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July is International GBS Awareness Month! 

About International Group B Strep Awareness Month
This year is the 23rd year of July as International Group B Strep Awareness Month being observed. It was created to bring awareness of group B strep to the general public. Since then it has been a focal opportunity for organizations and individuals around the world to tell their stories, share information, and promote healthy outcomes for babies worldwide.

Share so others can be aware!

#GBSAM23 #GBSAM2023 #starttheGBSconversation
Tag us on Instagram and Twitter @groupBstrep
Fast Facts
  • About 1 in 4 pregnant women "carry" or are "colonized" with group B strep
  • There are three types of perinatal GBS disease, each with their own prevention challenges:
      Prenatal-onset GBS disease (before birth)
      Early-onset GBS disease (birth through the first 6 days of life)
      Late-onset GBS disease  (7 days of age through usually 3 months of age)
  • GBS is a leading cause of sepsis and meningitis in newborns according to the U.S Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
  • It is now the standard of care in several countries for all pregnant women to be routinely tested for GBS with a vaginal/rectal swab test during the 36th or 37th week during each pregnancy unless their urine already cultured positive in the current pregnancy
  • GBS colonization is transient which means that a woman could test negative, but be colonized later in pregnancy and vice versa
  • GBS is a fast-acting type of bacteria so it is imperative that everyone who takes care of your baby knows the symptoms of possible GBS infection in babies and how to respond.
Learn more on our FAQ page
Awareness Materials Campaign
Getting involved is easy! In just a few easy steps, you can help spread GBS awareness in your community! Too often we hear from parents that they wish they had known about GBS sooner. So we want to get GBS awareness materials into the hands of parents as soon as possible so they too can be aware. You can help!
  1. Shop free awareness materials on our website or download materials!
  2. Once you have your materials, share them with your community - whether that be a moms group, a local clinic, a hospital, or someone you know!
  3. Take a picture of your efforts and share it on social media! Be sure to use #GBSCommunityDays and tag @groupBstrep
Social Media
Twitter Graphics |  Follow us @GroupBStrep
Facebook Graphics | Like us on Facebook, join our GBS group, or join our private GBS discussion group ​
Please note: Facebook profile frames are currently unavailable due to a change in Facebook's policy.
However, our July awareness ribbon logo (available in several languages) can be used as a profile photo!
Instagram Graphics | Follow us @GroupBStrep
Sample Wording:
July is #GroupBStrep Awareness Month! Not all babies exposed to GBS become infected, but for those who do, the results can be devasting. Spread awareness and help protect babies worldwide! gbs-info.org #GBSAM23
Know the facts about group B strep and how to help protect your baby! #GBSAM23
Download the signs of GBS infection in babies to #starttheGBSconversation with everyone who takes care of your baby! gbsi.me/GBSsigns #GBSAM23
Did you know 1 in 4 pregnant women carry GBS? Don't play the odds - get tested! #GBSAM23
Resources
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GBS Signs in Babies Poster
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Help Protect Your Baby from Group B Strep (GBS) Poster
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GBS Website Banner
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July Awareness Ribbon
For more awareness products, check out our awareness ribbons (available in a variety of languages)
​ or our online store​ 
Group B Streptococcus awareness month: vaccine and challenges underway.
Tatiana Castro Abreu Pinto, Laura Maria Andrade Oliveira, Natália Silva da Costa, Tatiane Nobre Pinto, Victoria Caroline Neves Leite, et al. Published: July 27, 2021. VOLUME 110, P279-280, SEPTEMBER 2021DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijid.2021.07.056

Learn how you can organize a fundraiser for GBS awareness!
​Let's come together to spread GBS awareness! Funds raised by spreading awareness in your community go towards spreading awareness worldwide, so even a small project has a big impact. Social distancing? We even have fundraising ideas you can do without leaving the house! 
Test your knowledge of group B strep! 
Take our 10 question quiz and see how much you know about GBS! Share the quiz with a friend to help spread awareness of group B strep! 
Aayan's Voice: a sign of GBS meningitis | YouTube
Reagan's Voice: a sign of GBS meningitis | YouTube
GBS as a Cause of Preterm Labor & PPROM by Dr. David Aronoff | POGBSD Conference presentation
Membrane Stripping Information Statement | Document