What is Group B Streptococcus Infection During Pregnancy
Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is a type of bacteria (Streptococcus agalactiae) that is often found in healthy people, commonly in the rectum, vagina, and intestines. In people who are healthy and not pregnant, the bacteria rarely cause serious illness or complications.
However, women who test positive for GBS during pregnancy can pass the bacteria to their baby during childbirth, which can cause serious infection in the baby after birth.
Women with GBS may also have infections during their pregnancy or immediately after childbirth, such as such as urinary tract infections (UTIs) or infections of the uterus (uterine infections). Having GBS also increases a woman’s risk of complications during pregnancy, such as early (preterm) labor or delivery, miscarriage, or stillbirth. Routine testing (screening) for GBS is recommended for all pregnant women.
What increases the risk?
You may have a higher risk for GBS infection during pregnancy if you had one during a past pregnancy.
What are the signs or symptoms?
In most cases, GBS infection does not cause symptoms in pregnant women. Signs and symptoms of a possible GBS-related infection may include:
- Labor starting before the 37th week of pregnancy.
- A
UTI or bladder infection, which may cause:
- Fever.
- Pain or burning during urination.
- Frequent urination.
- Fever
during labor, along with:
- Bad-smelling discharge.
- Uterine tenderness.
- Rapid heartbeat in the mother, baby, or both.
Rare but serious symptoms of a possible GBS-related infection in women include:
- Blood infection (septicemia). This may cause fever, chills, or confusion.
- Lung infection (pneumonia). This may cause fever, chills, cough, rapid breathing, difficulty breathing, or chest pain.
- Bone, joint, skin, or soft tissue infection.
How is this diagnosed?
You may be screened for GBS between week 35 and week 37 of your pregnancy. If you have symptoms of preterm labor, you may be screened earlier. This condition is diagnosed based on lab test results from:
- A swab of fluid from the vagina and rectum.
- A urine sample.
How is this treated?
This condition is treated with antibiotic medicine. When you go into labor, or as soon as your water breaks (your membranes rupture), you will be given antibiotics through an IV tube. Antibiotics will continue until after you give birth. If you are having a cesarean delivery, you do not need antibiotics unless your membranes have already ruptured.
Follow these instructions at home:
- Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.
Take your antibiotic medicine as told by your health care provider. Do notstop taking the antibiotic even if you start to feel better.
- Keep all pre-birth (prenatal) visits and follow-up visits as told by your health care provider. This is important.
Contact a health care provider if:
- You have pain or burning when you urinate.
- You have to urinate frequently.
- You have a fever or chills.
- You develop a bad-smelling vaginal discharge.
Get help right away if:
- Your membranes rupture.
- You go into labor.
- You have severe pain in your abdomen.
- You have difficulty breathing.
- You have chest pain.
