08/19/25 Public Health Education Topic: Group B Strep

Per CDC

Key points

• Group B Streptococcus (group B strep, GBS) bacteria cause GBS disease.

• GBS disease includes many types of infections—some can be life threatening.

• Anyone can get GBS disease, but it's most common in newborns.

• If pregnant, get tested for GBS bacteria and get antibiotics during labor, if needed.

What it is

GBS disease is a name for any infection caused by GBS bacteria. These bacteria commonly live in people's gastrointestinal and genital tracts.

Gastrointestinal tract: The part of the body that digests food and includes the stomach and intestines

Genital tract: The part of the body involved in reproduction and includes the vagina in women

Most of the time, the bacteria aren't harmful and don't make people feel sick (have any symptoms).

Types

GBS bacteria can cause many types of infections. Some of these infections can be life threatening.

Infections include:

• Bacteremia (bloodstream infection)

• Sepsis (the body's extreme response to an infection)

• Bone and joint infections

• Urinary tract (bladder) infections

• Meningitis (infection of the lining of the brain and spinal cord)

• Pneumonia (lung infection)

• Skin and soft tissue infections

  
  

Most common infections

Newborns: GBS bacteria most commonly cause bacteremia, sepsis, pneumonia, and meningitis in newborns.

Adults: Bloodstream infections, pneumonia, and skin and bone infections are the most common GBS infections among men and non-pregnant women. It's very uncommon for GBS bacteria to cause meningitis in adults.

To learn more visit: About Group B Strep Disease | Group B Strep | CDC