Individuals who are streptococcal carriers (chronic asymptomatic pharyngeal and nasopharyngeal colonization) are not usually at risk of spreading disease to others because of the generally small reservoir of often-avirulent (not pathogenic, not able to cause a disease) organisms.
If you get sick, you should be suspected for being reinfected with other strain of S. gr.A.
The prevalence of carriers of this organism varies according to geographical area, season of the year, socioeconomic status and age group (in school age children, the prevalence is reported to be between 15% to 20%).
What you have experienced is known as postpartum invasive GAS (group a str.) infection.
Women who had GAS as a cause of vaginal infection may have a tendency to be carriers of this organism, or this was spread by someone in the hospital.
It is of importance to determine if you are indeed a long-term carrier, which may pose a risk during your future pregnancies or other genital procedures.
Usually, a year after the severe infection, throat and vaginal swabs are taken periodically.
Although, strep carriers do not require antibiotics, since they are not at risk of strep infection complications, it is appropriate to treat the strep carrier to stop recurring infections in family or wider.
Also, in case of severe GAS, preventive antibiotic therapy for potential carriers
is recommended.