Group B Strep questions

SmilingBluEyes · Aug 23, 2005

Statistically, it is estimated roughly 30-33% of pregnant women test positive (colonize) for GBS. It's becoming more common all the time, unfortunately.

No, having a yeast infection does not cause GBS colonization; being exposed and the microbe thriving in your lady partsl/anal areas does. If yo do test positive, talk about treatment options w/your dr. It would depend on your reactions to certain drugs (how severe you are allergic) as how it would be treated.

Good luck and try not to worry too much! Let us know now you are.

guest27716 · Aug 23, 2005

Thanks Blue Eyes. I have talked with him. I am scheduled for a allergy test tomorrow for PCN but I feel I shouldn't be taking AB's prematurely if not needed. Wouldn't you agree? I think I should wait until I get those test results.

Jolie, BSN · Aug 23, 2005

Thanks Blue Eyes. I have talked with him. I am scheduled for a allergy test tomorrow for PCN but I feel I shouldn't be taking AB's prematurely if not needed. Wouldn't you agree? I think I should wait until I get those test results.

I would guess that your doctor wants the allergy test completed by the time your culture results are available, so s/he can consider treatment options if antibiotic therapy is necessary. If you wait for the culture results, and then try to schedule allergy testing, you may run short on time. It is not customary to start pregnant women on antibiotics for GBS prior to having culture results, UNLESS the mother goes into pre-term labor. Best wishes!

SmilingBluEyes · Aug 23, 2005

I agree w/the above post. Time is of the essence, since you are so allergic to so many things. I think the course being taken in your case is very prudent.

guest27716 · Aug 23, 2005

So, you think me waiting to see what the test results say would be best? I was a bit confused by your response. I should have results in a few days. I know women allergic to PCN can take Cleocin without probs. I just want to see if I am GBS+. I think I am jumping the gun a bit here. Actually, I am the one who mentioned ot my OB about getting tested for the allergy. I didn't think they would make the appt. for tomorrow. I thought they would wait until my culture came back.

SmilingBluEyes · Aug 23, 2005

I think it's prudent to wait for results-----I guess I got confused. There is time to find out how sensitive you are to what ABX and take the proper course SHOULD you culture positive. Hopefully the dr has a plan for this for you----I guess I thought he/she did.

Really, Only YOU know what how sensitive you are to each one---if you can take Cleocin w/o problems, that is great. That is what we give our patients who are allergic to 'cillins.

I, too, would hesitate to be treated w/any ABX before I knew I was positive for GBS. I am not allergic to ABX, yet want NONE unless absolutely necessary. I don't blame you here one bit. I would want to wait, too.

hope this is clearer.

Oh and congratulations and best wishes for a healthy, joyous delivery!

guest27716 · Aug 23, 2005

I think it's prudent to wait for results-----I guess I got confused. There is time to find out how sensitive you are to what ABX and take the proper course SHOULD you culture positive. Hopefully the dr has a plan for this for you----I guess I thought he/she did.
Really, Only YOU know what how sensitive you are to each one---if you can take Cleocin w/o problems, that is great. That is what we give our patients who are allergic to 'cillins.
I, too, would hesitate to be treated w/any ABX before I knew I was positive for GBS. I am not allergic to ABX, yet want NONE unless absolutely necessary. I don't blame you here one bit. I would want to wait, too.
hope this is clearer.
Oh and congratulations and best wishes for a healthy, joyous delivery!

Glad the confusion is over. LOL. I am waiting to see. I called and told my doc's nurse that I am waiting to see what the culture says and then go from there. I read some research reports about AB use while pregnant and I really shouldn't be doing it unless I need to and I really don't need to yet. One question for you. I am allergic to Erthyomycin. I got sick to my stomach really bad. Since I can't really take this can I still take Cleocin since it is in the same family? Just wondering. Thanks for the well wishes.

Jenn

SmilingBluEyes · Aug 23, 2005

Probably not w/o trouble.

Sounds as if you are a poor candidate for most ABX....but you have to weigh a nasty stomach upset versus Step B infection/sepsis risk in a newborn, I guess.

Again, some good questions for the OB. I really hope you culture negative.

rn/writer, RN · Aug 23, 2005

Here is a link about GBS in general. The website I took it from seems to have a lot of good information in addition to the FAQs.

http://www.angelfire.com/ca/gbstrep/FAQ.html

The stats say that as much as one third of the population is colonized by GBS and, for the most part, they have no idea because, unless they are immuno-compromised, people don't become ill from the organism. But what can be a fairly harmless freeloader in a healthy adult can kill newborns. I hope you test GBS negative and don't have to worry about PCN or any other med. If you DO test positive, I hope a safe antibiotic can be found to keep both you and your little one safe.

I wish you well.

Miranda

ljds · Aug 23, 2005

Since you are allergic to PCN, the lab will do a sensitivity of the culture if it comes back positive. Then you will know what abx the GBS is sensitive to, and you can be treated appropriately.

The abx are given IV; I wonder if your sensitivity to E-mycin is related to oral form only? Something to ask the doc if you do indeed turn up positive.

guest27716 · Aug 23, 2005

Thanks rn/writer for the link. Like I said, I am getting nervous over something I may not even have. I will wait to see what the test results say and then talk with my doctor at length of what to do. I will let you all know what happens. Again, thanks for the support.

Jenn