What happens if strep untreated

Unlike Group A streptococcus, most adults carry Group B streptococcus in their intestines or lower genital tract.

However, for newborns or immunocompromised adults, this common bacterium can cause a serious illness called group B strep disease. Healthy adults who do not have chronic medical conditions, such as diabetes or liver disease, should not be at risk for this disease. However, pregnant women should elect to receive a group B strep screening test during their third trimester. Group B strep primarily affects newborns, causing life-threatening symptoms like:.

According to the Mayo Clinic, most babies born to women carrying group B strep are healthy; however, infections during labor can cause the infant to be critically ill. Therefore, it is important for mothers to take antibiotics during labor to reduce this risk. As an adult, consult your doctor immediately if you possess any of the following risk factors:.

Group B streptococcus is carried by many healthy people with no symptoms. Unless you have any of the outlined risk factors, there is nothing you need to do about group B strep. Bacteria in the inner ear can cause severe pain, dizziness, and nausea. If strep throat is left unchecked, it can worsen into meningitis. Meningitis occurs when the fluid surrounding the membranes of the brain and spinal cord become infected.

In some rare cases, meningitis can be fatal. When the bacteria that cause strep throat move into the lungs, this can cause pneumonia. Pneumonia is when the air sacs in one or both lungs are inflamed. The air sacs can fill with fluid or pus, making breathing laborious. In rare cases, the bacteria can enter your bloodstream. If the bacteria release toxins in multiple organs while in the bloodstream, it causes toxic shock syndrome. This results in catastrophic organ failure.

Strep throat left untreated can result in life-threatening conditions. You should always seek out medical attention if you believe you have strep throat. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. It looks like your browser does not have JavaScript enabled. Please turn on JavaScript and try again. Important Phone Numbers. Top of the page. Topic Overview Complications of strep throat are rare but can occur, especially if strep throat is not properly treated with antibiotics.

Complications related to the strep infection Although rare, complications can result from the strep infection spreading to other areas of the body. Infection can spread to the: Middle ear otitis media.

Sinuses sinusitis. Other, more rare, complications include: Infection behind the pharynx retropharyngeal abscess. Infection of the lymph nodes of the neck. A peritonsillar abscess. Toxic shock syndrome. Complications related to the body's immune response to strep bacteria Sometimes in response to a strep infection, the body's immune system will attack healthy tissues, causing complications such as rheumatic fever , inflammation of the kidneys glomerulonephritis , or pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infections PANDAS.