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INTERNATIONAL GROUP B STREP MONTH


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July is dedicated to raising awareness about preventing group B strep disease in babies during pregnancy and early infancy. Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is a common bacteria found in the intestines and lower genital tract. While GBS is typically harmless in healthy adults, it can be very serious in newborns. Group Strep B is very common in pregnancy, and  1 in 4 pregnant women carry GBS. GBS can also cause severe infection in older adults and adults with certain health conditions, such as diabetes or liver disease. 


Many healthy people can carry Group B Strep bacteria for short or long periods of time. The bacteria are not sexually transmitted and do not spread through food or water. 


Symptoms in Adults


Most adults with Group B Strep do not experience any symptoms. However, in some cases, GBS can lead to infections such as urinary tract infections or other serious infections. If infection occurs, symptoms are dependent on the type of infection and can include: 


  • Fever

  • Chills

  • Fatigue

  • Pain and swelling in affected areas

  • Difficulty breathing (if pneumonia is present)

  • Frequent urge to urinate


Symptoms in Infants


Group B Strep can be very dangerous for newborns and can lead to severe infections such as pneumonia (infection of the lungs), septicemia or bacteremia (infection of the blood), and meningitis (infection of the lining of the brain and spinal cord). Symptoms in infants can occur within their first week of life or several months after birth. Common symptoms in infants include:


  • Fever (typically presents in term babies)

  • Difficulty feeding

  • Difficulty breathing

  • Sluggishness, limpness, or weak muscle tone

  • Low body temperature (typically presents in preterm babies)

  • Jitteriness

  • Seizures

  • Appear blue-ish gray (signs of cyanosis)

  • Grunting sounds 


The Importance of Testing During Pregnancy


During pregnancy, it's recommended by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists as a part of routine prenatal care to screen for GBS. This test is done between weeks 36 and 38. Testing for GBS during pregnancy is important because it helps identify if a woman is a carrier of the bacteria. If you go into preterm labor before you have been tested for GBS, the test will be done before you are admitted to the hospital. You should also test for GBS even if you have a planned C-section delivery in case you go into labor prior to your scheduled C-section date.

The GBS test is a simple test that does not hurt. It involves swabbing the vagina and rectum. If the test is positive, this does not mean you are sick. Pregnant women who test positive usually have no symptoms. Your doctor can take preventive measures to protect the baby from infection during labor and delivery if you are positive. 


Risk for GBS Disease


There are certain groups of people who have an increased risk of developing GBS disease. These people include:

  • Newborns. Pregnant women face a higher risk of delivering a baby who could develop GBS if they test positive for GBS late in pregnancy, experience a fever during labor, or have more than 18 hours elapse between their water breaking and the baby's birth.

  • Older adults. Adults who are 65 years or older are at a higher risk of developing GBS disease compared to younger adults.  

  • People with certain medical conditions. Medical conditions that increase the risk for GBS disease include cancer, congestive heart failure, diabetes, heart disease, and obesity. 


Treatment


Women who test positive for GBS may receive antibiotics through an IV during labor to reduce the risk of passing the bacteria to their babies. This significantly lowers the baby's risk of developing serious infections such as pneumonia, sepsis, or meningitis. 


Resource


Group B Strep International is an organization dedicated to raising awareness and preventing Group B Strep (GBS) in babies. They provide informational materials on GBS and advocate for closing gaps in GBS care for all babies. Their resources include parent support groups, learning events, and free educational materials. 


This resource helps parents find a supportive community where they can discuss topics such as GBS awareness, prevention, and support for parents of GBS survivors and NICU babies.


Group B Strep International’s goal is to promote GBS awareness and prevention. They host online conferences and events to increase awareness to facilitate learning and discussion. 


Educational materials are available as PDFs that can be viewed and downloaded. If you prefer printed materials, Group B Strep International will ship them to you for free!



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