Re:I tested positive for Strep B will my baby have to go to the NICU?
If you test positive for strep B, you probably had that test around 35 to 37 weeks gestation and the doctor knows to give you antibiotics during labor to prevent Strep B infection from passing from the birth canal to the baby. This means you will get an IV during labor and antibiotics will be given by IV. This drastically cuts down on the transmission of Strep B to the baby. If it happens anyway, which is very rare, your baby may still be just fine.
It is uncommon to get a strep infection even when the baby is colonized with strep B. If the baby does get sick, it will experience poor feeding, fever, low body temperature or lethargy and breathing abnormalities which will clue the doctor that the baby may be septic or may be getting meningitis and antibiotics will be given to the baby to prevent a serious complication of having strep B.
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