Group B Strep in my urine

Group B Strep found in the urine does not always mean an infection is present, particularly when the level of the bacteria detected is low. Sometimes it is just that the urine has picked up some GBS from vaginal or rectal carriage on its way out of the body.

If GBS is detected from a urine sample or from a vaginal or rectal swab at any level during pregnancy, you should be offered intravenous antibiotics once labour has started.

Treatment for GBS found in the urine during pregnancy depends on the level of GBS found and whether you have any symptoms.

If you have symptoms of a urinary tract infection (for example, frequent or painful urination or fever) :

• GBS in the urine ≥ 10^5 cfu/ml with Mum having symptoms of a urinary tract infection – this is treated with oral antibiotics. Mum should also be offered intravenous antibiotics when she goes into labour.
• GBS in the urine ≥ 10^4 cfu/ml with Mum having symptoms of a urinary tract infection – this is treated with oral antibiotics. Mum should also be offered intravenous antibiotics when she goes into labour.

If you do not have symptoms of a urinary tract infection :

• GBS in the urine ≥ 10^5 cfu/ml without Mum having symptoms of a urinary tract infection – this is treated with oral antibiotics. Mum should also be offered intravenous antibiotics when she goes into labour.
• GBS in the urine 10^4-10^5 cfu/ml with Mum having no symptoms of a urinary tract infection – the midstream stream urine test (preferably with labia separated) is usually repeated. If the same level of GBS is still present, then treatment will be considered. Mum should also be offered intravenous antibiotics when she goes into labour.
• GBS in the urine ≤ 10^3 cfu/ml or less with Mum having no symptoms of a urinary tract infection – this is considered to be contamination and no treatment is offered. Mum should be offered intravenous antibiotics when she goes into labour.

Treatment for a urine sample which detects the growth of GBS in the urine ≥10^5 cfu/ml, whether you have symptoms of a urine infection or not, is important since, if left untreated, such infections can cause kidney damage and have been linked to preterm labour.

When treatment is recommended for GBS bacteria in the urine during pregnancy, oral antibiotics are given, usually for 5 days. The urine should be retested 7-10 days after finishing the antibiotics and treatment repeated if necessary until the urine tests come back clear.

GBS detected from a urine sample or from a vaginal or rectal swab at any level during pregnancy means Mum should be offered intravenous antibiotics once labour has started.