The course of the disease
The course of a streptococcal infection is largely dependent on various factors such as bacterial strain, localization and immune status of the affected person. An infection with streptococci on the tonsils and in the throat can have both very mild and very severe courses with or without late complications. Infections with streptococci can often take on chronic forms and persist for a long time, as is the case with streptococcal infections in the vagina or even in the oral cavity. In order to be able to assess the course of a streptococcal infection, it is therefore advisable to obtain specific information about the respective disease.
Skin rash from streptococcal infection
A streptococcal infection can also be noticeable through skin changes. As mentioned above, scarlet fever, for example, shows a typical skin rash, the so-called scarlet exanthema. This is characterized by small red dots that are close together.
The rash can appear all over the body, but usually leaves the area around the mouth free, which makes it look remarkably pale. Scarlet fever is also sometimes associated with scarlet fever, with scaling on the skin, fingers, toes, palms and soles of the feet. This phenomenon can occur while the infection is still symptomatic or up to two weeks after the actual infection.
There are also streptococcal infections that specifically affect the skin and therefore only manifest themselves there.
- These include erysipelas, an inflammation of the skin with corresponding inflammatory symptoms. As described above, these include reddening, swelling, overheating and painfulness of the affected area and in some cases additional feverish temperatures.
- Another skin infection caused by streptococci may be contagious impetigo.
This is a skin disease characterized by blistering and incrustation, which occurs particularly in babies and small children.
If a streptococcal infection affects the throat area, it is usually an inflammation inside the neck or throat. The typical streptococcal infections in this area include tonsillitis and the typical childhood disease scarlet fever. Symptoms of tonsillitis include difficulty swallowing, swollen pus-covered tonsils and swollen lymph nodes in the head and neck area.
Tonsillitis is also often caused by viruses. It is therefore necessary to differentiate between the different types of pathogens. If tonsillitis is caused by streptococci, antibiotics should be used as a treatment option.
For recurrent or persistent tonsillitis, removal of the tonsils can be considered as a therapeutic measure. Scarlet fever should also be treated with antibiotics to avoid serious complications of the heart, kidneys and joints. Symptoms of scarlet fever, nausea or vomiting and the symptoms of simple tonsillitis described above are common.
Also typical are a red, coarse-grained tongue and pale skin around the mouth. If the highly infectious disease scarlet fever is suspected, a doctor should be consulted immediately and contact with other people should be avoided if possible. Streptococci are to a certain extent already part of the natural vaginal flora.
However, if the flora becomes unbalanced, an infection and a resulting inflammation of the vagina can be the result. Another reason for a streptococcal infection in the vagina can be streptococci that have entered the vagina from outside – for example, from the rectum, where certain other streptococcal strains are found. If such foreign streptococci enter the vagina from outside, they can displace the natural flora on the mucous membrane through their own growth and also cause an infection.Symptoms of a streptococcal infection in the vagina include itching, burning or unusual discharge.
Therapy options here are also antibiotics. Because of the danger of the infection spreading upwards to the uterus and ovaries, the infection should be treated as quickly and effectively as possible. Caution is also advised in pregnant women: If the vagina is colonized by the so-called Group B Streptococci (or B Streptococci), the bacteria can be transmitted to the newborn at birth and cause inflammation of the lungs (pneumonia), meninges (meningitis) or the inner lining of the heart (endocarditis).
Therefore, there is a screening program for pregnant women, which is based either on a rapid test for these streptococci or on risk factors. The gynaecologist treating the patient should be able to provide more detailed advice on this. A number of bacteria live naturally on our oral mucosa, including strains of streptococci.
These normally have no consequences, but under certain circumstances they can cause disease. These include caries, which occurs when the tooth is already badly and permanently affected by sugary foods and plaque with bacteria that cause caries has formed. The most prominent of these bacteria is the so-called Streptococcus mutans, a certain subspecies of streptococci.
With a continuous supply of sugar through food, the bacteria can now process it into an acid that gradually attacks the tooth enamel. If these conditions persist over a long period of time, tooth decay, i.e. caries, can develop in places. Furthermore, streptococci can enter the bloodstream through an injury to the gums, for example when brushing the teeth, and cause serious heart disease. However, this is extremely rare.
