Group B Strep Disease – Diagnosis and Treatment
Diagnosis
To check for group B strep (GBS) disease in newborns, doctors may collect samples from the baby’s blood or spinal fluid. The lab examines these samples to see if GBS bacteria are present.
If a baby appears sick, doctors may order more tests like urine cultures, lumbar puncture, or a chest X-ray to look for infections in the lungs or urinary tract.
For adults, doctors often use a simple blood test to detect GBS infection. This helps them choose the right treatment, especially for people with higher risk, such as those with diabetes, cancer, or reproductive and urinary tract problems.
Early identification of GBS helps prevent health issues like pneumonia, sepsis, or long-term problems such as hearing or vision loss.
Treatment
Care for Newborns
Doctors usually treat babies diagnosed with group B strep infection with intravenous antibiotics, often starting with medications from the beta-lactam antibiotic class.
In serious cases, they may also give fluids through a vein, oxygen, or other medicines as needed. Monitoring and extra support are important for recovery.
Care for Adults
Doctors prescribe antibiotics to adults, including pregnant women, based on how the infection affects them. Beta-lactam antibiotics are commonly used and are generally considered safe during pregnancy.
When GBS causes problems during labor, healthcare providers administer IV antibiotics to protect both mother and baby.
Follow-Up and Prevention
Early treatment is key, but follow-up care may be needed in some cases—especially if the infection has affected the brain, lungs, or other organs. Newborns may need repeated testing, and adults may need continued monitoring depending on the infection’s impact.
For pregnant women, GBS screening is often done between weeks 36 and 37 of pregnancy. If a woman tests positive, preventive antibiotics during labor can reduce the risk of passing the infection to the baby.
