Group B strep (GBS) is a type of Streptococcus bacteria that can cause blood infections (sepsis), lung infections (pneumonia) and brain and spinal cord infections (meningitis), primarily in infants but also less frequently in adults. Because of the risk of pregnant mothers giving the infection to their babies during childbirth, the Vermont Department of Health recommends that all women be tested for group B strep when they are 35 to 37 weeks pregnant.

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