What Is Group Beta Strep?
Group B (beta) strep is a strain of bacteria normally found in the intestines and lower genital tract. This infection can be deadly for newborns, the elderly and adults with weakened immune systems, and women can pass it to their babies during childbirth. The Mayo Clinic and the Directors of Health Promotion and Education offer the following information regarding group B strep.ColonizationMany people are “colonized” with group B strep—meaning it lives in their body without causing problems. It typically resides in the rectum, vagina, throat, bladder and bowel, and between 10 and 30 percent of pregnant women have these bacteria in their genital tract. It can become a problem if weakened immunity in an adult allows the bacteria to enter the bloodstream or if a pregnant woman passes the infection to her child.AdultsMost adults do not experience any symptoms or complications, though they can include infections of the blood, skin and urinary tract, heart valve infections, meningitis and p
