How to not get invasive group A strep
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From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, I'm Ira Dreyfuss with HHS HealthBeat.
Invasive group A streptococcal disease can be anywhere from minor to fatal. At the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Chris Van Beneden says the bacteria are spread through mucus, or contact with infected wounds or sores. She says otherwise healthy people can carry the bacteria without symptoms. But she also says the germs can lead to conditions such as pneumonia and bloodstream infection.
``The spread of all types of group A strep infection can be reduced by good hand washing, especially after coughing and sneezing, and before preparing foods or eating.'' (9 seconds)
Van Beneden says antibiotics can treat the disease. People also can control their risk of infection.
An article on invasive group A strep is in the CDC's journal Emerging Infectious Diseases.
Learn more at hhs.gov.
HHS HealthBeat is a production of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. I'm Ira Dreyfuss.