Tennis great Monica Seles, in an interview with Associated News, recently shared that she was diagnosed with myasthenia gravis (MG) three years ago. This is the first time she's spoken publicly about the disease, which is a rare condition that causes muscles to become weak.

Seles, who won nine major tennis titles, first noticed something was wrong while hitting tennis balls. She said she started seeing two balls instead of one and felt a sudden weakness in her arms and legs. She also mentioned that simple things like blowing out her hair became very difficult.

Seles said it was hard for her to accept the diagnosis at first. She decided to speak out to help others, hoping her story will bring more attention to myasthenia gravis. Before she got her diagnosis, she had never heard of the condition.

What Is Myasthenia Gravis?

Medscape explains that myasthenia gravis is a chronic neuromuscular disease. This means it's a long-term illness that affects the way your nerves and muscles work together. It causes weakness in the muscles that you can control, such as those in your arms, legs, and face. While it can affect people of any age, it is most common in:

• Young women under 40
• Older men over 60

Symptoms of Myasthenia Gravis

The most common symptoms of MG are:

• Visual problems which includes drooping eyelids and seeing double.
• Your muscles might feel weak and tired very quickly, and this can change from day to day or even hour to hour.
• Your facial muscles can become weak, which may make a smile look more like a snarl.
• Difficulty speaking or swallowing, you might also have trouble pronouncing words or swallowing food.
• Weakness in the neck or limbs like your arms, legs, or neck may feel weak

The symptoms of MG can sometimes look like other conditions, so it's always important to see a doctor for a proper diagnosis. People with MG may experience periods when their symptoms get worse (flare-ups) and periods when they get better (remission), but the condition is rarely cured completely.

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How is Myasthenia Gravis Diagnosed?

To figure out if you have MG, your doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history. One key way they test for it is by giving you a specific medicine. If your muscle weakness quickly gets a lot better after taking the medicine, it's a strong sign that you have MG.

Doctors might also use other tests. They can do blood tests to look for certain antibodies that are common in people with MG. They might also use nerve and muscle tests to see how your nerves are sending signals to your muscles and to measure your muscle's electrical activity.

Treatment and Management of Myasthenia Gravis

While there's no cure for MG, the symptoms can be controlled. The main goal of treatment is to make your muscles stronger and prevent problems with breathing and swallowing. Most people with MG can live normal or close-to-normal lives with the right care.

Treatment often includes medicine, such as drugs that control the immune system or help your muscles work better. Sometimes, a doctor may suggest surgery to remove the thymus gland, which can help reduce symptoms for many people. Other treatments, like plasmapheresis, can be used to remove the bad antibodies from your blood.

Can You Prevent Myasthenia Gravis?

To help prevent a myasthenia crisis, you should always take your medicines exactly as prescribed. It can also help to take your medicine 30 to 45 minutes before meals to prevent food from getting into your lungs.

Try to avoid getting sick by staying away from people with colds or the flu, and make sure you get proper nutrition, rest, and manage your stress. It is also very important to always tell your doctors about your MG diagnosis and the medicines you are taking before they prescribe you anything new. Some medicines can interfere with your condition or your treatment.

The most serious complication of MG is a myasthenia crisis. This is when you have extreme muscle weakness, especially in the muscles you need to breathe. This is a medical emergency and may require help from a breathing machine.

Seles, who is 51, said she has learned to live with a "new normal." She sees this challenge as just another "reset" in her life, similar to when she moved to the U.S. as a young teenager or when she was recovering from a stabbing. Her message is one of strength and a reminder to always adjust, just like a tennis player on the court.

Tineke “Tini” Younger shared some devastating news on Wednesday, November 26. The 24-year-old TikTok chef and Next Level Chef alum revealed that one of her twin daughters with husband Antoine Wright Jr. had tragically passed away.

Tini Younger Announces Loss Of Her Baby Girl

Younger said that their daughter Arya, known as Baby A, died just before reaching 36 weeks of pregnancy. In a heartfelt Instagram post, she wrote, "This isn’t the post I ever imagined I would share once the twins arrived. Unfortunately, earlier this week we lost our sweet girl Arya." She explained that despite being so close to full term, she experienced a placental abruption that caused the loss of her baby.

The surviving twin was born safely and is reportedly breathing independently, according to Younger. She has not shared the name of the second daughter.

What Is Placental Abruption?

Placental abruption, medically referred to as abruptio placentae, is an uncommon yet serious complication during pregnancy. The placenta develops inside the uterus and attaches to its wall, providing essential oxygen and nutrients to the growing baby.

Placental abruption happens when the placenta partially or fully detaches from the uterine wall before delivery. This separation can restrict or completely cut off the baby’s supply of oxygen and nutrients while also causing significant bleeding in the mother. According to the Mayo Clinic, the placenta is an organ that forms in the uterus during pregnancy. When placental abruption occurs, the placenta separates from the inner wall of the uterus before birth, which can deprive the baby of vital oxygen and nutrients and lead to heavy maternal bleeding. In some situations, early delivery may be required to protect both mother and child.

Placental abruption often appears suddenly, and if it is not treated promptly, it can pose serious risks to both the mother and the baby.

Symptoms Of Placental Abruption

Placental abruption is most likely to develop in the last trimester of pregnancy, particularly in the final few weeks before delivery. Signs and symptoms may include:

• Vaginal bleeding, though sometimes there may be none
• Abdominal pain
• Back pain
• Uterine tenderness or rigidity
• Uterine contractions, often coming one immediately after another

Abdominal and back pain often start suddenly. The amount of vaginal bleeding can vary widely and does not necessarily reflect how much of the placenta has detached from the uterus. Blood may become trapped inside the uterus, so even in severe cases of placental abruption, there might not be any visible bleeding.

In some instances, placental abruption develops gradually, referred to as chronic abruption. This may cause light, intermittent vaginal bleeding. Babies might grow more slowly than expected, and there could be other complications, such as low amniotic fluid or additional issues affecting fetal development.

What Causes Placental Abruption?

The precise cause of placental abruption is often unknown. Healthcare professionals can, however, identify certain factors that increase the risk. For example, abdominal trauma, including falls or accidents, can raise the chances of experiencing a placental abruption.

If you notice any of these symptoms, it is strongly recommended to seek medical care immediately to ensure both your safety and your baby’s.

A college in Devon, UK, has issued a public health notice after confirming an outbreak of a disease often tied to the Victorian era. It is not something most people come across today, yet reports show that this old skin condition is appearing more often in modern settings. Although it is usually linked with unclean surroundings, anyone can get it, no matter how carefully they maintain personal or household hygiene.

One woman described her nine-month struggle with the illness. At first she dismissed it as an allergy but soon noticed her son had developed a similar rash and persistent itching. Amanda Rushton from Accrington in Lancashire told The Daily Mail she felt as if her “skin was crawling” once she learnt what she was dealing with.

What Are Victorian Diseases?

In the UK, 'Victorian diseases' refers to illnesses that were widespread during the 19th century and are now returning due to factors such as poverty and limited access to care. These include tuberculosis, cholera, scarlet fever, and scurvy. Many of these conditions are tied to poor sanitation or nutrition.

Tuberculosis was once known as “consumption,” and infections like scabies and measles have also been seen more frequently in recent years, according to the official UK government website.

Victorian Disease Warning In UK

Specialists have raised concerns that more parents choosing to skip routine childhood vaccinations are placing infants and other high-risk groups in danger. The illness circulating at the Devon college is scabies.

“We have been notified of seven confirmed cases of scabies amongst our student community,” read an email from South Devon College in Paignton, reported by DevonLive. “These cases have been diagnosed by a health professional.”

What Is Scabies?

Scabies is a very itchy skin infestation caused by tiny mites known as Sarcoptes scabiei. These mites burrow into the upper layers of the skin to feed and lay eggs. The body reacts to this by producing a rash of small bumps and intense itching, which often becomes worse at night. The condition spreads easily through close and prolonged skin contact and can also pass indirectly through contaminated clothing, bedding, or towels, according to Mayo Clinic.

Scabies tends to spread faster in crowded environments or shared living spaces such as child-care centres or nursing homes. Pets cannot give scabies to humans, as animals carry a different type of mite that causes mange, as noted by the Cleveland Clinic.

Scabies Symptoms To Look Out For

The most common sign of scabies is a fierce, unrelenting itch that worsens at night, along with a rash. You may also notice thin, raised, curved lines called burrows and small bumps or blisters. These usually appear in warm or folded areas of the skin, such as between the fingers and toes. Continuous scratching can break the skin, causing sores or scabs.

Scabies Common Symptoms

Intense itching: This is the leading symptom and often disturbs sleep because of how severe it becomes at night.

Rash: The rash may look like small bumps, pimples, or tiny blisters.

Burrows: These appear as narrow, winding lines created by female mites as they tunnel through the skin to lay eggs.

Sores: Scratching can result in broken skin and crusts.

Common Locations For The Rash

• Between the fingers and toes
• Wrists, elbows, and knees
• The genital region
• Around the breasts or nipples
• The waistline and belly button
• Under the fingernails or watch straps
• In babies and young children, the rash may spread more widely and can show up on the face, head, and neck.

Scabies Cases Rising In The UK

London saw a noticeable increase in scabies toward the end of last year, and similar spikes were reported across northern England, especially in care facilities, nursing homes, and university housing. With cases climbing, doctors are urging people to stay alert to common signs.

Dr Donald Grant, GP and Senior Clinical Advisor at The Independent Pharmacy, explained to Women’s Health last month that although there is no single clear cause for the rise, several factors may be contributing. He told The Independent that this period of the year allows scabies to spread more easily, with children returning to school and students moving into shared accommodation, both of which involve frequent close contact.

He added that scabies is often confused with other skin problems, especially eczema or allergic reactions.

Doctors note that the condition is usually not dangerous, but it must be treated because it passes from person to person so easily. Symptoms may take up to eight weeks to appear after the mites enter the skin. Anyone who suspects they might have scabies should speak to a pharmacist. Every person in the household needs treatment at the same time, even if they do not have visible symptoms.

Brazilian authorities on Wednesday approved the world’s first single-dose dengue vaccine, describing it as a “historic” step amid a global surge in cases fueled by rising temperatures. Dengue, which causes severe flu-like symptoms, extreme fatigue, and body aches, hit record global levels in 2024, with scientists linking its rapid spread to climate change. Brazil’s health regulatory body ANVISA cleared the use of Butantan-DV, created by the Butantan Institute in São Paulo, for individuals aged 12 to 59.

Until now, the only dengue vaccine available globally was TAK-003, which requires two doses spaced three months apart, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Here’s everything currently known about this single-dose vaccine.

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Dengue Single Dose Vaccine Approved In Brazil

On Wednesday, November 26, Anvisa approved the world’s first single-dose dengue vaccine. The announcement followed the signing of a term considered the final step in registering the vaccine, produced entirely at a national laboratory, during a press conference, as reported by CNN Brazil. The development of Butantan-DV is the result of collaboration between Brazil’s Ministry of Health, the Butantan Institute, and the Chinese lab Wu Xi.

Butantan-DV: All You Need To Know About The Single Dose Dengue Vaccine

Anvisa stated that the new vaccine uses live attenuated virus technology and is currently approved for people aged 12 to 59—a range that could expand if new studies support it. The Ministry of Health will determine the official vaccination start date and the target age group. The registration request for the vaccine was submitted by the Butantan Institute in January 2025. Anvisa fast-tracked its evaluation, forming a technical panel that included external experts to review the process.

What Is A Live Attenuated Virus?

A live attenuated virus is a weakened form of a virus used in vaccines to trigger a strong and lasting immune response without causing the full-blown disease. These viruses are developed in a lab, often through repeated culturing, so they can replicate in the body but only in a limited way. By closely mimicking a natural infection, they prompt the immune system to respond similarly to how it would during a real infection, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

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How Effective Is This Single Dose Dengue Vaccine?

CNN Brazil reported that the Ministry of Health found the vaccine to have an overall efficacy of 74.7% against symptomatic dengue for people aged 12 to 59. This means that nearly three out of four people were protected from the disease. Protection was similar for those who had previously had dengue and those who were never exposed to the virus.

In 2024, over 14 million dengue cases were reported globally, marking a record year, according to ScienceDirect and WHO. The death toll reached more than 9,500. While the Americas reported the highest number of cases, dengue continues to affect more than 100 countries worldwide.

Dengue, often called “breakbone fever” because of its intense symptoms, can in severe cases lead to hemorrhagic fever and even death. The disease spreads through infected Aedes mosquitoes, which are now appearing in areas beyond their traditional habitats, resulting in dengue cases in parts of Europe and the United States where it was previously uncommon.