What is Group B Streptococcus (GBS)?
GBS is a germ that is found normally in the intestines and genital tract of about one out of five pregnant women. Although it usually is not harmful to the woman, it can cause serious infections in her baby, including infections of the blood, spinal fluid and lungs. It is the most common cause of these types of serious infections in newborns. Not every woman who has GBS in the intestines and genital tract will have a baby with serious infection. Approximately 1 out of 150 babies of mothers who have the germ will develop signs of infection and most of these will occur in the first week of life. There are some factors that increase the chance that a woman will have a baby with GBS disease (see following section). GBS can also cause disease in pregnant women, including urinary tract infections and womb infections. Also people with other illnesses like diabetes or liver disease, or the elderly can have infections with GBS. What can be done to help prevent GBS disease in my baby? In August
