The first ever human case of this flesh-eating parasite infestation has been detected in the US. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) reported that the case of infestation by the New World screwworm (NWS) parasite was confirmed on August 4, involves a patient who had recently traveled back to the US from El Salvador.

What is the New World Screwworm or Flesh-Eating Parasite?

The New World screwworm myiasis is a parasitic infection caused by the larvae, or maggots, of a parasitic fly. These maggots are known for feeding on the living flesh of their hosts and are drawn to open wounds, where they lay their eggs. While they primarily infest livestock like cattle, they can also affect pets, wildlife, and, in rare instances, even people. Health officials, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), have stated that the risk to the general public in the US remains very low.

This devastating pest is usually found in parts of South America and the Caribbean. Despite efforts to stop its spread, the parasite has moved northward, with cases now confirmed in every Central American country, including Mexico.

What Is The First Symptoms of Flesh-Eating Screwworm In Humans?

The CDC explains that the NWS infestations are extremely painful. The most obvious sign is seeing maggots in or around an open wound, or even in your nose, eyes, or mouth. Other symptoms can include:

• Sores or wounds that don't heal or get worse over time.
• Painful wounds that may bleed.
• A foul smell coming from the wound.
• A crawling sensation as you feel the maggots moving inside the wound.
• Sometimes, a fever or chills can occur if a bacterial infection develops.

If you experience these symptoms after traveling to Central or South America or the Caribbean, it's important to tell your doctor about your recent trip.

Who is at Risk For Flesh-Eating Screwworm Parasite?

Your risk of getting an NWS infestation increases if you travel to areas where the flies are present and:

• You have an open wound, such as from a scratch, cut, insect bite, or recent surgery.
• You have a weakened immune system, perhaps from a medical condition like HIV, cancer treatment, or certain medications.
• You have a medical condition that causes open sores, like some skin or sinus cancers.
• You sleep outdoors.
• You live or work around livestock or other warm-blooded animals in these regions.

How Does Flesh Eating Parasite Spread?

An infestation starts when a female NWS fly lays her eggs in an open wound or body opening like the nose or mouth. The smell of a wound, even a small one like a tick bite, can attract the flies. A single female fly can lay 200–300 eggs at a time.

Once the eggs hatch, the tiny maggots burrow into the living tissue to feed. After they've fed, they drop to the ground, burrow into the soil, and eventually turn into adult flies, starting the cycle over again.

How Can You Prevent Flesh Eating Screwworm Infection?

If you see or feel maggots in a wound or on your body, you should contact a healthcare provider right away. They will need to remove the larvae, which sometimes requires surgery. It is very important that you do not try to remove the maggots yourself. Prevention is the best way to avoid an infestation.

• Keep any open wounds clean and covered.
• Wear long-sleeved shirts, pants, and socks to protect your skin from bites.
• Use an EPA-approved insect repellent.
• Treat your clothing and gear with products that contain 0.5% permethrin.
• Sleep indoors or in rooms with screens.

We all want to have a relaxed and easy. Rushing to get ready, eating unhealthy breakfasts and running out the door, these habits are not feasible and can be difficult to maintain. Although getting up early and getting things in order before you leave may seem like a lot of work, it can be the best option not only for your mental health, but also your heart.

According to cardiologist Dr. Sanjay Bhojraj, a board-certified cardiologist, your morning routine can significantly impact your heart health. He warns that the hours after you wake up are a "high-alert window" for your heart, as this is when the body's natural processes can increase the risk of a heart attack.

However, it is not just his professional opinion, studies have shown that there is a time period, i.e. 7 am – 11 am, when we are most susceptible to heart attacks and you may be surprised to know how many people suffer sudden cardiac events within these hours.

How Are Morning Hours Dangerous For Heart Events?

According to a 2020 study published in the Trends in Cardiovascular Medicine journal, for many years, research supported the idea that sudden cardiac arrests followed a predictable pattern.

Morning Peak: Several studies from the late 1980s and early 1990s found that sudden cardiac death was most common in the morning, typically between 7 a.m. and 11 a.m.

Weekly Peak: Some studies also showed a "Monday peak," where more events occurred on Mondays than on any other day of the week. This was often linked to the stress of starting the work week.

Seasonal Peak: There was also evidence of a seasonal pattern, with more events happening in the winter months.

This pattern was thought to be due to natural daily changes in the body, such as fluctuations in heart rate, blood pressure, and stress hormones like cortisol.

Does This Time Pattern Still Affect Heart Events?

More recent studies are starting to tell a different story. Research from the past decade, including a large study called the Oregon Sudden Unexpected Death Study, has found no clear morning or Monday peak for sudden cardiac arrests. While many studies still show a low number of events in the early morning hours (between 12 a.m. and 6 a.m.), the classic morning peak has disappeared. This has been attributed to:

Better Medication

The widespread use of medications like beta-blockers has been shown to reduce the effects of stress hormones that were thought to cause the morning peak.

Improved Treatment

Advances in treating heart failure and coronary artery disease have also changed the way cardiac arrests present.

Modern Lifestyle

Our 24/7 lifestyle with constant access to technology and stress may have spread the risk factors for cardiac arrest more evenly throughout the day and week, eliminating the "Monday peak."

Why Do Mornings Stress Out Our Heart?

Dr Bhojraj explains that when you first wake up, your body goes through several changes that can be stressful for your heart. These include:

• Your body experiences a surge in cortisol, which is the stress hormone, in the morning to help you wake up, but it can also put a strain on your cardiovascular system.
• Your blood platelets, which help with clotting, become stickier. This can increase the risk of blood clots that may block arteries.
• Your also blood pressure increases as part of the waking process.

How To Start Your Day In A Heart Healthy Way

To protect your heart, Dr. Bhojraj suggests a gentle morning routine rather than a frantic one. He advises against rushing into the day with high-stress activities. Here are his recommendations for a heart-healthy morning:

Drink water as soon as you wake up.

Taking your medications on time is especially important for any heart-related prescriptions.

Eat a protein-rich breakfast like to start your day.

Take 10 to 15 minutes for some gentle exercise before you get busy.

Starting your day slowly because it can help reduce the stress on your heart and set a positive tone for the rest of your day.

Jessica Knurick is a registered dietitian with a PhD who has rapidly emerged as one of the most influential public health voices on social media. With more than 1.1 million followers on Instagram and over 335,000 on TikTok, she is using the same platforms that fueled misinformation to push back with evidence-based content. Her style is simple but powerful. She blends humor, accessible explanations, and scientific accuracy in short videos that debunk myths and highlight where health narratives go wrong.

Her journey into this digital advocacy space was personal. During her first pregnancy in 2019, she noticed scattered but not overwhelming amounts of misleading information targeted at expecting mothers. By the time she had her second child in 2022, the pandemic had amplified conspiratorial and fear-based health content across platforms. What had once been background noise became the dominant message being shown to her feeds. That was when she realized the scale of the problem, and the urgent need for credible counter voices.

Also Read: IV Drip, COVID-19 Shot And Ozempic: How Different Injections Enter The Body In Different Ways

Understanding the MAHA Movement

The Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement emerged out of a growing distrust in public health institutions. Initially fueled by wellness influencers and conspiracy-laced narratives about toxins, chemicals, and corrupt medical systems, the movement gained a national platform when Robert F. Kennedy Jr. launched his presidential campaign in 2024. Now serving as Secretary of Health and Human Services under Donald Trump, Kennedy and the MAHA agenda are reshaping health policy with their focus on distrust of regulation, vaccines, and science.

MAHA thrives because it taps into genuine frustrations. Rising chronic disease rates, expensive healthcare, and a food system often criticized for prioritizing profits over people’s well-being all resonate with Americans. But where the movement gains attention is in its framing, blaming shadowy corruption, demonizing ingredients like seed oils or food dyes, and questioning the legitimacy of mainstream health guidelines.

Read: What Is 'Make America Healthy Again' All About?

The results have been concerning. Falling vaccination rates, for example, contributed to a historic measles outbreak this year. Yet millions of Americans continue to be swayed by MAHA’s polished social media messaging and distrust of traditional experts.

Knurick’s Counter-Narrative Strategy

Knurick does not deny that the US has a chronic disease crisis. She acknowledges that too many people are living with conditions linked to lifestyle and systemic problems. What she challenges is how MAHA leaders explain those problems and the solutions they propose.

Her method is to meet people where they are, on Instagram and TikTok, and arm them with tools to navigate misinformation. In her videos, she often points out logical fallacies, like confusing correlation with causation. She also highlights overlooked factors that evidence shows drive chronic disease: income inequality, lack of access to healthcare, education gaps, and systemic disparities. These social determinants of health are almost entirely absent from MAHA’s messaging.

Knurick also calls out contradictions and financial interests within the MAHA leadership. Many of its most prominent figures run supplement companies or wellness product businesses, financially benefiting from the fear they spread. She argues that if the pharmaceutical and food industries deserve scrutiny for conflicts of interest, so too should the wellness industry, which operates with far less regulation.

Balancing Tone and Reach

One of Knurick’s challenges is tone. She knows that many MAHA supporters are parents, especially mothers, who are genuinely anxious about their children’s health.

These women are vulnerable to fear-based messaging like “Are you poisoning your kids?” which thrives in wellness circles. Being a mother herself, Knurick understands the emotional triggers at play.

Her approach is firm but not condescending. She avoids personal attacks on ordinary supporters, focusing instead on the misinformation itself. While her critiques of Kennedy are sharp, she maintains that her goal is not to mock but to explain. The result has been encouraging.

Many followers who initially came to her page as skeptics admit to being swayed by her evidence-backed explanations.

Also Read: Trump’s Surgeon General Pick Raises Eyebrows With Vaccine Comments And Wellness Claims

Still, she recognizes she will not reach everyone. Those deeply loyal to MAHA leadership may tune out. But Knurick’s growing following and steady stream of messages from people who have reconsidered their views suggest her efforts are making a difference.

Rebuilding Trust in Science

Knurick’s larger mission goes beyond countering individual claims. She is working to rebuild a culture of trust in evidence and science. In a world where traditional appeals to authority no longer carry weight, she believes teaching media literacy is essential. By showing people how to spot out-of-context data, manipulated graphs, or exaggerated claims, she hopes to empower her audience to become more discerning consumers of information.

Her efforts are not just about defending institutions but about reframing public health in a way that resonates.

She agrees with MAHA that the system often fails people. Where she differs is in how to fix it. Instead of scapegoating food dyes or dismissing vaccines, she emphasizes systemic reforms, improved access, and real policy solutions.

Why Knurick Matters Now

The battle over health information is no longer confined to medical journals or government press releases. It is happening on TikTok, Instagram, and in the hands of influencers.

By stepping into that arena, Knurick represents a new model for public health communication: expert-led, evidence-driven, but adapted to the realities of the digital age.

As misinformation continues to spread and movements like MAHA reshape national policy, her work is more critical than ever. She is not just correcting false claims but also offering a vision of what a more honest, evidence-based conversation about health could look like.

Injections are one of the most direct and effective ways to deliver medications, nutrients, or fluids into the body. Unlike oral medicines, which must first pass through the digestive system, injections allow a substance to enter the bloodstream, muscle, or tissue directly, leading to faster or more controlled absorption.

There are several types of injections, but four are most widely used in healthcare practice: intravenous, intramuscular, subcutaneous, and intraosseous. Each has its own purpose, method, and site of administration.

Intravenous (IV) Injections

Intravenous injections deliver medication straight into a vein, allowing for rapid absorption and immediate action. Because the bloodstream is accessed directly, this type of injection is considered the fastest way to introduce drugs or fluids into the body.

Common Uses

IV injections or infusions are frequently used in:

• Providing fluids and electrolytes to treat dehydration
• Administering local or general anesthesia before surgery
• Delivering pain relief medications in emergency rooms
• Blood transfusions and iron supplementation
• Nutrition for severely malnourished patients
• Chemotherapy for cancer treatment
• Monoclonal antibodies for infections such as COVID-19
• Injecting contrast dye before imaging tests

Sites of Injection

Typical IV sites include veins on the back of the hands, forearms, or inside the elbow. In infants, doctors may use veins on the scalp or feet.

Intramuscular (IM) Injections

Common Uses

• Most vaccines, such as flu shots
• Antibiotics like penicillin or streptomycin
• Corticosteroids for inflammation or allergic reactions
• Hormones such as testosterone or medroxyprogesterone
• Medications for patients unable to take oral drugs

Sites of Injection

Healthcare professionals usually administer IM shots in:

• The upper outer thigh muscle
• The deltoid (shoulder) muscle
• The hip area

Doctors generally avoid injecting into the buttock due to the risk of damaging the sciatic nerve.

Subcutaneous (SC) Injections

Subcutaneous injections are given into the fatty tissue just beneath the skin and above the muscle. They use a smaller needle to ensure the medication enters the fatty layer rather than muscle tissue. Unlike muscles, fatty tissue contains fewer blood vessels, which means the body absorbs medication more slowly—making it useful for drugs that require steady, prolonged release.

Common Uses

• Insulin for diabetes management
• Blood thinners like heparin
• Vaccines such as MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) and chickenpox
• Pain control medications in palliative care (e.g., morphine, fentanyl)
• Fertility medications and biologics such as Dupixent

Sites of Injection

Typical SC injection sites include:

• The outer or back part of the upper arm
• The front or outer side of the thigh
• The belly (at least a few centimeters away from the navel)

Subcutaneous injections are relatively less painful and carry a lower risk of infection. They are often preferred for patients who need to self-administer medication at home, such as those managing diabetes.

Intraosseous (IO) Injections

Intraosseous injections are less common but extremely valuable in emergency medicine. They involve puncturing the bone marrow with a specialized needle to deliver drugs or fluids directly into the rich blood supply of the marrow. Since the marrow connects directly to the circulatory system, this method is fast and effective when IV access is difficult.

Common Uses

IO injections are usually reserved for critical emergencies such as:

• Cardiac arrest
• Severe trauma or accident injuries
• Overdose or poisoning
• Sepsis or septic shock
• Stroke or seizures
• Obstetric complications (e.g., childbirth emergencies)

They can also be used to administer anesthesia in dental procedures or deliver palliative care pain relief when veins are inaccessible.

Sites of Injection

Common IO access points include:

• The shinbone (tibia)
• The thigh bone (femur)
• The upper arm bone (humerus)

Risks and Side Effects

While injections are generally safe when performed by trained professionals, there are some risks. The CDC notes that common side effects include temporary pain, redness, swelling, or bruising at the injection site. Rare but serious risks may involve nerve damage, abscess formation, bleeding, or infection. Safe handling of needles and proper technique are critical to minimizing complications.