Group A streptococcus in pregnancy: Expert contributes to research

A physician offers a description of the recommended approach to diagnosing and treating Group A streptococcus (GAS) in pregnant and postpartum women. Group A streptococcus can cause invasive infections in the form of endometritis, necrotizing fasciitis, or streptococcal toxic shock syndrome. These infections, when associated with sepsis, have associated mortality rates of 30 to 50 percent. When a pregnant woman presents with GAS infection, her symptoms are often atypical, with extremes of temperature, unusual and vague pain, and pain in the extremities. Imaging may appear normal, but removing a small sample from the uterus along with a blood culture may be a useful, rapid diagnostic tool.
Source: ScienceDaily Headlines - Category: Science Source Type: news