Group A Streptococcal Infections

(Streptococcus pyogenes)

General Information

Group A Streptococcus (GAS) or Streptococcus pyogenes is a bacterium commonly found in the throat and on the skin. Many people can carry this bacterium without any symptoms of disease. The majority of group A streptococcal diseases are relatively mild illnesses, such as streptococcal pharyngitis ("strep throat") or impetigo. However, occasionally these bacteria can cause potentially life-threatening "invasive" infections. Invasive infection occurs when group A Streptococci invade parts of the body where bacteria are not normally present, including the blood and soft tissues such as muscle or fat.

• Impetigo fact sheet, P-42062 (PDF)
• Group A streptococcal infections (GAS) CDC
• Streptococcal pharyngitis (Strep throat) fact sheet, P-42092 (PDF)
• Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) fact sheet, P-42096 (PDF)

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website (CDC)
• CDC Active Bacterial Core surveillance (ABCs) Program

Provider Information

This is a Wisconsin disease surveillance category II disease:

• Report to the patient's local public health department electronically, through the Wisconsin Electronic Disease Surveillance System (WEDSS), by mail or fax using an Acute and Communicable Disease case report, F-44151 (Word) or by other means within 72 hours upon recognition of a case.
• Information on communicable disease reporting

Wisconsin case reporting and public health follow-up guidance

Case Reporting and Investigation Protocol (EpiNet): P-01982 Group A Streptococcal infections (PDF)