Have you heard about this bacteria called Group B Strep (GBS) during your pregnancy? Let's find out exactly what it is!

As a mother during pregnancy, you probably have a lot of questions and doubts, right? Especially about the health of your baby. That's what we're going to talk about today. That's Group B Strep, or GBS for short. You've probably heard of this name before. Don't worry, we'll talk about it simply, in a way that you can understand.

What is Group B Strep (GBS)? Let's understand it simply!

Simply put, Group B Strep, or ``Group B Streptococcus``, is a type of bacteria. Just like other types of bacteria that are found in our bodies, sometimes in our mouths and intestines, GBS bacteria can also be found in certain parts of our bodies, especially in the urinary tract, the digestive system (i.e., the intestines), and in women's reproductive systems (like the vagina).

Think of it like a guest in our body. That is, sometimes this bacteria can be in our body, and sometimes it can be gone. The most important thing is that even though this GBS bacteria is in the body, most people do not have any problems or illnesses from it. Therefore, many people do not even know that they have this bacteria in their body. So, just having GBS is not a big disease.

What problems can GBS cause? Does it affect everyone?

GBS is rarely a serious health problem for healthy adults. However, some people, such as the elderly, those with other chronic illnesses (such as diabetes), or those with weakened immune systems, can sometimes develop infections from GBS bacteria. Such infections can affect the blood, lungs, skin, or bones.

How does GBS affect pregnant mothers?

Now let's look at how this affects pregnant women. Research has found that about one in four pregnant women (about 25%) may have the GBS bacteria in their bodies. As mentioned earlier, not everyone who has it will get sick. However, some mothers who have GBS during pregnancy may develop urinary tract infections (UTIs), placenta infections, uterine infections, or amniotic fluid infections.

The important thing is that even if a pregnant mother has no symptoms of a GBS infection, if she has this bacteria in her body, the bacteria can be transmitted to the baby during delivery (during labor and delivery), meaning the baby can also get it. That's why we are especially concerned about GBS during pregnancy.

How does GBS affect babies?

Most of the time, if a mother with GBS is given antibiotics during labor, their baby will not have any problems. The baby will be healthy. However, some babies can have a very difficult time with this GBS bacteria, and they can become seriously ill.

Premature babies are particularly at risk of developing GBS infection because their body systems, especially the immune system that fights disease, are not fully developed.

There are two main types of conditions that GBS causes in babies:

1. Early-onset infections: These occur within the first week of life. Often , symptoms begin to appear within 24 hours of birth.

2. Late-onset infections: These occur a few weeks, or even months, after the baby is born. Doctors still don't fully understand how this late-onset GBS disease develops.

What are the symptoms of GBS in babies?

Whether a newborn baby or a baby a few months old has GBS, they may show symptoms like these. As mothers, it is very important for you to be aware of these:

• Fever: Increased body temperature.
• Difficulty drinking milk: The baby does not want to drink milk, and does not suckle properly.
• Breathing difficulties: rapid breathing, wheezing, feeling suffocated.
• Constant crying or restlessness: The baby is so irritable that it is difficult to calm him down.
• Lifeless or lethargic: The baby may appear lifeless and have drooping limbs.
• Difficulty controlling body temperature: Unable to maintain a constant body temperature (maybe fever, sometimes chills).

What happens if GBS becomes severe in a baby?

If GBS becomes severe in a baby, it can cause very serious problems. The main ones are:

• Pneumonia: An infection of the lungs.
• Sepsis: Blood poisoning. This is a serious condition that affects the entire body.
• Meningitis: An infection of the membranes and fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord. We also call this "brain fever."

This condition, called `Meningitis`, is especially common with `late-onset GBS`. If `Meningitis` develops, some babies may lose hearing, lose vision, develop learning disabilities, have `seizures`, and unfortunately, sometimes even die. Therefore, GBS is not something to be taken lightly.

How is Group B Strep (GBS) diagnosed?

Fortunately, there are now ways to test pregnant women for GBS.

How to check pregnant women

Pregnant women are usually tested for GBS late in their pregnancy, between 35 and 37 weeks. This test is simple, inexpensive, and painless. It is called a `culture test`.

This involves using a large swab to collect samples from the vagina and rectum (where stool comes out). These samples are sent to a lab to be tested for the presence of GBS bacteria. Results are usually available within a day or three.

If this test detects the GBS bacteria, the mother is said to be "GBS-positive." Remember, being GBS-positive only means that you have the bacteria in your body. It does not mean that you or your baby will definitely get sick. Many GBS-positive mothers and their babies are healthy.

How to test a baby for GBS

To know for sure whether a baby has a GBS infection, either a blood sample or a spinal fluid sample (this is a test that takes fluid from the spine) needs to be tested.

However, not every baby born to a GBS-positive mother needs these tests. In most cases, healthy, asymptomatic babies are closely monitored by doctors and nurses for signs of GBS infection.

How is Group B Strep (GBS) treated?

The best news is that GBS has a cure.

Treatment for pregnant mothers

If doctors test a pregnant mother and find out that she is GBS-positive, the mother will be given intravenous antibiotics (IV antibiotics) during labor. These antibiotics kill the GBS bacteria. Most often, the antibiotic used is penicillin. However, if a mother is allergic to penicillin, other appropriate antibiotics will be given instead.

It is most appropriate and effective to start these antibiotics at least 4 hours before the baby is born. This simple step can greatly prevent the transmission of GBS bacteria from mother to baby.

In some cases, doctors decide to give antibiotics during labor, even if a pregnant mother has not been tested for GBS. Such cases include:

• If labor starts early (if the baby is due a month early) before the GBS test is done.
• If the GBS test has not been done, and the water breaks, the baby is due 18 hours or more late.
• What if the mother develops a fever during labor without having been tested for GBS?
• If you have developed a bladder infection due to GBS during this pregnancy.
• If you have previously had a baby with GBS.

Importantly, antibiotics given during labor can only prevent early-onset GBS disease. The exact cause of late-onset GBS disease is unknown, so there is no way to prevent it. However, researchers are working to develop a vaccine that can prevent GBS infection.

Baby treatment

Babies with GBS are also treated with antibiotics. It is important to start these antibiotics as soon as possible. This can help prevent serious problems from developing. These babies may also need other treatments in addition to antibiotics. For example, breathing help and IV fluids.

What can you do to prevent Group B Strep (GBS) infection? Our final message!

Okay, so we've talked a lot about GBS. I hope you have a good understanding now. Finally, it's worth remembering these things:

• Because the GBS bacteria keep coming into our bodies, it is essential to get tested for GBS every time you get pregnant. Just because you didn't have GBS in a previous pregnancy doesn't mean you won't have it this time. And just because you had it in the past doesn't mean you will definitely have it this time. That's why it's important to get tested.
• If you test GBS-positive, don't worry. If you take antibiotics at the right time during labor, most of the time, there will be no problems for you or your baby. Most mothers do not pass GBS infection to their babies because of this treatment.
• If you are GBS-positive, go to the hospital as soon as possible after labor begins, rather than waiting at home. Starting IV antibiotics at least 4 hours before your baby is born can help protect your baby from early-onset GBS.
• If you have any further questions or concerns about GBS, don't hesitate to talk to your doctor. He or she can explain more to you and give you the advice you need.

Remember, awareness is the best defense. Our only wish is for you and your baby to stay healthy!

` Group B Strep, pregnancy, GBS test, antibiotics, newborn health