Group B streptococcal infections in newborns: when to get help
Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.
1
Is any of this happening now?
Call 911
Call emergency services immediately if the baby:
Is struggling to breathe, grunting, or having pauses in breathing
Has blue, grey, very pale, or blotchy skin
Is floppy, unresponsive, or very difficult to wake
Has a seizure
Appears to be getting worse quickly
After recovery, routine follow-up is different from emergency care.
Keep scheduled hearing, newborn, and developmental appointments.
Contact the child’s usual healthcare professional if feeding, growth, hearing, movement, or development causes concern but the child is otherwise well.
Other emergency signs, for anyone
Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
2
Is any of this happening?
Be seen today
Seek urgent medical assessment if a baby younger than 3 months has a temperature of 38°C or higher, an unusually low temperature, poor feeding, marked sleepiness, unusual irritability, or a clear change from their normal behaviour.
Do not wait for every symptom to appear.
Newborns may have serious infections without a fever.
And for anyone, someone who:
has a fever with a stiff neck, a rash that does not fade under pressure, or severe headache
has a wound that is hot, spreading red, or leaking pus
3
Does any of this apply?
Book an appointment
Possible infection in a newborn is not suitable for a routine appointment.