The therapy and the most suitable antibiotic
In case of an infection by streptococci, antibiotic therapy is almost always necessary. Untreated, the infection can otherwise spread and cause many serious and, above all, avoidable complications. The choice of antibiotic depends on the localization and the type of infection, which usually allows many conclusions about the pathogen.
A very common class of drugs used in many types of streptococcal infections is the group of penicillins. These include the active ingredients amoxicillin and piperacillin, for example. However, penicillins are relatively often triggers of drug allergies or intolerances and must then be replaced by other types of antibiotics. Which antibiotic is then the best, the treating physician must decide. If necessary, a sample of the pathogens can be sent to a microbiological laboratory, where they are tested for their sensitivity to certain antibiotics, which then come into question as possible antibiotics.
Duration and prognosis
Under timely and adequate treatment, the prognosis of a streptococcal infection is extremely good. However, no general statement can be made about the duration of a streptococcal infection: The type of streptococcus, where the infection is located and the immune system of the affected person are of fundamental importance. Especially in the case of scarlet fever, however, it should be borne in mind that if left untreated, the disease can lead to late complications that can cause long-term damage to the heart and kidneys. The administration of a suitable antibiotic therefore improves the prognosis of this infection enormously and should therefore be considered urgently.
How contagious is this?
It is not possible to make a summary statement about the risk of infection for all types of streptococcal infections. While scarlet fever, for example, can be considered a highly contagious infection, the risk of infection with caries is known to be rather low. This is due to the fact that the term streptococci refers to a group of bacteria with very different characteristics. It is therefore worthwhile here to inform oneself about the type of streptococcal infection present and to proceed accordingly.
