Group B Strep is a common bacterial infection which often lays dormant in the lower part of your intestines.
Adults usually carry it in the bowel/vaginal area with no symptoms. it can lead to recurrent Urinary Tract Infections (UTI’s) and also lead to further more serious issues such as bone/joint infections or pneumonia.
Although Strep B lays dormant it can be dangerous for adults living with chronic health conditions such as diabetes. It can also be dangerous for pregnant women to unknowingly pass the viral infection to their newborns during labour .
Symptoms of Strep B in infants include;
- Low Body Temperature
- Fever
- Irritability
- Rashes
- Been limp or floppy
- Lethargic
- Seizures
- Difficulty in breathing
Treatment
If a newborn becomes poorly with potential Strep B they will have tests carried out such as blood tests to determine the next steps of treatment for recovery and often a vaginal swab on mum to confirm. if the test shows positive the infant will be treated with intravenous (IV) antibiotics. They may sometimes also need additional support such as oxygen and or IV fluids.
Having one or more of the symptoms above does not mean that you or your baby have Group Strep B, it is a simple guide to make your aware of the symptoms.
Find out how you can get involved in raising awareness of Group Strep B and how you can organise your own fund raising event