Group A Streptococcal (GAS) Invasive Disease

Infectious agent:  Streptococcus pyogenes

Description of illness: Invasive GAS disease is a severe and sometimes life-threatening infection in which the bacteria have invaded parts of the body, such as the blood, deep muscle and fat tissue or the lungs. Examples of GAS invasive disease include streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS), necrotizing fasciitis, pneumonia, and bacteremia. Early signs and symptoms of necrotizing fasciitis include fever, severe pain and swelling, and redness at the wound site. Early signs and symptoms of STSS may include fever, dizziness, confusion, low blood pressure, rash and abdominal pain. Approximately 20% of patients with necrotizing fasciitis and more than half with STSS die; about 10-15% of patients with other forms of invasive group A streptococcal disease die.