Group Strep B

•Strep B or Streptococcus agalactiae is a gram-positive, beta-hemolytic (destroys red blood cells) Strep species. It is encapsulated which can make it resistant to many antibiotics. There is 10 distinct species that have been identified so far. •Strep B is usually treated with penicillin, ampicillin, and Beta-lactams  type antibiotics. Penicillin resistant strains of Strep B have been on the rise in many countries. US has shown higher resistance to penicillin, ampicillin, erythromycin, and Clint amy in with ranges of 25-52%. However, many individuals are allergic to penicillin. •How do you get Strep B: Group B strep bacteria can normally be found in about 25%-30% of all healthy pregnant women. Group B strep is commonly found in the intestine, vagina, and rectal area. Most women who are carriers of the bacteria (colonized) will not have any symptoms; however, under certain circumstances, perinatal group B strep infection of both the mother and/or the newborn can develop. In newborns, if the GBS infection develops in the first week of life, it is termed early onset disease. •https://www.medicinenet.com/group_b_strep/article.htm#what_causes_group_b_strep_infection •Contagious to my partner? •Many healthy people carry group B strep bacteria in their bodies. You might carry the bacteria in your body for a short time — it can come and go — or you might always have it. Group B strep bacteria aren't classified as a sexually transmitted, but they can be spread through sex and contact. They’re not spread through food or water, but they are normal inhabitants of cow products. •https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/group-b-strep/symptoms-causes/syc-20351729 •Group B in pregnancy •Group B Streptococcus is known to be one of the most life threatening infections in the newborn. However, according to research only 1-2% of newborns die in severe cases, but I should be taken seriously. The organism is commonly found in the vagina of many women in which it is harmless. However, the baby easily becomes infected during labour and birth and can become seriously ill in the newborn period from the organism, many developing meningitis or sepsis.