Please note: GBSS can only provide information, not give advice. The information on this site is for information only and cannot be a substitute for a personal consultation with a qualified medical professional. If in doubt, please consult your doctor.
Guillain-Barre Syndrome: Group B Strep may also be referred to as Beta Strep, Beta Haemolytic Strep, Strep B and Streptococcus agalactiae. GBS can also stand for Guillain-Barre Syndrome. Click here for support and information on Guillain-Barre Syndrome.
"Life-threatening group B Strep infection in newborn babies can usually be prevented - get informed and protect your baby.
I’d like to see every pregnant woman in the UK offered a reliable test for GBS on the NHS – this is a routine part of antenatal care in many countries including Germany, France, Canada, Spain & the USA. Until then, raising awareness is the key to saving babies’ lives. I’d urge any pregnant woman to get informed about GBS, and get tested."
Dr Chris Steele, resident doctor on ITV’s This Morning, is GBSS's Patron. Known & trusted by millions, family GP Dr Steele is renowned for his practical and open approach to airing medical issues in the media.
July is International Group B Strep Awareness Month.
Group B Strep is the most common cause of serious infection in newborn babies. Most of these infections could be prevented.
During July, we will be raising much greater awareness of GBS - although many western countries routinely offer pregnant women testing for GBS, we don't in the UK.
There is a new petition seeking the routine offering of testing for group B Strep to all women late in pregnancy. Please read and consider signing the petition, and please share it with your family and friends so they can do the same.
Group B Strep (GBS) is a bacteria commonly found inhabiting the human digestive system (and often the vagina of adult women). It is normally harmless, however, it can be passed to newborn babies around childbirth, and in babies which then develop GBS infection, it can be very serious.
Group B Strep infections in newborn babies are usually preventable - so many of these horrible infections could be prevented. To do this, at GBSS, we want to see:
Every pregnant woman in the UK given accurate information about group B Streptococcus (GBS) as a routine part of her antenatal care.
A national screening program to be introduced on the NHS, to test all pregnant women for carriage of GBS at 35-37 weeks.
Those women found to be carrying GBS, as well as those with risk factors that put their babies at higher risk of developing GBS infection, to be offered intravenous antibiotics in labour.
For information about the pros and cons of testing, read our report launched at the House of Commons last year (click here), For more information on GBS, visit our information pages (click here)
The Charity
Group B Strep Support (GBSS) is a UK charity, founded in 1996. Our three main aims are to:
Offer information and support to families affected by group B Streptococcus;
Inform health professionals and individuals how most group B Strep infections in newborn babies can be prevented; and
Generate continued support for research into preventing group B Strep infections in newborn babies.
