09/26/25 Public Health Education Topic: Group B Strep
- Health Department
- 5 days ago
- 2 min read
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.
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.
How it spreads
GBS bacteria come and go naturally in people’s bodies. How people spread GBS bacteria to others is generally unknown.
From mothers to babies
Pregnant women can pass the bacteria to their babies during delivery. Most babies who get GBS disease in the first week of life are exposed to the bacteria this way. It can be hard to figure out how babies who develop GBS disease after the first week of life got the bacteria. The bacteria may have come from the mother during birth or from another source.
To learn more visit: About Group B Strep Disease | Group B Strep | CDC
