Best treatments for streptococcal infections

Understanding streptococcal infections

"Streptococcal infections" refers to a group of illnesses caused by Streptococcus bacteria. There are several types, but two cause most infections in people: group A and group B (MedlinePlus). Group A strep commonly causes strep throat, scarlet fever, and the skin infection impetigo, and can also cause more serious illness including cellulitis, necrotizing fasciitis, and streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (MedlinePlus; CDC). Group B strep can cause blood infections, pneumonia, and meningitis in newborns, and urinary tract infections, blood infections, skin infections, and pneumonia in adults (MedlinePlus). Group A strep spreads when infected people talk, cough, or sneeze, and through contact with infected skin sores; some people carry the bacteria without symptoms yet can still spread it (CDC). Strep throat often begins with a sudden sore throat, pain when swallowing, and fever, sometimes with swollen neck lymph nodes and small red spots on the palate (CDC). Because clinical signs alone cannot reliably separate strep from a viral sore throat, providers confirm it with a rapid antigen detection test or a throat culture (CDC). This is general information, not medical advice.

Frequently asked

What treats streptococcal infections?

Our catalog lists 15 products that may treat streptococcal infections, based on NIH RxClass (MED-RT “may treat”) drug-classification data — not the verbatim FDA label. They're rated where FDA recall-safety data exists; the current top-rated option is dalvance.

What is the best-rated treatment for streptococcal infections?

By our independent recall-safety rating — not an efficacy measure — dalvance ranks highest among the products we list for streptococcal infections. Always consult a professional.

How are these treatments ranked?

By our independent score, currently based on FDA regulatory recall-safety data (the methodology blends additional sources as they come online). See the How we rate page.

What types of drugs treat streptococcal infections?

Treatments for streptococcal infections span FDA drug classes including lincosamide antibacterial, oxazolidinone antibacterial, lipoglycopeptide antibacterial. Compare every option side by side, ranked by independent rating, above.

Treatment associations are derived from NIH RxClass (MED-RT “may treat”) drug-classification data — not the verbatim FDA label. This is general reference, not medical advice — always consult a licensed professional.