Metronidazole for a Strep B Infection

Group B Strep is a strain of the streptococcus bacteria that can cause serious illness and is potentially life threatening, especially in newborns, pregnant women, elderly patients, or anyone with any already compromised immune system. Treatments vary and detection may be difficult since it can be present in the body without symptoms.

Significance

• According to the Centers for Disease Control, Group B Strep is the most common cause of newborn infections, including sepsis, an infection of the blood, and meningitis. It can lead to pneumonia, rubella, syphillis, and even spina bifida.

Screening

• A pregnant woman is typically screened for this strain of strep prior to delivery due to the risk of passing the infection to her baby via vaginal delivery.

Prevalence

• Most people carry the bacteria in their bodies naturally, and most often, it does not cause symptoms. It can live in the bowel or vagina and despite popular opinion, is not a sexually transmitted disease.

Treatment

• Treatment involves a course of strong antibiotics, such as metronidazole. Metronidazole is an antibiotic prescribed for the treatment of certain bacterial infections and parasites. It's most commonly used to treatment vaginal infections. It is available in tablets, cream, lotion, gel, and injection.

Medication Side Effects

• You may experience nausea, headache, appetite loss, and a metallic taste when you take metronidazole.