Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is a common bacterium often found in the digestive and lower genital tracts. While typically harmless in healthy adults, GBS can...
GBS is a common type of bacteria that can reside in the intestines and genital tract. It typically causes no symptoms in healthy adults but can pose significant health risks, especially to newborns.
While often asymptomatic in pregnant women, GBS can be transmitted to babies during childbirth, potentially leading to severe infections such as sepsis, pneumonia, or meningitis in newborns. It can also cause maternal complications.
Pregnant women are typically screened for GBS between 36 and 37 weeks of pregnancy. If positive, intravenous antibiotics are usually administered during labor to significantly reduce the risk of transmission to the baby.
No, Group B Strep (Streptococcus agalactiae) is different from Group A Strep (Streptococcus pyogenes), which is responsible for Strep throat and other infections like scarlet fever.