Streptococcal infection
Streptococcal Infection
Streptococcal infection (pronunciation: strep·to·coc·cal in·fec·tion /ˌstreptəˈkäk(ə)l inˈfekSH(ə)n/) is an infection caused by the Streptococcus genus of bacteria.
Etymology
The term "Streptococcal" is derived from the Greek words "streptos" meaning twisted and "kokkos" meaning berry. This is in reference to the bacteria's characteristic chain-like formation under the microscope.
Definition
A Streptococcal infection is a bacterial infection caused by any one of the several species of the Streptococcus genus. These bacteria are Gram-positive, spherical, and often occur in pairs or chains. They are responsible for many cases of pharyngitis, scarlet fever, rheumatic fever, impetigo, cellulitis, and necrotizing fasciitis.
Types of Streptococcal Infections
There are several types of Streptococcal infections, including:
- Streptococcus pyogenes: This is the bacterium responsible for diseases such as strep throat, impetigo, and scarlet fever.
- Streptococcus pneumoniae: This bacterium causes pneumonia, meningitis, and otitis media.
- Streptococcus agalactiae: Also known as Group B Streptococcus, this bacterium can cause serious illness in newborns, the elderly, and people with compromised immune systems.
Symptoms
Symptoms of a Streptococcal infection can vary widely depending on the type of infection. They may include sore throat, fever, red and swollen tonsils, headache, and rash in the case of strep throat or scarlet fever. More serious infections such as necrotizing fasciitis can cause severe pain, fever, and redness, swelling, and heat over the affected area.
Treatment
Treatment for Streptococcal infections typically involves antibiotics to kill the bacteria. In severe cases, hospitalization may be required.
Prevention
Prevention of Streptococcal infections can be achieved through good hygiene practices such as regular hand washing, not sharing personal items, and staying away from infected individuals.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Streptococcal infection
- Wikipedia's article - Streptococcal infection
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