1. Stages of Pregnancy Slideshow Pictures
2. Early Pregnancy Symptoms
3. Conception (Egg to Embryo) Slideshow Pictures

Medical Author:

Steven Doerr, MD

Steven Doerr, MD

Steven Doerr, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Emergency Medicine Physician. Dr. Doerr received his undergraduate degree in Spanish from the University of Colorado at Boulder. He graduated with his Medical Degree from the University Of Colorado Health Sciences Center in Denver, Colorado in 1998 and completed his residency training in Emergency Medicine from Denver Health Medical Center in Denver, Colorado in 2002, where he also served as Chief Resident.

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Medical Editor:

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.

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In this Article

• Group B strep facts
• What is group B strep?
• What causes group B strep infection?
• How is group B strep transmitted?
• What are the signs and symptoms of group B strep infection?
• How is group B strep infection diagnosed?
• What is the treatment for group B strep infection?
• What are the complications of group B strep infection?
• How is group B strep infection prevented?
• Patient Comments: Group B Strep - Symptoms
• Patient Comments: Group B Strep - Describe Your Experience
• Patient Comments: Group B Strep - Treatments
• Group B Strep Index

In newborns with early-onset group B strep infection, the signs and symptoms usually develop within the first 24 hours of life. Those babies who develop late-onset group B strep infection are often healthy and thriving, with the signs and symptoms of the disease developing after the first week of life. Signs and symptoms that may be observed with GBS infection in babies include

• fever,



• breathing problems/grunting sounds,



• bluish-colored skin,



• seizures,



• limpness or stiffness,



• heart rate and blood pressure abnormalities,



• poor feeding, and



• fussiness.

Adults who develop invasive GBS infection may develop bloodstream infection (sepsis), skin and soft-tissue infection, bone and joint infection, lung infection (pneumonia), or rarely an infection of the fluid and lining tissues surrounding the brain (meningitis).

In newborns and in adults, isolation of the group B strep bacteria is necessary for a definitive diagnosis. Laboratory studies which isolate the organism from certain body fluids, such as blood, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and urine help establish the diagnosis. A lumbar puncture (spinal tap) may need to be performed when meningitis is suspected. Imaging studies such as a chest X-ray may be ordered to evaluate whether pneumonia is present.