Group B Strep factsheet

• Fever
• Poor feeding and/or vomiting
• Impaired consciousness
• Shrill or moaning cry or whimpering
• Dislike of being handled, fretful
• Tense or bulging fontanelle (soft spot on head)
• Involuntary body stiffening/jerking movements
• Floppy body
• Blank, staring or trance-like expression
• Altered breathing patterns
• Turns away from bright lights
• Pale and/or blotchy skin

If your baby shows signs consistent with late-onset GBS infection or meningitis, call your GP immediately. If your GP isn't available, go straight to your nearest casualty department. If your baby has late-onset GBS infection or meningitis, early diagnosis and treatment are vital: delay could be fatal.

What else do I need to know?
The GBS bacteria may be passed from the hands so everyone (including the parents), whether they know they carry GBS or not, should wash their hands properly and carefully dry them before handling a baby for its first three months of life. The risk to a baby of developing GBS infection decreases with age - GBS infection in babies is rare after one month of age and virtually unknown after three months.

Can I find out if I carry GBS?
You may not be able to find out for sure, as no really reliable test is routinely available in the UK - they miss up to 50 per cent of GBS carriers. And if you get a positive result, all it tells you is that you carried GBS at the time the culture was taken, not that you will necessarily still carry GBS at delivery (though you probably will). What you can do is make sure you know when it's more likely a baby will develop GBS infection, how most GBS infection can be prevented, and what signs of GBS infection to watch for in your baby.

What should I do next?
You should discuss GBS with your midwife and obstetrician and agree a pregnancy and birth plan that includes what should happen about GBS. Proven methods exist which stop most GBS infection from developing in newborn babies. In the vast majority of cases, pregnancy can be managed so the babies of women who carry GBS are protected - and are born healthy and free from GBS.

For more information about GBS, please speak with your medical professionalsand/or contact:

Group B Strep Support
Preventing GBS infection in newborn babies
P O Box 203
Haywards Heath
West Sussex
RH16 1GF
Tel: 0870 803 0023
Fax: 0870 803 0024
Visit: www.gbss.org.uk
Email:info@gbss.org.uk