Group-B-Strep

Fatal Group B Strep Due to Medical Negligence

2010-10-30T15:47:00.000-07:00

A hospital admitted negligence which is rare. Their negligence resulted in a fatal group B strep infection caused by medical errors.

The report claimed the hospital did not track the antibiotics prescribed when the mother was diagnosed with an infection.

During labor, the group B strep bacterial infection was passed on to the child.

Babies infected with group B strep are susceptible to bloodstream infections, meningitis, and pneumonia.

About 10 to 35 percent of women get group B strep but are asymptomatic. Group B strep can be prevented.

Group B Strep and HIV-exposed infants

2010-09-14T11:44:00.000-07:00

According to the latest research in Belgium, HIV-exposed uninfected (HEU) infants may be more susceptible to group B streptococcal (GBS) infections in terms of incidence and severity than babies born to HIV-uninfected mothers.

Researchers found five GBS-infected infants born to 322 HIV-infected mothers, compared to 16 GBS-infected infants born to HIV-uninfected mothers. The disease tended to be more severe and to have later onset in HEU infants, most of whom had leukopenia at infection onset.

HIV-exposed uninfected infants might be more susceptible to infection than infants who are born to HIV-uninfected mothers.

How to Prevent Group B Strep (GBS)

2010-08-29T11:33:00.000-07:00

How to Prevent Group B Strep (GBS)

Group B streptococcus (GBS) is a common bacteria present in the reproductive, urinary, and digestive tracts of men and women. Though GBS can lead to certain infections (such as urinary tract, blood-stream, skin and soft tissue, or bones and joints, pneumonia, and rarely meningitis in adults), most people with GBS do not develop an illness.

The risk of sickness or death from a GBS infection is much higher in newborns and infants. GBS can cause infections of the blood, lungs, brain, or spinal cord in newborns and is fatal in about 5% of babies who carry it. Many GBS infections occur between six hours and seven days of birth, though late-onset infections can develop after the first week of life.

GBS is passed during vaginal delivery so stopping mother-to-child transmission is key.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends that all pregnant women be tested for GBS between 35 and 37 weeks of pregnancy. Vaginal and rectal swabs are used to collect samples that will be sent to a lab for analysis.

Women who test positive, will be treated with antibiotics just before delivery.

Artist with Cerebral Palsy Paints Brightly

2010-07-21T09:30:00.000-07:00

Artist with Cerebral Palsy Paints Brightly

Here's a heartwarming story about an artist who was born with cerebral palsy but is unable to walk or use her arms yet she still sees the world through vividly happy hues.

She uses a head wand to manipulate the paint on canvas with her head and neck. Not only does she create vivid canvases but bookmarks, scarves and greeting cards that she sells under the brand name "Downtown Mia Brown" through Casa Allegra's Income Opportunities Unlimited (IOU) program.

She sees herself as an artist not a woman with a disability.

Prenatal care and Group B Strep

2010-05-02T18:49:00.000-07:00

Pregnancy is all about taking care of yourself and your newborn to be as well as being proactive about the delivery process. Here is a list of prenatal tests and screenings.

Which prenatal screenings are necessary?

CBC — Complete blood count - serves as a baseline to evaluate for anemia, infection and adequate platelet production.

Blood type — Identifies your blood type and your Rh factor.

Serology — A panel of blood serum tests to screen for sexually transmitted infections.

Group B Beta strep — Culture performed at about 35-36 weeks gestation. A positive result requires that you receive antibiotics during labor to prevent infecting your baby causing life long child disabilities.

Rubella — Checks for immunity to German measles.

Varicella — Tests for immunity to chickenpox.

Pap smear — Detects cervical cancer and to identify human papilloma virus.

Urinalysis — Urine test for bladder or kidney infection .

Glucose challenge test — Screening for gestational diabetes usually done between 24 to 28 weeks of pregnancy.

Carrier screening — Genetic tests to determine risk for inherited diseases.

Ultrasound imaging — Evaluates for any anatomic structural defects.

Premature birth is a leading cause of infant death

2010-03-25T10:35:00.000-07:00

Premature birth is a leading cause of infant death

--About 1 in every 30 babies is born with some kind of severe birth defect.
--Birth defects are the second leading cause of infant death in the nation.
--Most birth defects happen within the first three months of pregnancy, often in the first couple of weeks and before a woman even has missed a period.
--Some of the most common birth defects are 1) problems with the heart or 2) neural tube defects like spina bifida.
--A woman’s body can sometimes tell early in a pregnancy if her fetus has a very severe birth defect. These pregnancies often end early in a miscarriage.
--We do not know the cause of about 60% of birth defects. The other 40% maybe prevented.

Learn more about why babies die.

US ranks poorly in child birth care

2010-03-16T16:48:00.000-07:00

According to our nationalist arrogance, some folks think that the United States is the richest country in the world.

But I beg to differ.

The death rate of women giving birth in the United States is worse than in 40 other countries, including nearly all the industrialized countries according to Amnesty International which also described our approach to maternity care as disgraceful.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the likelihood of a woman dying in childbirth here in the US is five times greater than Greece.

The lives of poor, uninsured, African American and Native American women are put at risk by neglect. Good maternal care should not be considered a luxury. Women should not die in the richest country on earth from preventable complications and emergencies (like failing to diagnose group b strep).

A report reveals that severe pregnancy-related complications known as near misses are rising at an alarming rate because of poor or immigrant women who face serious barriers in obtaining health care.

Group B Strep & When the Cows Come Home

2010-02-23T10:04:00.000-08:00

Get moo-ving

This is one of those weird stories yet needs further study: Group B strep could have some connection to frequent contact with cows.

According to a study conducted at Michigan State University, a common bacteria found in some healthy female adults which can cause life threatening infections to newborns may be caused by frequent contact with cows.

A common bacteria found in many healthy adult females that can cause life-threatening infections when passed to newborns could be introduced to some women through frequent contact with cows, according to a research team led by a Michigan State University pediatrician.

GBS is found in up to 36 percent of pregnant women's digestive or genital tracts. When passed to newborns during pregnancy, the infection can lead to death however not all infants become sick.

As part of the study. a team of MSU researchers conducted a cross-sectional study of 68 families and their livestock, collecting and comparing stool specimens. Increased frequency of cattle exposure was significantly associated with human infection, and one couple shared the same GBS strains as their cows.

The possibility of ongoing transmission between humans and their livestock needs further study.

FAQ about group B strep

2010-02-22T22:20:00.000-08:00

How common is group B strep disease in newborns?

Group B strep is the most common cause of sepsis (blood infection) and meningitis (infection of the fluid and lining around the brain) in newborns.

How does group B strep disease affect newborns?

About half of the cases of group B strep disease among newborns happen in the first week of life ("early-onset disease"), and most of these cases start a few hours after birth. Sepsis, pneumonia, and meningitis are the most common problems. Premature babies are more at risk of getting a group B strep infection, but most babies who become sick from group B strep are full-term.

Can group B strep disease among newborns be prevented?

Yes! Most early-onset group B strep disease in newborns can be prevented by giving pregnant women antibiotics through the vein or an IV during labor. Antibiotics help to kill some of the strep bacteria that are dangerous to the baby during birth. The antibiotics help during labor only —they can’t be taken before labor, because the bacteria can grow back quickly.

Pregnant women who test positive for group B strep during this pregnancy should be given antibiotics at the time of labor or when their water breaks.

What are the symptoms of group B strep in a newborn?

The symptoms for early-onset group B strep can seem like other problems in newborns like fever, difficulty feeding, irritability, or limpness or hard to wake up the baby. If you think your newborn is sick, get medical help right away.

What if my baby has been severely injured by group B strep or died?

Please get the help of a child disability lawyer or wrongful death lawyer during your difficult time. Let a legal professional find out what happened.

Who is at risk for group B strep infection?

2010-02-04T10:57:00.000-08:00

Who is at risk for group B strep infection?

Adults with illnesses that weaken the immune system, such as diabetes or cancer, are at risk of infection with group B strep.

An infant born to a woman who is carrying the bacteria can also be at risk. Some pregnant women are at more risk than others of having a baby who develops group B strep disease. A pregnant woman is at high risk if she:

* Has already had a baby with group B strep infection
* Has a urinary tract infection caused by group B strep
* Becomes colonized with group B strep late in pregnancy
* Develops a fever during labor
* Has rupture of membranes 18 hours or more before delivery
* Begins labor or has rupture of membranes before 37 weeks ("preterm")

What complications can result from group B strep infection?

Group B strep infection is fatal in about 20% of infected men and non-pregnant women and about 5% to 15% of infected newborns. Babies who survive can be left with speech, hearing, and vision problems as well as mental retardation and child disabilities.

Facts about Group B Strep or GBS

2010-02-03T10:50:00.000-08:00

Facts about Group B Strep or GBS

Group B strep is a type of bacterial infection that can be found in a pregnant woman’s vagina or rectum. This bacteria is normally found in the vagina and/or lower intestine of 15 to 40 percent of all healthy women.

A mother can pass GBS to her baby during delivery. GBS is responsible for affecting about 1 in every 2,000 babies in the United States. Not every baby who is born to a mother who tests positive for GBS will become ill.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recommended routine screening for vaginal strep B for all pregnant women. This screening is performed between the 35th and 37th week of pregnancy.

The test involves a swab of both the vagina and the rectum. The sample is then taken to a lab where a culture is analyzed for any presence of GBS. Test results are usually available within 24 to 48 hours.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that all women who have risk factors prior to being screened for GBS (for example, women who have preterm labor beginning prior to 37 completed weeks' gestation) are treated with IV antibiotics until their GBS status is established.

The bacteria that causes group B strep normally lives in the intestine, vagina, or rectal areas. Group B strep colonization is not a sexually transmitted disease (STD). Approximately 15-40% of all healthy women carry group B strep bacteria. For most women there are no symptoms of carrying the GBS bacteria.

If a woman tests positive for GBS, it means she is a carrier. Not every baby who is born to a mother who tests positive for GBS will become ill. Approximately one of every 100 to 200 babies whose mothers carry GBS will develop signs and symptoms of GBS disease.

Prenatal care is essential to monitor GBS that could result in a birth injury.

Hospital negligence and childbirth death

2010-02-02T10:25:00.000-08:00

Here's a heart-wrenching story that nobody ever hopes to read about much less happen.

A baby girl died during a Caesarian delivery when her arm was accidentally cut off during childbirth.

What's worse is she allegedly was laying around for two days without proper dressing and the hospital has treated the incident as status quo instead of comforting the family or taking responsibility for cutting off the arm.

This happened in India but the newborn medical negligence incident could happen anywhere. It could happen in Pennsylvania, a fatal birth injury.

Childhood Vaccines: Good or Bad?

2010-02-01T04:31:00.000-08:00

Although no federal vaccination laws exist, all 50 states require certain vaccinations for children entering public schools. Depending on where you live, children must be vaccinated against some or all of the following diseases: mumps, measles, rubella, diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, and polio.

People in favor of childhood vaccinations argue it is one of the greatest public health developments of the 20th century. Some diseases like whooping cough and German measles are no more because of vaccinations. And if though there are side effects, the benefits outweigh the risks.

People against childhood vaccination argue that children's immune systems can deal with most infections and that natural immunity should be allowed to develop. Severe side effects from vaccination are a risk that children should not be subjected to when, in most cases, diseases that children are vaccinated against are not usually life threatening. Vaccines can cause adverse reactions including allergies, auto-immune disorders, autism, ADHD, multiple sclerosis, Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Do you think vaccines cause childhood disabilities?

As of 2009, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), American Academy of Pediatrics, and the American Academy of Physicians recommend that children be vaccinated against 15 different common childhood illnesses.

The American Association of Naturopathic Physicians, the National Vaccine Information Center, and Generation Rescue say parents should not be required to vaccinate their children.

Do you think childhood vaccines should be mandatory?

Do you think childhood vaccines cause more harm than good?

Strep B infection bacteria

2010-01-31T07:15:00.000-08:00

Strep B is one of many bacteria that can cause meningitis. Strep B is present in about 25 percent of women of childbearing age, who can pass it on to their babies during labor.

Strep B infection kills one in eight affected youngsters.

Some babies thrive and some do not. In this case the baby smiles and plays with her toys and takes her own bottles but doesn't move by herself.

This baby has a form of cerebral palsy caused by Strep B infection.

The first time mother had never heard of Strep B and was unaware that she could give it to her baby during birth.

Birth injury error compensated 28 years later

2010-01-30T15:07:00.000-08:00

Birth injury error compensated decades later

A 28-year-old man who can only communicate by typing on a keyboard with his nose just won a 2 million pound (£2m) settlement for hospital birth injury errors.

This happened in England but could happen anywhere depending on what the statute of limitations are.

Despite his disabilities the man was able to do research and discover what caused his birth injury disabilities and the hospital was allegedly at fault. Prior to going to court, the hospital decided to pay.

The man cannot talk, uses a wheelchair, and needs 24/7 care.

All he wanted was justice for his severe birth injury disability.

Death by Group B Strep

2010-01-29T14:50:00.000-08:00

A woman gave birth quadruplets.

The youngest of the four babies died due to complications from meningitis caused by Group B Strep.

Group B Strep is a bacteria commonly found in pregnant women that can be treatable with antibiotices but when not treated life threatening to infants.

The woman claims she tested positive for Group B Strep and doesn't know why she was not prescribed antibiotics. Her husband blames it on hospital error.

The family recommends that all pregnant women should get tested for Group B Strep and be treated with antibiotics if the tests come back positive.

Childhood Diseases and Resistant Bacteria

2009-01-30T18:47:00.000-08:00

Parents beware: A new strain of strep bacteria has evaded the traditional immunization routine and has yet to be adequately treated. Until recently, the vaccine that immunizes children against Streptococcus pneumoniae was successful in staving off serious infections but now serotype 19A is on the rise. Bacteria 19A lives in the nose and throat usually without a problem but after a simple infection slips into the inner areas of the body can cause diseases.

Pneumococcal disease is the leading vaccine preventable killer of children worldwide. World Health Organization statistics show that nearly one million children die each year of this disease, most of them in the developing countries.

A vaccine is in the works but it’s nowhere near ready as clinical trials take years.

Group B Strep, the Elderly, and Nursing Homes

2008-11-29T08:41:00.000-08:00

While most of the news about Strep B and its potentially harmful effects is focused on newborn babies, the infection also poses a threat to adults. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that the occurrence of Strep B in non-newborn age group is around 4.1 to 7.2 cases per 100,000 people.

Strep B can be serious for adults and can result in death. Approximately, 8-10% of people ages 18-64 who contract the disease die from it. The fatality rate climbs steeply for the elderly population who suffer a death rate of 15-25%. The most serious infections caused by Strep B include blood infections, pneumonia or skin, soft tissue, bone or joint infections. Strep B can also cause less serious infections such as urinary tract infections that can be treated with antibiotics.

Strep B among adults is most common in elderly adults who suffer from another illness or disease. For the elderly population, Strep B is most common in nursing homes and among patients who are confined to their beds. However, it is also seen in adults who suffer a trauma or invasive hospital procedure.

While the number of newborns suffering from Strep B decreased between 1999 and 2005, the number of adults who became infected with Group B Strep increased about 50%. This number is troublesome and is leading more and more physicians and researchers to think about long term prevention of the infection.

Prevention of Strep B for Adults
Currently, the best way to prevent the potentially serious effects of an adult Strep B infection is to follow standard infection control procedures in hospitals, nursing homes and rehabilitation facilities. Researchers are working on a vaccine that will, hopefully, protect patients against this serious infection in the future.

Prenatal Care: Group B Strep Screening

2008-11-24T20:33:00.000-08:00

Group B Strep is dangerous to newborn babies and it is most often transmitted to them by their mothers. Approximately 25% of new mothers have Strep B. However, most mothers do not know they have Strep B.

Howcan newborns adequately be protected against this dangerous and sometimes fatal infection? Group B Strep can cause blindness, brain damage, meningitis, and even death.

Yet, is 90% preventable when pregnant women are screened to determine if they are carriers and provided antibiotics if the screening comes back positive. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s guidelines provide that every pregnant woman should be screened for Group B Strep between weeks 35 and 37 of her pregnancy. Women should ask their doctors if they do not have the screening. If the test comes back positive, antibiotics are administered via an IV during labor. The benefit is to surround the baby with antibiotics in the amniotic fluid and in the birth canal to provide necessary protection.

The March of Dimes Association estimates between 1 and 4% of babies born to mothers who have tested positive for Group B Strep actually become infected with Group B Strep. Researchers are trying to figure out how to lower that number. The question is whether there is a problem with the screening procedure, the application of the screening procedure, or the treatment plan. Part of the problem may be a delay in providing antibiotics to the mother because of the red tape the hospital must follow to get the antibiotics from the pharmacy.
Also, there has been promising research about a vaccine for Group B Strep that could be administered to pregnant women. No drug company is currently actively pursuing that research.

In the meantime, doctors must take care to provide pregnant women with appropriate screenings and treatment in order to minimize the potential risks to the baby.

Group B Strep Prevention and Newborns

2008-11-17T20:30:00.000-08:00

Strep B, also known as Group B strep, is particularly dangerous to newborn babies. Newborns who are not treated promptly may face severe and possibly fatal consequences.

About half of the cases of Group B strep among newborns happen within one week of their birth. When it happens within one week of birth it is called “early onset disease.” If it happens after the first week it is called “late onset disease.”

Symptoms include fever, lack of appetite, irritability, or lethargy. If a doctor thinks that a Strep B infection is a possibility then he will test either the baby’s blood or spinal fluid for bacteria and is usually treated with antibiotics administered through an IV. It’s important that treatment start as soon as possible.

It is the most common cause of blood infections and meningitis among newborns and it is also a significant cause of newborn pneumonia. Meningitis is more common among the newborns with late onset disease than those who develop symptoms within the first week of life.

While proper diagnosis and early treatment are essential, it is important to prevent the majority of Group B Strep cases in newborn children. Most early onset cases can be prevented by giving the mother antibiotics during her labor and delivery.

All pregnant women should be screened for Group B Strep prior to labor so that they can be treated if they test positive.

While the diagnosis may be disconcerting and in some cases grim, if a newborn baby has Group B Strep -- proper prevention, diagnosis and treatment can make all the difference.

Prenatal care prevents premature babies

2008-10-27T13:54:00.000-07:00

Premature births lead to many birth defects and complications further down the road.

In North Dakota, 11 percent of babies are born prematurely. What's with that?

The important message to get out to the birthing population is the importance of getting pre-natal care early and stick with the program as well as see a medical professional when problems arise.

Have you or a member of your family been the victim of birth malpractice in Pennsylvania or New Jersey? If yes, it's wise to contact a medical malpractice law firm as they can determine if a lawsuit is in your future.

Is Group B Strep Transmitted Sexually?

2008-10-20T20:55:00.000-07:00

Group B Strep (GBS) is a naturally occurring bacterium in the human body of both women and men.

Since it is commonly found in the vagina, some people think that GBS is a sexually transmitted disease. However, that is not so.

GBS bacteria usually do not cause genital symptoms or discomfort and are not linked with increased sexual activity.

There are many misconceptions about Group B Strep birth injuries. Check out the Group B Strep frequently asked questions to get informed.

Do you need a Group B Strep medical malpractice law firm to file a lawsuit?

When Strep Threatens a Child's Life

2008-09-13T09:20:00.000-07:00

Strep can greatly cause problems for a newborn.

The birth of a child is probably the most wonderful time in a person's life. However, much of this joy can be deflated if there is a problem with the birth. Sometimes, complicated pregnancies are impossible to avoid. If the problem is addressed properly and any danger to the baby's life is defused then all is well in the end. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. This can be even further confounded if the problems in the delivery are life threatening. Yes, there are conditions that can very well threaten the life of the baby. Group B Strep is one such serious condition.

Group B Strep derives from bacteria that is may be present in the birth canal of a pregnant woman. The bacteria can be transferred to the newborn. This is no minor issue. If the immune system of a baby is not fully developed this bacteria becomes potentially life threatening. That is why is absolutely critical that the presence of this disease is diagnosed in the hospital. Or, more accurately, the diagnosis takes place without any needless delays. The longer the baby is infected with the bacteria and does not receive treatment the greater the life frightening danger becomes. Sadly, many infant fatalities could have been avoided had the presence of strep been properly diagnosed within a reasonable amount of time.

This clearly sets the foundation for a malpractice lawsuit against the physician and the hospital. Such a suit can do great good in the sense that it will lead to hospitals taking more care to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future. While some may say "errors do occur" such a response would be completely absurd in situations were lives are at stake. Since the presence of such bacteria is common, no delivering physician should ever make such errors in diagnosis or treatment.

The Failure to Diagnose Meningitis?

2008-08-30T07:28:00.000-07:00

Failure to diagnose meningitis can lead to major problems.

There is nothing more wonderful than the birth of a newborn child. However, there is nothing scarier than discovering that there is something wrong with the child. No one wants to see their child suffer. If it is discovered the child has a brain infection the parents will no doubt panic. This panic, however, can turn into severe anger if it is discovered that the brain infection is the result of a failure to diagnose meningitis when the child was born. Often, such an oversight lays the foundation for a medical malpractice lawsuit.

When a doctor fails to diagnose a condition as serious as meningitis, the doctor is making a grievous error. In fact, such an error may prove to be the result of serious medical malpractice. Therefore, any doctor who does not properly diagnose meningitis may find himself open to a lawsuit and, quite honestly, deservedly so. This is why doctors go to great lengths to make sure they do not make such oversights. However, oversights do occur. In such instances, the doctor and hospital will be held liable for the pain and suffering that result. Remember, physicians and hospitals are tasked with the duty of providing the best quality of care to their patients. When they fail in this regard, there will be consequences. Often, these consequences come in the form of a medical malpractice lawsuit.

The presence of obvious negligence and malpractice, however, does not automatically mean that any attorney can try the case and win. The case needs to be effectively tried in order for an acceptable judgment to be reached. This is why it is important to retain the services of a qualified attorney who has experience in meningitis and medical malpractice suits. Such an attorney can greatly increase the odds for a successful and desired outcome.

Baby suffers from rare meningitis

2008-08-24T06:13:00.001-07:00

What could have caused a newborn baby to get a rare form of meningitis called Proteus Meningitis?

Only days after coming home from the hospital the baby girl was rushed to emergency suffering from a high fever. The diagnosis was so rare that the federal CDC was called in to help make the diagnosis after a spinal tap.

Meningitis has destroyed the baby’s brain and is shutting down her kidneys.
The community has rallied and is hosting a walk-a-thon to help the young couple pay for some of the medical bills. Everyone is praying for a miracle.

Source: http://www.kfvs12.com/global/story.asp?s=8886680

Arguments Pro and Con: Vaccinations

2008-08-24T06:11:00.000-07:00

To vaccinate or not to vaccinate, that is the question. In a popular Oregon city, 30 percent of parents choose not to vaccinate their children. Does that leave the childhood population at risk or do parents have the right to decide what chemicals are injected into their children?

Leery of possible links to asthma to autism, parents exercise their rights to protect their kids from risk. But health officials insist the risk of vaccination far outweighs the benefits of inoculation but tell that to the parent of a child who goes deaf after a vaccination cocktail. Those who don’t immunize endanger not only their own kids, but the collective resistance that keeps everyone else safe. Scientists insist that the risk associated with getting the disease is much higher than the risk of serious side effects after getting the vaccination. Parents are opting not to vaccinate or, more often, to vaccinate selectively because they don’t trust the safety conclusions of the federal government or one size fits all medical groups.

Source: MSNBC

What is Meningitis?

2008-07-30T07:20:00.000-07:00

A definition of meningitis is provided

Meningitis remains one of the most misunderstood and dangerous conditions an individual can contract. This is because meningitis directly affects the internal organs and the functioning of the body. For those not familiar with this particular disorder, meningitis is a bacterial infection that directly affects the brain or spinal area. This disorder is usually acquired by a viral infection. Needless to say, contracting meningitis is an extremely dangerous scenario as severe brain damage as well as fatalities can be the result. This is what proper diagnosis and treatment of meningitis is critical.

But what are the common symptoms of meningitis? Headaches, stiff necks, vomiting, and nausea are all symptoms of meningitis. Of course, these are also symptoms of a number of other diseases and disorders as well. That is why it is important to never overlook any feelings of discomfort. These symptoms may very well be indicative of a very serious underlying condition. When you ignore the possible presence of a very dangerous condition and delay treatment, there is the possibility that the sickness may get worse. In fact, it could even reach the point where it is untreatable and this could yield disastrous consequences.

When meningitis is discovered quickly, it can be treated effectively in a short period of time. Of course, there are exceptions where treatment may prove difficult and this need to be understood as well. Usually, antibiotics are all that is required to send the infection into remission. However, if the infection is in advanced stages intravenous treatments and a hospital stay may be required. As such, it is critical to seek care as soon as possible when the symptoms of meningitis become visible. The worse the condition becomes the more difficult it will be to treat. This will necessitate the need for more complex and potentially difficult treatment methodsWhat is Meningitis?Description = A definition of meningitis is providedKeywords = Meningitis

Meningitis remains one of the most misunderstood and dangerous conditions an individual can contract. This is because meningitis directly affects the internal organs and the functioning of the body. For those not familiar with this particular disorder, meningitis is a bacterial infection that directly affects the brain or spinal area. This disorder is usually acquired by a viral infection. Needless to say, contracting meningitis is an extremely dangerous scenario as severe brain damage as well as fatalities can be the result. This is what proper diagnosis and treatment of meningitis is critical.

But what are the common symptoms of meningitis? Headaches, stiff necks, vomiting, and nausea are all symptoms of meningitis. Of course, these are also symptoms of a number of other diseases and disorders as well. That is why it is important to never overlook any feelings of discomfort. These symptoms may very well be indicative of a very serious underlying condition. When you ignore the possible presence of a very dangerous condition and delay treatment, there is the possibility that the sickness may get worse. In fact, it could even reach the point where it is untreatable and this could yield disastrous consequences.

When meningitis is discovered quickly, it can be treated effectively in a short period of time. Of course, there are exceptions where treatment may prove difficult and this need to be understood as well. Usually, antibiotics are all that is required to send the infection into remission. However, if the infection is in advanced stages intravenous treatments and a hospital stay may be required. As such, it is critical to seek care as soon as possible when the symptoms of meningitis become visible. The worse the condition becomes the more difficult it will be to treat. This will necessitate the need for more complex and potentially difficult treatment methods.

Group B Strep Lawyer - Group B Strep - Medical Malpractice

2008-06-29T06:20:00.000-07:00

If you intend to file a case against the medical facility or medical staff, you must find a good Group B Strep lawyer who handles a case of medical negligence. This lawyer must first gather all medical records for every aspect of the pregnancy period, labor, delivery, new born care etc.

If you have a strong case of medical negligence against the health care providers, the the lawyer may counsel you to file a lawsuit.

In each of the United States, there are laws which covers medical malpractice. These laws vary from state to state. If a doctor or other health care personnel has failed to act in accordance with a reasonable medical standards, and that failure has caused damage to the patient, then he/she is said to have committed medical negligence.

In case of GBS, if you think your child is a victim of medical negligence and his/her injury could have been prevented if the medical staff had given proper care, then you can find a Group B Strep lawyer and file your case.

The negligence could have been at any stage, during pregnancy and pre-natal care, during labor and delivery or during new-born care. If the doctors or nurses involved failed to recognize and treat symptoms and signs of GBS timely or ignored the risk factors, then also you may have a strong case.

The lawyer will help you understand whether you have a case of medical negligence or not. If so, he/she will help you gather evidence and help you seek compensation from the facility involved.

Group B Strep Cases - Group B Strep - Medical Negligence Cases

2008-06-19T06:13:00.000-07:00

If you go through several Group B Strep cases, you may find that negligence resulted in failing to recognize the early onset of GBS. This delay in administering preventive anti-biotic and ignoring the risk factors contributed to the damage caused to the baby.

As in the case of other medical negligence cases, in Group B Strep Cases, the first step for the lawyer would be to obtain all medical records. These records should contain every aspect of the mother’s pre natal care, labor delivery, new-born care etc. Next, your lawyer would ascertain whether some clinical signs in the mother were present which should have called for attention by the doctor, as this could suggest presence of GBS in the mother.

Group B Strep cases can prevail in court when many of the following fact patterns are found:

• Early onset GBS with permanent neurological injury
• If mother was tested positive during third semester and no action was taken
• If mother showed signs of GBS during labor and no preventive care was given to either mother or baby
• If the medical facility failed to respond to the risk factors of GBS on time, they can be sued.

There are many Group B Strep cases which have been filed and have been prosecuted successfully. One such example is of Timmons v. Baylor Health Care System. In that case, the mother had continuous threatened pre-mature labor and had undergone a cervical cerclage, but was never screened for GBS, even after labor started; no anti-biotic was administered to her. The nursery was not informed about the maternal history of the baby and baby was discharged after 48 hours. But the baby became limp and lethargic after 7 hours and was diagnosed with GBS when brought at the hospital. Severe permanent brain damage had occurred.

In most of the Group B Strep cases, the problem is that the mother and baby were not given timely prophylaxis which could have prevented the baby from damage from GBS. The early onset signs were ignored and nursery was informed about the risk factors. Thus, compensation was awarded. If you also think your baby has also suffered due to negligence of the medical staff involved, then you may consider hiring an attorney to file your case.

File A Group B Step Medical Malpractice Lawsuit - Get Compensation If There Has Been Negligence

2008-06-09T06:08:00.000-07:00

You can file a Group B Strep medical malpractice lawsuit if you have concrete evidence that the wrongdoing was done by the doctor or any other person of the medical staff. If the GBS was not detected on time even after the presence of certain symptoms or if the doctor did not start on a course of anti-biotic medicine when the signs of infection appeared in your child within an appropriate time period of delivery, this may make a strong case of negligence on the doctor’s part.

The Group B Step medical malpractice lawsuit can be filed against the medical personal involved. The physician providing the pre-natal care, labor and delivery, hospital nurses and other care givers are all involved. In big hospitals, many physicians may be involved and could share the responsibility. The hospital, as the employer of nurses, may be sued for negligence of having failed to inform the doctor about the infection signs in the new born baby.

If the mother has shown no symptoms of GBS during pregnancy, but at the time of labor, her white blood count was low or pelvic pain and foul-smelling discharge was there, then the nurse should have informed the physician. If this was not done, this may again be considered negligence. The hospital can also be sued and a Group B Step medical malpractice lawsuit can be filed, if there was an absence of any policy or protocol for dealing with GBS.

Your lawyer should help you identify the wrong-doers and and determine whether you have a strong case or not. The lawyer should help you collect the medical records and thus document the negligence so that you can sue the people involved and get compensation in the Group B Step medical malpractice lawsuit.

Should you prevail, this money can be used for your child’s medical care, special education, and future expenses.

Group B Strep Law - Group B Strep - Group B Streptococcus

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Take the help of the Group B Strep law to file a case against medical persons who you think did not provide adequate care to save your child against the effects of GBS. Take the help of a competent lawyer for this.

Afraid Your Child Has Been The Victim Of Medical Negligence In GBS? Approach The Group B Strep Law!

If you think that your baby suffered from Group B Streptococcus due to the negligence of the medical staff involved, then you may take the help of the Group B strep law which helps you sue the people involved. As you must be aware, Group B Streptococcus is a bacterium which is the cause of severe infections in new born babies. As many as 8000 babies born in the US each year are affected by this bacterium and around 800 of those die due to the resulting infections. Even those who have survived might have permanent brain damage, learning disabilities, hearing and vision loss etc.

In around 30 percent women, this bacterium is found in the lower intestine. During the labor and delivery process, the bacteria can travel upwards and the babies might get exposed to GBS. Infection in the new born is detected if the baby is suffering from fever, heavy breathing, grunting sound, stiff limbs or other unusual conditions. If any of these symptoms is noticed, then blood tests, culture of body fluids are performed to find out if it is due to GBS. If the heath care givers do not take these steps and do not start giving anti-biotic medicine to the baby, this will come under medical negligence and then you as a parent can approach the Group B strep law for suing the concerned persons.

If your child has suffered from GBS and you think that the medical staff present failed to give adequate care during pregnancy and labor or delivery, then you can approach a competent lawyer. The lawyer will help you understand if there was any negligence or incompetence on the doctor’s or nurses’ part and if this is so, then with the help of Group B strep law, your lawyer will be able to assist you in getting compensation which can be used for your child’s education and care.

Meningitis group B strep baby

2008-04-23T08:34:00.000-07:00

A 19-day-old baby was taken to the hospital with labored breathing. A spinal tap revealed meningitis. The baby girl stayed in the hospital for nearly six weeks. During that time, she had six strokes and suffered profound brain damage.

Her future became unpredictable: She could live a year or 40 years.

She got sick a lot. In her special-needs kindergarten class she smiled for the school portrait and the next day she died.

The cause of death is not certain but meningitis, group B strep bacteria is certainly being considered as the culprit.

About 25 percent of women carry the bacteria at any given time. Women have no symptoms but can transmit the bacteria to their babies during birth, leading to pneumonia, meningitis or death. Most obstetrics practices test women for the bacteria at 35 to 37 weeks of pregnancy.

Intravenous antibiotics during labor can kill some of the bacteria and halt transmission. But doctors consider antibiotics ineffective against what is called late-onset GBS, which can develop a week to several months after birth – which is what happened here.

At nearly 6 years old, the child had the abilities of a 6-month-old. She made sounds to get her point across or express her moods. She would bang her wheelchair tray to show excitement.

The meningitis baby lost 40 percent of her brain matter. She would never walk, talk, crawl, or sit because of group B strep. While pregnant, the mother was not routinely tested for group B strep.

http://www.newsobserver.com/news/story/1035399.html

Hospitals Rife with MRSA Infections

2008-04-20T05:46:00.000-07:00

According to a nationwide survey nearly 5 percent of patients in U.S. hospitals may have gotten an antibiotic resistant staph infection, MRSA.

Of the 1,200 hospitals surveyed in all 50 states, 8,000 patients were infected with MRSA. Patients found to be carrying the bacteria in or on their bodies, did not show any symptoms of disease. The majority of infections originated within the medical facility.

Basic measures, such as hand washing, prevent the spread of MRSA is recommended. Studies show that healthcare workers are not consistent about washing their hands as they should be.
MRSA is resistant to all forms of penicillin, which is why it has earned the title of superbug. Due to its resistance to antibiotics, it is twice as fatal as other staph infections.

In 1974, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated that 2 percent of the staph infections occurring in medical facilities were cases of MRSA. In 2004, the estimate rose to 63 percent.

Do you have a medical malpractice lawsuit caused by inadequate hospital care which led to MRSA? Find out if you’re eligible for a lawsuit.

Source: http://www.naturalnews.com/023051.html

The Seriousness of Group B Strep In Those Who Are Not Pregnant

2008-04-04T11:02:00.001-07:00

While most people familiar with Group B Strep understand that it possesses potential problems for newborns in pregnant women. However, there are questions raised how damaging can Group B Strep be to someone who is not pregnant. In general, those who are in good health will often be spared any serious complications of the condition. Additionally, age plays a role in the impact this condition may have on people as older people may discover more difficulty dealing with the condition. This is due to the potential onset of infections associated with the conditions. Regardless of age or health, however, one should always treat the condition seriously and not overlook the potential presence of any symptoms.

Due Diligence and Group B Strep

2008-04-01T03:38:00.000-07:00

While some may complain that malpractice lawsuits drive up hospital costs such claims do not take into account the problems that would occur if these lawsuits were not filed. For example, there have been cases where newborn children have died do to a doctor's negligence in diagnosing the complications present with group B strep. When a situation is so serious that it reaches levels of concerns over life and death it is critical that the doctor stay concerned and focused so as to do the right thing. This is why lawsuits surrounding Group B Strep are important as they make sure doctors always act accordingly and perform proper due diligence in order to safeguard the life of a newborn.

Group B Strep

2008-03-31T11:53:00.001-07:00

Why is this Preventable Childbirth Disease still Occurring?

Does your baby suffer from the devastating symptoms of group b strep? Has your baby died from group B strep?

In an industrialized nation with what has become a compromised healthcare system, one disease – Group B Strep – continues to occur in our society. Group B strep is a type of bacteria that causes illness in newborn babies and pregnant women. Group B strep disease remains a leading infectious cause of illness and death among newborns in the United States, resulting in approximately 1,600 illnesses and 80 deaths each year. Group B strep is a frequent cause of newborn pneumonia.

The harsh ravages of group B strep include mental retardation, blindness, deafness, seizures, speech delay, language delay – or worse – death from group B streptococcus.

In 1996, the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) issued guidelines to prevent transmission of the bacteria from mother to newborn. The CDC recommended that health care providers use one of two methods:

To offer antibiotics to women with clinical risk factors for disease transmission at the time of labor (fever, prolonged interval between rupture of the membranes and delivery, or preterm delivery)
To screen women for carriers of group B streptococci between week 35 and 37 of their pregnancy; then to offer antibiotics during delivery to those who have the bacteria.

The data released in 2002 demonstrated that the prenatal screening method was more than 50 percent more effective in preventing transmission than the clinical risk factor method.

Prenatal screening identifies silent carriers who can pass on the infection to newborns even when no clinical risk factors are present during labor. However, although the recommendations exist, prenatal screening has not been commonly implemented.

In pregnant women, group B strep can cause bladder infections, womb infections, endometriosis, and stillbirth.

Among newborns, three-fourths of group B stress early-onset cases occur during the first week of life. Most of these cases are apparent a few hours after birth. Late onset group B strep occurs within 7 to 90 days of life and is transmitted through maternal genital secretions, healthcare providers, and newborns infected due to poor hand washing.

The bottom line is that the world’s richest nation has not implemented recommendations from the CDC for pre-natal screening. Group B Strep (also known as B group pregnancy strep) could be eliminated through pre-natal screening. The cost of pre-natal screenings for group B strep is far less than the cost of emotional stress and treatment.

Parents of children harmed by Group B Strep have a number of issues to cope with. Things to consider include:

Medical Intervention after an infection has caused harm
Special Education of a child who has brain damage or hearing losses
Legal Recourse in the event that there was medical malpractice
Coping as a parent - finding support groups and building out a support system

Sources:
CDC
Wikipedia

Coming Soon!

2008-03-06T10:31:00.001-08:00