What Causes Beta Strep?

Beta strep (also known as group B strep) is a bacterium found naturally living in some people's bodies. Although the bacteria are naturally occurring, they can cause disease in some groups of people.

Identification

• Many bacteria are normally found in and on human bodies. Beta strep can be among these and may be found in the gastrointestinal, genital or urinary tracts of healthy people, according to the Directors of Health Promotion and Education (DHPE).

Features

• Beta strep bacteria are only dangerous if they enter the bloodstream of people who are colonized with them, according to the DHPE, or when a baby is exposed to them during birth, according to MayoClinic.com.

Types

• In addition to babies, older people and people who have weakened immune systems because of other health problems are most likely to develop a disease because of beta strep, according to the DHPE and MayoClinic.com.

Effects

• Adults who develop beta strep disease may have infections of the bloodstream, urinary tract and skin as well as pneumonia, while babies can develop bloodstream infections and meningitis, or swelling of the protective tissue around the brain, according to the DHPE.

Prevention

• It is possible to prevent infection of babies with beta strep. According to the DHPE, a woman who tests positive for beta strep can take antibiotics before delivery to lower the chances of passing on the bacteria.