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Causes
By Mayo Clinic staffMany healthy people carry group B strep bacteria in their bodies. Group B strep bacteria aren't sexually transmitted, and they're not spread through food or water. You may carry group B strep in your body for just a short period of time, they may come and go, or you may always have them.
Some individuals, such as older adults and those with chronic health conditions, can develop a more serious infection from group B strep. However, the reason this occurs in some people but not others isn't known.
Group B strep can also spread to a baby during a vaginal delivery if the baby is exposed to — or swallows — fluids containing group B strep.
- Repke JT, et al. Patient information: Group B streptococcus and pregnancy. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Aug. 12, 2008.
- Group B strep prevention: Frequently asked questions. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/GroupBStrep/general/gen_public_faq.htm. Accessed Sept. 2, 2008.
- Group B strep prevention: Beyond newborns and mothers - some facts about group B strep disease in the rest of the population. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/groupbstrep/general/gen_public_adult.htm. Accessed Sept. 2, 2008.
- Group B strep prevention: Protect your baby from group B strep! Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/groupbstrep/general/protect-your-baby-GBS.htm. Accessed Sept. 2, 2008.
- Puopolo KM, et al. Group B streptococcal infection in pregnant women. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Aug. 12, 2008.
- Urinary tract infections in women. American Academy of Family Physicians. http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/women/gen-health/190.html. Accessed Sept. 16, 2008.
- Puopolo KM, et al. Group B streptococcal infection in neonates and young infants. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Aug. 12, 2008.
- Baron M, et al. Group B streptococcal infection in nonpregnant adults. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Aug. 12, 2008.
