Group B strep is a normally harmless bacterial infection in the intestinal or lower genital tracts of 25% of all healthy, adult females. This common bacteria can be passed on to babies during delivery, however, and potentially result in death. Simple precautions like getting antibiotic treatment as necessary and using antibacterial bamboo kun and antibacterial memory foam products can protect these babies from the disease’s very serious effects.
How Serious is Group B Strep?
One out of every two hundred babies who are born to mothers with Group B strep will become infected on average without proper treatment. These chances of infection are not great, but the results of ignoring them can be fatal. For early onset group B strep, the most common effects are:
- Sepsis – a complication that is potentially life-threatening which happens when chemicals to fight infection are released into the bloodstream and trigger inflammatory responses throughout the body. These responses in turn cause a chain reaction that can cause damage and failure in multiple organ systems. Sepsis can also develop into septic shock, causing dramatic drops in blood pressure that can lead to death.
- Pneumonia – a common infection of the streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus) bacteria, it causes inflammation in the alveoli (air sacs of the lungs). This makes it hard to breathe and often comes with a very high fever. Pneumonia can also make chronic conditions worse and cause other complications.
- Meningitis – a life-threatening infection of the streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus) or neisseria meningitidis (meningococcus) bacteria that attacks the meninges (delicate membranes covering the brain and spinal cord). In mild cases, meningitis can still cause brain damage.
Group B strep is also associated with other complications such as breathing problems, unstable heart functioning and blood pressure, and gastrointestinal and kidney problems. These related complications can also threaten a baby’s chances of survival.
All that infected mothers have to do to stop this debilitating and sometimes fatal infection is to take a simple test at the right stage of pregnancy and get the proper antibiotic treatment during delivery. Basic self-care and making simple healthy changes can also drastically reduce the chances of becoming a carrier or harboring a strong population of the bacteria.
Antibacterial Bamboo Kun for Group B Strep Prevention
Nature is full of amazing compounds that are both safe and effective in maintaining health by preventing exposure to harmful bacteria. Antibacterial bamboo kun is one of these great components that women everywhere can easily access. These antibacterial bamboo kun products like bamboo pillows and memory foam pillow covers can help lower their chances of bacterial infection, including group B strep. Antibacterial bamboo kun is found only in natural bamboo products, since this wonderful compound is an organic component innate to the bamboo plant. Antibacterial bamboo kun is produced by the plant to protect it from bacterial and microbial attacks. When bamboo fibres are naturally processed, this component is preserved. The same antibacterial bamboo kun can then protect anyone who uses sanitary pads, pillowcases, and other products like clothing and bedding made from bamboo fibres.
July is Group B Strep Awareness month both in the UK and internationally. It is the perfect time to raise awareness about this disease that is potentially fatal to infants. Do you know someone who is pregnant or planning a pregnancy? Reach out and learn if they have talked about group B strep with their doctor. Share this information about the disease and talk to them about the risks. If you need help bringing up the topic with women you are not familiar with, look at additional materials and ideas here. If you want to reach even more women and prenatal care providers, you can ask for for free awareness packs to share at clinics and other places where they can make an impact. Download other materials as well and get even more tips on how you can help spread the word to save a baby’s life. Join Group B Strep International’s campaign on socials, too – #GBSISaBigDeal – to reach other women who are not in your immediate area.