Streptococcal infections are any type of infection caused by a
type of bacteria called streptococcal or ‘strep’ for short.
Strep infections can vary in severity from mild throat
infections to pneumonia, and most can be treated with
antibiotics. There are more than 20 different types of strep
bacteria, which are split into two main groups: Group A strep
(strep A), which are often found on the surface of the skin and
inside the throat, and are a common cause of infection in adults
and children. Group B strep (strep B), which usually live
harmlessly inside the digestive system, and in women, in the
vagina. Strep B tend only to affect newborn babies and usually
cause more serious types of infection. It is estimated that 1 in
5 pregnant women have strep B bacteria in their vagina and/or
digestive system. Most of the different types of infections
caused by strep A are unpleasant but do not usually pose a
serious threat to health. They include: - a throat infection -
specifically an infection at the back of the thro