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In the myriad of tests expectant mothers undergo, your doctor may suggest taking a swab to check for GBS. If present, it could cause serious infection in a baby, particularly if born vaginally.

Because of previous cost-benefit analyses done on the need for screening, some doctors may only do the test when certain risk factors are present which include:

• preterm rupture of membranes in the current pregnancy
• previous preterm deliveries
• previous stillbirths
• previous incidence of strep b infection in a mother or her baby
• a temperature of over 38 degrees

‘GBS is an infection commonly found in the human body and usually does not cause symptoms,’ explains Dr Joshua Matambo, a gynaecologist and obstetrician at Mediclinic Newcastle. ‘However, in pregnant women GBS can harm both the expectant mother and the newborn.’

GBS can be found in the intestines, rectum or vagina, adds Dr Mpati Kalane, a gynaecologist and obstetrician at Mediclinic Bloemfontein.

Potential complications 
Dr Matambo says GBS infection can potentially cause the following complications in expectant mothers and their babies:

Mother:

• Chorioamnionitis: an inflammation of the foetal membranes often associated with prolonged labour (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3008318/)
• Premature labour
• Premature delivery
• Bladder infections

Baby:

‘Not all babies whose mothers carry GBS get the infection,’ says Dr Matambo. ‘But if babies do get it they can be born prematurely and may require a prolonged stay in the ICU. Other possible complications include neonatal sepsis, pneumonia and meningitis. Meningitis may also lead to deafness, blindness, learning difficulties and even death in severe cases.’ Dr Kalane adds that respiratory distress, feeding problems and lethargy can also result.

Testing

‘If screening is considered, it is best done between 35 and 37 weeks of pregnancy and requires taking a vaginal and a rectal swab,’ says Dr Kalane. ‘It’s an uncomfortable but otherwise painless test.’ The swab is then sent to the laboratory, where the bacterium may be identified.

The importance of antibiotic treatment

If a GBS infection is confirmed, antibiotics are prescribed to avoid any complications. ‘The mainstay of treatment is a high dose of penicillin antibiotics, which prevents mother-to-child transmission of GBS,’ says Dr Matambo. ‘This simple treatment will prevent complications for both the mother and baby, saving the baby from any potential harm.’

Patients should alert the doctor if they’ve had an adverse reaction to penicillin in the past, which could mean they have a penicillin allergy. There would then be alternative treatment options available depending on the culture of the organism.

‘The paediatrician should be notified if the screening is positive and if there are risk factors, so they can screen the baby and treat prophylactically (preventatively) in high-risk cases,’ adds Dr Kalane. In cases where complications have arisen, surgical intervention may be required.

According to Medpage Today, there has been progress in the development of a GBS vaccine to prevent transmission from mother to newborn. Trials show that it is ‘generally safe and somewhat effective’.

Posted on 17 August 2017 by Mediclinic – Full source credit: https://www.mediclinicinfohub.co.za/group-b-strep-pregnancy/

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Menopause usually starts when you’re in your early 50s. Fortunately, if you follow these easy steps, you can ease the symptoms.

1. Quit smoking
Studies have found that women who smoke tend to get earlier menopause, have worse hot flushes and don’t respond as well to HRT (hormone replacement therapy) pills. You know it already: if you’re a smoker, you’re not doing your health any favours.

2. Ask your doctor
‘No woman should be suffering from menopausal symptoms in this day and age,’ says Dr Joshua Matambo, an obstetrician and gynaecologist at Mediclinic Newcastle. ‘It is important to discuss your concerns with the Health Care Professional so that the appropriate lifestyle changes and therapeutic options – which do not necessarily include hormone replacement therapy – can be started.’

3. Keep a diary
Certain things – like caffeine, alcohol, hunger or (of all things) hot rooms – can trigger hot flushes. Keep a diary of your possible triggers and find ways to work around them.

4. Protect your hair
Bad news: your hair could start thinning or shedding. Good news: look, it’s not much of a consolation, but at least there are products that can help you save what you have. Avoid colouring products which have harsh chemicals, and stay out of the sun, which could dry and damage your hair.

5. Zap your zits
As if the headaches and hot flushes weren’t enough… Acne is another common complaint during menopause. (Remember what that hormone overload did to you when you were a teen? A similar thing is happening now.) Switch to gentler cosmetics and moisturisers, which won’t clog your pores. Words to look for on the packaging are ‘non-comedogenic’ and ‘non-acnegenic’.

6. Keep your cool
Hot flushes at night are known, in some cases, to last a couple of (very uncomfortable) minutes. Keep cool by switching to thinner pyjamas and lighter blankets (instead of a heavy quilt), and use a bedside fan to keep the room temperature down.

7. Involve your partner
Although the health problems may be personal, you shouldn’t try to do this on your own. Dr Matambo has some sound advice for any woman who’s suffering from menopause. ‘I always advise my patients to come with their husband or partner so that they can also express their concerns, as well as be involved in the informed decision making,’ he says.

8. Get plenty of rest
Your sleeping patterns might take a knock – and that could lead to bad moods and bad migraines. Getting some exercise will help you sleep better at night, even if it’s just a walk during the day. You may want to talk to your GP about sleeping pills. If you do, ask for short-term remedies. You don’t want to add more meds to your mix!

9. Manage your moods
As we mentioned at the top of the article, menopause is what happens when your body stops producing eggs (biologists think it’s there to help prevent women having dangerous late-life pregnancies). But while your periods are ending, PMS is going down swinging. If you had bad PMS, your body’s hormonal changes during menopause might cause even bigger mood swings. Ask your gynae or GP about low-dose birth control pills or antidepressants (or alternatives!) to help manage those mood swings.

Posted on 27 August 2015 by Mediclinic – Full source credit: https://www.mediclinicinfohub.co.za/9-tips-to-deal-with-menopause/

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