – 2

Causes of streptococcal infections
The streptococcal bacterial infection spreads by physical contact with a person who has contracted the infection or with a carrier of the bacteria. The carriers, however, are less contagious than the person who has developed an infection.
The infection can also be transmitted through droplets from throat or nose of the infected person.
In fewer cases, streptococcus bacteria can also be passed into the body through contaminated food, mainly eggs, milk and its products.
Many people who get exposed to the bacteria might or might not contract the infection. In cases that do develop an infection, it is a minor skin or throat related one. Sporadic cases end up contracting an invasive streptococcal infection. In the invasive type, the bacteria actually has to fight body’s immune system to invade and hence people with reduced immunity due to cancer, kidney problems, diabetes and people taking steroid medications are at a greater risk of getting it. A small cut or break in the skin is enough for the bacteria to get its way into the deeper tissues.
Group B streptococcus which infects newborns is of two types
Early-onset infection – which develops in the baby’s first week and is related to pregnancy
Late-onset infection – which develops after 1 week to 3 months of baby’s age and is caused by a streptococcus infection picked from the hospital.
Diagnosis for streptococcal infections
The diagnosis can be done though the below tests for presence of streptococcal bacteria.
Blood test
Urine test
Examining a swab from the throat
Treatment for streptococcal infections
The treatment for streptococcal infections is done with antibiotics, like penicillin or a substitute erythromycin in case of an allergy to penicillin. In the invasive type of streptococcal infections, the antibiotics may be intravenously administered if required. In certain invasive infections affecting bone or muscle tissue, surgery may be required. Prompt treatment proves beneficial in invasive cases.
However, fatalities may occur in some severe invasive infection or in certain group B streptococcal infections.
Complications of streptococcal infections
Streptococcal bacteria in all types of strains can lead to serious complications, as the infections caused by these can mislead the body’s internal immune system into fighting its own harmless cells while trying to clear the infection. The complicated conditions like rheumatic fever (infection that affects joints and heart) and glomerulonephritis (inflammation of kidney) can ensue in such situations.
Prevention of streptococcal infections
Below measures can help to prevent spread of the streptococcal infections:
Personal hygiene – can be achieved by washing hands after sneezing or coughing, before cooking and eating food.
Wounds, cuts and breaks in the skin should be carefully cleaned and observed for any infection signs like redness, pus formation, swelling or pain around the affected area. It is important to inform your GP about any concerning symptoms.
Expecting women, who are at a risk of being a carrier of streptococcal B strain, must go for a testing for presence of bacteria.