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Bacterial infection (not an STI) Curable

Group B Strep (GBS)

Group B strep (GBS) is a common bacterium many healthy people carry without knowing, and it is not a sexually transmitted infection. It matters most in pregnancy: passed to a baby during delivery, it can cause serious newborn illness. A simple swab late in pregnancy detects it, and antibiotics during labor sharply cut the risk to the baby. That's why GBS is screened separately from STIs.

Find group B strep (GBS) testing near you When can group B strep (GBS) be detected?
Type
Common bacterium
Not an STI
Curable
Yes
With antibiotics
Screening
Universal in pregnancy
Vaginal/rectal swab
Main concern
Newborn infection
During delivery

Understanding group B strep (GBS)

What is group B strep (GBS)?

Group B strep (GBS) is a type of bacterium, Group B Streptococcus, that many healthy people carry in their gastrointestinal and genital tracts. For most people, carrying GBS causes no symptoms and no harm at all. It is part of the normal range of bacteria the body lives with, and the majority of people who carry it never know it.

It is important to understand that GBS is not a sexually transmitted infection. It is not spread through sexual contact the way infections like chlamydia or gonorrhea are. GBS is included in pregnancy care discussions only to distinguish it from the STIs that are routinely screened during pregnancy, the two are tested for in different ways and for different reasons.

The reason GBS gets attention is its significance in pregnancy. A pregnant person who carries GBS can pass it to their baby during delivery. This is the main way newborns develop GBS disease, which, although uncommon, can be serious for the baby. Because of this, screening and prevention during pregnancy are the focus of GBS care.

Healthcare providers screen all pregnant people for GBS late in pregnancy using a vaginal/rectal swab. This screening is separate from STI screening and is a standard part of routine prenatal care. The goal is simply to know whether GBS is present so that protective steps can be taken at the time of delivery.

When detected, GBS is treatable. People who screen positive are given antibiotics during labor to protect the baby, which is a well-established and effective approach to reducing the risk of newborn GBS disease.

Where to get tested

Find group B strep (GBS) testing near you

GBS screening is done through your prenatal provider. Below you can find local clinics and prenatal care options near you.

Test from home

At-home STD testing in the U.S.

if you'd rather skip the trip, an at-home kit ships to the U.S., you collect the sample privately, and mail it back to a CLIA-certified lab. Results come online in days, with a clinician available if anything is positive. Same labs as a clinic, no waiting room, and you can read how accurate at-home STD tests are before you order.

Want a free option first? The CDC-supported TakeMeHome program mails free at-home HIV self-test kits, and, in many areas, free STI kits, to your door, with no insurance or payment needed. The paid kits below add broader panels and faster turnaround.

  • In-home collection

    Quest Diagnostics

    Quest Diagnostics

    $79 & up

    Panel:
    8-infection panel incl. chlamydia, gonorrhea, HIV, syphilis, hepatitis & herpes: single tests too
    Sample:
    Quest Mobile: a phlebotomist collects your sample at home
    Results:
    1–3 days, online: physician-reviewed
    • In-home sample collection
    • Nationwide Quest lab network
    • Physician-reviewed results
    • FSA/HSA eligible
    Order online Quest Diagnostics review

  • Best for simplicity & support

    LetsGetChecked

    LetsGetChecked

    $89 & up

    Panel:
    5–6 common STIs incl. chlamydia, gonorrhea, HIV, syphilis & trichomoniasis
    Sample:
    Finger-prick + urine/swab
    Results:
    2–5 days, online
    • 24/7 nurse support
    • Prescription for positives
    • CLIA-certified labs
    • Free shipping both ways
    Order online LetsGetChecked review

  • Best value: single tests

    Everlywell

    Everlywell

    $49 & up

    Panel:
    Chlamydia & gonorrhea, up to a 6-test panel adding HIV, syphilis, trichomoniasis & hep C
    Sample:
    Finger-prick + swab
    Results:
    Days, online
    • Telehealth visit if positive
    • CLIA-certified labs
    • HSA/FSA eligible
    • Subscription savings
    Order online Everlywell review

Every kit uses CLIA-certified labs. At-home testing is for screening; a reactive result should be confirmed and treated by a clinician. Prices and panels shown are illustrative and change often, confirm current details on the provider's site.

Symptoms

What are the symptoms of group B strep (GBS)?

Most people who carry GBS have no symptoms at all. Carriage in the gastrointestinal and genital tracts is common and usually harmless, which is exactly why screening, rather than waiting for symptoms, is how GBS is identified in pregnancy. That's exactly why screening matters: most people carry GBS with no symptoms at all, so a swab in pregnancy is the only way to know before delivery.

People who carry GBS

  • Typically no symptoms
  • GBS is often present without the person being aware of it
  • Carriage is detected through screening, not symptoms

Newborns (the main concern)

  • May develop GBS disease after exposure during delivery
  • Newborn GBS disease can be serious
  • Prevention through screening and antibiotics during labor is the focus of care

Because carrying GBS usually causes no symptoms, screening during pregnancy is essential, it identifies GBS so protective antibiotics can be given during labor.

Left untreated

Why group B strep (GBS) is worth catching early

GBS carriage is usually harmless to the carrier. Its significance is the risk it can pose to a newborn at delivery:

Newborn GBS disease

When GBS passes from a pregnant person to their baby during delivery, the baby can develop GBS disease, which can be serious. This is the primary reason GBS is screened for during pregnancy.

How testing works

How a group B strep (GBS) test works

GBS is checked with a single vaginal and rectal swab late in pregnancy, ordered by your provider as part of prenatal care. It is not a consumer or at-home test.

When to test

A vaginal/rectal swab performed late in pregnancy, as part of routine prenatal care.

After treatment

GBS screening is separate from STI screening and follows your provider's standard prenatal schedule.

Vaginal/rectal swab screening Standard screening
Sample
Vaginal and rectal swab
Results
Per your provider's lab

Performed late in pregnancy as part of routine prenatal care.

What a group B strep (GBS) test costs

Where What it costs
Private lab (self-pay)Varies by provider; GBS screening is a routine part of prenatal care.
With insuranceTypically covered as part of standard prenatal care, check with your provider and plan.

Compare STD testing costs across every option.

Screening guidance

Who should get tested for group B strep (GBS)?

GBS is screened universally in pregnancy, a routine vaginal and rectal swab late in the third trimester, not tested on symptoms. It is a standard part of prenatal care, separate from STI screening.

  1. 1

    All pregnant people

    Universal GBS screening is recommended during pregnancy. A vaginal/rectal swab is collected late in pregnancy as a standard part of prenatal care.

  2. 2

    People planning a pregnancy

    If you are planning to become pregnant, talk with your provider about prenatal care, which includes routine GBS screening later in the pregnancy.

  3. 3

    Anyone unsure whether GBS was checked

    If you are pregnant and unsure whether you've been screened for GBS, ask your healthcare provider: it is a routine, separate test from STI screening.

  4. 4

    People with a previous GBS-affected pregnancy

    If you've had a pregnancy involving GBS before, let your provider know so they can plan appropriate screening and delivery precautions.

If your result is positive

How is group B strep (GBS) treated?

GBS is treated with antibiotics. For pregnancy, the focus is protecting the baby at the time of delivery.

Treat partners

GBS is not a sexually transmitted infection, so partner treatment is not part of GBS care.

In pregnancy

Antibiotics are given during labor to people who screen positive, which protects the baby from GBS disease.

Prevention

How to prevent group B strep (GBS)

  • Universal pregnancy screening

    Providers screen all pregnant people for GBS late in pregnancy with a vaginal/rectal swab so that GBS can be identified before delivery.

  • Antibiotics during labor

    Pregnant people who screen positive receive antibiotics during labor, the established way to protect the baby from GBS disease.

Stats & rates

How common is group B strep (GBS) in the U.S.?

Where you receive prenatal care varies by location, see the by-location links below for GBS screening and prenatal care where you live. Source: CDC, About Group B Strep Disease.

Browse by location

Group B strep (GBS) testing by state & city

Jump to local prenatal care and GBS screening in your state or a popular city, or explore another test.

Popular cities

Keep reading

More on group B strep (GBS)

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Living with group B strep (GBS)

Questions to ask your provider about group B strep (GBS)

GBS screening is a routine part of prenatal care. Here are useful questions for your provider:

  • Will I get antibiotics during labor if I screen positive for GBS?
  • What happens if I go into labor before my GBS result is back?
  • Does a positive GBS result change my delivery plan?
  • If I had GBS in a previous pregnancy, what does that mean for this one?
  • Are there risks to the antibiotics used during labor?

Good to Know

Group B strep (GBS) testing FAQs

Common questions about group B strep (GBS) and group B strep (GBS) testing, answered.

Is Group B strep a sexually transmitted infection?

No. GBS is not a sexually transmitted infection. It is a common bacterium that many healthy people carry in their gastrointestinal and genital tracts. It is mentioned alongside pregnancy STI screening only to distinguish it from the STIs that are screened during pregnancy.

Does carrying GBS cause symptoms?

Most of the time, no. Carrying GBS is usually harmless and causes no symptoms, which is why screening, rather than waiting for symptoms, is how it is identified during pregnancy.

Why does GBS matter during pregnancy?

GBS matters in pregnancy because a pregnant person can pass it to their baby during delivery. This is the main way newborns develop GBS disease, which can be serious. Screening and antibiotics during labor are used to protect the baby.

How is GBS tested for?

Healthcare providers screen all pregnant people for GBS using a vaginal/rectal swab late in pregnancy. This is a standard part of prenatal care and is separate from STI screening.

Is GBS treatable?

Yes. GBS is treated with antibiotics. Pregnant people who screen positive are given antibiotics during labor to protect the baby.

Who gets screened for GBS?

All pregnant people are screened for GBS as part of routine prenatal care. The screening is a vaginal/rectal swab performed late in pregnancy.

How is GBS spread to a baby?

Newborns most commonly develop GBS disease when GBS is passed from the pregnant person to the baby during delivery. GBS is not spread through sexual contact.

Is GBS screening the same as STI screening?

No. GBS screening is separate from STI screening. Providers screen all pregnant people for GBS with a vaginal/rectal swab late in pregnancy, which is distinct from the STI tests done during pregnancy.

Medically Reviewed · Updated

Reviewed by Dr. Grace Lin, MD, FACOG · OB-GYN

Obstetrician-gynecologist focused on reproductive and sexual health for women: pregnancy, BV, yeast, trichomoniasis and HPV/cervical screening. Our editorial guidelines →

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Data & references

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