A Midlands resident has died after contracting a brain-eating amoeba, most likely from exposure to Lake Murray, according to South Carolina’s Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC). The infection, caused by Naegleria fowleri, is rare but almost always fatal. The patient, treated at Prisma Health Children’s Hospital, marks South Carolina’s first reported case since 2016. While officials stress the rarity of such infections, the death has left the community rattled and raises urgent questions about safety in warm freshwater environments.

Naegleria fowleri is not a virus or a bacteria, but a free-living amoeba—an invisible, single-celled organism that thrives in warm freshwater. It’s most commonly found in lakes, rivers, hot springs, and warm water discharges from industrial plants. It can even survive in poorly chlorinated swimming pools and contaminated tap water used in neti pots.

But here's the crucial point: it doesn’t infect through drinking water. Instead, it enters the body through the nose—typically when someone jumps or dives into warm, stagnant water. From there, it travels along the olfactory nerve into the brain, where it causes a swift and devastating infection known as primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM).

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that Naegleria fowleri infections are exceedingly rare. From 1962 to 2021, there have only been 154 documented cases in the U.S., with just four survivors. The infection is fatal in over 97% of cases.

The infected patient, whose identity remains confidential, was being treated at Prisma Health Children’s Hospital in Columbia. Dr. Anna-Kathryn Burch, a pediatric infectious disease specialist at the hospital, confirmed the death and stated that the team consulted with the CDC during the patient’s treatment.

While DHEC initially stated only that the infection was from the Midlands region, it later confirmed that Lake Murray was the suspected source. Lake Murray, a popular recreation spot for boating, swimming, and fishing, draws thousands of visitors in the summer months. Officials emphasized that Naegleria fowleri exists naturally in many warm freshwater bodies and that human infection is extremely uncommon.

Between 2010 and 2022, only three cases were reported in South Carolina. Nationwide, there were 40 cases over the same period.

Symptoms of Brain-Eating Amoeba (Naegleria fowleri)

The symptoms of Naegleria fowleri infection usually start within 1 to 12 days of exposure and can mimic those of bacterial meningitis. Early signs include:

• Headache
• Fever
• Nausea or vomiting
• Stiff neck

As the disease progresses rapidly, more severe neurological symptoms emerge:

• Confusion
• Seizures
• Loss of balance
• Hallucinations
• Coma

Death typically occurs within five days of symptom onset, though the range can be from one to twelve days. Because it is so rare and presents like other conditions, PAM is often misdiagnosed or diagnosed too late for treatment to be effective.

How Can You Protect Yourself?

Health experts stress that while the disease is horrifying, the actual risk of infection is extremely low. That said, there are simple precautions people can take to lower the risk even further:

Avoid diving or jumping into warm, stagnant freshwater—especially in the heat of summer when water levels are low. The amoeba is most likely to be found in sediment near the bottom, so stirring up the lake bed should be avoided.

Use nose clips or hold your nose shut when swimming, especially in freshwater lakes or rivers. Even better? Avoid putting your head underwater altogether.

Avoid digging or disturbing sediment in warm, shallow freshwater bodies.

Be cautious with nasal rinses, if you use a neti pot or other nasal irrigation device, make sure to use sterile, distilled, or previously boiled water—not tap water.

Watch the water conditions, health officials recommend staying out of freshwater bodies when the temperature is high and the water level is low, conditions that are favorable to Naegleria fowleri.

Should We Be Worried?

There’s no need for mass panic. The CDC and state health departments agree: Naegleria fowleri infections are tragic but exceedingly rare. You are far more likely to be struck by lightning than to contract PAM.

Still, this case serves as a stark reminder that nature—especially warm freshwater ecosystems—is not without risk. As climate change drives global temperatures higher, water bodies may warm earlier and stay warmer longer, creating a more favorable environment for heat-loving microbes like Naegleria fowleri.

Local residents have expressed concern, and rightly so. It’s unsettling to learn that a routine summer swim could potentially lead to such a devastating outcome. But the emphasis from experts remains steady: education, awareness, and smart precautions are your best defense.

The South Carolina Department of Health and Prisma Health are now walking a fine line—providing the public with necessary warnings without fueling fear. The goal isn't to deter people from enjoying lakes and rivers, but to educate them on how to reduce exposure risks. The public health messaging aims to empower, not alarm.

This case has already prompted renewed calls for public education campaigns around freshwater safety, including safe swimming practices and proper use of nasal irrigation.

A life has been lost—a stark reminder of how fragile and unpredictable our interactions with nature can be. But it’s also a call to action. The presence of Naegleria fowleri isn’t new, but our understanding of it—and our strategies for prevention—can always improve.

As we head into the heart of summer, it’s vital that we balance the joy of outdoor recreation with an awareness of the rare but real risks. The death at Lake Murray should not drive us away from nature, but instead remind us to treat it with the respect and caution it deserves.

If you or your children experience sudden severe headache, fever, or neurological symptoms after swimming in freshwater, seek immediate medical attention. Early diagnosis could save a life.

Are you in awe of weight loss injections? Well, here is some news. They might be doing more than just helping you lose fat. According to a new study, the same drugs that are helping people drop kilos might also be calming their lungs, specifically in people who are both obese and asthmatic.

If you have heard of Ozempic or Mounjaro, you probably know they are part of a growing class of drugs originally designed for people with type 2 diabetes. These are called GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP1-RAs), and they work by mimicking a gut hormone that controls blood sugar and, conveniently, appetite. What is new, though, is their potential to help with another major issue, breathing.

The Link Between Asthma and Obesity

According to the American Lung Association, people with a BMI of 30 or higher are much more likely to have asthma. It is not just because the extra weight makes it harder to breathe. Fat tissue itself releases inflammatory chemicals that can mess with lung function.

Meanwhile, asthma can make physical activity feel like a battle, and long-term steroid use can ramp up hunger, meaning it is all too easy to get stuck in a cycle where obesity and asthma fuel each other.

The Study: What They Found

Published in the journal Advances in Therapy, the study looked at health records from over 60,000 people. One group of 10,111 were prescribed GLP1-RAs, while the rest were not.

After a follow-up, the group on the jabs had lost more weight, but they also had better control over their asthma. And the average weight loss was just 0.9 kg over the year. So it was not just about shedding pounds. Something else was clearly at play.

Reportedly, GLP1s work on inflammatory responses in the airways in a different way to traditionally used steroids. In other words, the drug may be doing a direct job on the lungs, not just helping from the sidelines by shrinking waistlines.

Experts Weigh In

Prof Alan Kaplan, chairperson of the Family Physician Airways Group of Canada and the Observational and Pragmatic Research Institute, told The Sun: "Our findings suggest that GLP1-RAs have benefits on asthma control in people with obesity, and this information should contribute to the discussions around the decision to use these drugs."

Dr Erika Kennington from Asthma and Lung UK told the publication that this could be promising for people who feel stuck. "Although exercise can help people lose weight, for some people it can cause anxiety about becoming breathless or having an asthma attack, so people are stuck in a vicious cycle of not being able to lose weight and their asthma worsening."

However, she also sounded a note of caution. "Therefore, where exercise hasn't worked for someone these drugs that support weight loss could offer a promising alternative.

"It's too early to say whether these drugs would be effective for people with asthma more widely.

"More research is needed to understand how these drugs actually improve asthma control. Funding for lung health research is on life support, and urgent action is needed to increase investment."

A Possible Turning Point for Millions

Millions of people in the UK are living with asthma. At the same time, nearly two-thirds of adults in England are overweight or obese. For people stuck between breathlessness and weight gain, these jabs could be a literal breath of fresh air. Still, while the findings are exciting, no one is saying these jabs are a magic fix for everyone with asthma.

Hulk Hogan, the wrestling legend has passed away at the age of 71, according to a report by TMZ Sports. Emergency services were reportedly dispatched to his Florida residence following a 911 call for a suspected cardiac arrest.

TMZ also reported that a video outside Hogan's residence show that the responders had tried to desperately save him while he was being transported to an ambulance. The clip shows that several paramedics were, what it seems like, conducting compression as Hogan was being wheeled to the emergency vehicle.

Hogan's death comes just weeks after his wife publicly denied rumors that the WWE Hall of Famer was in a coma, reassuring fans that his heart was “strong” and that he was recovering well after multiple surgeries.

Widely credited with transforming professional wrestling into a mainstream global phenomenon, Hogan—born Terry Bollea—was more than just a wrestler. With his signature bandana, handlebar mustache, and larger-than-life personality, he became a household name in the 1980s and 1990s, helping to usher in an era when wrestling became part of pop culture.

What Happens During Cardiac Arrest?

Jonathan Chrispin, MD, from John Hopkins Medicine, writes, that a cardiac arrest, also known as a sudden cardiac arrest, in when the heart stops beating suddenly. The lack of blood flow to the brain and other organ can cause a person to lose consciousness, become disabled or die if not treated immediately.

Is cardiac arrest the same as a heart attack? The answer is no, as per the Heart Organization, a heart attack occurs when blood flow to the heart is blocked, whereas in a cardiac arrest, heart suddenly stops beating.

What Are The Symptoms Of A Cardiac Arrest?

In some cases of cardiac arrest, there may be no symptoms at all. You may experience these symptoms prior to cardiac arrest:

• Fatigue
• Dizziness
• Shortness of breath
• Nausea
• Chest pain
• Heart palpitations (fast or pounding heart beat)
• Loss of consciousness

What Causes A Cardiac Arrest?

Common Causes of Cardiac Arrest:

Arrhythmia and Ventricular Fibrillation

Arrhythmia refers to an irregular heartbeat caused by disrupted electrical signals in the heart. One of the most dangerous types is ventricular fibrillation—a rapid, chaotic heartbeat in the ventricles. Instead of pumping blood effectively, the heart quivers, leading to sudden cardiac arrest.

Enlarged Heart (Cardiomyopathy)

Cardiomyopathy occurs when the heart muscle becomes enlarged—either dilated or thickened—resulting in weak or abnormal heart contractions. This condition increases the risk of heart failure and cardiac arrest.

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)

CAD is caused by plaque buildup that narrows and hardens the coronary arteries, restricting blood flow to the heart. If untreated, it can lead to arrhythmias or heart failure—both of which can trigger cardiac arrest.

Other Potential Causes of Cardiac Arrest

• Severe blood loss
• Valvular heart disease (damage or defects in the heart valves)
• Lack of oxygen (such as from drowning or choking)
• Electrolyte imbalances, particularly high levels of potassium or magnesium, which can disrupt heart rhythm and lead to arrhythmia

Early diagnosis and timely medical intervention are critical in preventing these conditions from progressing to cardiac arrest.

Teddi Mellencamp Cancer Update: Reality TV star and podcast host Teddi Mellencamp has revealed she is pausing her immunotherapy treatment as part of her ongoing battle with stage 4 cancer.

In an update during the July 24 episode of her podcast Two T’s in a Pod, Mellencamp shared that her body has been struggling to cope with the effects of the aggressive treatment, despite promising results in shrinking tumors.

The 44-year-old former Real Housewives of Beverly Hills cast member detailed that she had not been feeling well for nearly a month and had grown increasingly fatigued and disoriented. “It was kind of shocking to me, and I think mentally it did a lot to me,” she said. “I started asking myself, ‘Why do I feel like I can barely open my eyes or keep my words straight?’”

After undergoing emergency scans and consulting her doctors, Mellencamp was told that the sickness she was feeling wasn’t from the cancer itself, but from the very treatment designed to help her.

Immunotherapy on Hold for Now

Immunotherapy, a treatment that harnesses the body's immune system to fight cancer, has shown signs of success in Mellencamp’s case. Doctors confirmed that the tumors in her lungs and brain were shrinking. “They did a bunch of scans and everything’s looking good, everything’s shrinking,” she said on the podcast.

However, the toll on her body has forced a critical decision, take a break to recover strength.

“So we’re going to take a little break on the immunotherapy to get my body back feeling stronger,” she revealed, adding that she is now on steroids and other medications to stabilize her condition. “I’m doing everything I can to get back to feeling like I can do this.”

She added, “I’ve never once felt this way until recently. And it’s heartbreaking.”

A Long Battle with Skin Cancer

Teddi Mellencamp’s cancer journey began in October 2022 when she was first diagnosed with skin cancer. Over the next year, she underwent multiple biopsies and surgeries, eventually revealing in early 2024 that the cancer had progressed to stage 4 and spread to her brain and lungs.

In February, she underwent emergency surgery to remove several brain tumors. But by April, new tumors had appeared. Despite these setbacks, Mellencamp kept her spirits high. She has also been regularly updating her fans with health progress, including the encouraging news just two months ago that her tumors were visibly shrinking.

“And then today I had the scan where they checked my lungs, and they are shrinking, and one of them has shrunk so much you can barely even see it,” she had shared at the time.

What Is Skin Cancer?

Skin cancer is the abnormal growth of skin cells, most often caused by overexposure to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays. The most common types are basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma—the most aggressive form, which can spread to other organs if not detected early.

While treatable in early stages, late-stage skin cancer that metastasizes (spreads to other parts of the body) becomes significantly harder to control. Treatments often include surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, and newer therapies like immunotherapy. Mellencamp’s cancer appears to be an advanced form, as it is in Stage IV and has spread to other parts of her body, requiring constant monitoring and multidisciplinary care.

Despite filing for divorce in November 2024, Edwin Arroyave, her husband has remained by Mellencamp’s side throughout her cancer treatment. “He’s had to step in and help me because I, some days, can’t do it,” she admitted during the podcast. “Nothing’s changed in that other than that [we’re] on hold because of what’s happening to me medically.”

For now, Mellencamp is focusing on recovery and regaining enough strength to resume treatment. “I can do all the things,” she said hopefully. “Just not today—but maybe soon.”