Streptococcus Agalactiae Symptoms

Streptococcus Agalactiae, also known as Group B Strep, is a bacteria that is common among humans. The bacteria is usually harmless, except in newborn babies, pregnant women and people with certain chronic illnesses.

Symptoms in Pregnancy

• Most of the time, pregnant women are not aware of a Streptococcus Agalactiae infection. Possible symptoms include infections of the uterus, placenta and urinary tract.

Symptoms in Newborns

• Newborns who have contracted the infection during birth may have fever, seizures, sepsis, difficulty feeding and fussiness. Extreme cases can cause pneumonia, meningitis, and death.

Symptoms in People with Chronic Disease

• In people with chronic medical conditions, Streptococcus Agalactiae symptoms include skin infections, sepsis, pneumonia, and urinary tract infection.

Testing

• In pregnant women, testing is done by using a swab in the vaginal and/or rectal region. Newborns and adults are tested using a blood and/or spinal fluid sample.

Treatment

• Pregnant women who test positive for Streptococcus Agalactiae are given an antibiotic during labor to avoid passing the infection to the newborn during birth. Newborns who are infected are treated with IV antibiotics and are kept in the NICU until treatment is complete. Adults who test positive for the infection are also treated with IV antibiotics.