One of the greatest skills anyone can master is the ability to communicate. While most of us do it without thinking, people like politicians, actors and other public speakers need to have a projecting and emoting voice, so that their message gets across to the masses. And having a condition that can affect your ability to speak can make things difficult, and this is something Robert F. Kennedy Jr is very familiar with.

The lead nominee for the US Department of Health and Human Services discussed how a condition has robbed him of his strong speaking voice. He had talked about this condition before as well, where he explained how a disorder called spasmodic dysphonia affected him, a disease that made his voice tremble. This happened when he made a lot of his living by public speaking, often speaking in big halls without any voice amplifications. This not only made it difficult for him to speak, but it also made it difficult for people to understand him!

During his confirmation hearing as President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s distinctive, gruff voice was impossible to ignore. At times, his speech patterns made him difficult to understand, bringing renewed attention to the cause of his vocal condition.

What Is Spasmodic Dysphonia?

Kennedy’s voice is not the result of an infection or respiratory issue. Instead, he has spasmodic dysphonia, a rare neurological disorder that causes involuntary spasms in the muscles controlling the vocal cords. These spasms create a strained or strangled quality to speech, making it challenging to communicate clearly.

Spasmodic dysphonia is a form of dystonia, a neurological condition affecting muscle control. It is estimated to impact up to 50,000 people in North America. The disorder originates in the basal ganglia, the part of the brain that regulates muscle contractions. When signals are disrupted, affected muscles move involuntarily or freeze in abnormal positions.

Other forms of dystonia can affect various body parts, including the neck which is called cervical dystonia, eyes which is called blepharospasm, or limbs. Some types of vocal dystonia, like lingual protrusion dystonia, can cause the tongue to protrude when speaking, further distorting speech.

What Are The Treatment Options For Spasmodic Dysphonia?

Dystonia remains relatively unknown, yet an estimated 250,000 Americans have some form of the condition according to American Association of Neurological Surgeons. It ranks as the third most common movement disorder, following essential tremor and Parkinson’s disease. There is no cure, and treatment options are limited. Some medications can help by altering brain activity, though they are often a first-line attempt rather than a definitive solution.

Physical and speech therapy are commonly used, and acupuncture or other alternative treatments may provide relief. For severe cases, deep-brain stimulation is a last-resort option. Botulinum toxin which is more commonly known as Botox, injections are a widely used treatment for certain types of dystonia, including blepharospasm. These injections relax affected muscles, reducing spasms but not addressing the underlying neurological issue.

Experts explain how although you cannot treat the disorder but rather the phenomena. According to WebMD the medications help you ease the vocal folds like the Myofascial release, which stretches your muscles and eases symptoms, anti-anxiety medication to ease the stress so that the symptoms do not get worse etc. For reasons still not understood, dystonia often affects the body part most essential to a person’s profession.

Can Your Prevent Spasmodic Dysphonia?

WebMD tells us that there is no way to prevent Spasmodic Dysphonia, while there is usually some lifestyle changes and habits you can change if you want to prevent this issue, but no such risk factor has been associated with Spasmodic Dysphonia. Beyond the physical challenges, spasmodic dysphonia can take a profound toll on a person’s emotional well-being and career. According to Dysphonia International, many individuals feel their voice no longer reflects their personality, emotions, or competence.

The condition can lead to emotional distress, job loss, forced career changes, reduced social interactions, and strained personal relationships. As Kennedy himself acknowledged, the condition makes communication more difficult, impacting both public perception and personal confidence.

Whooping cough deaths are rising in the US, as the country sees a surge in the infection. So far, tens of thousands have been infected, with at least 13 people dead from the bacterial infection this year. While the infection rate is lower than last year it continues to remain above typical pre-pandemic years. The Scientific American reports that the number of deaths have also seen a rise.

What Causes Whooping Cough?

Whooping cough or what is scientifically known as the respiratory infection called pertussis is severe, and is characterized by violent cough. It could leave people, especially infants, struggling to breath. While it is rarely fatal, it can have lingering symptoms and thus have earned the name '100-day cough'. Whooping cough is caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis, which emits toxins into a person's respiratory tract. This is why early treatment with antibiotics vital to managing the infection. The bacterium is easily spread between people, through direct contact and droplets from mouth or nose. This is what makes it contagious.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the US and its territories recorded 27,871 confirmed cases of whooping cough as of December 20 this year. By the same point last year, cases had reached 41,922, marking a sharp rebound after four pandemic years when annual infections stayed below 10,000.

Also Read: What Is Candida Auris Infection? The Deadly Superbug Spreading In US

How Lethal Is Whooping Cough?

As of now, 13 people have died of pertussis this year. As per the report from the Pan American Health Organization, and provision CDC data from last year, 10 deaths were noted in 2024, while three increased in 2025.

Public health experts worry that persistently high whooping cough cases this year, following last year’s surge, may reflect falling vaccination rates. The DTaP vaccine protects infants and young children, while Tdap covers older children and adults. CDC guidelines recommend multiple doses starting at two months, yet only 79 percent of children born in 2021 had received four DTaP doses by age two.

Who All Can Get The Shot For Whooping Cough?

Whooping cough is most dangerous, especially among infants under a year old. Public health experts also recommended that pregnant people must get the Tdap vaccine to transfer the antibodies to newborns. All adults are also advised to get the Tdap vaccine in every 10 years to ensure a continued protection.

What Are The Common Symptoms Of Whooping Cough?

Early symptoms that can last for 1 to 2 weeks usually include:

• Runny or stuffed-up nose
• Low-grade fever (less than 100.4°F)
• Mild, occasional cough

CDC notes that later symptoms could be rapid, violent, and uncontrolled coughing fits. About one to two weeks after early symptoms begin, many people develop intense coughing spells, known as paroxysms. These fits typically last one to six weeks, but in some cases can continue for up to 10 weeks. As the illness progresses, the cough becomes more frequent and severe.

During these episodes, people may produce a high-pitched “whoop” when breathing in, vomit during or after coughing, feel extreme exhaustion, struggle to breathe, have trouble sleeping, or even fracture a rib. Many describe it as the worst cough they have ever experienced.

As 2025 ends, more and more people are falling ill. With a surge in flu cases, and mystery disease like adenovirus, thousands of people are already infected. Now, a deadly fungus, also considered a superbug due to its resistance to all types of antibiotics. This is Candida auris.

Also Read: What To Know About The Super Flu Surge In US; 'It Will Likely Get Worse', Say Experts

What Is Candida Auris? The Superbug Resisting All Antibiotics

It is a type of invasive year that can cause deadly infections in people, especially with weakened immune system. As of now, it has infected at least 7,000 people across 27 US states, confirmed the data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The fungus can spread easily in healthcare settings, especially in hospitals and nursing homes. It is also spreading at an "alarming" rate, says CDC. The Hill reported that some strains of the fungus are troublesome because they are resistant to all types of antibiotics that are commonly used to treat fungal infections.

Due to fungus's resistance to antibiotics, it is becoming difficult to contain. As of now, more than half of the states have reported clinical cases of Candida auris in 2025. Another factor that makes it more dangerous is that standard lab tests cannot detect it. In a CDC press release, a CDC epidemiologist Dr Meghan Lyman said, "The rapid rise and geographic spread of cases is concerning and emphasizes the need for continued surveillance, expanded lab capacity, quicker diagnostic tests, and adherence to proven infection prevention and control."

Origins Of Candida Auris - The Superbug

This was first discovered in 2009 in Japan from the ear canal of a patient. Since then, it has spread to many countries, including India, where it was identified as a major public health threat in 2014.

Also Read: New Year's Eve Safety Tips, Fire Departments Across US Share Ways To Welcome 2026 Safely

Can Anyone Fight Off This Superbug?

Healthy people could possibly fight off this infection on their own. However, the population vulnerable could find it more difficult to fight off this deadly fungus. Melissa Nolan, an assistant professor of epidemiology and biostatistics at the University of South Carolina told Nexstar, "If you get infected with this pathogen that’s resistant to any treatment, there’s no treatment we can give you to help combat it. You’re all on your own."

Like the mystery disease, adenovirus, this fungus too can survive on surfaces, said Nolan. “It’s really good at just being, generally speaking, in the environment. So if you have it on a patient’s bed for example, on the railing, and you go to wipe everything down, if in whatever way maybe a couple of pathogens didn’t get cleared, then they’re becoming resistant. And so over time, they can kind of grow and populate in that hospital environment," said Nolan.

Is This Superbug Only Limited To The US?

Studies show that this superbug is not just limited to the US, but is spreading globally. It has already been found in at least 61 countries and on 6 continents. The study also found that the fungus is becoming more and more drug resistant, all due to its ability to switch from a yeast-like growth to a filament-driven spread. It also contains a cell wall that has proteins and makes it easier to stick on human skin "like glue". This is what enables it to colonize the human cells.

Former Australian batter Damien Martyn, 54, is suffering from meningitis, and was taken ill on Boxing Day in a Queensland hospital. The news on his condition came on Tuesday evening, and details confirmed to ESPNcircinfo noted that he is currently in an induced coma.

Former players, his colleagues and the sporting community is rallying around the 54-year-old, who currently "is in for the fight of his life" said the former AFL player Brad Hardie. His former teammate Darren Lehmann also told Martyn to "keep strong" on X.

“He is getting the best of treatment and [Martyn’s partner] Amanda and his family know that a lot of people are sending their prayers and best wishes,” said Adam Gilchrist his former Test and Western Australia teammate. Cricket Australia boss, Todd Greenberg, also wished Martyn a quick recovery. “I’m saddened to hear of Damien’s illness,” he said. “The best wishes of everyone at CA and in the wider cricket community are with him at this time.”

What Is Meningitis?

According to NHS UK, it is an infection of the protective membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord. It can affect anyone, but is most common in babies.

While fever is not always present, it is usually considered as one of the classic symptoms of meningitis. It is important to know the varied symptoms, causes, and treatments of meningitis for early diagnosis and proper management of the disease.

Meningitis is an infectious illness that brings about inflammation in the meninges. The most common cause of such inflammation is bacterial or viral infections, though other causes are also possible including fungal, parasitic, or non-infectious causes (autoimmune disease, head injury, or brain surgery). Meningitis may be caused by bacterial meningitis, which the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicates can be so severe and bring about conditions like hearing loss, vision problems, and death if not received on time.

Does Meningitis Always Result in Fever?

Although fever is a common presentation of meningitis, it is not always present. Certain people, particularly those with compromised immune systems, newborns, or the elderly, can get meningitis without significant temperature elevation. In these instances, other signs such as headache, confusion, or stiff neck can be more suggestive symptoms of the disease.

Fever in meningitis is usually caused by the body's immune reaction to the infection, but some factors can affect its occurrence or absence, such as:

• The nature of meningitis (bacterial, viral, fungal, or non-infectious)
• The immune response of the individual
• Pre-existing health conditions
• The course of the disease

Identifying the Symptoms of Meningitis

Meningitis signs may differ based on the reason and severity of infection. Even though fever is a common symptom, it should also be noted for other vital symptoms, which are:

• Severe headache
• Stiff neck
• Photophobia (sensitivity to light)
• Nausea and vomiting
• Confusion or inability to concentrate
• Fatigue or trouble waking up
• Seizures
• Skin rash (in meningococcal meningitis)

Symptoms in infants can be different and also involve excessive crying, irritability, feeding problems, a bulging soft spot (fontanelle) on the head, and unusual lethargy.