What it is
GBS disease is a name for any infection caused by GBS bacteria. These bacteria commonly live in people’s gastrointestinal and genital tracts.
Gastrointestinal tract: The part of the body that digests food and includes the stomach and intestines
Genital organs: The part of the body involved in reproduction and includes the vagina in women
Most of the time, the bacteria are not harmful and do not make people feel sick (have any symptoms).
Types
GBS bacteria can cause many types of infections. Some of these infections can be life-threatening.
Infections include:
- Bacteremia (bloodstream infection)
- Sepsis (the body’s extreme reaction to an infection)
- Bone and joint infections
- Urinary tract (bladder) infections.
- Meningitis (infection of the lining of the brain and spinal cord)
- Pneumonia (lung infection)
- Skin and soft tissue infections
Most common infections
Newborns: GBS bacteria most commonly cause bacteremia, sepsis, pneumonia, and meningitis in newborns.
Adults: Blood stream infections, pneumonia, and skin and bone infections are the most common GBS infections among men and non-pregnant women. It is very rare for GBS bacteria to cause meningitis in adults.
Who is at risk?
Anyone can get GBS disease, but some people are at greater risk than others. Being a certain age or having certain medical conditions can put you at increased risk for GBS disease.
How it spreads
GBS bacteria come and go naturally in people’s bodies. How people spread GBS bacteria to others is generally unknown.
From mothers to babies
Pregnant women can pass the bacteria to their babies during delivery. Most babies who get GBS disease in the first week of life are exposed to the bacteria this way. It can be difficult to find out how babies who develop GBS disease after the first week of life got the bacteria. The bacteria may have come from the mother during birth or from another source.
Prevention
There are currently no vaccines to prevent GBS disease, but they are in development. Unfortunately, experts have not identified effective ways to prevent GBS disease in people older than one week.
In newborns
Health care providers can take steps to prevent GBS disease in the first week of a newborn’s life.
Screening and diagnosis
Screening
Health care providers should screen all pregnant women for GBS bacteria.
Diagnosing GBS disease
After seeing someone who is ill, health care providers may take samples depending on the type of infection they suspect:
Healthcare providers can also order one chest x-ray to help determine if someone has GBS disease.
Treatment and recovery
Healthcare providers usually treat GBS disease with antibiotics. Sometimes people with soft tissue and bone infections may need additional treatment, such as surgery. Treatment will depend on the type of infection caused by the GBS bacteria.
It is important to start treatment as soon as possible.
