Group A Strep Infections Rose Across the United States
As students return to classrooms, health officials are seeing more cases of strep throat and scarlet fever.
Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in COVID-19
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported an increase in group A strep infections as children returned to school. Emergency department visits for strep throat and scarlet fever have climbed alongside rising cases of other respiratory illnesses.
Why it matters
Strep infections frequently increase following the return to school after summer break. Monitoring these trends helps healthcare systems manage the uptick in common childhood illnesses expected to persist through the winter.
CDC surveillance covering 35 million people indicates that invasive group A strep cases doubled in 10 states between 2013 and 2022. While these severe infections remain uncommon, group A strep is responsible for 20% to 30% of sore throats in children and 5% to 15% in adults.
The players
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
The federal agency responsible for conducting public health surveillance and issuing national guidance on infectious diseases.
The details
Group A strep is a bacterium that typically causes strep throat and scarlet fever, with symptoms appearing 2 to 5 days after exposure. Clinicians use rapid strep tests to confirm infections in minutes, often following up with throat cultures in children if the rapid test is negative. Patients are generally considered safe to return to school after completing 12 hours of antibiotic treatment, provided they appear well.
Timeline
Between 2013 and 2022, invasive group A strep cases doubled in 10 states.
On September 18, 2026, the CDC released an update regarding the rise in infections.
Respiratory infection activity is expected to build as the country moves into winter.
Health Landscape
This reporting is grounded in data from the CDC's Active Bacterial Core surveillance network, which provides infrastructure for monitoring invasive bacterial pathogens. The rise in cases follows established seasonal patterns as communities move toward the winter peak for respiratory illness.
If you or your child develop a sore throat, consider that symptoms typically appear within 2 to 5 days of exposure to group A strep. It is worth discussing testing options with your doctor if symptoms are severe, as prompt antibiotic treatment is essential for a safe return to school.
The takeaway
While invasive group A strep remains uncommon, the current seasonal increase warrants awareness of symptoms following potential exposure. If a child is diagnosed with strep throat, confirm with a physician the appropriate duration of antibiotic treatment required before they return to school.
Further reading
For more information on monitoring infectious diseases and respiratory health trends, visit COVID-19.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Medical Daily.
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