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By Mayo Clinic staffA group B strep test is usually done in a health care provider's office.
During the procedure
You'll lie on your back on an exam table. Your health care provider will use sterile cotton swabs to take samples of cells and secretions from your lower vagina and rectum.
In some practices, you might be given instructions on how to collect the samples yourself.
After the procedure
After the group B strep test, you can return to your usual activities right away.
Test results are typically available within several days.
References
- Puopolo KM, et al. Group B streptococcal infection in pregnant women. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed Dec. 29, 2011.
- Puopolo KM, et al. Group B streptococcal infection in neonates and young infants. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed Dec. 29, 2011.
- Group B streptococcus and pregnancy. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. http://www.acog.org/~/media/For%20Patients/faq105.ashx?dmc=1&ts=20111229T1430272285. Accessed Dec. 29, 2011.
- Group B strep (GBS): Prevention in newborns. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/groupbstrep/about/prevention.html. Accessed Dec. 29, 2011.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Prevention of perinatal group B streptococcal disease: Revised guidelines from CDC, 2010. MMWR. 2010;59(No. RR-10):1. http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5910a1.htm. Accessed Dec. 29, 2011.
- Murry MM (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Feb. 24, 2012.
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