International Prenatal Infection Prevention Month, observed in February and sponsored by Group B Strep International, provides information on simple steps one can take to protect a fetus or newborn from infections that cause serious health problems.

International Prenatal Infection Prevention Month, sponsored by Group B Strep International, highlights that about one in four women in the United States carries the bacteria that causes Group B Strep infection. If one is pregnant and tests positive for Group B Strep, doctors can give an antibiotic during labor that prevents the bacteria from spreading to the baby. For pregnant women, a common way they are exposed to CMV is through contact with saliva and urine of children with CMV infection. Regular hand washing, particularly after changing diapers, is a commonly recommended step to decrease the spread of infections and may reduce exposures to CMV.