what is streptococcus b?

Question

anybody tell me what this invoves and how it is caused in laymans terms

Answer 1

Group B streptococcus (group B strep) is a bacterium that causes life-threatening infections in newborn infants. Group B strep can also cause serious diseases in pregnant women, the elderly, and adults with other illnesses. The letter "B" refers to a classification of bacteria in the genus Streptococcus according to the makeup of the organism's cell wall.
In newborns, group B strep is the most common cause of sepsis (infection of the bloodstream) and meningitis (infection of the lining and fluid surrounding the brain) and a common cause of pneumonia. Group B strep disease in newborns usually occurs in the first week of life ("early- onset"). Babies can also get a slightly less serious "late-onset" form of group B strep disease that develops a week to a few months after birth.

Answer 2

Gerry,

Your Mom (and your Pediatrician) used to call it a "Staph Infection".

A Cat biting you might cause a Staph Infection. Viruses are able to enter your blood stream through the cats puncture. This would be different than cutting yourself on say a piece of glass. There may be germs on the glass, but probably not the bacteria that causes Strep.

Don't confuse this with the bacteria that causes "Strep Throat", while the bacteria are related the only thing they have in common is the way they attack your body.

A Strep B infection will involve swelling ( a lot! ) and typically an extremely warm area where the infection is.

James

Answer 3

Streptococci B are the etiologic agents of bovine mastitis.
They r now major streptococcal pathogens in neonates and young children. Infection in the neonate is divided into early- onset-type and late-onset-type.
Early-onset-type are present in vaginal flora of about 25% of all women. Early rupture of the membranes, prolonged labour, prematurity, low birth weight and heavy colonization of mother's vagina by group B streptococci lead to early-onset-type infection.
Within first five days of life the neonate develops septicaemia and pneumonia, and in spite of the intensive antibiotic therapy, such infections carry a mortality rate of 50-70%. Meningitis may also develop. The serotype of gp B Str isolated 4m d cervicovaginal canal, urethra or rectum of the mother. The fact that some babies delivered by cesarean sec bcme infected indecates direct spread of organism to uterus may take place.
Late onset type of infection develops b/w 2nd - 4th weeks of life.
Baby acquires infection 4m d hospital personnel during nursing procedures. Baby to baby spread may also occur. The infecting organism is rarely found in the mother's vagina. This type of infection is not as severe as early onset type, but has a high incidence of residual effects often of a neurological nature.
Gp B Str may also cause adult infections, including septicaemia, endocarditis, meningitis and local septic lesions in d female genital tract, the urinary tract, surgical wounds and skin. Occasionally they may lead to pneumonia, empyema, arthritis and osteomyelitis.

Answer 4

germs as in bacteria further info http://www.astdhpphe.org/infect/strepb.html

Answer 5

its an infection and rosie o donnell had it in her finger, haha.

Answer 6

I've never heard of it.
i'm sorry.