Group B Strep Infection

Group B strep is a kind of bacteria naturally found in the human intestinal tract. During pregnancy, the Group B strep bacteria in your rectum may inhabit your vagina and transfer to your baby at birth. Many women have this kind of bacteria without knowing.

How to know if I have group B strep or not?

Group B strep bacteria are often harmless to adults. However, they may cause serious health conditions for a baby (stillbirth and severe infections). That is why you need to be tested for group B strep. Timely treatment with antibiotics during labor greatly reduces your baby’s risk of getting group B strep. The vaginal screening for group B strep is usually carried out at week 35 to week 37. Studies found that testing during the final 5 weeks of pregnancy yields the most accurate result. During the test, your vagina and rectum will be swabbed for a sample of culture. The sample will be screened for any sign of group B strep. You will get your result back after 24 to 48 hours.

Why am I tested sooner?

Since the bacteria may come and leave, the test cannot be performed too soon. The result of an early test is not reliable. Also, taking antibiotics before you get into labor does not help. However, if group B strep causes you a urinary tract infection, you will need oral antibiotics immediately and be tested for urine culture after treatment. If you have group B strep in your urine, it means there are a lot of them in your genital tract as well. Therefore, your doctor will automatically give you antibiotics through an IV during your labor.

What if my baby is infected with group b strep?

If your baby has early-onset group B strep, they may experience:

−Sepsis, pneumonia, and meningitis

−Difficulties breathing

−Instable heart rates and blood pressure

−Gastrointestinal and kidney problems

While early-onset of group B strep appears within hours of delivery, late-onset takes weeks to months to develop. Prematurely born babies are more likely to be at risk. Babies with late-onset usually suffer from meningitis. Even if you did not test positive for group B strep, seek medical help if you notice these symptoms in your baby:

−Lerthagy

−Moodiness

−Little interest in feeding

−Vomiting

−Fever

Will taking antibiotics during labor cause any side effects?

To manage group B strep during pregnancy, doctors usually prescribe penicillin, which is safe for babies. Around 10% of the pregnant women taking penicillin during labor experience mild allergic reactions such as rashes. Penicillin rarely causes a life-threating reaction (1 in 100,000 cases). If you are allergic to penicillin, you will be tested to find other antibiotics that work for you.

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Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.