So infectious are streptococci
There is no exact measure for the “contagiousness” of bacteria. However, streptococci can spread via various pathways, which favours infection. If streptococci are treated with antibiotics, they are no longer infectious after about 24 hours. If the antibiotic therapy is discontinued prematurely or without antibiotics, streptococci can still be contagious for up to several weeks.
This is the typical route of infection
The typical route of infection is direct or indirect contact between two people. Therefore, a good level of hygiene should be maintained in case of infection and public institutions should only be visited again after the infection has subsided. In some cases streptococci can be transmitted to a second person via the air.
This is then called droplet infection and is, for example, the typical route of infection of streptococcal angina. Streptococci are typically transmitted through direct contact. Often streptococci first reach the hands and are then transmitted to the mucous membranes of the nasopharynx when touching the face.
However, they can also survive on surfaces and thus be indirectly transmitted to a second peron. Another possible transmission route is via the so-called droplet infection. When coughing or sneezing, tiny droplets are released into the air, which can then be inhaled by a second person.
Since the droplets can also contain pathogens such as streptococci, they are carried directly to the nasal and oral mucosa and can cause an infection there. Streptococcus agalactiae is also frequently transmitted through sexual intercourse in the case of infections of the urethra. Therefore, treatment of both partners in such an infection is important.
- Through direct contact
- Through the droplet infection
A large number of different streptococci belong to the typical pathogens of the skin flora. They therefore occur on the skin without triggering an infection. A distinction must be made between those streptococci that cause disease in humans.
The beta-hemolytic streptococci such as the streptococcus pyogenes or agalactiae can cause soft tissue infections on the skin. This happens especially if the skin is very dry and cracked or if it is already pre-damaged, for example by athlete’s foot. There is a large variety of streptococci that do not cause disease in humans, i.e. they are not pathogenic to humans.
Many of these harmless streptococci occur naturally on the mucous membrane in the nasopharynx area. Each person harbors a different composition of bacteria on the nasal mucosa, which can play important roles. If the nose, especially in the winter months, is then attacked by human-pathogenic streptococci, such as Streptococcus pneumoniae, the clinical picture of paranasal sinusitis develops.
This is then manifested by a purulent secretion from the nose and a feeling of pressure in the area of the affected sinus. Fever, a blocked nose and a general feeling of illness can also occur.In most cases, the infection goes away on its own, so that often no streptococcus testing is required and no antibiotics are needed. However, if risk factors such as immunosuppression or high fever are present, antibiotic therapy can be considered.
Ideally, the urine should be sterile. This means that no bacteria should be present in the urine. However, a whole range of bacteria do colonize the intimate area, including the area around the exit of the urethra, so that contamination can often occur.
Both Streptococcus agalactiae and Enterococci can cause infections of the urinary bladder or urethra, which means that streptococci can be found in the urine. The Streptococcus agalactiae causes an inflammation of the urethra (urethritis). In men, urethritis manifests itself with a burning of the urethra and the so-called bonjour drip.
The Bonjour-drop is a small pus drop which can be seen in the morning before the first urination. In women, the inflammation of the urethra is typically accompanied by an outflow from the vagina and pain in the lower abdomen. For treatment, the antibiotic doxycycline is used and the partner should also be treated so that the counter-transmission does not occur again during sexual intercourse.
Enterococci in the urine indicate a bladder infection. Women in particular often suffer from cystitis due to their short urethra. Typical symptoms are frequent, painful urge to urinate and a burning sensation when urinating.
The uncomplicated cystitis can be treated with a single dose of fosfomycin, for example. In the vagina, lactic acid bacteria protect against infections with other bacteria, such as streptococci. The lactic acid bacteria, as their name suggests, produce lactic acid and keep the vaginal environment as acidic as possible.
Frequent sexual intercourse with changing partners, regular vaginal irrigation, antibiotic therapy or even stress leads to an imbalance in the mucosal flora of the vagina. Pathogens such as streptococci, but also especially Gardnerella vaginalis, can colonize the mucosa and thus trigger the clinical picture of bacterial vaginosis. Clinically, there is an outflow from the vagina, which is a thin to foamy liquid and can take on colors such as white, gray or yellow.
A fishy odor is also typical, which is caused by the breakdown of proteins. In addition, the pH value is also increased, which is due to the low production of lactic acid. Some women also report burning pain during sexual intercourse, itching in the intimate region and pain when urinating. Any bacterial vaginosis should be treated with antibiotics to prevent the infection from ascending to the uterus.
