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

At this point in time, the best measure for preventing GBS infection is through routine screening during pregnancy. This testing has served to decrease the overall number of GBS infections in newborns. In pregnant women, routine screening for colonization with GBS is strongly recommended. This test is performed between 35-37 weeks gestation. The test involves using a sterile swab to collect a sample from both the vaginal and rectal area, with results usually available within 24-72 hours.

Antibiotic administration during labor to pregnant women colonized with GBS and for those with certain risk factors can also help prevent the transmission of GBS infection.

There is currently research under way to develop a GBS vaccine.

REFERENCES:

United States. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Group B Strep (GBS)." May 23, 2011. <http://www.cdc.gov/groupbstrep/index.html>.

Woods, Christian J. "Streptococcus Group B Infections." eMedicine.com. May 17, 2010. <http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/229091-overview>.