When I hear the word “strep”, I automatically think of “strep throat”. Strep, short for streptococcus, however, comes in more than one type. Strep throat, for instance, is a Group A strep infection, and while occasionally severe or life-threatening, is normally relatively mild—like in the cases of strep throat or impetigo; in fact, both of these areas of our bodies—our throats and skin—can carry streptococcus bacteria without us even having symptoms. Pneumonia and streptococcus toxic shock syndrome can also be caused by Group A strep, and are more severe. [1] As you’re probably familiar, Group A strep infections that are mild, are normally treated with antibiotics and resolve pretty quickly.

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