Invasive Group A Streptococcal Disease (GAS)

Group A Streptococcus (GAS) is often found in the throat and on the skin of healthy people where it causes no harm. Most GAS infections are fairly mild illnesses such as “strep throat” and impetigo (skin infection). Less commonly, GAS can cause more severe and life-threatening infections.

Invasive GAS (iGAS) is an infection where the bacteria is isolated or detected from a normally sterile body site, such as blood or spinal fluid. In rare cases, iGAS disease can result in streptococcal toxic shock syndrome or necrotising fasciitis, the most severe manifestations of iGAS.

iGAS disease is a notifiable disease in Ireland.