Group B Strep

[K&JIntimates]

I was just reading the post from the lady who contracted (and hopefully) has recovered from MRSA. It started me to thinking about other types of bacteria we all carry around with us and raised a question in my mind about Group B Strep and other bacteria like it.

This bacteria, while usually benign, can have serious health issues. A lot of people are 'carries' and may not even realize it.

So, I was wondering, if you know you are a carrier of a bacteria like Group B Strep would you, or should you, inform potential play partners of it?

[VegasLee]

I am going to stick with what I told the other person.

If you currently have something that can effect the health of someone else, you should not be playing with others.

I don't believe a persons pleasures should come before the health of other people.

[socolais]

If we're putting others at an increased risk, we have an obligation to let them make the decision to play or not based on all the information available.

[good times]

I agree, if I have so much as a common cold and we have plans to meet someone I tell them that right up front. And if I were to have anything very serious at all, I would not be swinging at all.

[Chicup]

Well since about 25% of women have group B strep (no idea of the % for males, its only really talked about in women) I'd say unless we were playing with someone pregnant (eww), I'd not bother bringing it up.

But Chicup, thats so dishonest, its so wrong!

No, its a common bacteria in our bodies which can rarely affect newborn children, most often passed on from the mother. I've never been tested for it, perhaps my wife was when she was pregnant but I don't know the result, nor am I concerned about it.

But lets say I KNEW we had it, like 25% of the population. Due to its pretty much negligible risk to adults (unless you are immunocompromised, and if so why the hell are YOU swinging) I wouldn't bring it up. The reason is most peoples medical knowledge doesn't go beyond an issue of People, group B strep sounds all scary unless of course you know how common it is, that its normally benign, and is only an issue with newborns, and due to its common nature they are checked for it in the US.

So unless people are swapping health histories and have the understanding on how it all works, all you are going to do is scare people into thinking its a big deal.

[tribbles]

I totally agree with Chicup.

[K&JIntimates]

Thanks Chicup, I was freaking out needlessly. It never occurred to us to ask someone about bacteria related issues (MRSA, GBS, or all the other acronyms out there). The Group B Strep came up in my thoughts because , while I've never tested positive during pregnancy for it (and you're right about the minimal risk to newborns in this country), I started to think about the possibility of it. Until I did a little more reading on it (after I posted the first time). Feeling much better now!