July is National Strep B Awareness Month

Spread the Facts, not the Disease.

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), group B strep is the leading cause of sepsis and meningitis in newborns in the USA Worldwide, group B strep is one of the most important infectious causes of newborn illness and death per the World Health Organization (WHO).

This is how the Group B Strep International Group describes the disease and symptoms to look for:

Group B strep (GBS) is a type of bacteria that is naturally found in the digestive and lower reproductive tracts of both men and women. About 1 in 4 pregnant women “carry” or are “colonized” with GBS. Carrying GBS does not mean that you have an infection or are unclean. Anyone can carry GBS.

Unfortunately, babies can be infected by GBS before birth through several months of age due to their underdeveloped immune systems. Only a few babies who are exposed to GBS become infected, but GBS can cause babies to be miscarried, stillborn, or become very sick and sometimes even die after birth. GBS most commonly causes infection in the blood (sepsis), the fluid and lining of the brain (meningitis), and lungs (pneumonia). Some GBS survivors experience handicaps such as blindness, deafness, mental challenges, and/or cerebral palsy.

Fortunately, most GBS infections that develop at birth can be prevented if women who have tested positive receive at least 4 hours of IV (through the vein) antibiotics just prior to delivery.

Symptoms of GBS infection in babies

• Call your baby’s care provider immediately or take your baby to the emergency room if you notice any of these signs:
• High-pitched cry, shrill moaning, whimpering
• Marked irritability, inconsolable crying
• Constant grunting, as if constipated
• Projectile vomiting
• Feeds poorly or refuses to eat, not waking for feedings
• Sleeping too much, difficulty being aroused
• Fever or low or unstable temperature; hands and feet may still feel cold even with a fever
• Blotchy, red, or tender skin
• Blue, gray, or pale skin due to lack of oxygen
• Fast, slow, or difficult breathing
• Body stiffening, uncontrollable jerking
• Listless, floppy, or not moving an arm or leg
• Tense or bulgy spot on top of head
• Blank stare
• Infection (pus/red skin) at base of umbilical cord or in puncture on the head from internal fetal monitor

Source: Group B Strep International, 2015

For more information, visit the Group B Strep International website, www.groupbstrepinternational.org

Download a brochure with more information.