International Prenatal Infection Prevention Month centers on Group B Strep. And here is exactly what that is...
Group B Streptococcus (GBS), or Streptococcus agalactiae, is a type of bacteria that is naturally found in the digestive and lower reproductive tracts of both men and women. About 1 in 4 pregnant women "carry" or are "colonized" with GBS.
Carrying GBS does not mean that you are unclean. Anyone can carry GBS. GBS is not considered to be a sexually transmitted disease or infection as it can occur on its own even in someone with no prior sexual experience. However, bacteria can be passed between sexual partners, including through oral contact.
Unfortunately, babies can be infected by GBS before birth and up to about 6 months of age due to their underdeveloped immune systems.
There are three types of perinatal GBS disease, each with their own prevention challenges:
- Prenatal-onset GBS disease (before birth)
- Early-onset GBS disease (birth through the first week of life)
- Late-onset GBS disease (over 1 week of age through several months of age)
Some of the questions often asked are the following...
Who carries GBS?
Anyone can carry GBS. ☝Who can be infected by GBS?
Babies can be infected by GBS before birth through several months of age due to their underdeveloped immune systems. According to the CDC, in adults, most cases of GBS disease are among those who have other medical conditions. Other medical conditions that puts adults at increased risk include:
Diabetes
Heart disease
Congestive heart failure
Cancer or history of cancer
Diabetes
Heart disease
Congestive heart failure
Cancer or history of cancer
ObesityRisk for serious GBS disease also increases as people get older. Adults 65 years and older are at increased risk compared to adults under 65 years old.
When I'm pregnant how do I know if I have GBS?
Although most women do not have any symptoms, GBS can cause vaginal burning/irritation and/or unusual discharge. GBS can also cause bladder infections. Women should consult their care provider if any of these symptoms occur.
What if I test negative?
It’s important to know that: 1) A woman may test negative if her GBS colonization level at the time of the test was below the level of detection. 2) A woman’s GBS status can change so a woman could test negative but be colonized later in pregnancy. 3)Test results are only considered to accurately (95%-98%) predict a woman’s colonization status at delivery if she delivers within 5 weeks of her test. 4) A woman may need to be retested if she has not yet given birth within 5 weeks of being tested. 5) Once born, a baby can become infected with GBS by sources other than the mother.
When I'm pregnant how do I know if I have GBS?
Although most women do not have any symptoms, GBS can cause vaginal burning/irritation and/or unusual discharge. GBS can also cause bladder infections. Women should consult their care provider if any of these symptoms occur.
What if I test negative?
It’s important to know that: 1) A woman may test negative if her GBS colonization level at the time of the test was below the level of detection. 2) A woman’s GBS status can change so a woman could test negative but be colonized later in pregnancy. 3)Test results are only considered to accurately (95%-98%) predict a woman’s colonization status at delivery if she delivers within 5 weeks of her test. 4) A woman may need to be retested if she has not yet given birth within 5 weeks of being tested. 5) Once born, a baby can become infected with GBS by sources other than the mother.
What if I test positive?
If your urine or swab tests are positive, your provider should consider you as “GBS colonized” for this pregnancy so that you receive IV antibiotics for GBS when labor starts or your water breaks. Plan ahead if you have short labors or live far from the hospital.The IV antibiotics you receive in labor generally take 4 hours to be optimally effective. Ask your provider to not strip your membranes if you test positive for GBS, as it may push bacteria closer to your baby.
It is also important to know the signs of infection in unborn babies and of preterm labor!
How do you get GBS?
Group B strep (GBS) is a type of bacteria that is naturally occuring in the digestive and lower reproductive tracts of both men and women. GBS is not considered to be a sexualy transmitted disease or infection as it can occur on its own even in someone with no prior sexual experience. However, bacteria can be passed between sexual partners, including through oral contact.
It is also important to know the signs of infection in unborn babies and of preterm labor!
How do you get GBS?
Group B strep (GBS) is a type of bacteria that is naturally occuring in the digestive and lower reproductive tracts of both men and women. GBS is not considered to be a sexualy transmitted disease or infection as it can occur on its own even in someone with no prior sexual experience. However, bacteria can be passed between sexual partners, including through oral contact.
Anyone can carry GBS. However, those at the most risk for GBS infection are infants, adults with some chronic medical conditions and the elderly.
Any symptoms that I have GBS?
Most women do not have any symptoms. GBS can cause vaginal burning/irritation and/or unusual discharge which may be mistaken for a yeast infection and treated incorrectly. If you have “vaginitis” symptoms, see your care provider promptly for an exam and possible GBS testing. GBS can also cause bladder infections, with or without symptoms.
How is GBS treated during pregnancy?
In some cases, if a pregnant woman is heavily colonized or has had a baby previously infected by GBS, women may be treated with oral antibiotics during pregnancy, although this is not a standard routine.
What are the signs & symptoms your baby could be infected with GBS?
During pregnancy you experience:
- Decreased or no fetal movement after your 20th week
- Frenzied movement has also been linked to fetal distress
- Any unexplained fever after birth (early and late-onset)
- Sounds - High-pitched cry, shrill moaning, whimpering, inconsolable crying, constant grunting or moaning as if constipated or in distress
- Breathing - Fast, slow, or difficult breathing
- Appearance of skin - Blue, gray, or pale skin, blotchy or red skin, tense or bulging fontanel (soft spot on a baby's head), infection (pus/red skin) at base of umbilical cord or in puncture on head from internal fetal monitor
- Eating and Sleeping Habits - Feeding poorly, refusing to eat, not waking for feedings, sleeping too much, difficulty being aroused
- Behavior- Marked irritability, projectile vomiting, reacting as if skin is tender when touched, not moving an arm or leg, listless, floppy, blank stare, body stiffening, uncontrollable jerking
- Body Temperature - Fever or low or unstable temperature, hands and feet may feel cold even.
Many types of infections can be prevented with healthy
pregnancy behaviors.
Use the word “HYGIENE”
to help you make these behaviors routine!
Handwashing helps
Yes to prenatal care
Good food prepared safely
Immunizations
Evade others’ bodily fluids
No to unnecessary invasive procedures
Environmental precautions
Be careful and be safe!
Signing out
Dr. Destiny Santiago
aka Big Sister On Point
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