Group B Streptococcal (GBS) Meningitis: Symptoms, Treatment, Outlook, and More
Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is a bacterium present in around
It can lead to diseases in newborns, like GBS disease. Older adults may also have other health issues, like There is a disease called diabetes., and may be affected by the GBS.
You should read this to learn more about how it can lead to meningitis, and what questions you should ask your doctor.
Language matters
Sex and gender are on the spectrum. We may use the terms “women” and “men” in this article to reflect the terms used to describe gender people. Your gender identity may not match how your body responds to this disease. Your doctor can help you understand how your circumstances will affect your diagnosis and treatment.
The GI tract and genital tracts are where the GBS resides.
Sometimes, the symptoms of GBS are not caused by the disease. Most people with the GBSbacteria show no symptoms.
When GBS does cause illness, it may lead to various infections. One possibility is meningitis, an infection of the tissues surrounding the brain and spinal column. Other possible infections include:
- sepsis (infection of the blood)
- pneumonia (infection of the lungs)
- There are infections of skin and soft tissue.
- Joint and bone infections.
There are very few Complications from the GBS in adults. Babies are more affected by issues like pneumonia and sepsis than other age groups.
GBS meningitis in newborns
Babies can be born with the growth of the GBSbacteria in the birth canal. Babies exposed to the disease may be at risk of developing diseases soon after birth.
There are risk factors for newborns.
- a birthing parent who tested positive for GBS bacteria in the weeks before delivery
- A parent had a high temperature during labor.
- A parent who had a baby had a urinary tract infection.
- labor with ruptured membranes that lasted
18 hours or longer
There are early and late onset GBS disease with newborns.
- Early onset: The infection (meningitis, sepsis, pneumonia) begins within 7 days of birth. Exposure to GBS in the birth canal or other contact with the birthing parent in delivery is usually the cause.
- Late onset: The infection, which is typically meningitis, begins a week to a few months after birth. Exposure to GBS from the mother or any other person who carries it can cause late onset GBS infection.
GBS meningitis in adults
Adults over the age of 65 are more likely to develop GBS-related problems.
They may have other health conditions that affect their health.
- “It’s obese.”
- There is a disease called diabetes.
- The heart disease is very serious.
- cancer or previous cancer
- Congestive heart failure is a condition.
Early signs of GBS meningitis, a type of bacterial meningitis, tend to develop within
Meningitis symptoms in newborns include:
- There is a high degree of There is a high degree of fever..
- trouble feeding
- There is a lack of lethargy.
- “Is it possible that I’m Irrisponsible?”
- bulging soft spot (fontanelle) on the head
- abnormal reflexes
Meningitis symptoms in adults include:
- There is a high degree of There is a high degree of fever..
- stiff neck
- There is a throbbing head.
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Light has a sensitivity to light.
- There is confusion.
When to contact a doctor
It is important to contact a doctor when you see a newborn with symptoms. Initial symptoms can be hard to spot, but can lead to seizures, coma, or even death.
If you want to contact a doctor, you should do it.
- Symptoms come on suddenly.
- you experience a stiff neck, There is a throbbing head., or There is confusion.
- your newborn has a There is a high degree of There is a high degree of fever.. of 100.4ºF (38ºC) or higher
- Your newborn has a large bulge.
Some people may experience serious consequences after recovering from the disease. If not treated, the disease can lead to death in a few hours.
Complications in infants
Some
Complications in pregnant adults
Pregnant people don’t typically develop GBS meningitis. Instead, they may develop other GBS-related infections, like blood infections or post-delivery wound infections.
Other problems of pregnant people include:
- There are infections in the urinary tract.
- There was a loss of a baby.
- There is a stillbirth.
- preterm labor
Complications in non-pregnant adults
GBS meningitis and other related infections can be serious for older adults. About
If you or your child show signs of GBS meningitis, your doctor will likely order a blood test or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) test via spinal tap. Blood and spinal fluid are both sterile. If GBS is present in these fluids, it’s a sure sign of infection.
The results from these tests may take a while.
Treatment for meningitis involves taking various antibiotics. The
Initial drugs may include ampicillin and gentamicin. Once an additional spinal tap shows the GBS has cleared, doctors may switch you or your child to penicillin G for another
Your doctor will adjust treatment if your case is progressing or resolving.
Screening for GBS bacteria during late pregnancy (
If the doctor thinks the baby is sick, he will suggest antibiotics during labor. penicillin is the most popular drug, but your doctor may suggest other drugs if you have an allergy.
Pregnant people who receive IV medications during labor have a
There is no vaccine against the disease. Antibiotics in oral form are not a good way to preventbacteria.
If you have had a previous case of the disease, you should speak with your doctor about any additional prevention measures that may help.
Most people recover from GBS meningitis. In newborns, the mortality rate is between
The highest mortality rate for babies is 20%.
Recurrence is also a possibility in older adults. Some
“The GBSbacteria don’t cause sickness in everyone. Older adults with certain health conditions are at the highest risk.”
Symptoms of GBS can come on suddenly and progress quickly. Meningitis can lead to serious problems and even death.
If you or your baby have any symptoms, you should contact your doctor. When treatment with medications starts as soon as possible, it can be effective.