Group B streptococcus, also known as Streptococcus agalactiae, S. agalactiae and GBS, is a naturally present bacterium in the gastrointestinal, urinary and vaginal tracts without causing symptoms; However, in some situations, these bacteria are able to colonize the vagina, which could lead to complications during childbirth and at the time of delivery, as, even in the absence of symptoms, bacteria could pass to the baby, being serious in some situations.
As there is a risk of infection of the baby, it is recommended that between 35 and 37 weeks of gestation, a laboratory test, known as group B streptococcus test, be performed to verify the presence and severity of this bacteria and how to plan it treatment during childbirth.
- The Streptococcus B test on the expedition is a test that must be performed between 35 and 37 weeks gestation and aims to identify the presence of Streptococcus agalactiae and its disease.
- This problem is carried out in the laboratory and involves the use of sterile cotton swab swabs to take cell samples and secretions of the lower part of the vagina and rectum.
- Which are the areas where the presence of this bacterium can be easily checked.
Once the sample is taken, the sample is sent to the lab for testing and the results will be available for 24 to 48 hours, if the result is positive, your doctor will check for symptoms of infection and if necessary, may indicate treatment. , which is done by administering antibiotics intravenously a few hours before and during delivery.
Pre-treatment for childbirth is not indicated, as it is a bacteria normally found in the body and if it occurs before birth, the bacteria may develop, poses a risk to the baby.
The woman could be infected with S. agalactiae at any time during the embargo, as the bacteria is naturally present in the urinary tract. When the infection is not treated properly, the identification problem is not perceived, bacteria may pass through the urinary tract. causing signs and symptoms, but the main ones:
Faithful;
Breathing problems;
Heart instability;
Renal and gastrointestinal changes;
Sepsis, which is the presence of bacteria in the bloodstream, is very serious;
Irritability;
Neumony;
Meningitis
Depending on the age of signs and symptoms of group B strep infection in the baby, the infection can be classified as:
Early onset of infection, as symptoms appear within the first few hours after birth;
Late onset of infection, symptoms appear between the eighth day after birth and 3 months of life;
Late onset of infection, while symptoms appear after 3 months of life and are more related to meningitis and sepsis.
If there are symptoms of infection during the first trimester of pregnancy, your doctor may recommend antibiotic treatment to avoid complications during pregnancy, such as miscarriage or preterm birth, for example, although treatment was done to combat S. agalactiae during boarding, it is important that the abducted woman perform the screening problem to identify the bacteria and avoid spreading the baby.
Some situations increase the risk of mother-to-child transmission of bacteria, including:
If it turns out that there are large strains of transmission of bacteria from mother to baby, treatment is done during delivery with intravenous antibiotics.