Strep B is a bacterial infection which can sometimes cause serious health problems
(Picture: PA Wire)Strep A has hit the headlines this month after nine children across the UK were confirmed to have died from the disease.
But there’s also another type of bacteria called Strep B.
Group B strep, or strep B, is a type of bacteria known as streptococcal bacteria.
The infection is common among both men and women and lives in the bottom (rectum) or vagina.
Strep B can cause dangerous infections in adults with certain chronic medical conditions including liver disease or diabetes.
Differences between strep A and strep B
Strep A refers to streptococcus pyogenes, whereas strep B refers to streptococcus agalactiae. They are both a type of bacteria.
Strep A infections are found on the surface of the skin and inside the throat, causing a number of health problems such as strep throat and scarlet fever.
Strep B, meanwhile, lives harmlessly in the digestive system and in the vagina.
The NHS says most people will not realise they have it.
It’s usually only a problem if it affects pregnant women, young babies or elderly people. In serious cases, it can cause sepsis, pneumonia and occasionally neonatal meningitis in newborns.
Symptoms of strep B in adults
Signs you may have strep B include:
- Fever or low body temperature
- Difficulty breathing
- Difficulty feeding
- Rash
- Jaundice
- Sluggishness
- Irritability
- Seizures
- Jitteriness.
Symptoms of strep B in babies
Call 999 or go to A&E if your baby shows any of these symptoms:
- Changes in their skin colour or blotchy skin
- Grunting when breathing, or working hard to breathe when you look at their chest or stomach
- Very fast or slow breathing
- An unusually high or low temperature
- Being floppy or unresponsive
- Not feeding well or vomiting milk up
- An unusually fast or slow heart rate.
Prevalence of strep B
Strep B is very common, affecting roughly 20 to 40 per cent of women in the UK.
It is also very common in pregnant women but rarely causes any problems.
For pregnant women who have strep B, it’s important to note that your baby will usually be healthy. However, there is a small risk of it spreading to the baby during labour, with it occurring in roughly one in 1,750 pregnancies.
“There’s an extremely small risk you could miscarry or lose your baby,” the NHS adds.
