beta strep??

I worked in L&D and GBS is a very common bacteria in the world of baby-havin'. It's a naturally occuring bacteria that can be found near the lady parts and could feasibly enter the urinary tract and cause a UTI. It is not an STD. The reason it is of more concern in L&D is because if a newborn becomes infected with the bacteria after being born lady partslly, it can cause complications such as sepsis. So, GBS+ mothers (MDs perform a swab around 37wks to determine a mother's GBS status) are treated with PCN prior to their water being broken (if possible). I've never heard of it being an issue for anyone other than newborns, but I don't see why it couldn't cause a UTI since it is a bacteria and is found in the nether regions. Anyway, no need to worry as it isn't anything to worry about other than the possibility of future UTIs. Hope this helps!

Oh, and I was told that it is similar (or the same?) to the strep bacteria that causes strep throat. I don't know how accurate that is, but there must be some connection, hence the name.

Since you have a UTI, I'm going to assume the offending organism is Streptococcus agalactiae, otherwise known as Group B Streptococcus. It is considered beta-hemolytic because when cultured to a sheep blood agar plate, the bacteria hemolyze the blood, causing complete or near complete clearing of the plate. Group A Streptococcus is also beta-hemolytic, but is not to be confused with Group B Strep. The difference is in the specific carbohydrate in the bacterial cell wall and this causes a difference in antigenic expression, hence there are Lancefield groups A-T. Statistically, 10-35% of women are colonized with Group B strep in the intestine, lady parts, and/or rectum. So yes, it is conceivable that bacterial translocation occurred. Group A strep or Streptococcus pyogenes colonizes the upper respiratory tract and is a known cause of everything from pharyngitis to necrotizing fasciitis, as well as pneumonia and meningitis.

Sorry, I get excited about microbes, probably more than you ever wanted or needed to know. Hope you feel better!

If and when you choose to become pregnant, it is important that you share your history of infection with GBS with your OB or midwife.

Hope you feel better!

Funny story...I've never had a UTI untill baby #4...I had an aweful time with them. For some reason I had all the s/s but they weren't showing up on the labs. Had to fight my doc. Finally after a few abtx and some moaning..I think it was bactrim that worked I was feeling normal. Then came my GBS test. Ugh...Positive. (again...no problems with the other babies) My mother looked at me like I was diseased. LOL.

It is very common tho in L&D to see this bug.

Wow this is such a coincidence I too recently had positive culture for beta streptococus group B . My Urine dipstick showed positive WBC. The provider was a little reluctant to treat but said just in case he gave Amoxicillin Abtx. I had 20,000 colonies. another provider said maybe contaminant but I had WBC in urine dipstick and the provider seeing me said 20,000 colonies is probably not contaminate. He did say its not common seen more in pregnant women and then you have to worrry about the baby in those cases.

I was curious did you feel weak. I feel very week could not get my abtx yet cause pharmacy didnt have it so today when I get home I will pick it up.

I guess if my UTI had been E coli my provider would been more impressed. I work long hours and I have my period so cant tell if I am weak from work or from UTi but I swear I think its from the UTi Gosh did you feel weak at all.

Any way nice to find a fellow beta strep lol. (joking) Glad you posted feel not so abnormal now lol. Which abtx did your provider give you???????

Take care !!

Angela

Oddly, my sister too, just had this problem. I have never heard of strep UTI? Probably caused, by all that "Chemtrail" garbage they are pouring onto us from the skies. Polluting everything we are in contact with.