Strep C (Group C Strep)

Group C strep (strep C) is a set of several types of Streptococcus bacteria that can sometimes make you sick. It most commonly causes a sore throat or skin infections. But sometimes, it can cause infections deep in your body, like in your bones or heart.

Group C strep sometimes naturally lives on your skin or in your throat, where it doesn’t usually hurt you. But if it gets inside your body or grows out of control, it can make you sick.

Types

Types of group C strep infections include:

• Bacteria in your blood (bacteremia)
• Bone and joint infections
• Cellulitis and other skin infections
• Kidney infection (glomerulonephritis)
• Throat infection (pharyngitis)
• Septic arthritis

Many people have strep C in their throats without getting sick. So, it’s not clear if strep C is the cause of a sore throat, even if you test positive for it.

Symptoms of strep C

Symptoms depend on where you’re infected. Group C strep symptoms could include:

• Sore throat
• An area of skin that’s swollen, painful or warm to the touch
• An area of skin that’s red, purple or darker than the skin around it
• A wound that oozes pus or smells bad
• Joint or bone pain

Strep C causes

Streptococcus dysgalactiae subspecies equisimilis (SDSE) is the most common type of group C strep that causes infections. It can naturally live on your skin or in your throat without making you sick. But sometimes, it causes an infection.

You can get it from other people and animals that carry it on their skin or in their throats. Specific ways it can spread include:

• Coughing and sneezing
• Skin-to-skin contact
• Sharing food, drinks, eating utensils or cups
• To a baby during childbirth
• Through contaminated food
• Through surgical wounds

Risk factors

You’re more likely to get a serious strep C infection if you have a long-term medical condition. These include cancer, heart disease, diabetes and conditions that weaken your immune system.

Complications

Strep C can travel from where it infects you through your bloodstream. This can lead to:

• Inflammation in your heart (endocarditis)
• Sepsis
• Tissue death (necrotizing fasciitis or gangrene)
• Toxic shock syndrome

Some of these conditions can be fatal.

How doctors diagnose group C strep infections

How a healthcare provider diagnoses strep C depends on the symptoms you have. For example, you might need a throat swab, skin biopsy or blood tests. In some cases, you might need additional testing or imaging.

How is strep C treated?

Antibiotics treat group C strep infections. Some infections can be resistant to certain antibiotics. That means that commonly used medications won’t treat the infection. Your provider may need to try different types of antibiotics or a combination to get rid of the infection.

When should I see my healthcare provider?

See a healthcare provider if you have symptoms of a group C strep infection. Go to an emergency room if you have:

• Weakness
• Chest pain
• Shortness of breath
• Sudden low blood pressure
• Severe pain
• A wound that’s warm to the touch, very swollen or painful, or oozing pus

What can I expect if I have a group C strep infection?

Strep C infections can be mild or severe. The outcome depends on:

• How widespread or severe the infection is
• Other medical conditions you have
• Whether the bacteria are resistant to antibiotics

Ask your provider what to expect in your specific situation.

Can strep C be prevented?

You can reduce your risk of group C strep infections by:

• Washing your hands frequently with soap and water.
• Not sharing food, drinks, utensils or cups.
• Cleaning and covering wounds until they heal.
• Caring for surgical wounds as directed by your healthcare provider.

What’s the difference between group A strep and group C strep?

Group A and group C strep are both types of Streptococcus bacteria. Both can cause many kinds of infections. Group A strep is a cause of common infections like strep throat and impetigo. Group C strep infections are uncommon.