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Common Bacterial
Group B Strep
Group B strep, also known as Group B streptococcus, is bacterial infection that can infect babies, pregnant women, the elderly, and adults with severe medical conditions. Neonates are at the greatest risk of contracting meningitis from group B strep.Neonates
General:
Early onset disease occurs during the first week and late-onset occurs between the first week and 2-3 months, so group B strep primarily affects neonates, not infants.
Prevention:
The CDC recommends that pregnant women be tested for group B strep in her vagina and rectum when she is 35-37 weeks pregnant. If the test is positive, women should receive intravenous antibiotics before and during labor.
A pregnant women who carries the group B strep bacteria and receives antibiotics has a 1/4000 chance of delivering a baby with it. Those who carry the bacteria and don't receive antibiotics have a 1/200 chance of a group b strep delivery, which is over 20 times the risk of development without antibiotics.
Symptoms:
- Irritability
- Nausea/vomiting
- Feeding poorly
Common symptoms such as fevers, headaches, and stiff necks can be tough to detect or might not even occur in neonates and infants. MFA urges anyone with these symptoms to seek medical attention immediately!
Diagnosis:
All types of meningitis are diagnosed by growing bacteria from a sample of the infected person's spinal fluid, which is collected by performing a lumbar puncture (spinal tap). Results show whether or not the cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) has increased white blood cells, lowered glucose or increased protein and is often stained if positive. The proper bacterial identification is important for selection of the correct antibodies.
Treatment:
Group B strep is treated with a number of intravenous antibiotics including penicillin or ampicillin. Treatment often depends on the type of infection with group B strep the patient has. Soft tissue and bone infections resulting from group B strep may require surgery.
Source(s):
www.cdc.gov/nip
www.groupbstrep.org
