Group A Streptococcus (group A strep, GAS) bacteria can live in a person's nose and throat. The bacteria are spread through contact with droplets from an infected person's cough or sneeze. If you touch your mouth, nose, or eyes after touching something that has these droplets on it, you may become ill. If you drink from the same glass or eat from the same plate as the sick person, you could also become ill. It is also possible for group A strep bacteria to spread from contact with sores from a group A strep skin infection.
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About Group A Strep
Information about how group A strep bacteria spread, illnesses they can cause... -
For Clinicians
Disease information, clinical features, complications, surveillance... -
For Laboratorians
Reference laboratory information, emm types and subtypes, protocols... -
Resources
Additional resources from WHO and NIH, and about outbreaks...
Types of Group A Strep Infections
Learn more about necrotizing fasciitis, scarlet fever, and strep throat, caused by group A Streptococcus (group A strep).
- Page last reviewed: May 1, 2014
- Page last updated: May 21, 2014
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