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Group B Strep Prevention (GBS, baby strep, Group B streptococcal bacteria)

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Adult Disease

Beyond newborns and mothers—some facts about group B strep disease in the rest of the population

 

What is the rate of serious group B strep infections among non-pregnant adults?

The rates of serious group B strep infections are much higher among newborns than among any other age group. Nonetheless, serious group B strep infections occur in other age groups in both men and women. Among non-pregnant adults, rates of serious disease range from 4.1 to 7.2 cases per 100,000 population.

How serious is this infection in adults?

The average death rate for invasive infections (infections where the bacteria have entered a part of the body that is normally not exposed to bacteria) is 8-10% for adults ages 18-64 and 15-25% for adults 65 years of age and over. Mortality rates are lower among younger adults, and adults who do not have other medical conditions.

Who is more at risk for adult group B strep disease?

The rate of serious group B strep disease increases with age. The average age of cases in non-pregnant adults is about 60 years old. Most adult group B strep disease occurs in adults who have serious medical conditions. These include: diabetes mellitus; liver disease; history of stroke; history of cancer; or bed sores.

Among the elderly, rates of serious group B strep disease are more common among residents of nursing facilities, and among bedridden hospitalized patients. Group B strep disease among non-pregnant adults may often be acquired after recent trauma, or after having certain invasive hospital procedures like surgery.

What are the symptoms of group B strep disease in adults?

Sometimes group B strep can cause mild disease in adults, such as urinary tract infections (UTIs, also called bladder infections). These are treated the same way urinary tract infections caused by other bacteria are treated, with antibiotics, and are usually not that serious.

Serious, invasive disease (infections where the bacteria have entered a part of the body that is normally not exposed to bacteria) can present in a number of different ways. The most common problems in adults are: bloodstream infections, pneumonia, skin and soft-tissue infections, and bone and joint infections. Rarely in adults, group B strep can cause meningitis (infection of the fluid and lining surrounding the brain).

How are serious group B strep infections diagnosed?

If doctors suspect a patient has an invasive group B strep infection, they will take a sample of sterile body fluids, such as blood or spinal fluid. Group B strep disease is diagnosed when the bacteria are grown from cultures of those fluids. Cultures take a few days to grow.

How are serious group B strep infections treated?

Group B strep bacteria are usually treated with penicillin or other common antibiotics. Sometimes soft tissue and bone infections may need surgery. Your treatment will vary according to the kind of infection with group B strep you have, and you should ask your doctors about specific treatment options.

Is there any way to prevent group B strep disease in adults?

Standard infection control measures, particularly for patients who are hospitalized or in nursing homes, help reduce the risk of bacterial infections, including those caused by group B strep. Researchers are currently working on developing a group B strep vaccine which may one day be available to the public as a way to prevent serious group B strep infections among adults, particularly among the elderly.

If you would like to learn more about group B strep disease in adults, see the following articles:

  • Farley, M. M. 2001. Group B streptococcal disease in nonpregnant adults. Clinical Infectious Diseases 33:556-61.
  • Jackson, L. A., Hilsdon, R., Farley M. M. et al. 1995. Risk factors for group B123:415-20. streptococcal disease in adults. Annals of Internal Medicine
Page Last Modified: April 20, 2008
Content Last Reviewed: April 20, 2008
Content Source: National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases
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