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How do people become carriers of GBS?

Through skin-to-skin contact or close physical contact. GBS is not a sexually transmitted disease, carrying it causes no symptoms, and it doesn't need treatment. It's normal.

What are the chances of my baby developing a GBS infection?

If no preventative measures are taken, the risk of GBS infection in newborn babies is:

• 1 in 1,000 where the woman is not known to be a carrier of GBS
• 1 in 300 where the woman is carrying GBS at delivery
• 1 in 100 where the woman has had a previous baby infected with GBS.

Recent UK research has suggested GBS infection in newborn babies could be as high as 3.6 per 1,000.

If a woman who carries GBS is given antibiotics in line with recommendations, the risk is far lower:

• 1 in 6,000 where the mother carries GBS at delivery
• 1 in 2,200 where the mother has previously had a baby infected with GBS

By Rob Mansfield

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