GROUP B STREP: 8 THINGS THAT EVERY PARENT SHOULD KNOW

Known as the silent infection, GBS can be fatal for newborns. During July’s Awareness Month, here are the key signs to be aware of. 

- LISA SALMON

GROUP B streptococcus (GBS) is the most common cause of life-threatening infection in newborn babies, and it can kill within hours – yet the UK doesn’t routinely test pregnant women for it.

The charity Group B Strep Support (GBSS) says an average of two babies develop a GBS infection every day in the UK, and while most recover, one baby dies as a result of the infection each week, and one baby a week survives with life-changing disabilities.

GBSS says around two to four out of every 10 women in the UK will carry group B strep in their rectum, vagina, or intestines, although most won’t experience any symptoms.

However, if a woman’s pregnant, GBS can affect her baby around the time of birth.

Speaking to mark July’s Group B Strep Awareness Month, GBSS chief executive Jane Plumb, who set up the charity in 1996 with her husband Robert after their son, Theo, died from GBS infection aged 17 hours, stresses that raising awareness of Group B Strep can save babies’ lives and minimise the heartache the illness often causes.

“Group B strep is the most common cause of severe infection, including sepsis and meningitis, in newborn babies, yet people are not routinely told about it during pregnancy. This isn’t good enough,” she says.

Here’s what you should know about GBS...

1. IT CAN CAUSE MENINGITIS, SEPSIS AND PNEUMONIA