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Group B streptococcus (GBS) is the most common cause of life-threatening infection in newborn babies, and it can kill within hours – yet the UK doesn’t routinely test pregnant women for it. The charity Group B Strep Support (GBSS) says an average of two babies develop a GBS infection every day in the UK, and while most recover, one baby dies as a result of the infection each week, and one baby a week survives with life-changing disabilities. GBSS says around two to four out of every 10 women in the UK will carry group B strep in their rectum, vagina, or intestines, although most of them won’t experience any symptoms. However, if a woman’s pregnant, group B Strep can affect her baby around the time of birth. Speaking to mark July’s Group B Strep Awareness Month, GBSS chief executive Jane Plumb, who set up the charity in 1996 with her husband Robert after their son, Theo, died from GBS infection aged 17 hours, stresses that raising awareness of Group B Strep can save babies’ lives and minimise the heartache the illness often causes. “Group B strep is the most common cause of severe infection, including sepsis and meningitis, in newborn babies, yet people are not routinely told about it during pregnancy. This isn’t good enough,” she says. Here’s what all parents-to-be and new parents should know about GBS… 1. It can cause meningitis, sepsis and pneumonia As the most common cause of infection in newborns, Plumb says GBS, which affects around 800 babies in the UK every year, can lead to serious conditions including meningitis, sepsis and pneumonia. As a result, around 50 babies will die every year, and 75 will survive with a long-term disability. “Group B strep awareness is a matter of life and death,” says Plumb. “By shining a spotlight on this silent infection, we can save precious lives and spare families from unnecessary heartache.” 2. GBS infections can be prevented in babies Most GBS infections in newborn babies can be prevented, says Plumb, by identifying women with risk factors. “One of the risk factors is carrying the bacteria during pregnancy,” she says, “and then intravenous antibiotics can be offered during labour to minimise the risk of the baby developing a group B strep infection.” 3. A mother carrying GBS doesn’t necessarily mean her baby will be infected GBSS says around 20-25% of women carry GBS in their vagina and/or lower intestines, but if a woman is carrying GBS when she gives birth, the risk of her baby developing early-onset GBS infection is about one in 400 if antibiotics aren’t given in labour, or around one in 4,000 if antibiotics are given. 4. It’s not just newborn babies that get GBS infections Although most GBS infections develop in the first two days of life, they can develop later, though they are rare after the age of three months, says Plumb. “Knowing the key signs is vital – every family needs to know about GBS,” she stresses. 5. Most women who carry GBS don’t have symptoms GBS carriage isn’t associated with symptoms, says Plumb, so most people who carry the bacteria won’t show any signs of it. 6. Antibiotics may be given to some women during labour The Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists recommends that if GBS is detected in a woman during pregnancy, or if she’s previously had a baby affected by GBS, she should be offered antibiotics in labour to reduce the risk of the baby being infected. 7. There’s no routine GBS testing in the UK The NHS doesn’t currently provide routine testing for GBS, although other high-income countries do. Plumb says UK National Screening, which sets screening policy in the UK, says there isn’t enough evidence to introduce antenatal GBS screening for all pregnant women in the UK, although a randomised control trial is due to report in 2025, and the evidence is then expected to be reviewed. Plumb says: “The evidence shows clearly that antenatal testing is better than a risk-factor strategy for preventing GBS infection in newborn babies, and GBSS think the UK should catch up its peers around the world by introducing this. Most high-income countries do so, including the USA, Canada, Hong Kong and most of Europe – why are we last on the list?” 8. Pregnant women can be tested privately GBSS says pregnant women can be tested privately for GBS, usually at between 35-37 weeks of pregnancy, at some clinics, or by doing a DIY test with a kit, which costs about £40. GBSS helpline 0330 120 0796. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Princess Diana’s ‘black sheep’ jumper predicted to sell at auction for up to £70,000 The best onstage fashion at Glastonbury Sarah, Duchess of York has operation for breast cancer: What to know about mammograms

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A woman who has splashed out more than £29,000 ($38,000 USD) to “super size” her breasts says her chest is so large, she often wears three bras and can’t go on rollercoasters. Katy Ann had her first boob job when she was just 20 years old, going from a natural C to a double D cup. The model has since gone under the knife to expand her breasts three more times, as well as having two butt augmentations, skin-tightening surgery, and non-invasive cosmetic procedures such as Botox and lip fillers. But she’s not bothered about the costs, because she isn’t picking up the tab. Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter "My breasts cost $38,000 but I’ve spent around $100,000 on surgery in total – and a majority of it was funded by sugar daddies,” Katy Ann, who is an investor and is getting her real estate license, told NeedToKnow.co.uk. "If I have the time, money, and ambition to change my body, and I can safely do it – then why not? "I wasn’t born 'perfect' so thank goodness for gyms, hair stylists, nutritionists and surgeons. Despite loving her new look, Katy's extreme breasts do come with some challenges. She said: "Tops that aren’t made of spandex or a stretchy material are incredibly hard to fit properly into. "I just can’t walk into any lingerie store or section and buy bras. "There are a few shops that carry my size or I need to have custom-made bras/tops by a tailor. "My surgeon also restricted me from running. "My breast weighs well over 10 pounds – high-impact activities and weight will make my boobs super saggy. "When I do exercise, I will wear two bras and a sports bra for maximum support. "I’ve gone to 'all adults' pools and dealt with a lot of attention, good and bad, because of my body. "Also going on roller coasters is tricky. "The shoulder restraint squishes my enormous boobs and the few times I did go on a roller coaster there was an element of new excitement because I was worried the shoulder restraint didn’t lock properly." Despite these issues, Katy Ann says her look is worth the sacrifice. She said: "I understood going into this super busty lifestyle certain things and activities in my life would need to be modified, if not stopped. "That’s the way life is. "Sometimes you have to give other things up to get what you want." At this moment in time, she has no current plans to go under the knife again but “never say never”. Katy Ann, from Texas, US, added: "I’m happy… for now. “I never say never. "I make plans and God laughs, so who knows? "I could wake up tomorrow and start removing all my plastic surgery or I could go get more. "One thing I would like to point out is that yes, I am totally and completely aware that my breast augmentations are extreme. "This look is certainly an acquired aesthetic taste. "But with the advances of modern medicine, I can have a breast reduction anytime and not look so outlandish. “At this point in my life, I personally am enjoying them. "The day they bring more grief than joy is the day I’ll change them. “And if I do ever get rid of my implants, at least I won’t be paying for it myself.” Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.

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Sergio Perez will be eyeing a dream victory on home soil at the Mexico City Grand Prix this weekend. The Red Bull driver has endured a difficult few months and has not won since Azerbaijan in April. His team-mate Max Verstappen, however, has won 15 races this season and has already sealed his third world title. Verstappen was triumphant last week at the US Grand Prix in Austin where Lewis Hamilton - who finished second - was disqualified alongside Charles Leclerc for an illegal floor. Lando Norris came home third, but was promoted to second after Hamilton’s DSQ, for his 12th podium in F1 but the McLaren driver is still chasing his first win. Verstappen won last year’s race at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez. Follow updates from the Mexican Grand Prix with The Independent Read More F1 icon Willy T Ribbs: ‘There were death threats – but I was never going to play the victim’ Max Verstappen urges fans to show him respect ahead of feisty Mexican Grand Prix Lewis Hamilton claims many more cars were illegal at United States Grand Prix

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