Group B strep test
Explanation
A group B strep test checks whether group B Streptococcus bacteria are present, most often as part of care during pregnancy.
What does the test look for?
Group B Streptococcus, also called GBS, can live in the digestive tract and genital area without causing symptoms. During pregnancy, testing commonly uses a swab from the vagina and rectum. A urine sample may be tested in some situations.
Does a positive result mean you are ill?
No. A positive screening result usually means the bacteria are present, which is called carriage. It does not mean that the pregnant person or baby has a group B strep infection. The care team uses the result to plan steps during labour that reduce the chance of infection in the newborn.
How is this different from a Strep A test?
Group B strep screening in pregnancy is different from the throat swab used for Strep A. If a baby has signs of infection, the tests and clinical decisions are also different from routine pregnancy screening.
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