Introduction

Streptococcal infections are any type of infection caused by the streptococcus ("strep") group of bacteria. There are many different types of Streptococci bacteria, and infections vary in severity from mild throat infections to life-threatening infections of the blood or organs. Most streptococcal infections can betreated with Penicillin. Streptococci are divided into two key groups: alpha-haemolytic made up of two groups, including Streptococcus pneumoniae beta-haemolytic made up of several groups, including Group A and Group B streptococci This topic focuses on Group A and Group B beta-haemolytic streptococci. Read about pneumococcal infections for information on infections caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae.