Group B Strep diagnosed via "throat culture"?

[Cutie Patootie]

I'm 28.2 days along.  My 2 ds and dh were all diagnosed with Strep throat(A) on Friday afternoon.  I had the rapid test that came out negative, then was sent out to be cultured.  They called me this afternoon to tell me that it came back positive for B strep. 

What do I do with that?  Is that the same strain as of strep they test for at 36 weeks?  If it's in my throat now, is it also in my vagina? If so, how do I get rid of it now?  I'm planning a hb and I *do not* want to take ABX in labor or subject my baby to ABX if I am transferred. 

Plus, I keep reading all these posts recently about newborns dying from infections from GBS. 

I'm not usually a worrier, but I'm worried a lot about stuff this time around.  We recently moved far from my trusted and awesome midwife.  My chronic pre-pregnancy high blood pressure has been normal for the last 5 months or so of this pregnancy, despite having to take meds for the first few months.  I have a weird yeast infection(not on the inside), which I never get...and now the positive strep test.  I feel nervous about this baby, which I don't think I usually feel. 

Edited by Cutie Patootie - 3/28/11 at 9:42pm

[CookAMH]

Any strep in your mouth would be pretty irrelevant to what is at the other end. Nearly everyone has it somewhere in their body at some point. And, the timing is off for determining your status for birth. The test is usually done around 37 weeks since it's though that would represent colonization status at the time of birth, because it can come and go.

I personally decided not to test and to treat with an abx alternative based on risk factors. There is a lot of good material out there to learn about the risks and treatments. I don't agree with preventative antibiotics - I use abx only when truly needed.  There are various opinions on here regarding testing, not testing, treating, not treating, etc. I recommend doing research, you certainly have time, and make a decision about what you plan to do. My midwife has hibiclens for cleansing during labor if the risk factors are present.

[averlee]

Only if you have an active vaginal strepB infection during delivery does it pose any risk to the baby. It would more likely move from your throat to your ears and eyes than your vagina.

For now, you need to knock out the infection. I'd recommend taking a regular course of antibiotics now (10 days of 1 pill penicillin 4 times a day) and having another throat culture at the end of the prescription to make sure you got it all. And eat a ton of yogurt the whole time so you don't get the yeasties.

If you test positive for vaginal strepB at 37 weeks, they may just give you antibiotics and test you again to make sure it's cleared up before you go into labor. My midwives would prescribe an herbal douche/vaginal rinse, and then do a re-test, before resorting to antibiotics. Even if they can't get a negative test before you go into labor, they can administer antibiotics during labor through IV (although unfortunately not at home), which kills the infection in time for the baby to pass through. I know it is not ideal but you can also take lots of probiotics, yogurt, and kefir to help balance the harmful effects and thrush risk.