Strep B test

Next Friday i have to take the Stept B test and im a little confused on what it is?

I have been hearing of course its just some kind of infection thats SOME women have and thats it.....How does one get this and what does it mean?

I have asked a few people this question and no one can really clear it up for me....they just say, some women have and some dont. CONFUSED!

is this test something to be worried about or not?

No don't worry, they use a cotton swab to test for the infection. If you have it you will just need an iv antibiotic during labor, it's very easy to treat.

not
I had it monday and my dr told me that 1 in 4 women have it and you have to take antibiotics during delivery b/c if the baby gets infected then he/she could possibly develop pneumonia or meningitis

But how does one even get this infection anyways....i dont get it.

its a bacteria
I don't know exactly how you get it... I would assume just lie you would get any kinda of bacteria... it often lives in your bowel so maybe from food?!? lol, I really don't know tho I am talking out of my ass on this one, sorry :/

"

How do people get infected with group B strep?
Group B strep bacteria are different from many other types of bacteria that can cause disease. People can be "colonized" with group B strep. This means that they carry the bacteria in their bodies but are not infected and do not become sick. Adults can carry the bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract, genital tract, or urinary tract. About 10% to 30% of pregnant women are colonized with group B strep in the genital tract.
Colonization with group B strep is usually harmless. The bacteria can become deadly, though, if something happens that allows them to invade the bloodstream. In adults, weakened immunity resulting from cancer treatment or a chronic illness can prompt an infection. More often, pregnant women who carry the bacteria can unknowingly transmit group B strep to their newborns at birth. Newborns can acquire early-onset group B strep disease either before or during delivery. The cause of late-onset disease in babies is not well understood."

I had it and was given antibiotics at the time of diagnosis.

Can it come back once its been treated?

Quoting Mellie♥:“ " How do people get infected with group B strep? Group B strep bacteria are different from many other ... [snip!] ... group B strep disease either before or during delivery. The cause of late-onset disease in babies is not well understood."”

LOL I was just about to post the EXACT same thing!!!

all they do is take a swab and wipe it near the outside of your vagina and your anus and then test the swab for it... it litteraly takes seconds to do an they dont insert anything into you! its the easiest test in the world.

if you pass great. if you come up positive with it all that means is they will give u meds during labor so the baby doesnt get it from you.

it comes and goes off and on so they usually wait til the end of pregnancy to test you because its closer to your due date.

if for some reason you dont get tested for strep b or u end up at a hospital that doesnt know your results or anything then they usually jsut go ahead and administer the meds to you just in case so the baby will be fine if you do have it and dont know about it.

Quoting Mellie♥:“ " How do people get infected with group B strep? Group B strep bacteria are different from many other ... [snip!] ... group B strep disease either before or during delivery. The cause of late-onset disease in babies is not well understood."”

thanks you! that finally clears it up.

No Problem!

Quoting twinmami:“ I had it and was given antibiotics at the time of diagnosis. Can it come back once its been treated?”

It's not actually treated in someone that is colonized except in a pregnant mother during delivery. And yes, it can come back. I tested positive with my first pregnancy, and my doctor didn't even test me the second time, just assumed positive

Quoting Lynn wants a Prince!:“ It's not actually treated in someone that is colonized except in a pregnant mother during delivery. ... [snip!] ... come back. I tested positive with my first pregnancy, and my doctor didn't even test me the second time, just assumed positive”

Well it was in me, so it obviously is lol. We arent preggo again yet, so i guess i will find out if its back or not. I just wondered if its more likely to come back once you've taken the meds or not. im allergic to antibiotics and had a really horrible reaction, im just hoping i dont have to go through that again ya see.

Quoting twinmami:“ Well it was in me, so it obviously is lol. We arent preggo again yet, so i guess i will find out if ... [snip!] ... not. im allergic to antibiotics and had a really horrible reaction, im just hoping i dont have to go through that again ya see.”

I had it too and i was allergic to Penicillin (really all drugs in the "cillin" family)...anyways they had to do a test on me to see what antiobiotics they could use that i wouldnt be allergic to. ur doctors never did that for you?

Quoting twinmami:“ Well it was in me, so it obviously is lol. We arent preggo again yet, so i guess i will find out if ... [snip!] ... not. im allergic to antibiotics and had a really horrible reaction, im just hoping i dont have to go through that again ya see.”

were you treated when pregnant? In labor? I said that pregnant women in labor are typically the only ones treated.

And it can come back, and it can come and go. You may be infected one week, but not the next. That's how my doctor explained it to me, which is why he just treats you as positive for every pregnancy even if you only tested positive once.