Educational Content: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment.
Definition of Group A strep
Medically reviewed by Min Clinic Staff | Updated: January 2026
Group A strep: A well-known strain (a type) of streptococcus (strep) bacteria that can cause strep throat and common skin problems such as impetigo as well as rheumatic fever.
Autoimmune reactions to strep have also recently been associated with a number of disorders, including guttate psoriasis (cradle cap), Sydenham's chorea (a movement disorder related to rheumatic fever), obsessive-compulsive disorder, Tourette syndrome, autism, and anorexia nervosa.
Group A strep are also known popularly as flesh-eating bacteria.