Thread: Group B Strep- please read- VERY IMPORTANT

Hello

The other day on another forum I read a thread on Group B Strep. Apparently it is a test that is suppose to be done on pregnant woman during pregnancy to see if they carry a bacteria that can be very harmful to your baby (during labor and delivery). The test is just a quick swab over your anus and vagina and it will tell you if you are positive for the bacteria or negative. If it comes up that you are positive you are suppose to be given a couple of rounds of antibiotics by IV during labor. I, myself had never heard of this test (I never had it done during my first pregnancy). But after reading up on it I realize how important it really is. I just wanted to incourage everyone to ask their doctors about the test and to have it done.
I will post some information on it but first I just wanted to add why I feel that it is so important.
My son Nathan was in Sick Kids Hospital for a week when he was 13 days old. I rushed him into emergency on Fathers Day 2004 and after having many horrible tests done on him (spinal tap being one of them) we were told he had meningitis. He was on antibiotics and motrin (for his VERY HIGH fever) for a week. It was the worse time in my life seeing my little baby with tubes and IV's (in his head since all his other veins were clapseing). Bruises everywhere and so lifeless. We didn't know what would happen because we were told that if we had brought him in just an hour or two later he would have died. Luckily he recovered wonderfully and is a healthy, happy two year old today. Now- for the life of us we could not figure out how Nathan contracted meningitis... not until I read the information on Group B Strep. I can't be certain that Group B Strep was the reason for Nathan's illness but even knowing it was VERY possible I know I will not take the chance. I am ten weeks pregnant now and will definately be asking my doctor about the test and asking to have it done. Better to be safe then sorry.

What is group B streptococcus (group B strep)?
Group B streptococcus (group B strep) is a bacterium that causes life-threatening infections in newborn infants. Group B strep can also cause serious diseases in pregnant women, the elderly, and adults with other illnesses. The letter "B" refers to a classification of bacteria in the genus Streptococcus according to the makeup of the organism's cell wall.

What kinds of illnesses does group B strep cause?
In newborns, group B strep is the most common cause of sepsis (infection of the bloodstream) and meningitis (infection of the lining and fluid surrounding the brain) and a common cause of pneumonia. Group B strep disease in newborns usually occurs in the first week of life ("early- onset"). Babies can also get a slightly less serious "late-onset" form of group B strep disease that develops a week to a few months after birth.
In adults, group B strep usually causes no symptoms. However, in rare cases, it can lead to serious bloodstream infections, urinary tract infections, skin infections, and pneumonia, especially in people with weakened immune systems and other health problems, such as diabetes.

How do people get infected with group B strep?
Group B strep bacteria are different from many other types of bacteria that can cause disease. People can be "colonized" with group B strep. This means that they carry the bacteria in their bodies but are not infected and do not become sick. Adults can carry the bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract, genital tract, or urinary tract. About 10% to 30% of pregnant women are colonized with group B strep in the genital tract.
Colonization with group B strep is usually harmless. The bacteria can become deadly, though, if something happens that allows them to invade the bloodstream. In adults, weakened immunity resulting from cancer treatment or a chronic illness can prompt an infection. More often, pregnant women who carry the bacteria can unknowingly transmit group B strep to their newborns at birth. Newborns can acquire early-onset group B strep disease either before or during delivery. The cause of late-onset disease in babies is not well understood.

How is group B strep infection diagnosed?
Group B strep infection is diagnosed by a laboratory test of blood or spinal fluid.

Who is at risk for group B strep infection?
Adults with illnesses that weaken the immune system, such as diabetes or cancer, are at risk of infection with group B strep.
An infant born to a woman who is carrying the bacteria can also be at risk. Some pregnant women are at more risk than others of having a baby who develops group B strep disease. A pregnant woman is at high risk if she:

• Has already had a baby with group B strep infection
• Has a urinary tract infection caused by group B strep
• Becomes colonized with group B strep late in pregnancy
• Develops a fever during labor
• Has rupture of membranes 18 hours or more before delivery
• Begins labor or has rupture of membranes before 37 weeks ("preterm")

What complications can result from group B strep infection?
Group B strep infection is fatal in about 20% of infected men and non-pregnant women and about 5% to 15% of infected newborns. Babies who survive can be left with speech, hearing, and vision problems as well as mental retardation.

What is the treatment for group B strep infection?
Group B strep infections in both newborns and adults are usually treated with antibiotics given intravenously (through a vein).

How common is group B strep infection?
Group B strep causes disease in about 18,000 people in the United States each year. Of these, about 8,000 are newborns. Group B strep is the most common cause of blood infections and meningitis in newborns and is a frequent cause of newborn pneumonia.

Is group B strep infection an emerging infectious disease?
Yes. Since 1970, group B strep infection has become the leading bacterial infection causing illness and death in newborns in the United States. Cases in adults are also on the rise. The number of adult infections nearly doubled during the 1980s and continues to increase.

How can group B strep infection be prevented?
Most cases of group B strep infection in newborns can be prevented by giving certain pregnant women antibiotics during labor. Antibiotic treatment before labor does not prevent group B strep infection in newborns.
Any pregnant woman who has already had a baby with group B strep infection or who has a urinary tract infection caused by group B strep should be given antibiotics during labor. Pregnant women who are colonized with group B strep should be offered antibiotics at the time of labor or rupture of the membranes. Colonization with group B strep can be detected late in pregnancy (35-37 weeks' gestation) by a special test of secretions from the vagina and rectum.
Unfortunately, some babies still get group B strep infection despite testing and antibiotic treatment. Vaccines to prevent group B strep infection are being developed.