11
, International Group B Strep Awareness Month, Dr. Nicolle
https://youtu.be/JTRKTwUG2Uo

July is International Group B Strep Awareness Month. Group B Streptococcus (group B strep, GBS) are bacteria that come and go naturally in the body. Most of the time the bacteria are not harmful, but they can cause serious illness in people of all ages. In fact, group B strep disease is a common cause of severe infection in newborns. While GBS disease can be deadly, there steps pregnant women can take to help protect babies. Rates of serious group B strep (GBS) infections are higher among newborns, but anyone can get GBS disease. Below are some important facts about GBS disease in babies, pregnant women, and others.

Babies

  • Among babies, there are 2 main types of GBS disease:
    • Early-onset — occurs during the 1st week of life.
Late-onset — occurs from the 1st week through three months of life.
    • In the United States, GBS bacteria are a leading cause of meningitis and bloodstream infections in a newborn’s 1st three months of life.
  • Early-onset disease used to be the most common type of GBS disease in babies. Today, because of e”ective early- onset disease prevention, early- and late-onset disease occur at similarly low rates.
  • In the United States on average each year:

    • About 900 babies get early-onset GBS disease.
    • About 1,200 babies get late-onset GBS disease.

  • Newborns are at increased risk for GBS disease if their mother tests positive for the bacteria during pregnancy. 2 to 3 in every 50 babies (4 to 6%) who develop GBS disease will die.

Pregnant Women

  • About 1 in 4 pregnant women carry GBS bacteria in their body.
Doctors should test pregnant woman for GBS bacteria when they are 36 through 37 weeks pregnant.
  • Giving pregnant women antibiotics through the vein (IV) during labor can prevent most early-onset GBS disease in newborns.
    • A pregnant woman who tests positive for GBS bacteria and gets antibiotics during labor has only a 1 in 4,000 chance of delivering a baby who will develop GBS disease. If she does not receive antibiotics during labor, her chance of delivering a baby who will develop GBS disease is 1 in 200.
  • Pregnant women cannot take antibiotics to prevent early-onset GBS disease in newborns before labor. The bacteria can grow back quickly. The antibiotics only help during labor.

Other Ages and Groups

  • GBS bacteria may come and go in people’s bodies without symptoms.
  • On average, about 1 in 20 non-pregnant adults with serious GBS infections die.
  • The rate of serious group B strep disease increases with age:

    • There are 10 cases in every 100,000 non-pregnant adults each year.
    • There are 25 cases in every 100,000 adults 65 years or older each year.
  • The average age of cases in non-pregnant adults is about 60 years old.

Prevention

The two best ways to prevent group B strep (GBS) disease during the first week of a newborn’s life are:

  • Testing pregnant women for GBS bacteria
  • Giving antibiotics, during labor, to women at increased risk

Unfortunately, experts have not identified effective ways to prevent GBS disease in people older than one week old.

Stay healthy,

Dr. Nicolle

References

 

Some of the links in this article are "affiliate links", a link with a special tracking code. This means if you click on an affiliate link and purchase the item, we will receive an affiliate commission.

The price of the item is the same whether it is an affiliate link or not. Regardless, we only recommend products or services we believe will add value to our readers.

By using the affiliate links, you are helping support our Website, and we genuinely appreciate your support.

Last updated on September 27th, 2021 at 02:51 pm

, International Group B Strep Awareness Month, Dr. Nicolle

Minimize Medications. Maximize Health.

Are you super busy but need to take control of your health? Are you tired of being tired? Subscribe to my “Minimize Medications, Maximize Health Blog” and I’ll give you 7 Tips to Get Healthy in No Time absolutely FREE.

You have Successfully Subscribed!

Related Posts

Leave a Reply

×
 
Why Choose to Subscribe?
  • Automatically re-order your favorite products on your schedule.
  • Easily change the products or shipping date for your upcoming Scheduled Orders.
  • Pause or cancel any time.