iGAS (invasive group A streptococcal infection)

Many people can have GAS bacteria in their nose and throat, or on their skin without getting sick.

In rare cases, the bacteria spread into areas of the body where they cause iGAS infections.

The bacteria do not survive for long outside the body, so it is difficult to spread the disease between people unless you have long and close contact, such as between people who live in the same household. 

Anyone can get iGAS, but it is more likely if you have been close to someone with iGAS (a close contact) like: 

• family members or people you live with 
• close friends or partners. 

Most people who have been near someone with iGAS do not get sick, but you should still watch out for symptoms.

How you would know if you are a contact of someone with iGAS

Typically, only people who are in the same household as someone with iGAS will be a close contact. When someone has iGAS, the Public Health Service follows up the contacts of that person, if you are a contact, they would get in touch and provide you with information that you need to know.

Symptoms of iGAS can develop over 1 or 2 days, or in just a few hours.

Here are some signs that might indicate if someone has iGAS:

• high fever (they feel hot to touch but might complain of being too cold, uncontrollable shivering)
• temperature 38°C or higher
• headache
• trouble breathing
• severe pain in arms or legs
• sore throat
• red or sore skin around cuts or wounds
• pain in their tummy or fever soon after having a pēpi (baby).

Who to contact for medical advice

If you or someone you know have symptoms that you are worried about call:

• Healthline for free advice on 0800 611 116
• 111 for an ambulance in an emergency.

iGAS can make you feel very unwell very quickly, and sometimes it can be deadly. It is important to get help fast. 

iGAS infections can be difficult to diagnose because the symptoms are often similar to other infections. If you get an iGAS infection, often you will be diagnosed with a serious infection first and then find out that it is iGAS after the Group A Strep bacteria is found.

If your healthcare provider thinks you have iGAS, they will collect samples from the area of your body which has an infection. Growing the bacteria from these samples in a laboratory will show which bacteria are causing the infection.

If your healthcare provider thinks you have a serious bacterial infection like iGAS they are likely to treat you with antibiotics before confirming the diagnosis to prevent you from becoming more unwell. 

Early treatment is very important — iGAS infections can be treated with antibiotics.

Healthcare providers will usually treat you with antibiotic injections and make sure you are looked after in a hospital if they think you have iGAS. This will help decrease the risk of permanent damage or death.

Depending on how serious the infection is, you may need other treatments, including:

• being looked after in an intensive care unit
• breathing support
• drugs to treat low blood pressure
• surgery to remove dead skin tissue
• wound care for parts of the body with damaged skin

There is currently no vaccine for iGAS, although vaccines against GAS bacteria are in early development. But there are some things you can do to reduce how easy it is for the GAS bacteria to spread between people. 

Wash your hands

Use soap and water, scrub well, and dry them properly. 

Cover your nose and mouth

Covering your nose or mouth when you sneeze or cough, and washing and drying your hands, can help reduce the chance of spreading bacteria. 

Cover your wounds

Keep any skin cuts or wounds clean and covered with a bandage.

Seek medical attention early if it looks like it is becoming infected (surrounding redness, pus, worsening pain).

Do not share personal items

Things like towels, cups, or toothbrushes should not be shared. If you need to share items like towels, make sure you wash them first with normal laundry detergent. 

Avoid sharing items which may have saliva on them like drink bottles or lip balm or may have a lot of contact with your skin like towels or bed sheets.