It should not be confused with Group A streptococcus, which commonly causes strep throat and, rarely, a potentially deadly destruction of flesh. GBS is the most common cause of life-threatening infections in newborns. It can also be transmitted through blood or to the baby at the time of birth. While neonatal herpes is rare, women who know they have genital herpes are often concerned about the possibility of transmitting the virus to their babies at birth. Group B Streptococcal Disease - Approximately one of every 100 to 200 babies whose mothers carry GBS develop signs and symptoms of GBS disease.
Listeria is only dangerous to pregnant women, their babies and people with a lowered immune system.
Almost all other people are not harmed by it. Usually, there is no serious complication for a pregnant woman or her baby because of exposure to a person with fifth disease. I have received at least one or two questions a month about pregnancy and delivery issues from couples who are considering having a child. There is a paucity of information on the subject, which makes it very difficult for persons with TM to make these very important decisions about whether they should become pregnant and have a child. Pregnant women and their sex partners should be questioned about STDs and should be counseled about the possibility of perinatal infections.