Streptococcus Definition, Treatment, Cause and Symptoms

The Definition of the Streptococcus

Streptococcus is a bacterium that has the form of a series of the chain. Streptococcus strep to "comes from the word" which means the chain and "cocci" which means round.

Most of the bacteria in the streptococcus group can live in an environment without oxygen or oxygenated.

Streptococcal infections can strike anyone, from children to adults and seniors. Streptococcal bacteria cause infections varying from mild to severe, from mild to throat infection pneumonia and brain membrane.

Streptococcus Definition, Treatment, Cause and Symptoms


Up to now, there are about 20 types of Streptococcal bacteria that are divided into two major groups, namely:

• Group A, found on the surface of the body, such as skin, and throat
• Group B, found in the digestive tract and vagina, generally harmless and more frequently in infants

The Cause Of The Streptococcus

Some risk factors that increase the likelihood of the occurrence of infections of streptococcus, among others:

• Age of under 6 months old, or the age above 75 years

• Patients with a weakened immune system, such as HIV, cancer, and diabetes

• Pregnant women

• Users of illicit drugs or drugs and alcohol

• Patients who got the treatment that weakens the immune system, i.e. chemotherapy drug, corticosteroids

Streptococcus Symptoms

Symptoms in streptococcus bacterial infection depend on the organ which was attacked by the bacteria.

• Throat infection, causing fever, discomfort in the throat or itching, and pain when swallowing

• Infection of the skin, in the form of redness that can be accompanied by itching and the presence of pus

• Infection in the ear, causing fever, pain in the ear, to hearing loss

• Infection of the sinus cavities in the face, causing pain in the face, recurrent colds, headache

•Pneumonia (pneumonia), cause coughing, shortness of breath, chest pain, fever

• Sepsis, the infection has spread around the body through blood vessels, in the form of symptoms of fever, heart rate and rapid breathing, and damage to internal organs

• Inflammation of the membranes of the brain, causing headaches, fever, vomiting, and even unconsciousness.

Streptococcus Treatment

Streptococcal bacterial infection treated with antibiotics to fight bacteria. Streptococcus is also very influential on sickle cell anemia. The use of antibiotics may be through oral/mouth or injections.

Antibiotics should be administered with a regular and appropriate overdose. When symptoms arising enough weight than needed treatment in hospital. Other drugs commonly used drugs such as companion, namely anti-anti-fever, pain, and more.