Hi gals
Got some conclusion on GBS (Group B Strep). I am not going to quote any source as got all these info from different sources and some pts I deduced myself. So, pls use ur judgement to see what is the best for urself or check with ur most trusted gynae as different pple have diff circumstances:
Group B Strep (full names is Lancefield Group B Streptococcus) is a very common bacteria found in the gastrointestinal tracts of many people. This bacteria can also find its way to our virginal and urinary tract. Once its in our body, it is very difficult to eradicate it completely. It is often harmless. Nevertheless, it can sometimes cause urinary tract infection (UTI, maybe especially when at times when we r stressed, etc and immunity system is weak) and if that happens, it can be treated with antibiotics and the UTI goes away. However, if its in our virginal, it really comes and go. After eating antibiotics, the bacteria disappears from the virginal but it can easily come back in weeks or months. But as said, even if it comes back, as long as it does not pose problems, it is actually OK esp if not preg or TTCing..
GBS is a more significant risk for a pregnant woman when she is about to deliver via natural birth. This is because the baby can be exposed to this bacteria when him/her passes through the birth channel. Complications on the bb could include pneumonia, sepsis and meningitis. However, there is a very easy solution to reduce infection on the baby to the lowest: that is for the pregnant mum to test for GBS in her 35 to 37weeks or so and once she is tested positive, the gynae should treat her with antibiotics during delivery to “kill” the bacteria before it has a chance to be in contact with the baby. If a mum’s waterbag burst (increases chance of bb to be in contact with GBS) and she was previously tested positive in week 35 to 37, she must be rushed to the hospital (in any case) and the doctor must be quick to administer the antibiotics. Some gynae overseas advocates only testing the mom in the 35 to 37 weeks due to: GBS comes and goes and its very difficult to eradicate. So even if its cure in a mom’s 24 weeks, it can still come back in 30th wk. As long as antibiotics is given during birth process, the risk to baby is reduced to the lowest already.
However, I find that some gynae also choose to treat the patients in early pregnancy becoz I believe that is they want to be prudent as there might be fear that the bacteria might cause infection of the membranes (which protects bb from viruses) which could pose risk to the developing bb. I believe the chances of this is low but maybe not none. That is why some gynae give antibiotics once the pregnant women is tested positive. It could also be that it is never a comfortable thought to know that the pregnant lady is carrying a bacteria in her virginal (part of reproduction system) that could be a potential risk to the developing bb.
Hi Avocado
This probably answers Avocado’s qus that GBS not does generally cause mc and it only poses highest risk of infection to bb during process of delivery. Another point is that the mom’ should be able to protect the bb against some infection under ideal circumstances.
However, as there is no absolute in life, my personal view is that there is still a very very low chance that it could result in an infection while bb is still developing although that is not a well known risk of GBS. (many drs probably also cannot give a definite answer to this question and to be fair to them, it is probably so low chance that after treating with antibiotics and the bacteria persist, it might not be worthwhile to keep treating it with more antibiotics that might further impair her already weaker immune system due to preg).
As to what causes GBS, it is really becoz the bacteria is so often found in our intestines and stools (rectum) that it can easily find its way to the urinary tract and virginal. Actually I think its unlikely that GB will treat this and personally, I would prefer to let the gynae-in-charge of any future preg know and treat it if they want as it will be easier for them to monitor the type of antibiotics we take (must be TTC friendly) and to know our history of GBS for ease of management during delivery.
Next is the most important concern for TTCing ladies, its GBS a threat to fertility for both female and male. From what I gather, it is unlikely to be a threat for female fertility and the bacteria comes and goes out of her virginal anyway. According to textbook case reading, GBS is not a sexually transmitted disease and is unlikely to be passed to our hubbies. HOWEVER, as we can see from a few egs in the forum, the textbook case is wrong. Apparently its generally more difficult to for guys to be infected by it since their reproduction organ is not always in a constant moist state like ours (easy for virus to grow). But the reality is that guys can get infected by wives. And it seems that when guys get infected, the risk of mc due to bb getting infected is higher vs when only the mom is infected and also, there is also a chance once the GBS virus lives in the semen, the sperm concentration (fertility) is compromised (saw from a few overseas articles that did sampling on men). But the saving grace is that it seems that when a guy is infected and gets treated, the recurrence risk is much lower (as its harder for virus to keep growing in their reproduction organ as said above) than that for us.
So the conclusion is for me and ladies out there who might have this persistent problem: since after several doses of antibiotics and the virus still lingers, we should strengthen our immunity system, always wear cotton underwear (to allow better circulation), maybe don’t wear underwear at nite. (Thanks to the Sylvie who suggested these to me
These are probably the best ways to fight the virus if antibiotics do not help. For ladies who have not tested for GBS, make sure u ask to test it (gynae will probably offer) when u r pregnant to know when to build ur body immunity if u have it (maybe can treat with antibiotics first and see if can clear, but better check with gynae. But must be prepared that it can come back again). Make sure to test it again in 35 to 37 weeks and if positive, remind gynae to treat during delivery.
For the hubby side, if wife is tested positive/ever tested positive, I personally believe it is advisable to test ur hubby too. If he is clear, its great news but if not, maybe can let him take a course of antibiotics and retest again to ensure he is clear. And from there, also ask him to build up immunity system to keep recurrence risk low.
Bluberi, also hope ur actual flow comes soon and don’t worry now since its still early. For all u know, u might be worrying over nothing once it reports!
