There are a lot of things that can go wrong in your brain and can lead to conditions as serious as schizophrenia. A mere breakage in the neural connection in your brain is enough to devastate your entire life. Now, a video has gone viral on social media that shows a neurologist revealing "the most terrifying neurological condition" he has ever seen.

“Imagine being fully aware, able to feel everything, hear everything and see everything, and able to think clearly — but completely unable to move or speak, and only able to blink and move your eyes up and down,” he said in the clip.

This condition is called locked-in syndrome. Also known as pseudocoma, it is a rare and severe neurological disorder. Unlike coma, individuals with this condition are completely conscious but have almost total body paralysis. They retain only limited control over eye movements and blinking, making these the only means of communication for most patients. While their minds remain alert, their bodies are unresponsive to voluntary commands.

The damage in locked-in syndrome typically affects the pons, a critical part of the brainstem responsible for transmitting signals between the brain and the rest of the body. Injuries to this area can result from strokes, traumatic brain injuries, infections, or diseases like multiple sclerosis that degrade the protective myelin sheath around nerve fibers. It is an extreme form of paralysis and can leave individuals unable to speak, move, or even react to painful stimuli. As a result, diagnosing locked-in syndrome is often challenging. Many patients have been mistakenly declared brain dead, as their lack of physical response can be easily misinterpreted.

Locked-in syndrome also profoundly impacts basic bodily functions. Patients often require a tracheotomy to aid breathing, as their respiratory muscles may no longer function effectively. Similarly, a gastrostomy tube (G-tube) is frequently necessary to ensure they receive adequate nutrition and hydration. Without these medical interventions, their survival would be severely compromised.

One of the most heartbreaking aspects of locked-in syndrome is the inability to communicate effectively. The condition robs individuals of their voice, leaving them reliant on eye movements to express themselves. Even this form of communication can be painstakingly slow and requires immense patience from both the patient and their caregivers.

Diagnosis

Diagnosing locked-in syndrome requires advanced medical imaging and tests to assess brain and nerve function. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can help identify the location and extent of brainstem damage, while an electroencephalogram (EEG) measures electrical activity in the brain to confirm consciousness.

Treatment

There is no cure or specific treatments for locked-in syndrome other than treating the cause and preventing further complications, if possible.

A recent pediatric study suggests that repeated COVID infections increase the likelihood of developing long COVID. According to the research, children and young people infected a second time were twice as likely to experience lingering symptoms compared to those who only had the virus once. Long COVID after a reinfection was linked to higher risks of heart problems, kidney damage, cognitive difficulties, and other complications, according to an analysis published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases by researchers at the Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania.

“Many believed that reinfections would be milder or carry fewer long-term consequences, but we found that the risks extend across a range of health issues, challenging assumptions that children recover quickly,” said Bingyu Zhang, a PhD student in Applied Mathematics & Computational Science at Penn. “These findings can help guide clinical decisions, encourage vaccination, and inform how resources are directed to care for COVID patients.”

The study examined health records from around 407,000 children across 40 pediatric hospitals. Among those with just one documented COVID infection, there were roughly 904 cases of long COVID per million over a six-month period. However, for children who had contracted the virus twice, that number jumped to 1,884 per million, effectively doubling the risk.

Focusing On The Youngest Patients

Most research on long COVID, also known as post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC), has focused on adults. This study aimed to understand the long-term effects on children and adolescents under 21, particularly during the omicron wave, which predominated between late 2021 and early 2022. Omicron and its subvariants continue to circulate, causing infections and reinfections in young populations today.

“The findings reinforce one of the strongest reasons I give families and physicians for vaccination: fewer infections mean lower chances of long COVID,” said Dr. Ravi Jhaveri, head of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago.

Heightened Risk For Serious Conditions

The researchers also analyzed the likelihood of specific complications after a second infection. Children who had COVID twice were more than three times as likely to develop myocarditis, a potentially dangerous inflammation of the heart muscle. Other significant risks included a doubled chance of blood clots, severe kidney damage, abnormal heart rhythms, heart disease, and extreme fatigue.

“Examining the public health consequences of COVID, including long COVID, helps us pinpoint which children are more vulnerable and ensures they receive proper monitoring and care,” explained Dr. Jeffrey Morris, director of Biostatistics.

The importance of large-scale studies

This study is part of the NIH-funded RECOVER initiative, which investigates COVID’s long-term impacts. Pooling data from multiple hospitals and patients across the country allows researchers to study trends and outcomes in diverse populations, creating a clearer picture of long COVID in children.

According to senior author Yong Chen, PhD, the project’s scale and coordination are crucial. “Without this infrastructure and sustained support, we wouldn’t have access to such comprehensive pediatric data or be able to evaluate long COVID rigorously,” he said.

Next steps for research

The team plans to continue tracking pediatric patients over longer periods, study whether new COVID variants affect long-term risks, and explore ways to prevent severe complications. They also aim to identify which children are most at risk, so families and clinicians can better protect them from the lasting effects of reinfections.

Senegal has reported 17 deaths from Rift Valley Fever (RVF), according to a health ministry official on Thursday, marking a rare and serious outbreak of the viral disease in the West African nation. So far, 119 cases have been confirmed, primarily in northern Senegal’s livestock-producing areas. The outbreak is raising concerns about further spread, said Dr. Boly Diop, head of RVF surveillance at the health ministry. But what exactly is Rift Valley Fever, why is it spreading in Senegal, and can it infect humans?

What Is Rift Valley Fever?

Rift Valley Fever is a viral illness that mainly affects animals but can also infect humans. The disease can cause severe illness in both animals and people. According to the World Health Organization, the RVF virus is part of the Phlebovirus genus. It was first identified in 1931 during an investigation of a sheep epidemic in Kenya’s Rift Valley.

Outbreaks have since been reported throughout sub-Saharan Africa. In 1977, a major outbreak struck Egypt after infected livestock were introduced through trade along the Nile irrigation system. Between 1997 and 1998, another significant outbreak affected Kenya, Somalia, and Tanzania, following heavy rains and flooding linked to the El Niño phenomenon. In September 2000, infected livestock from the Horn of Africa carried the virus to Saudi Arabia and Yemen, marking the first known instance of Rift Valley Fever outside Africa and raising concerns about its potential spread to parts of Asia and Europe.

Signs and Symptoms of Rift Valley Fever

Many infections are asymptomatic, but uncomplicated human cases of RVF typically present like a short-term flu like illness. Symptoms include fever, chills, headache, severe muscle and joint pain, light sensitivity, and loss of appetite. Occasionally, patients may experience a petechial rash, nausea, vomiting, or nosebleeds, according to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control.

How Is Rift Valley Fever Transmitted?

As the WHO explains, Rift Valley Fever is primarily an animal disease but can also infect humans. It is spread by mosquitoes and blood-feeding flies. Most human infections occur through direct or indirect contact with the blood or organs of infected animals. This can happen while handling animal tissue during slaughter, assisting with births, performing veterinary procedures, or disposing of carcasses or fetuses. Certain occupations, such as herders, farmers, slaughterhouse workers, and veterinarians, are therefore at higher risk. There is also evidence that humans can contract RVF from consuming unpasteurized or undercooked milk from infected animals.

Infections may also result from bites by infected mosquitoes, particularly Aedes and Culex species, and transmission through blood-feeding flies is possible as well.

Do We Have a Vaccine for Rift Valley Fever?

Since most human cases are mild and short-lived, specific treatment is generally unnecessary. Severe cases are managed with early supportive care, including fluid management and treatment of individual symptoms, according to WHO guidance.

An inactivated vaccine has been developed for humans but is not licensed or commercially available. It has been used experimentally to protect veterinary and laboratory staff at high risk of exposure. Additional candidate vaccines are currently under investigation.

The NHS has issued a caution on its website for anyone taking a commonly prescribed medication for high blood pressure. Also known as hypertension, this condition affects roughly one in three adults in the UK, many of whom may not even be aware they have it. Since uncontrolled high blood pressure can raise the risk of stroke, heart disease, and kidney problems, early treatment is essential.

This is where blood pressure–lowering medications come in. As of 2025, amlodipine (a calcium channel blocker) and ramipril (an ACE inhibitor) rank among the most commonly prescribed drugs in the UK. Recently, the NHS has highlighted some warnings regarding these medications. Let’s look at why and what precautions patients taking them should follow.

What Is Amlodipine?

Amlodipine is a calcium channel blocker that helps manage high blood pressure. A single dose works for over 24 hours, so it only needs to be taken once daily. It is also prescribed for people experiencing chest pain. According to the Cleveland Clinic, amlodipine relaxes blood vessels and eases the workload on the heart. Each year, more than 30 million prescriptions are written for this medication. Many patients take amlodipine for long periods or even for life. It is usually recommended when lifestyle changes alone are insufficient to control blood pressure or when genetic factors make medication necessary.

How Amlodipine Works?

Amlodipine helps prevent future heart problems, including heart disease, heart attacks, and strokes. It is also used to relieve chest pain caused by angina. The drug lowers high blood pressure by relaxing and widening blood vessels, which makes it easier for the heart to pump blood throughout the body. In angina, chest pain occurs because arteries leading to the heart are narrowed and stiff. Amlodipine improves blood and oxygen flow to the heart, easing these symptoms. It is available only with a prescription and comes as a tablet or a liquid that is swallowed.

Why Is the NHS Warning Against Amlodipine?

Patients taking amlodipine should avoid one particular drink. The NHS website states: "Do not take amlodipine with grapefruit juice. Consuming large amounts of grapefruit or grapefruit juice can raise amlodipine levels in your body and worsen side effects. If affected, you may need to avoid grapefruit or grapefruit juice while on this medication."

It adds: "Tell your doctor if you experience increased side effects, such as dizziness, flushing, or headaches, after consuming grapefruit or grapefruit juice. Otherwise, you can continue to eat and drink normally while taking amlodipine."

Amlodipine Side Effects

These side effects occur in more than one in 100 people. They are usually mild and temporary, and there are ways to manage them:

• Headaches: Rest and stay hydrated. Limit alcohol intake. Your pharmacist can suggest a suitable painkiller. Headaches usually ease within the first week of starting amlodipine. Contact your doctor if they persist or are severe.
• Feeling dizzy: Sit or lie down until the dizziness passes. Avoid driving, cycling, or operating machinery until you feel better.
• Flushing: Reduce coffee, tea, and alcohol consumption. Keep your environment cool, use a fan, spray your face with cool water, or sip cold drinks. This usually resolves in a few days; consult your doctor if it persists.
• Pounding heartbeat: Take amlodipine when you can rest or sit down if symptoms occur. Reducing alcohol, smoking, caffeine, and heavy meals may help.