Medical Questions » Antibiotics Questions » Question No. 1114
| Question: | I have been tested positive for GBS (Group B Streptococcus). Doctors told me I might be required to take antibiotics to prevent the infection to my baby. Are antibiotics safe taken during pregnancy for my child? Please explain. |
| Answer: | Group B Streptococcus is a type of bacterial infection that may occur in pregnant women (in vagina or rectum). There is a risk of transmitting the infection to the baby during delivery. The chances of getting the GBS infection from mother are 1 in every 2000 newly born babies in the United States. GBS infection to babies could cause serious problems.
The chances of your baby getting the GBS infection decrease significantly, if you get antibiotics during pregnancy.
Generally, antibiotics may cause lots of side effects or sometimes life threatening reactions in pregnant women. The special concern is that antibiotics given to mother may increase the chance of serious infections in the newly born babies.
So, doctors are very careful while recommending antibiotic to pregnant women. Hence, antibiotics are administered to the pregnant ladies in a special case of having GBS infection. Since, it will not harm the baby but will help in reducing the chances of getting the GBS infection from mother. |
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