An extraordinary case reveals the shocking latency of prion disorders and poses international public health issues decades since infected hormone treatment ceased. A 58-year-old U.S. woman has succumbed to iatrogenic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (iCJD)—a lethal neurodegenerative and incurable brain disorder—almost 50 years after she was treated with cadaver-derived human growth hormone (chGH) during childhood. Her case, reported in Emerging Infectious Diseases by researchers at the University of Colorado, contributes to the increasing but uncommon cluster of iCJD cases associated with hormone treatments received years ago.

The woman was only seven years old in 1971 when she first received growth hormone therapy under the National Hormone and Pituitary Program (NHPP), which supplied cadaver-based hormones to address childhood growth failure. Her exposure lasted for more than nine years—a duration that would later be pivotal to understanding the long latency of the disease that would kill her.

The patient first came to attention with a two-week course of tremor and imbalance. Although her initial clinical workups revealed nothing calamitous—an unremarkable MRI scan and lackluster lab results—her case was taken downhill. In a matter of one month, she had progressively worsening tremor, urinary incontinence, dysarthria, and ataxia. Shortly thereafter, she became hyperekplexic, rigid, and comatose. A positive prion protein test sealed the diagnosis.

Her case is the 36th documented case of iCJD in U.S. recipients of chGH distributed by NHPP and the 254th overall. This case is unusual in that it has an exceptionally long latency period—some 48.3 years since first exposure.

What's Prion Disease?

Prion diseases, including CJD, are the result of abnormally folded proteins that initiate a cascade of misfolding in normal brain proteins. The chain reaction causes rapid neurodegeneration. Prion diseases are always fatal, and there is currently no cure. Prions are extremely resistant to standard methods of sterilization, making them especially treacherous in a healthcare environment.

What distinguishes iCJD from other types—sporadic or genetic—is where it came from: direct transmission through medical procedures. Here, transmission was through cadaver-derived hormone therapy, which is now outdated, but was commonplace during the middle part of the 20th century prior to the advent of recombinant biosynthetic hormones in 1985.

Latency that Defies Medical Precedent

One of the most chilling features of this case is the lengthy latency of the disease. The latency period, according to scientists, can vary anywhere from several years to over five decades. Determining factors for the duration include dose, route of administration, and recipient genetics—most notably a particular polymorphism of the PRNP gene (codon 129), which this patient had. This genetic mutation is linked with prolonged incubation of disease in acquired prion disease.

Four latency estimations were used in this case, but the most accurate—measuring from the midpoint of pre-1978 hormone treatment to symptom onset—yielded a 48.3-year latency. This lengthy dormancy makes iCJD uniquely difficult to track and almost impossible to prevent in retrospect.

As the U.S. NHPP was closed down shortly after confirmation of the iCJD association in the mid-1980s, this example highlights the long-term public health consequences of historical medical practices. Based on the study, about 7,700 children received chGH in the U.S., and over 250 have developed iCJD worldwide.

The investigators note that U.S. lots of chGH probably contained less prion contamination than foreign versions. Furthermore, purification procedures added in 1977 may have mitigated the risk but not removed it.

Curiously, experimental research with nonhuman primates identified that contamination of NHPP chGH lots was both infrequent and randomly distributed. Yet even these minimal amounts were sufficient to cause deadly infections decades later.

Diagnosing the Undiagnosable Disease

Diagnosis of prion diseases continues to be elusive and is usually only possible after death. In this instance, high-tech diagnostics—such as real-time quaking-induced conversion assay and cerebrospinal fluid tests—played a vital role in detecting the presence of prions. Increased levels of tau and 14-3-3 protein in cerebrospinal fluid also helped make the diagnosis. Autopsy diagnosis was made by Western blot and immunohistochemistry.

However, the window for treatment is practically nonexistent. Symptoms of prion diseases develop and advance rapidly, with the majority of patients dying in a matter of months from diagnosis.

With long latency periods and the extensive previous use of chGH, experts caution that there are still likely to be more cases of iCJD to come. This potential necessitates ongoing surveillance and retrospective patient follow-up.

This case is a stark reminder of the ability of medicine to heal and to harm. Although present-day biosynthetic hormone therapy is safe, the remnants of past methods still linger in modern healthcare. While science may continue to push forward, this tale emphasizes the need for careful monitoring, ethical treatment procedures, and extended patient follow-up—decades after the initial dose is administered.

Key Points About Prion Disease

• Prion conditions such as iCJD are very rare but always deadly.
• Diagnosis is difficult and confirmed only post-mortem in many cases.
• Latency can range from decades, making it difficult for public health intervention.
• There is no treatment, and healthcare is palliative at best.

In the meantime, the best protection is still awareness and prevention.

Sometimes when you have a hectic schedule, whether it is due to your work or your school assignments, all you need is that one energy booster to get through the day. For many young adults this boost happens to be energy drinks. According to UCLA health, 30% adolescents in US and 70% in Europe report drinking energy drinks. However, this simple habit could put your heart into failure, according to this doctor.

A cardiologist known as "Heart Transplant Doc" on social media, Dr. Dmitry Yaranov, is warning young, healthy people about the dangers of energy drinks. In a recent post, he highlighted a worrying trend he's seeing in his clinic: young adults in their 20s and 30s suddenly developing heart failure. The common link among these patients, who have no history of smoking or heart disease in their families, is that they consume three to four energy drinks a day. Dr. Yaranov calls this phenomenon "Energy Drink Heart."

What Are The Hidden Dangers of Energy Drinks

Dr. Yaranov explained that the high levels of caffeine and other stimulants in energy drinks can push the heart into overdrive. He warned that this can trigger abnormal heart rhythms, raise a person's blood pressure, and, over time, weaken the heart muscle. The scary part, he says, is that many of these patients felt perfectly fine until they suddenly weren't. Another cardiologist, Dr. Sanjeeva Kumar Gupta, agrees, noting that while the mental boost from these drinks is temporary, the physical stress on the heart can be lasting.

Is Caffeine Safe for Teens?

According to UCLA Health, the recommended daily caffeine limit for teens between ages 12 and 18 is less than 100 mg per day. To put that in perspective, a single energy drink can contain anywhere from 100 to 200 mg of caffeine per serving. The combination of high caffeine and sugar in these drinks can create a powerful and risky "jolt" of energy. This can lead to a racing heart, higher blood pressure, jitters, and a quick energy crash.

Ways Energy Drinks Can Be a Problem

Over time, drinking too many energy drinks can cause a dependence on that energy boost. When a teen tries to stop, they might experience withdrawal symptoms like headaches or a bad mood. The effects can be even more severe for teens who already struggle with mental health issues. While a cup of coffee has about 75 mg of caffeine, a single energy drink can have as much as three to four cups' worth.

Both doctors emphasize that people need to be aware of the serious risks of drinking too many energy drinks. The heart is not designed to run at maximum speed every day. Instead of relying on these drinks, they suggest choosing healthier ways to stay hydrated and energized, such as drinking water or natural juices. They stress the importance of reading labels and staying informed to protect both your heart and mind.

What is a Healthier Ways to Get Energy

The quick energy from these drinks is not a long-term solution. A well-balanced diet is a much better and more sustainable way to get energy. If you or your teen need caffeine, healthier choices include natural sources like plain tea or coffee without any added sugar. While these can have health benefits for adults, experts say there isn't enough research yet to confirm their effects on younger people.

It is common to run into health problems as you age. Your bodily functions become slow, so does your mobility as well as your immunity. However, with the right healthy choices, you can also age gracefully and avoid any big health issues. This 74-year-old also had the same idea, exercising regularly and keeping his health in check.

On the surface, he's a picture of perfect health. He has never had a heart attack or a stroke, and he doesn't have common health issues like diabetes or high blood pressure. He's also very dedicated to his well-being, exercising regularly, keeping a normal weight, and avoiding smoking and alcohol. His family also has a clean bill of health when it comes to heart problems.

Highlighting this interesting case Neurologist Sudhir Kumar MD, shared the details on his X social media.

Can You Have High Cholesterol With Healthy Habits?

Despite all his good habits, a routine blood test told a different story. His blood fats, or lipid profile, showed some concerning numbers that have been high for the last 10 years. His total cholesterol, "bad" LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides were all higher than they should be, while his "good" HDL cholesterol was too low.

• Total Cholesterol: 219
• LDL ("Bad") Cholesterol: 159
• Triglycerides: 319
• HDL ("Good") Cholesterol: 32

This specific combination is known as atherogenic dyslipidemia. It's a medical term for a pattern of unhealthy fats in the blood. Even though he feels great, this condition, combined with his age, puts him at a much higher risk for serious issues down the road, like a heart attack, stroke, or a type of memory loss called vascular dementia.

How Can You Lower Cholesterol Of a Healthy Patient?

Faced with this situation, the doctor and the patient discussed two possible paths.

Option 1:

The first option was to continue his healthy lifestyle and work with a nutritionist to make his diet even better. This would be a non-medicated approach to see if his numbers could improve naturally.

Option 2:

The second option was to start taking a statin, a type of drug that lowers cholesterol. The doctor would then recheck his lipid profile after a few months. If his triglycerides were still too high, another medication, such as fenofibrate, might be added. The doctor also explained the potential side effects of statins so the patient could make an informed decision.

After hearing both options, the patient felt more comfortable with Option 1, preferring to avoid medication for now. Dr Sudhir ended the post explaining he will follow up in three months to see how the patient's health is progressing.

What Are Some Unexpected Causes Of High Cholesterol?

Beyond daily habits, some life events and medications can also cause a temporary rise in cholesterol.

Stress

When you're stressed, your body produces the hormone cortisol, which can raise cholesterol. Managing stress through exercise, meditation, or breathing exercises can help lower this risk.

Smoking

Nicotine in cigarettes lowers your HDL ("good") cholesterol, which is responsible for removing "bad" cholesterol from your blood. The best way to reduce this risk is to quit smoking.

Medications

Certain prescription drugs, including some for high blood pressure, inflammation, and infections, can raise cholesterol levels. If you're concerned about your medication, talk to your doctor about alternatives or dosage adjustments.

Pregnancy

It's normal for a pregnant person's cholesterol to increase by 30-40% to support fetal development. However, a doctor may intervene if the levels get too high.

Rapid Weight Loss

Losing weight very quickly, especially on diets like the ketogenic diet, can cause a temporary spike in cholesterol. If you're planning to lose weight, it's a good idea to work with a healthcare professional to do it safely.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued its 2025-26 outlook, predicting a respiratory virus season with similar peak hospitalizations from COVID-19, influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) as last year. The agency also warns that COVID-19 hospitalization rates could rise if a variant with moderate immune-escape properties emerges.

While avoiding sick individuals is the first line of defense against the flu, cleaning and disinfecting your home after someone recovers is equally important to prevent the virus from spreading to others.

Cleaning vs. Disinfecting: Understanding the Difference

Before tackling flu germs, it’s crucial to understand the difference between cleaning and disinfecting. Cleaning removes visible dirt, dust, and germs using soap and water, while disinfecting targets remaining germs with products like sprays, wipes, or bleach. Experts recommend cleaning first, then disinfecting, for maximum effectiveness.

Focus on High-Traffic Surfaces

Viruses can survive on surfaces for up to 48 hours and on unwashed hands for about an hour. High-traffic areas in your home are most likely to harbor germs. Prioritize disinfecting:

• Doorknobs and drawer handles
• Light switches
• Stair rails

If someone was sick in a vehicle, disinfect frequently touched surfaces such as steering wheels, door handles, seats, and seat belts. Disinfecting wipes are convenient, but always follow manufacturer instructions and wash your hands afterward.

Kitchen and Bathroom Cleaning

In the kitchen, wash all utensils, dishes, and glasses in hot, soapy water or a dishwasher. Then disinfect:

• Countertops and cabinets
• Refrigerator handles
• Sinks and faucets
• Coffee makers, microwaves, and ovens
• Garbage cans

For bathrooms, disinfect:

• Toilets, sinks, and faucets
• Doorknobs and light switches
• Shower and bathtub surfaces
• Soap dispensers and toilet paper holders
• Floors and overlooked areas like toothbrush holders
• Consider replacing toothbrushes to prevent lingering germs
• Laundry and Bedroom Surfaces

Flu viruses can survive on soft surfaces like clothing, bedding, and towels. Wash all laundry in the hottest water recommended on care labels and dry thoroughly. Also, disinfect laundry baskets or hampers.

In bedrooms, disinfect doorknobs, bedside tables, bed frames, and drawer handles. Vacuum carpets and mop hard floors. For children, machine-wash soft toys and clean hard toys with soap and disinfectant.

Electronics Are Germ Hotspots

Mobile phones, keyboards, tablets, and remote controls can carry harmful microorganisms. Clean screens with a soft, lint-free cloth dampened with soapy water, or use disinfecting wipes carefully, avoiding alcohol-based products that may damage electronics. Consider wipeable covers for easier disinfecting.

Ventilate Your Home

Open windows if outdoor temperatures are comfortable. Fresh air reduces airborne germs and helps when using disinfecting products. Proper ventilation ensures that lingering viruses don’t continue to spread indoors.

Recovery First, Deep Cleaning Later

If you are still recovering from the flu, wait until you feel well before doing intensive cleaning. Recovery typically takes a week, but may take longer for those with underlying conditions or complications. Enlist help from family, friends, or professionals to avoid overexertion.

Flu is highly contagious, particularly when people spend more time indoors. Cleaning and disinfecting your home after recovery is vital to prevent spreading the virus. Start with high-traffic areas, then move to kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms, and electronics. Always wear gloves and a mask when using disinfectants and follow instructions carefully.

By taking these precautions, you help protect your household and visitors from catching the flu, ensuring a safer and healthier home this season.