The bacterium known as Streptococcus pyogenes produces infections that can cause strep throat, scarlet fever, toxic shock syndrome, impetigo and other illnesses, the National Institutes of Health reports. The bacterium is classified as the cause of Group A streptococcal infections. These infections can cause a variety of problems and symptoms for the people affected, and some of them are serious.
Symptoms With Strep Throat
When Streptococcus pyogenes causes strep throat, symptoms can include sore throat, a rash, a fever, headaches and difficulty swallowing. The Mayo Clinic reports that strep throat can lead to an uncommon but serious condition, rheumatic fever, which can cause heart valve damage and inflammation in the kidneys.
Symptoms With Scarlet Fever
Also known as scarlatina, scarlet fever typically manifests as a bright red rash over much of the person's body. Another distinctive symptoms is known as Pastia's lines, which are red streaks that occur in skin folds, particularly in the neck, knees, groin, elbows and underarm areas. Other symptoms include red bumps on the tongue, fever that exceeds 101 degrees Fahrenheit, swollen lymph nodes, nausea and vomiting, and headaches.
Symptoms With Toxic Shock Syndrome
Most often associated with the use of tampons, toxic shock syndrome may occur in men as well as women because of infection with Streptococcus pyogenes, according to the Mayo Clinic. TSS also may be caused by the bacterium called Staphylococcus aureus. The infection produces symptoms such as a sudden high fever, a drop in blood pressure, and a rash on the feet and palms. Other symptoms may include mental confusion, headaches, muscle aches and seizures.
Symptoms With Impetigo
Although Staphylococcus aureus more often produces this infection of the skin, Streptococcus pyogenes also may cause it, the National Institutes of Health states. This disease, too, can spread easily to people surrounding the infected person, and it generally occurs in children. It produces red, itchy, blister-like sores that break open, oozing for two or three days. The blisters are filled with pus and, once they rupture, become small open sores.
