What does group B streptococcus carrier mean?
Group B strep (streptococcus) is a common bacterium often carried in the intestines or lower genital tract. The bacterium is usually harmless in healthy adults. In newborns, however, it can cause a serious illness known as group B strep disease.
How did I become a carrier of group B strep?
How do people become carriers of group B Strep? Like many bacteria, GBS may be passed from one person to another through skin-to-skin contact, for example, hand contact, kissing, close physical contact, etc. As GBS is often found in the vagina and rectum of colonised women, it can be passed through sexual contact.
What is group B strep carrier in pregnancy?
GBS can live in a pregnant woman’s body and cause symptoms and an infection. GBS can also live in a pregnant woman’s body and not cause any symptoms and not pose any danger to her health. In this situation, the woman is called a “carrier.”
How do you prevent strep B?
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.
What happens if group B strep is positive?
Results. If you test positive for group B strep, it doesn’t mean that you’re ill or that your baby will be affected. It simply means you need treatment to prevent an infection in your baby. Talk with your health care provider about how you’ll incorporate your group B strep treatment into your labor plan.
Can you get rid of group B strep in pregnancy?
Positive Results If your results from the group B strep test come back positive, your pregnancy is labeled “GBS positive.” Treatment will not be prescribed during pregnancy to get rid of group B strep.
Can Strep B go away?
Early recognition and treatment is important to cure GBS infection in adults. High doses of antibiotics such as penicillin should be administered and the full course taken. Most GBS infection can be treated successfully, although some people will require all the expertise of intensive care facilities.