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Increase in Invasive Group A Strep Infections, 2022-2023
CDC is looking into an increase in invasive group A strep (iGAS) infections among children in the United States. iGAS infections include necrotizing fasciitis and streptococcal toxic shock syndrome.

Impetigo (im-peh-TIE-go) is a bacterial infection of the skin that is most common in young children.

Doctors use antibiotics to treat impetigo. Antibiotics can also help protect others from getting sick.

Two bacteria can cause impetigo

Impetigo is a skin infection caused by one or both of the following bacteria: group A Streptococcus and Staphylococcus aureus. This page focuses on impetigo caused by group A Streptococcus (group A strep). Another name for impetigo is infantigo.

How you get impetigo

Group A strep bacteria are very contagious. When group A strep bacteria infect the skin, they cause sores. The bacteria can spread to others if someone touches those sores or comes into contact with fluid from the sores.

It usually takes 10 days for sores to appear after someone is exposed to group A strep bacteria.

Symptoms include red, itchy sores with yellow scabs

In general, impetigo is a mild infection that can occur anywhere on the body. It most often affects exposed skin, such as

Around the nose and mouth

On the arms or legs

Symptoms include red, itchy sores that break open and leak a clear fluid or pus for a few days.

Next, a crusty yellow or "honey-colored" scab forms over the sore, which then heals without leaving a scar.

Some people are at increased risk

Anyone can get impetigo, but some factors increase someone's risk of getting this infection.

Age

Impetigo is most common in children 2 through 5 years old.

Infections or injuries that break the skin

People with scabies infection are at increased risk for impetigo. Participating in activities where cuts or scrapes are common can also increase someone's risk of impetigo.

Group settings

Close contact with another person with impetigo is the most common risk factor for illness. For example, if someone has impetigo, the bacteria often spread to other people in their household.

Infectious illnesses also tend to spread wherever large groups of people gather. Crowded conditions can increase the risk of spreading impetigo. These settings include:

Schools

Daycare centers

Military training facilities

Climate

Impetigo is more common in areas with hot, humid summers and mild winters (subtropics), or wet and dry seasons (tropics), but it can occur anywhere.

Poor personal hygiene

Lack of proper handwashing, body washing, and facial cleanliness can increase someone's risk of getting impetigo.

Doctors diagnose impetigo by how it looks

Doctors typically diagnose impetigo by looking at the sores during a physical examination. Lab tests are not needed.

Impetigo treatment involves antibiotics

Doctors treat impetigo with antibiotics, either

Topical antibiotics (medicine rubbed onto the sores)

Oral antibiotics (medicine taken by mouth)

A doctor might recommend a topical ointment for only a few sores. Oral antibiotics can be used when there are more sores.

Use the prescription exactly as the doctor says to.

Once the sores heal, someone with impetigo is usually not able to spread the bacteria to others.

When to return to work, school after illness

People with impetigo can return to work, school, or daycare if they:

Have started antibiotic treatment

AND

Keep all sores on exposed skin covered

Serious complications are very rare

Very rarely, impetigo complications can include

If someone has post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis, it usually starts one to two weeks after the skin sores go away.

Protect yourself and others

People can get impetigo more than once. Having impetigo does not protect someone from getting it again in the future. While there is no vaccine to prevent impetigo, there are things people can do to protect themselves and others.

Good wound care

Keep sores caused by impetigo covered to help prevent spreading group A strep bacteria to others. If you have scabies, treating that infection will also help prevent impetigo.

Good wound care is the best way to prevent bacterial skin infections, including impetigo:

Clean all minor cuts and injuries that break the skin (like blisters and scrapes) with soap and water.

Clean and cover draining or open wounds with clean, dry bandages until they heal.

See a doctor for puncture and other deep or serious wounds.

If you have an open wound or active infection, avoid spending time in:

Hot tubs

Swimming pools

Natural bodies of water (e.g., lakes, rivers, oceans)

Good hygiene

Appropriate personal hygiene and frequent body and hair washing with soap and clean, running water is important to help prevent impetigo.

The best way to keep from getting or spreading group A strep bacteria is to wash your hands often. This is especially important after coughing or sneezing.

To prevent group A strep infections, you should:

Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.

Put your used tissue in the waste basket.

Cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve or elbow, not your hands, if you don't have a tissue.

Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.

Use an alcohol-based hand rub if soap and water are not available.

You should wash the clothes, linens, and towels of anyone who has impetigo every day. These items should not be shared with anyone else. After they have been washed, these items are safe for others to use.

Antibiotics

Antibiotics help prevent someone with impetigo from spreading the bacteria to others.

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Increase in Invasive Group A Strep Infections, 2022-2023 CDC is looking into an increase in invasive group A strep (iGAS) infections among children in the United States. iGAS infections include necrotizing fasciitis and streptococcal toxic shock syndrome. Impetigo (im-peh-TIE-go) is a bacterial infection of the skin that is most common in young children.

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Impetigo is a bacterial infection that afflicts the skin, and is most commonly seen in children between the ages of 2 to 5. A sore forms, and several days later a honey-coloured crust forms. The bacteria spreads through the fluid oozed by the sore.

Impetigo can be caused by two different bacteria, group A beta hemolytic streptococcus and staphylococcus aureus.

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Group A Beta Hemolytic Streptococcus

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Staphylococcus Aureus

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-Itchy sores leaking clear liquid

-Honey crust around sores

-Sores that spread

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Impetigo is treated with oral or topical antibiotics. When there are only a few sores, topical antibiotics are used, but when the infection has spread more, oral antibiotics are used. Some commonly prescribed antibiotics are penicillin and Bactrim. Once the impetigo sores are healed, the impetigo will typically not spread to others.

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Open scrapes or cuts make someone more vulnerable to being infected by impetigo.

Poor hygiene and warm, moist environments raise susceptibility to impetigo.

Additionally, people with scabies are more likely to be infected with impetigo.

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Noguchi N, Nakaminami H, Nishijima S, Kurokawa I, So H, Sasatsu M. Antimicrobial agent of susceptibilities and antiseptic resistance gene distribution among methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolates from patients with impetigo and staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome. J Clin Microbiol. 2006 Jun;44(6):2119-25. doi: 10.1128/JCM.02690-05. PMID: 16757607; PMCID: PMC1489400.

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This research study found that MRSA strains of impetigo carried fewer antiseptic-resistant genes than other strands of MRSA. This means that impetigo has a greater susceptibility to antiseptics.

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Nakaminami Hidemasa

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Profile Information

Affiliation

Professor, School of Pharmacy, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Science

Degree

PhD(Mar, 2009, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences)

J-GLOBAL ID

201001059116392341

researchmap Member ID

6000025305

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researchmap is an information sharing platform for the researchers. researchmap is provided by Japan Science and Technology Agency.

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Doctor explains impetigo - causes, types and treatment + REAL PHOTOS | Doctor O'Donovan

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Impetigo is primarily a superficial infection. However, if left untreated, it can worsen and infect the dermis. It does not resolve on its own and without treatment, it spreads across the body and to others.