Group B Strep Infection

Group B strep is a common bacteria found in the intestines or the lower genital tract. This bacteria is usually harmless in adults but can cause serious illness in newborns. For this reason, testing for group B strep is a typical part of prenatal care.

Cause

• Group B strep is not spread via food, water or sexual contact. It's a normal bacteria found in many people, and it only causes problems for those with chronic health conditions such as liver disease or diabetes. Group B strep is not related to strep throat.

Risk Factors

• Older adults and newborns are most likely to develop any infections or complications from group B strep. Those with weakened immune systems are at increased risk.

Symptoms

• Newborns will begin to show signs of infection, including breathing problems and pneumonia, within hours of delivery. Adults may show signs of a urinary tract infection.

Diagnosis

• Women are tested for group B strep during pregnancy. Samples are taken from the vagina and rectum and tested.

Considerations

• If the test comes back positive, that doesn't mean the baby will be infected. Only one baby for every 100 infected women becomes infected.

Treatment

• Antibiotics are the most effective treatment for group B strep, and they can be given orally or intravenously. The type of antibiotic and length of treatment depend on the location and severity of the infection.