The streptococcus group B (EGB) is a type of bacteria found in the intestines, genital and urinary systems of up to 30% of adults, including pregnant, without developing any disease. However, it can be transmitted to the newborn during childbirth, and, although it usually is harmless, it can sometimes lead to severe and even fatal infections. To avoid complications and ensure the excellent health of the mother and the baby, it is essential to do a good follow-up of the pregnancy with a specialist.
At FastlyHealwe, explain in detail what are the symptoms, contagion, and treatment of group B streptococci in pregnancy.
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Strep Symptoms in Pregnancy
Women who are carriers of GBS often do not know it. Here we collect some of the symptoms that can occur in the mother and the newborn when the bacteria cause infection.
GBS can cause a pregnant mother to have a urinary infection or an infection of the membranes and amniotic fluid called chorioamnionitis. This infection has the following symptoms:
- Abnormal uterine tenderness.
- Purulent or foul-smelling amniotic fluid.
- Maternal tachycardia was more significant than 100 beats per minute.
- Fetal tachycardia was more powerful than 160 beats per minute.
- Increase white blood cell cells (leukocytosis) to more than 15,000 / mm.
- Increased uterine contractility.
- Pelvic pain when moving.
In the newborn, the symptoms of the infection may appear in the first week of life or, in some cases, even later. Symptoms of group B strep in newborns can include:
- Fever.
- Difficulty feeding.
- Breathing difficulties: there may be cases where the baby’s skin, lips, or nails turn blue.
- Lethargy: the baby has difficulty waking up, is inactive or flabby, shows a state of fatigue.
Infection in the newborn can take place in:
- The blood is called septicemia.
- The lungs manifested in the form of pneumonia.
- The brain manifests itself in the form of meningitis.
GBS contagion
There is no contagion from mothers. Between 10% and 30% of women carry group B strep and have always had it. This bacteria is not spread sexually.
Transmission of the bacteria to babies occurs during delivery. Most newborns who come into contact with GBS during delivery do not become ill, although some can have serious problems. Risk factors for developing infection include:
- Premature birth.
- Prolonged rupture of more than 18 hours of the membranes.
- Intrapartum fever
- The precedent of disease from an older brother
- Exposure to a high amount of GBS in the birth canal
GBS prevention
To prevent group B strep infection from spreading to the newborn, the pregnant mother is given an antibiotic intravenously – usually penicillin or ampicillin – at least four hours before the end of labor.
The administration of antibiotics is an alternative that is quite effective, although it is expected that a vaccine with even greater guarantees will just be developed. This vaccine, administered to the mother during pregnancy, would elicit an immune response and protect the baby against early and late-onset GBS infection.
Treatment of GBS
The type of treatment varies depending on when the presence of the bacteria has been detected.
Treatment for the mother infected with group B strep:
- Oral antibiotics during the first weeks of pregnancy.
- Intravenous (IV) antibiotics during labor to kill the bacteria (as explained in the Prevention section).
Treatment for the baby with group B strep infection:
- IV intravenous antibiotics to kill bacteria
- Hospitalization until there is a total assurance of improvement
This article is merely informative. At FastlyHeal .com, we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor if you present any condition or discomfort.
If you want to read more articles similar to Streptococcus in pregnancy: symptoms, contagion, and treatment, we recommend entering our Pregnancy and baby health category.
I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.