Terminally ill people in England and Wales could have the right to choose to end their life—a practice that is already legal in a few countries. Earlier this month, Labour MP Kim Leadbeater introduced the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, which was voted upon recently. A separate but similar bill is under discussion in Scotland.

What Is Assisted Dying?

Assisted suicide is intentionally helping another person to end their life, which may not even require a terminal diagnosis but again it depends from place to place and condition to condition. That could involve providing lethal medication or helping them travel to another jurisdiction to die. However, the bill presented in UK clearly states that it will be used only for patients who are terminally ill and have less than 6 months to live.

How Is It Different From Euthanasia?

Euthanasia—also referred to mercy killing—is the practice of intentionally ending a life to relieve pain and suffering. The legality of this practice varies across the globe, with a small number of countries permitting it under strict conditions. The list include Belgium, Australia, Canada, Colombia, Ecuador, Luxemburg, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Portugal and Spain.

At present, laws throughout the British territory prevent people from asking for medical help to die. However, the bill could change it. Here are the requirements of the proposed bill:

Anyone who wishes to end their lives, must be over 18 and live in England and Wales, and have been registered with a GP for at least 12 months

They must have the mental capacity to make the choice and be deemed to have expressed a clear, settled and informed wish, free from coercion or pressure

They will be expected to die within six months

Also, they need to make two separate declarations, witnessed and signed, about their wish to die

Finally, they need to satisfy two independent doctors that they are eligible - with at least seven days between each doctors' assessment

Moreover, a High Court judge must hear from at least one of the doctors, and can question the dying person, or anyone else considered relevant. After the judge has made their ruling, a patient would have to wait another 14 days before acting. Notably, it is completely illegal to pressurize someone to take their own lives. Anyone found to do could risk a 14-year prison sentence.

The bill is also facing considerable opposition. Opponents reportedly argue that legalizing assisted suicide could pressure vulnerable individuals into ending their lives. They urge the government to prioritize enhancing palliative care instead. Among those opposing the change is Paralympian and House of Lords crossbencher Baroness Grey-Thompson, who has voiced concerns over the potential risks of altering the law on assisted death.

Is It Different in Scotland?

Yes, the bill is slightly different in Scotland. A person calling for assisted suicide must be a resident of the country for at least 12 months. Additionally, they should be registered with a GP in Scotland, be terminally ill and must have the mental capacity to make the request.

A new peer-reviewed study published recently has sparked alarm regarding the connection between Pfizer's mRNA COVID-19 vaccine and the occurrence of a rare but severe eye disorder, superior limbic keratoconjunctivitis (SLK). In an article published in the Cureus peer-reviewed medical journal, researchers highlighted an emerging trend of eye inflammation and malfunction after COVID-19 vaccination, more so among those with pre-existing autoimmune conditions.

Although the general risk seems to be low, the study emphasizes the significance of post-vaccine surveillance and the need for physicians and ophthalmologists to take recent vaccination status into account when diagnosing unexplained eye symptoms. Pfizer remains silent about the findings of cases.

Researchers at a Turkish medical institution analyzed 64 individuals—128 eyes—before and after they received both doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. Two months after the second dose, the researchers documented measurable changes in the cornea’s endothelium, the innermost layer that plays a critical role in maintaining corneal clarity. Significant changes noted were:

• Thickening of the cornea from a mean of 528 to 542 micrometers
• An 8% reduction in endothelial cells from 2,597 to 2,378 cells/mm²
• A 2% reduction in healthy hexagon-shaped cells
• Greater variation in cell size, which may indicate cellular stress or damage

Although the study had no immediate detection of visual impairment among the participants, the scientists observed these changes as possible harbingers of long-term dysfunction, particularly among individuals with pre-existing eye problems.

Why Is the Corneal Endothelium Important?

The endothelium is a single-cell layer responsible for pumping excess fluid out of the cornea to keep it transparent. Unlike most other cells in the body, these cells don’t regenerate. Once they’re damaged, the surrounding cells stretch to fill the gaps—leading to irregularity in cell shape and size, which was observed in this study. A low cell count or disorganized endothelial layer can result in conditions like:

Corneal edema: Swelling that causes blurred or hazy vision

Bullous keratopathy: Painful blisters on the eye surface

Corneal decompensation: Permanent loss of clarity, potentially requiring a transplant

While healthy adults can often tolerate mild changes, individuals with already low endothelial cell counts, due to aging, Fuchs’ dystrophy, prior surgeries, or eye trauma—could be more vulnerable.

Researchers emphasized that these effects could be temporary, and long-term follow-up is essential to determine whether the changes persist or resolve on their own. They advised individuals with low endothelial counts or past corneal grafts to undergo more frequent checkups following vaccination, including specular microscopy, a non-invasive scan that measures endothelial health.

What We Know About Vaccine's Side Effects

The findings contribute to a broader conversation around vaccine safety, particularly concerning rare but notable adverse effects. In 2021, U.S. regulators added myocarditis and pericarditis warnings to the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, mostly affecting men aged 16 to 25.

While such side effects remain rare, increased transparency and post-market surveillance have become crucial for maintaining public trust. The Turkish corneal study does not accuse Pfizer of negligence, nor does it dispute the vaccine's life-saving role during the pandemic. However, it adds new dimensions to ongoing risk-benefit assessments, especially for individuals with specific medical histories.

Should You Be Worried?

For most people, especially those without underlying eye conditions, the reported corneal changes likely have little or no practical impact. The measured drop in endothelial cells still kept participants well within the healthy range (above 2,000 cells/mm²).

But if you’ve had previous eye surgery, a corneal transplant, or conditions like Fuchs' dystrophy, it’s worth discussing this study with your ophthalmologist. You may be advised to monitor corneal health pre- and post-vaccination.

Also, while the study used robust diagnostic tools—like Sirius corneal topography and the Tomey EM-4000 specular microscope—the sample size of 64 participants is small. Larger, multicenter studies will be essential to confirm and further interpret the findings.

The researchers made it clear that they are not advising against vaccination. Instead, they are calling for more expansive, longitudinal studies to investigate whether these changes persist, worsen, or reverse over time.

Their key recommendation: monitor individuals who are already at elevated ophthalmic risk. If changes continue to be found months or years after vaccination, guidelines may need adjusting—not to limit vaccination, but to ensure it’s done as safely as possible for all populations.

In the meantime, healthcare providers may consider integrating corneal health screenings into vaccination protocols for high-risk individuals, just as cardiology screenings were emphasized after early reports of vaccine-linked myocarditis.

The Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine remains a vital tool in global health, but emerging research like this adds nuance to the story. The Turkish study’s findings are not a cause for panic, but they are a signal for further investigation, especially in populations with vulnerable eye health.

The COVID-19 pandemic showed how science evolves in real-time—and this study is another chapter in that unfolding story. As always, the best course of action is informed dialogue between patients and healthcare professionals.

If you have a history of eye disease or corneal surgery, consider scheduling an eye exam before and after vaccination—and don’t skip follow-ups. Your vision is worth the extra look.

Pune is witnessing an unsettling surge in hepatitis A cases this monsoon season. Between March and June 2025, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) recorded 57 viral hepatitis cases—more than double the 26 cases during the same period in 2024. Early July rainfall has been followed by further increases, prompting doctors to blame contaminated water and food sources.

Monsoon rains clog drainage systems, allowing sewage to seep into drinking water sources. Waterborne hepatitis reaches its peak in June to October—just the monsoon season. In Pune, early rains have influenced outbreaks of viral hepatitis and typhoid: 14 cases of hepatitis in May 2025, as against a mere six in May 2024.

This year's Hepatitis A cases aren't just more common—they're typically more serious. Doctors are seeing longer periods of illness and more frequent cases of severe or fulminant hepatitis—rare for Hepatitis A, which is usually mild. That would indicate a higher viral load from highly contaminated water or food.

Physicians attribute much of the outbreak to tainted street food and local water supply. Illness frequently follows eating chutneys and moist preparations, the norm for street food. PMC has published advisories reminding people to use boiled or filtered water, particularly in low‑lying or construction‑afflicted areas.

Hepatitis A is generally self‑limited, but in susceptible persons, it will tax the liver considerably. During monsoon seasons, India has observed increased levels of liver enzymes and cases of jaundice, particularly among children. Outbreaks in Pune have classically involved school‑aged children and adolescents most and had attack rates greater than 50% for outbreaks.

PMC has not waited for the situation to deteriorate. They've begun water sampling in high-risk areas, introduced disease control cells, and opened outbreak wards. Public awareness campaigns urge boiled water, handwashing, and sanitary food handling. Vaccination against hepatitis A and typhoid is recommended by doctors where necessary.

How to Keep Yourself Safe This Monsoon?

During Pune's monsoon, prevention is your first line of defense:

• Drink only boiled or filtered water.
• Street food is to be avoided, particularly wet products.
• Practice hand and kitchen hygiene.
• Thoroughly wash fruits and vegetables.
• Hepatitis A vaccination can be given to children and high-risk adults.

Why is There A Sudden Rise Hepatitis A Cases in Monsoon?

Hepatitis A peaks in the monsoon season as water pollution is more frequent. Severe rains usually clog drains and contaminate drinking water sources with sewage. The hepatitis A virus, transmitted through the fecal-oral route, spreads in this way. Street food, raw vegetables, and food stored improperly can also become contaminated. Because the virus is highly infectious, even a brief slip in hygiene can lead to outbreaks, particularly in locations with unsanitary conditions and poor water quality.

Can Drinking Boiled Water Prevent Hepatitis A?

Yes, boiling water is the best measure to avoid hepatitis A. The hepatitis A virus is heat-sensitive and is inactivated when water is boiled for a minimum of one minute. Drinking only boiled water and refraining from ice or untreated water sources in areas of suspected contamination—particularly during monsoon—greatly lessens infection rates. It's also prudent to use boiled water for toothbrushing and washing raw food to prevent exposure.

Is Hepatitis A Vaccine Recommended in Pune?

Yes, medical experts advise the hepatitis A vaccine in Pune, particularly for children, those with liver diseases, and anyone who resides in or travels to regions at risk of being contaminated during the monsoon. The vaccine provides long-term protection and forms part of most pediatric immunization schedules. With Pune recently recording an increase in cases, the vaccine is even more important in preventing severe disease and reducing spread. Two doses, six months apart, are usually necessary to gain full protection.

When to Consult a Doctor?

Look for signs such as lethargy, nausea, pain in the stomach, and jaundice. Early liver function testing and diagnosis can avoid complications. With an increase in case severity this year, early treatment is more important than ever.

Respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, is often dismissed as just another cold virus. But in reality, it's the leading cause of hospitalizations for infants under one year of age worldwide. As healthcare systems worldwide wrestle with post-pandemic waves of respiratory illnesses, RSV has emerged as one of the most persistent and potentially dangerous. What’s changing now is how we prevent it—and early data from the United Kingdom shows we might finally be gaining ground.

The latest findings, why RSV matters, and how two vaccines—one for pregnant women and one for premature infants—could turn this virus from a winter threat into a manageable infection.

RSV typically starts with symptoms that resemble a common cold: runny nose, cough, sneezing, fatigue, and sometimes fever. But in infants, especially those born prematurely or with underlying health conditions, it can progress rapidly into bronchiolitis or pneumonia. These conditions can cause breathing distress, feeding difficulties, and—in the worst cases—require intensive care support.

While most full-term babies recover with rest and fluids, around 30,000 children under the age of five are hospitalized every year in the UK due to RSV. Tragically, around 30 of them do not survive. Globally, the burden is even greater, especially in low-resource countries where access to neonatal intensive care is limited.

The UK Health Security Agency’s 2023–2025 report revealed that infectious diseases now account for a fifth of all hospital bed usage, at an annual cost of over $7.7 billion. RSV and flu were major drivers of this surge, particularly during winter.

But amidst the sobering data was a silver lining: a 30% drop in RSV-related hospitalizations among vaccinated seniors aged 75–79. And even more encouraging—when pregnant women were vaccinated against RSV, the risk of their babies being hospitalized with severe infection dropped by a staggering 72%.

This isn’t a small win. It’s a signal that we may finally have tools to lower the burden of RSV across all age groups.

How Does the Maternal RSV Vaccine Work?

When a pregnant woman receives the RSV vaccine—currently offered in the UK starting at 28 weeks of pregnancy—her body generates antibodies that are passed to the baby in utero. These antibodies offer a protective buffer against RSV during the first six months of life, when infants are most vulnerable.

Timing matters. The study led by the University of Edinburgh showed the highest level of protection (72%) was seen when the vaccine was given more than two weeks before delivery. Babies whose mothers were vaccinated at any point before birth still had reduced risk, but the impact dropped to 58%.

Despite these results, only about half of pregnant women in England and Scotland are receiving the RSV vaccine. Public health officials are now urging increased uptake to curb RSV admissions this winter.

What About Premature Babies Who Miss Maternal Immunity?

Babies born before 32 weeks don’t receive as many antibodies from their mothers, making them extremely vulnerable to RSV. Enter nirsevimab—a monoclonal antibody shot that offers immediate and long-lasting protection, not by training the immune system like a vaccine, but by delivering RSV-blocking antibodies directly.

Starting in September, the NHS will provide nirsevimab to around 9,000 premature babies across the UK. The single injection provides protection for up to six months—precisely the timeframe these infants are at highest risk.

Dr. Claire Fuller, co-national medical director for NHS England, described it as offering “a protective bubble” for at-risk newborns. And early data suggests the drug is more than 80% effective at preventing severe RSV-related illness.

Hospitals aren’t just overwhelmed by RSV because of its severity—it’s the sheer volume of cases. Every winter, thousands of RSV cases flood pediatric wards, straining resources, delaying elective procedures, and stressing staff.

With effective maternal vaccination and early protection for preemies, RSV could become a preventable problem rather than an annual crisis. A 30% reduction in hospitalizations in seniors and a 72% drop in infant RSV admissions could translate to thousands of saved hospital beds and millions in healthcare savings.

The economic impact is not insignificant. According to the UK’s HSA, infectious diseases now cost the health system £6 billion a year. Widespread RSV vaccination could help reduce this burden.

What Are the Symptoms of RSV?

For most people, RSV symptoms mirror a mild respiratory infection:

• Runny nose
• Sneezing
• Cough
• Fatigue
• Mild fever

But signs of severe RSV—especially in babies and older adults—include:

• Worsening cough
• Shortness of breath
• Rapid breathing or pauses between breaths
• Feeding difficulties or loss of appetite
• Wheezing
• Confusion (in elderly adults)

Parents should seek medical help immediately if their baby is feeding poorly, breathing quickly, or has noisy or strained breathing.

The UK’s data offers a glimpse into a future where RSV isn’t an annual panic but a preventable illness. It’s a model that can—and likely will—be replicated globally, particularly in countries with well-established maternal care systems.

In the US, the RSV vaccine Abrysvo is already approved for pregnant individuals and adults 60 and older. Pediatricians and public health officials are watching the UK rollout closely, and similar initiatives are being discussed for vulnerable infants in the US and beyond.

As global infectious disease trends evolve, strategies like maternal RSV vaccination could become the new frontline of defense—not only protecting the youngest patients but also relieving overstretched health systems during the winter months.

RSV has long been a silent burden on newborns and hospitals alike but with vaccines for expectant mothers and protective injections for premature babies now in play, we’re finally shifting from reactive care to proactive prevention.

Parents, caregivers, and healthcare providers now have an opportunity to protect infants from RSV before they even take their first breath. The science is solid. The tools are here. Now it’s about getting them into arms.