Group B Streptococcal Infection (GBS) in Grand Rapids, Michigan

Group B streptococcal (GBS) bacteria can cause a wide range of illnesses in vulnerable people, including newborns, older adults, and those with chronic health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, or cancer. In Grand Rapids and across West Michigan, obstetric teams at Spectrum Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, and Mercy Health follow national guidelines to reduce the risk of GBS infection in newborns.

Out of every 1,000 newborns delivered vaginally, fewer than one-third will become colonized with GBS, and only about 1–4 of those 1,000 babies will develop illness from GBS.

Across the United States, including maternity hospitals in Grand Rapids, the rate of early-onset GBS disease has declined. This improvement is largely due to:

  • Routine GBS screening in late pregnancy
  • Use of intravenous (IV) antibiotics during labor when indicated

What Is Group B Streptococcus?

Group B streptococcus (GBS) is a type of bacteria that commonly lives in the human body, especially in the:

  • Vagina
  • Rectum (back passage)
  • Bladder
  • Throat

Many people carry GBS without knowing it. Being a “carrier” (also called colonized) means you have the bacteria but do not have symptoms of infection.

In most cases, pregnant women who carry GBS feel completely well and have no signs or symptoms. However, GBS can be passed to a baby during labor and delivery and, in some cases, can cause serious infection.

Why GBS Matters in Pregnancy and Newborns

Some of the most serious complications of GBS infection in newborns include:

  • Sepsis (bloodstream infection)
  • Pneumonia (lung infection)
  • Meningitis (infection of the lining of the brain and spinal cord)

These infections can be life-threatening, especially in:

  • Premature babies (born before 37 weeks)
  • Babies with low birth weight
  • Babies born after a long labor or prolonged rupture of membranes (water broken for many hours)

Hospitals in Grand Rapids, including Spectrum Health Butterworth Hospital and Trinity Health Grand Rapids, routinely screen pregnant women and provide IV antibiotics during labor when needed to protect newborns.

Symptoms of Group B Strep Infection

The signs and symptoms of GBS infection vary by age and the part of the body affected.

In Non-Pregnant Adults

Group B strep can cause:

  • Fever
  • Headache
  • Confusion or changes in mental status, especially in older adults
  • Shortness of breath or cough (if pneumonia develops)
  • Burning or pain when urinating, or frequent urination (if a urinary tract infection is present)
  • Red, swollen, painful skin (cellulitis)

People in Grand Rapids with underlying health problems such as diabetes, cancer, or weakened immune systems are at higher risk, especially during the cold Michigan winters when respiratory infections are more common.

In Pregnant Women

Pregnant women with active GBS infection (not just carriers) may experience:

  • Fever
  • Abdominal pain or swelling
  • Uterine tenderness
  • Signs of urinary tract infection (burning with urination, urgency, frequency)

Most pregnant women with GBS, however, have no symptoms at all and only learn they are carriers from a screening test.

In Newborns and Young Infants

Symptoms can appear at different times and may be subtle. In Grand Rapids, if your baby shows any concerning signs, you should seek urgent care at your nearest emergency department or pediatric clinic.

Common signs in babies include:

  • Fever or low body temperature
  • Lethargy (very sleepy, hard to wake)
  • Irritability or unusual fussiness
  • Poor feeding or difficulty feeding
  • Breathing problems: fast breathing, grunting, or pauses in breathing
  • Pale or bluish skin color
  • Low blood pressure or poor circulation

Carriers of Group B Strep

Many people in West Michigan are carriers of GBS and never know it. Being a carrier means:

  • You have GBS bacteria in areas such as the vagina, rectum, bladder, or throat
  • You do not have symptoms
  • You can still pass GBS to your baby during birth if you are pregnant

Carrying GBS is common and does not mean you did anything wrong. It is not a sexually transmitted infection and cannot be prevented by hygiene alone.

How Common Is GBS in Pregnancy?

It is estimated that around 12–15% of pregnant women in the United States carry GBS in the vagina. In Grand Rapids, obstetric practices and hospitals follow similar statistics and national guidelines.

Key points:

  • Only a small proportion (less than 2%) of babies born to GBS carriers will develop GBS disease.
  • The risk is higher for premature babies or when certain labor risk factors are present.

Early-Onset vs Late-Onset GBS Disease in Babies

GBS disease in babies is usually divided into two types:

Early-Onset GBS Disease

  • Symptoms appear shortly after birth or within the first 1–2 days
  • This is the most common type
  • Infection is usually acquired during labor and delivery from the mother
  • Can cause sepsis, pneumonia, or meningitis

Late-Onset GBS Disease

  • Symptoms appear from 1 week to several months after birth
  • Less common than early-onset disease
  • Only about half of late-onset cases are linked directly to the mother’s GBS status
  • For the remainder of cases, the source of infection is unknown (could be from the environment or other contacts)

Even if your baby appears healthy at birth in a Grand Rapids hospital, it is important to continue watching for signs of illness in the first few months of life, especially during the winter respiratory season.

How Is Group B Strep Diagnosed?

GBS infection is diagnosed using laboratory tests on samples taken from:

  • Blood
  • Urine
  • Spinal fluid (via lumbar puncture), if meningitis is suspected

For pregnant women, screening to check for carrier status usually involves:

  • A vaginal swab, and often
  • A rectal (back passage) swab

These swabs are typically collected in an outpatient clinic or OB/GYN office in Grand Rapids and sent to a local laboratory for culture.

GBS Screening in Pregnancy in Grand Rapids

There is no single nationwide law for GBS screening, but most U.S. hospitals — including Spectrum Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, and Mercy Health — follow national guidelines that recommend:

  • Universal screening for all pregnant women at 35–37 weeks of pregnancy

Some key points about screening:

  • Timing matters: Tests done late in pregnancy (around 35–37 weeks) are more accurate at predicting GBS status at delivery.
  • Research shows that 10–20% of women who test GBS-negative at 28 weeks may actually be GBS-positive by the time they deliver.
  • That’s why most Grand Rapids OB/GYN practices and midwives prefer screening closer to your due date.

A major review of evidence in the U.S. found lower rates of GBS disease in newborns in hospitals that screen all pregnant women rather than only those considered “high risk.”

Treatment: How GBS Is Managed

In Pregnant Women

If you are found to be a GBS carrier during pregnancy:

  • You usually do not need treatment during pregnancy itself
  • You will be offered intravenous (IV) antibiotics during labor to reduce the risk of passing GBS to your baby

Typically, penicillin or a similar antibiotic is used. Your maternity team at a Grand Rapids hospital will review your allergy history and choose a safe option.

In Newborns and Adults with Infection

If GBS infection is diagnosed:

  • Treatment is usually IV antibiotics in the hospital
  • The length of treatment depends on the type and severity of infection (for example, sepsis vs meningitis)
  • Babies may be monitored in a special care nursery or neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), such as those at Spectrum Health Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital

Risk Factors That May Increase Concern for GBS

Your obstetrician or midwife in Grand Rapids may be especially alert to GBS risk if you have:

  • A GBS-positive swab in a current or previous pregnancy
  • A previous baby with GBS infection
  • Preterm labor (before 37 weeks gestation)
  • Prolonged rupture of membranes (your water has been broken for 18 hours or more before delivery)
  • Fever or signs of infection during labor
  • Other chronic health conditions such as diabetes, cancer, or immune system problems

In these situations, IV antibiotics during labor are often recommended even if your GBS status is unknown.

Seasonal and Local Considerations in Grand Rapids

Living in Grand Rapids and the broader West Michigan region means:

  • Cold, long winters and fluctuating temperatures can increase respiratory infections, which may complicate GBS infections, especially pneumonia.
  • Higher rates of chronic conditions such as diabetes and heart disease in Michigan can increase GBS risk in adults.
  • Access to high-quality maternity and neonatal care at Spectrum Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, and Mercy Health helps improve outcomes for mothers and babies.

The Kent County Health Department and Grand Rapids Public Health provide education and support around maternal and child health, including infection prevention and prenatal care resources.

When to Seek Medical Help in Grand Rapids

Contact your healthcare provider or seek urgent care if:

  • You are pregnant and develop fever, abdominal pain, or unusual vaginal discharge
  • Your water breaks and labor does not start, or it has been 18 hours or more since your water broke
  • Your newborn shows poor feeding, lethargy, breathing problems, or fever
  • You are an adult with chronic health conditions and develop fever, confusion, or signs of skin or urinary infection

Local Resources

  • Your OB/GYN, midwife, or family doctor (Spectrum Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, Mercy Health, and independent practices)
  • Local urgent care centers and emergency departments in Grand Rapids
  • Kent County Health Department – for community health information and referrals
  • Grand Rapids Public Health resources – for maternal and child health programs and prenatal education

(Phone numbers and hours may vary; check your provider’s website or your insurance directory for current contact details.)

Key Points About Group B Strep in Grand Rapids, MI

  • Many people are carriers of GBS and have no symptoms.
  • The risk of serious GBS infection is higher in premature babies and those with certain labor risk factors.
  • IV antibiotics during labor significantly reduce the chance of a newborn developing early-onset GBS disease.
  • Vaginal and rectal swabs at 35–37 weeks are the standard way to identify GBS carriers in pregnancy.
  • If you are pregnant in Grand Rapids, talk with your OB/GYN or midwife about GBS screening and your individual risk factors.

By working closely with your maternity team and using the excellent hospital and public health resources available in Grand Rapids, most GBS-related risks can be effectively managed for you and your baby.