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Group B Strep is a bacteria infection is in the
vagina or rectum of 10—35 percent of adults. One third of all
pregnant women are positive for GBS. It is harmless to most
grown-ups, but transmission from mother to baby develope's in about
8000 babies in the U.S. every year and may take the lives of about
six percent who are diagnosed with GBS. .
Testing
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Although testing for GBS isn't
standard care—you can ask to have it done. The Center for Disease
Control—CDC have recommended that GBS testing be honored at
patient's request. Many doctor's and midwives routinely test for GBS
about four weeks before the due date. |
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Testing for GBS is simple...a cotton swab is placed in the vagina
and rectum and prepared in a medium that is specially treated for
this particular test. The results are usually available in three
days.
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When is the treatment
done
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If your test results are
positive...you'll received antibiotics during labor. The medicine
will be given through your IV—intravenously. |
What about my baby?
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The good news is when a mother-to-be has GBS it doesn't mean her
baby will become sick. But, if your baby is diagnosed with GBS your
little one will be treated just like you...with antibiotics given
intravenously.
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This may be the cause for
the most common of meningitis, sepsis—a bloodstream infection, newborn
pneumonia, and possibly stillbirth. There is good news however, it can
be treated with antibiotics.
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