Latest news with #18YearOld
Daily Mail
09-07-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Teenager dies from 'brain-swelling' bat virus in India as officials confirm second case - fuelling fears of 'next pandemic'
A teenage girl has died from a 'brain-swelling' virus which experts fear could spark the 'next pandemic' The 18-year-old, from Malappuram a city in the Kerala region of India, tested positive for Nipah virus, which kills more than two thirds of people infected. The virus, which is carried by fruit bats and passed on to humans through their droppings and saliva, is of the same viral family as measles, making it highly contagious. On July 2, the unnamed woman suffered from acute encephalitis syndrome (AES), which is inflammation of the brain, and is often accompanied with an onset of fever and neurological symptoms. Officials have also confirmed there has been a second case of a 38-year-old woman from Palakkad who is in critical condition. The woman is undergoing treatment at the private hospital Perinthalmanna in the city, reported The Hindu. There are 425 people across three districts who have been identified as contacts of the two women, who may have come into contact with them at a social event. Of these people, 12 in Malappuram are receiving treatment, including five in intensive care. Authorities are still awaiting full test results to establish how many people may be infected. It is important to note that one of the patients receiving treatment has tested negative for the disease. There was previously an outbreak of the virus, which inspired the Hollywood pandemic thriller 'Contagion', in the Kerala region in 2023. Last month, researchers found two new viruses which are closely related to Nipah and the deadly Hendra virus. The infections, which can trigger severe brain inflammation and respiratory disease have been discovered in bats in China. Experts have raised urgent concerns about the potential of these viruses to jump to local people. These were found in fruit bats (Rousettus leschenaultia) living near orchards close to human villages in Yunnan. Since henipaviruses can spread through urine, the study raises concerns about contaminated fruit and the risk of these viruses jumping to humans. The team published their findings in the journal Plos Pathogens. They wrote: 'By analysing the infectome of bat kidneys collected near village orchards and caves in Yunnan, we uncovered not only the diverse microbes bats carry, but also the first full-length genomes of novel bat-borne henipaviruses closely related to Hendra and Nipah viruses identified in China.' They said their findings raise 'urgent concerns about the potential for these viruses to spill over into humans or livestock.' Bats are natural reservoirs for a wide range of microorganisms, including some that have previously been transmitted to humans. One theory is that the coronavirus could have originated in bats and then spilled over into people, triggering the global Covid pandemic. However, others argue it came from a 'lab leak' or from other animals being sold at a wet market.
BBC News
05-07-2025
- BBC News
Boy, 13, arrested after two injured in affray in Bradford
A 13-year-old boy has been arrested after two older teenagers were injured in Bradford.A 17-year-old boy and an 18-year-old man were taken to hospital with non life-threatening injuries after the affray at 19:00 BST on Friday, West Yorkshire Police and the ambulance service attended the incident on Westcroft Road and the 13-year-old remains in force said inquiries were ongoing and it was currently being treated as an isolated incident. Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
RNZ News
04-07-2025
- RNZ News
Man charged after woman assaulted with weapon in Northland
Whangārei District Court. Photo: RNZ / Peter de Graaf Police say an 18-year-old man will appear in the Whangārei District Court tomorrow, charged with assault with a weapon. Officers arrested and charged a man following an assault overnight after a woman approached the Whangārei Police Station about 1.30am. At the time, the woman was transported to hospital and treated for moderate injuries, she has since been released from hospital. The two parties were known to each other and police believe there's no wider risk to the public. Police said they're still investigating this incident, other charges are pending but are not seeking anyone else. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Medscape
02-07-2025
- Health
- Medscape
Think Beyond Stroke in Sudden Facial Droop
Infectious mononucleosis (IM), also known as the kissing disease or 'mono,' is typically caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). It is a clinical condition characterised by fever, lymphadenopathy, and pharyngitis. Bell's palsy is a condition that causes sudden, temporary facial paralysis or weakness on one side of the face. It can have various aetiologies, such as congenital, neurologic, infectious, neoplastic, or traumatic. This report describes the case of a woman who was diagnosed with Bell's palsy, a rare neurologic complication of EBV-associated IM. The Patient and Her History An 18-year-old woman with a medical history of low back pain and sinusitis presented to the clinic with complaints of fever, sore throat, and left-sided facial drooping. She reported noticing these symptoms 1 week prior. The neck pain had progressively worsened and radiated to the left ear. The patient also experienced difficulty forming words and was unable to raise her left eyebrow or smile due to facial drooping. She noted no improvement with over-the-counter medications and denied recent travel. Findings and Diagnosis On physical examination, several 1-cm mobile tender anterior cervical lymph nodes were noted. Tonsillitis with white exudates and left ear tympanosclerosis with associated pain were observed. The left corner of the mouth was drooping, and the patient had difficulty making facial expressions and closing her left eye. The spleen was palpable and tender to touch. Neurologic examination showed that all other cranial nerves were grossly intact. The muscle strength was 5/5 in both the upper and lower extremities, and deep tendon reflexes were present throughout. The lungs were clear to auscultation, and pulses were palpable in all extremities. No oedema, cyanosis, or clubbing was observed. The skin was dry, and no rashes were observed. Laboratory tests showed mild leucocytosis. Rapid antigen tests for streptococci, influenza, and COVID were negative. A rapid heterophile antibody test for EBV was positive. The mononucleosis spot test was positive for reactive heterophile antibodies, a hallmark finding of IM. Immunofluorescence assays showed positive immunoglobulin M and immunoglobulin G antibodies against EBV, with the presence of immunoglobulin M antibodies indicating either a recent primary infection or a reactivated infection. On the basis of these findings, a diagnosis of left-sided Bell's palsy due to EBV infection was confirmed. The patient was prescribed prednisone 60 mg for 1 week, with a plan to taper the dose. Tylenol was recommended for pain management as needed. Artificial tears were prescribed to prevent corneal damage and dryness due to the inability to close the left eye. An ear, nose, and throat (ENT) referral was made for the evaluation of left ear tympanosclerosis and associated pain. The patient was counselled to avoid contact sports because of the risk for splenic rupture, a common complication of IM. At the 2-week follow-up, the patient reported symptoms such as runny nose, fatigue, and ongoing ear pain, pending evaluation by an ENT specialist. At that time, there was no evidence of lymphadenopathy, fever, or splenomegaly. The patient's facial paralysis had improved by approximately 70%, and her speech was also markedly improved. The patient was counselled to rest, stay hydrated, and closely monitor for new symptoms. Discussion IM, most often caused by the EBV, is a viral illness that primarily affects teenagers and young adults. It is transmitted through saliva — which is why it is often referred to as the 'kissing disease' — but can also be spread via respiratory droplets, blood, or organ transplants. Symptoms may include sore throat, fever, swollen lymph nodes, and extreme fatigue, as well as swelling of the liver and spleen. A heterophile antibody test is typically sufficient to diagnose IM. Most people recover on their own with rest, fluids, and over-the-counter pain relievers. However, in rare cases, complications such as a ruptured spleen, neurologic issues, or liver inflammation can occur. Neurologic complications, such as cranial nerve palsies, Guillain-Barré syndrome, meningoencephalitis, and mononeuritis multiplex, occur in approximately 1%-5% of all patients with acute EBV infection. In children, neurologic manifestations may be the only clinical sign that can occasionally delay diagnosis. Acute peripheral facial paralysis is the most common acute mononeuropathy and often presents a diagnostic challenge for physicians. Its incidence has been reported as 21.1 per 100,000 per year in children younger than 15 years. Paediatric facial nerve paralysis can be congenital or acquired, but the idiopathic form, known as Bell's palsy, is the most frequent, accounting for 40%-75% of cases. Bell's palsy is diagnosed by the abrupt onset of unilateral facial weakness or complete paralysis of all muscles on one side of the face. It may be accompanied by dry eyes, pain around the ear, an altered sense of taste, hypersensitivity to sounds, or decreased tearing. Recovery time varies, but complete resolution of symptoms usually occurs within 2-3 weeks. There is always a small possibility of permanent functional loss, which can result from structural damage to axons and myelin. Treatment is usually supportive, often involving a combination of steroids and, in some cases, physical therapy. Facial nerve palsy is most often idiopathic and related to microcirculatory changes but may also result from congenital defects, infections, trauma, neoplasms, or systemic illness. Infectious causes account for 5%-30% of cases and are the most common cause in young children. Common pathogens include herpes simplex virus 1, varicella-zoster virus, EBV, Borrelia burgdorferi , HIV, and influenza virus. The causes of facial palsy are classified as follows: Genetic: Hereditary myopathies, gene mutations Syndromic: Craniofacial malformations and brainstem disorders Delivery-related: Prematurity, instrumental delivery, caesarean section Infectious: Viral, bacterial, and fungal agents including chronic or acute otitis media Inflammatory: Autoimmune and vasculitis conditions Neoplastic: Tumours involving the facial nerve or surrounding structures Traumatic: Skull fractures affecting the facial nerve Iatrogenic: Injury during head and neck surgeries Idiopathic: Bell's palsy Timely diagnosis and stroke exclusion are critical to avoid permanent damage. Lyme disease should be ruled out, especially in patients with recent travel to endemic areas and a bull's eye rash.
Yahoo
17-06-2025
- Yahoo
18-year-old facing weapons charge in possible homicide, judge says
An 18-year-old is facing a weapons charge after court documents allege he fired a weapon outside an apartment complex in Alpine Township Sunday morning.
