How to Get Rid of Strep B Bacteria

Group B streptococcus is a bacteria that is commonly found in infants and pregnant women. It can, however, effect the adults and elderly individuals who suffer from other diseases. Group B strep lives in a person's intestine, vagina or rectal area. The symptoms of group B strep include irritability, fever, lethargy and feeding issues in infants.

Things You'll Need

• Antibiotics

Instructions

1. Begin taking an antibiotic a few weeks before delivering a baby. This will reduce the number of strep B cells that will make it less likely that you would pass the strep on to your infant.

2. Allow the doctors to treat your infant with IV antibiotics if he is found positive for group B strep. This is important because symptoms can emerge hours after birth.

3. Continue taking antibiotics for at least two weeks, or longer if instructed by your doctor. This is true for any adults or elderly patients whose group B strep broke out in to an infection.

Tips & Warnings

• Screening should begin for pregnant women between 35 and 37 weeks gestation.

• Group B strep is different than Group A strep, which is responsible for such things as strep throat.

• If the strep causes other things, such as meningitis or pneumonia in your infant, he may need more than just a treatment of antibiotics.

References

• CDC: Group B Strep Prevention
• MedicineNet; Group B Strep Infection