A recent study published in The New England Journal of Medicine has revealed that mass administration of ivermectin, a drug long used for treating river blindness and scabies, can significantly reduce malaria transmission when combined with insecticide-treated bed nets.

The findings come from the BOHEMIA trial, the largest study of its kind, which demonstrated a 26% reduction in new malaria infections on top of existing prevention methods.

What Does The Study Say: The BOHEMIA Trial

The BOHEMIA project (Broad One Health Endectocide-based Malaria Intervention in Africa) was coordinated by the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), with support from the “la Caixa” Foundation, and conducted in collaboration with the Manhica Health Research Centre (CISM) in Mozambique and the KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme in Kenya.

The trial involved two large-scale Mass Drug Administration (MDA) programs in Kwale County, Kenya, and Mopeia district, Mozambique. Participants received a monthly dose of ivermectin (400 mcg/kg) for three consecutive months during the rainy season. In total, more than 20,000 participants took part, and over 56,000 treatments were administered.

Why Is A New Approach Needed?

Malaria remains a major global health threat. In 2023 alone, there were 263 million cases worldwide, leading to nearly 600,000 deaths. Standard prevention measures such as long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) and indoor residual spraying (IRS) have been losing effectiveness due to growing insecticide resistance and changes in mosquito behavior. Mosquitoes increasingly bite outdoors or during hours when people are not under bed nets, limiting the reach of existing strategies.

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This urgent challenge has fueled research into innovative tools like ivermectin. While the drug has historically been used against neglected tropical diseases such as onchocerciasis (river blindness) and lymphatic filariasis (elephantiasis), researchers have discovered that mosquitoes feeding on individuals treated with ivermectin die, thereby reducing malaria transmission.

Results From Kenya and Mozambique

In Kwale County, Kenya, where the intervention targeted children aged 5 to 15, ivermectin led to a 26% reduction in malaria incidence compared to the control group treated with albendazole. In Mozambique, where the study focused on children under five, the drug also showed promise in curbing transmission.

Importantly, the safety profile of ivermectin was reassuring. No severe adverse drug reactions were recorded, and only mild, short-lived side effects were reported, consistent with previous campaigns where the drug was used against other parasitic diseases.

Expert Reactions and Global Significance

Researchers leading the trial have expressed optimism. “Ivermectin has shown great promise in reducing malaria transmission and could complement existing control measures. With continued research, it could become an effective tool for malaria elimination,” said Carlos Chaccour, co-principal investigator of the BOHEMIA project.

The findings also meet the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) criteria for evaluating new vector control tools. According to Joseph Mwangangi of the KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, ivermectin could be a vital complementary strategy in areas grappling with insecticide resistance. BOHEMIA’s lead entomologist, Marta Maia of the University of Oxford, echoed this view, noting that the results highlight ivermectin’s potential to bolster malaria control programs.

What Comes Next?

The WHO vector control advisory group has reviewed the findings and confirmed their impact, recommending further large-scale studies. Results have also been shared with national health authorities, who will consider whether ivermectin should be included in official malaria control programs.

While more evidence is needed, the BOHEMIA trial marks a significant step forward in the global fight against malaria. If scaled effectively, ivermectin could become a powerful complement to existing tools, offering new hope in reducing the burden of one of the world’s deadliest diseases.

A 47-year-old autorickshaw driver from Royapettah, who had received a full course of vaccination after being bitten by a stray dog in July 2025, died of rabies at the Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital (RGGGH). He is the 22nd person to succumb to the disease in Tamil Nadu this year.

His death has left experts asking a difficult question, if protocols were followed, why are people still dying? Public health specialists suggest this may not just be a failure of administration, but a sign that India’s long-standing rabies protocol itself needs re-examination.

What Is Rabies?

“Rabies infects mammals, including dogs, cats, livestock and wildlife. It spreads to people through saliva, usually by bites, scratches, or direct contact with mucous membranes such as the eyes, mouth, or open wounds. Once symptoms appear, rabies is virtually 100% fatal,” explains Dr. Surrinder Kumar, MBBS, General Physician.

ALSO READ: Bird Flu In US: Are Cats Spreading A Deadly Disease?

Why Rabies Deaths Still Happen in India?

For those unversed, Rabies immunoglobulin is a medication made up of antibodies against the rabies virus. It is used to prevent rabies following exposure.

According to Dr Surrinder, the main reasons are:

1. Delayed or No Medical Attention: Many victims dismiss dog bites as minor and fail to seek immediate treatment.
2. Lack of Awareness: In rural and semi-urban areas, people often don’t know the importance of post-exposure vaccination.
3. Reliance on Home Remedies: Turmeric, lime, oils, and other traditional remedies are still used, offering no protection.
4. Incomplete Vaccination: Even if treatment begins, many patients drop out midway, making it ineffective.
5. Limited Access to Rabies Immunoglobulin (RIG): For severe bites, RIG is essential along with vaccines, but its high cost and patchy availability block timely use.

The Ground Reality of Rabies Treatment

ALSO READ: Why 1 In 6 U.S. Parents Are Rejecting Vaccine Recommendations

Alongside immunoglobulin, at least five separate rabies vaccine doses are necessary. These, Dr. Shaswath says, are not without side effects, as “every time people take the vaccine, they get fever.” While cities are able to conduct mass vaccination campaigns, rural areas face significant challenges in this regard.

He further stresses that rabies is not confined to dog bites alone. The virus can also spread from other animals, and in rare cases even from humans, if infected saliva comes in contact with open wounds or mucous membranes. “A bite isn’t always necessary,” he warns.

Dr. Ranjeet Singh, Professor and Head of General Medicine at NIIMS Medical College and Hospital, echoes the same concerns. He emphasises that rabies deaths in India do not reflect a failure of the vaccine itself. Instead, the main reasons are late treatment, lack of awareness, incomplete vaccination, shortage of immunoglobulin, and limited access in rural areas.

Is India’s Rabies Vaccination System Flawed?

India follows the WHO-approved five-dose rabies vaccine protocol, with immunoglobulin recommended for severe (Category III) bites. But the bigger question, they say, is whether the protocol assumes ideal conditions, which is immediate wound washing, uninterrupted cold chain storage, and trained professionals administering injections at the wound site. In reality, these conditions are not always met.

Common Mistakes After a Dog Bite Which Can Lead To Rabies

1. Not washing the wound immediately: The first step after a bite is washing with soap and running water for at least 15 minutes. Most skip it.
2. Covering the wound too soon: Tying cloth or applying bandages traps the virus inside.
3. Applying irritants: Substances like chili, lime, or ash worsen the wound and delay treatment.
4. Ignoring minor bites or scratches: Even tiny wounds can transmit rabies if saliva enters.
5. Stopping the vaccine midway: Completing the full course is essential; partial doses give no real protection.

To end rabies deaths in India, awareness must go hand in hand with medical access. Every bite, no matter how small, needs immediate action: wash, vaccinate, and if severe, take immunoglobulin.

“Rabies is 100% preventable but 100% fatal if ignored. No bite should ever be taken lightly. The key is simple, wash, vaccinate, and complete the course,” concludes Dr. Surrinder Kumar.

Sometimes a simple headache can derail your entire day. It slows down your work, causes you issues etc. When that happens, the easiest way to get rid of it is by taking medicine. However, did you know, you may be able to avoid taking the medicine by doing a simple check before?

Sometimes, the cause isn't a lack of medicine—it's a lack of hydration. Dehydration is a very common cause of headaches, and it's often overlooked. In a post, Suzanne Soliman, a US board certified pharmacist, explained that your headache may be a simple issue, that may not need medicine. Before you grab a pain reliever, try this simple trick: Drink a full glass of water with a small pinch of salt. The salt helps your body absorb the water better.

But how does salt water help you get rid of headaches? Is there medical backing to this or is it a placebo trick that helps some people?

Can Salt Water Treat a Migraine?

For some people, drinking salt water can help relieve a migraine, but it depends on the cause. Here are a couple of reasons why it might work:

You're dehydrated

If you've been sweating a lot, you lose both water and salt. Rehydrating with a glass of water and a pinch of salt can restore your body's balance and ease the headache.

You're on a low-salt diet

Several studies, like a 2021 study published in the Medical Science journal, suggest that if your body is used to a high-salt diet (like the average American diet), suddenly reducing your sodium intake can trigger a "withdrawal" headache. In this case, eating or drinking something salty might help.

However, the evidence isn't clear, and drinking too much salt water can make you feel sick. If you want to try this, only add a tiny pinch of salt to a full glass of water. A better way to get more salt might be through salty snacks or a sports drink with electrolytes.,

Can Eating Salt Prevent or Worsen a Migraine?

There's a complex link between salt and migraines. Some people who eat a lot of salt regularly report fewer migraine symptoms, possibly because their bodies are used to a high-sodium diet.

According to the 2021 study, the relief people feel when they eat salty foods during a migraine isn't a cure, but rather a temporary relief from withdrawal symptoms. This might help explain why some studies have found that people who eat more salt tend to have fewer migraines—their bodies are simply getting the high amount of salt they're used to.

Can Too Much Salt Trigger Migraine?

On the other hand, consuming too much salt can also be a migraine trigger. Eating too much salt can increase your blood pressure, which is a known cause of headaches and migraines. Studies have shown that for some people, a high-salt diet can actually make a migraine episode last longer.

Also Read: Frank Grillo On Steroid Use: 'I’m Not Cheating At Anything Except Aging'

A 2023 study published in JAMA included 213 people with a median age of 61. The group was 65% female and 64% Black. Each person followed three different diets: their usual diet, a high-salt diet, and a low-salt diet.

If your headaches are related to high blood pressure, a low-salt diet may be more beneficial

Salt's effect on migraines is different for everyone. It might help if your headache is caused by dehydration or a sudden drop in sodium, but it could also trigger a migraine or make it worse if you have high blood pressure or are sensitive to salt. Always talk to your doctor to figure out what's best for you and your symptoms.

Salt's effect on migraines is different for everyone. It might help if your headache is caused by dehydration or a sudden drop in sodium, but it could also trigger a migraine or make it worse if you have high blood pressure or are sensitive to salt. Always talk to your doctor to figure out what's best for you and your symptoms.

Frank Grillo, the 60-year-old actor known for his roles in superhero films like Superman Peacemaker, recently opened up about how he gets in shape for the big screen. In a recent interview on the Men’s Health “Strong Talk” podcast, he candidly discussed his use of steroids, revealing that many actors use similar methods to prepare for roles.

Grillo spoke on his use of the steroid medication, and gave his view on its criticism. As a part of his Testosterone Replacement Therapy treatment, which helps improve symptoms of low testosterone, he took the medication, and it helped him deal with many age-related health issues.

Why Does Frank Grillo Use Steroids?

Grillo shared that about six years ago, he found out his natural testosterone levels were low. To fix this, he started using testosterone replacement therapy. He says this treatment has helped him in many ways, like improving his sleep, speeding up his recovery after workouts, and making him feel happier in general. Grillo doesn't hide his use of steroids.

Also Read: Do This 1 Thing Before You Pop A Pill For Your Headache According To Pharmacist

He pushes back against people who call it “cheating,” arguing that as an actor, he isn’t competing in a sport like football or wrestling. Instead, he’s simply trying to look the part for a movie role and, in his words, is "not cheating at anything except aging." He also points out that when actors are hired for a superhero movie, there’s an expectation to look a certain way, and sometimes that means using medications like Anavar, a steroid that acts like testosterone.

How Do You Build ‘Superhero’ Physiques?

Grillo claims that what he's doing is not uncommon in Hollywood. He believes that many other actors also use steroids to quickly achieve dramatic body transformations for their roles. He mentioned that drugs like Anavar and Deca, which is another type of steroid, are now often prescribed by doctors, which means their use can be monitored by a medical professional.

Grillo was very clear that incredibly muscular bodies aren't natural. He explains that it's just not realistic for someone to look one way for most of the year and then suddenly gain 35 pounds of muscle. He says that while many actors might not want to talk about it, everyone in the industry knows exactly what’s going on.

What Is Anavar/ Oxandrolone?

According to US National Cancer Institute, Oxandrolone is a man-made drug that's very similar to testosterone, a natural hormone in our bodies. It works by attaching to and activating certain receptors, which are like tiny switches in our cells. Because of this, oxandrolone is used for several reasons, including:

Testosterone replacement therapy: To help men who have low testosterone levels.

HIV-wasting syndrome: To help people with HIV who are losing a lot of weight and muscle.

Other conditions: To help the body hold onto more nitrogen (which is key for building muscle) and to increase lean muscle mass.

How Does Aging Effect Testosterone For Men?

According to Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS), as men get older, it's common for them to experience a natural decline in both testosterone and muscle mass. While this is a normal part of aging, there are ways to fight back against it.

Testosterone is a crucial hormone for men. It helps build muscle by creating proteins, which in turn increases muscle strength. Starting around age 40, a man's testosterone levels gradually drop by about 1-2% each year. This decline can lead to symptoms like fatigue, hair loss, and depression, but many men don't realize what's causing these changes because testosterone levels aren't always checked during a routine doctor's visit.