what is GBS?

- GBS stands for Group B Streptococcus. It is a bacterial infection which can be deadly to many. Newborns, elderly, and persons with medical problems are at risk. A person who is healthy will have no affect from gbs. Right now in the United States, GBS is becoming the leading cause of disabilities and deaths in newborns. About 25% pregnant women carry GBS. When pregnant, mothers should be tested between 35-37 weeks gestation. If the test is positive, the mother should be given antibiotics during labor. This decreases the chance of the newborn getting the infection from 1 in 4000 to 1 in 200. There is ongoing research to come up with a vaccine. 


For more information on GBS go to http://www.cdc.gov/groupbstrep/about/index.html

July is International GBS Awareness Month!