Louisiana health officials have confirmed that two more people have died and at least 22 have been hospitalized from a flesh-eating bacteria called Vibrio vulnificus. This brings the total number of deaths in the state to four so far this year.

The bacteria is found naturally in warm saltwater and brackish water, as well as in raw or undercooked seafood. Two of the most recent deaths were from people who got sick after eating raw oysters.

What Is Flesh-Eating Bacteria/Vibrio vulnificus?

Vibrio are bacteria that live in coastal waters. While most types are harmless, some can cause severe, life-threatening infections, though this is rare. The Vibrio vulnificus strain is particularly dangerous and is responsible for more than 95% of all deaths from seafood-related illness in the United States.

Each year, nearly 80,000 people in the U.S. get sick from a Vibrio infection, mostly from eating contaminated food. Of those, about 500 are hospitalized, and around 100 die.

How Do People Get Infected With Flesh Eating Bacteria?

In Louisiana, officials have recorded 22 total cases this year, and all of those people had to be hospitalized. More than 80% of these cases happened when people were exposed to the bacteria through a wound on their skin while in saltwater. The remaining cases were from people who got sick after eating seafood, such as raw oysters. The bacteria are most common in warm coastal waters, usually between May and October. Because of this, state health officials have issued a warning for residents to take precautions to prevent infections.

Does Flesh Eating Bacteria Actually Eat Your Flesh?

According to the American Society For Microbiology, the term "flesh-eating" can be a bit misleading. From the bacteria's point of view, its goal is simply to survive. Humans are not its normal home—it's built to live in the ocean. When it gets into a human wound, it uses the tools it already has to stay alive in this new environment. Damaged tissue becomes a food source for the bacteria. By destroying cells, it can also protect itself from the body's immune system. Moving deeper into the body helps it find more food and avoid other germs.

Vibrio vulnificus has a set of tools, like special toxins and proteins, that break down body tissue and fight against the body's defenses. For example, one strong toxin called RtxA1 kills human cells and attacks the body's immune cells, allowing the bacteria to spread quickly.

The bacteria also really need iron to grow. This is why people with health issues that increase iron in their blood, such as liver disease, are at a higher risk of getting a deadly, full-body infection.

Interestingly, the damage isn't just caused by the bacteria. Sometimes, the body's own immune system can make things worse by releasing chemicals that increase swelling and destroy even more tissue.

How Can You Protect Yourself From Flesh Eating Bacteria?

The best way to stay safe is to avoid these infections in the first place. The CDC advises that if you have an open wound, like a cut or a new tattoo, you should stay out of salty or brackish water, including at the beach. If you do come into contact with water or raw seafood, immediately wash the wound with soap and water.

It's also very important to be aware of the risks, especially if you have other health issues. If you get a cut in saltwater and it starts to look infected—with swelling or pain—see a doctor right away. Tell them you were in seawater. The good news is that this bacteria is very sensitive to antibiotics, so catching the infection early is the key to getting better.

It is no secret that as we age our memories decline and fade. We have all seen our grandparents age and slowly lose the agility they had when we were kids, how they remembered to bring our favorite sweets and foods, and tell us stories of their youth. However, this is no longer easy for them as their minds take an obvious turn for the worse.

We all wish to see our aging elders live their days peacefully and healthily and one of those aspects is their memory. However, it doesn’t always have to be this bleak, there are many people who have aged and also kept their minds strong, and this 78-year-old professor is giving everyone a run for their money.

Anthony D. Fredericks, a former education professor at York College of Pennsylvania, shared with CNBC, his simple habits that he credits with keeping his brain in top shape.

5 Habits That Keep Your Brain Strong Over 70

Never Stop Learning

Your brain loves a challenge. Whether you're learning a new language, taking a class, or doing a crossword puzzle, challenging your mind helps it form new connections. Research has even shown that staying mentally active over the years can lower your risk of dementia. As Fredericks says, reading widely and staying curious keeps your mind engaged.

Stay Social

Being lonely doesn't just make you sad; it can also slow your brain down. Having strong connections with friends and family has been linked to a lower risk of memory problems, lower blood pressure, and a longer life. An old professor, Fredericks, stays sharp by regularly spending time with friends, volunteering, and seeing family, which he believes helps his mind and overall well-being.

Keep Things Organized

Setting goals and staying organized can make your brain work better. When you organize your tasks, you activate the part of your brain responsible for planning and making decisions. Fredericks uses a simple, color-coded sticky note system to keep track of his daily tasks, a habit he says has made a huge difference.

Stay Active

Physical exercise is very important for a healthy brain. It increases blood flow to the brain, which helps create new brain cells and strengthens connections between them. Experts recommend at least 150 minutes of moderate activity each week, like brisk walking, swimming, or gardening. Fredericks himself swims and walks regularly to stay active.

Eat and Drink Smart

What you eat has a big impact on your brain health. A healthy diet, along with drinking plenty of water and getting good sleep, can help keep your mind sharp. Fredericks makes sure to eat heart-healthy foods like berries, leafy greens, and salmon. He also drinks at least eight glasses of water and gets at least seven hours of sleep every night.

Other Tips To Keep Your Mind Sharp As You Age

According to the National Institute of Aging, there are many ways to keep your mind as healthy as your body when you age. Including the points mentioned above by the professor, here are some additional tips to keep your memory strong.

Manage Blood Pressure

Keeping your blood pressure in a healthy range is not just good for your heart; it's also good for your brain. High blood pressure in middle age can increase the risk of memory and thinking problems later on. Get your blood pressure checked every year, and talk to your doctor about exercise, diet changes, or medicine if needed.

Address Health Problems

Conditions like a stroke or depression can seriously affect your brain. Getting the right treatment for these issues can help prevent or delay mental decline.

Be Smart About Medications

Some medicines can cause confusion or memory loss, especially in older people. Always talk to your doctor if you have concerns about your medications and never stop taking a prescribed medicine without their advice.

It is not always that people get a second chance to change their lives. Terrible tragedies that can leave people struggling with illnesses and life-long disabilities, due to no fault of their own, can happen to anyone. However, this was not a story for her, it was her reality.

Jessica Lopez was diagnosed with cancer as an infant. The treatments saved her life, but they also caused long-term damage to her heart. By the time she was in her early 30s, she was facing a dire situation: her heart, liver, and kidneys were all failing. Her only hope was a rare and risky triple-organ transplant.

In a news release, her doctors at Northwestern Memorial Hospital explained how they were determined to help her. Despite the slim odds—this type of transplant had only been performed 59 times in the U.S. before—her positive attitude inspired them to take on the challenge.

Can Childhood Cancer Lead To Organ Failure?

As a child, Jessica battled leukemia and an eye cancer that left her blind. Although she beat the cancer, the aggressive treatments had a lasting effect. Unfortunately, it's not uncommon for childhood cancer survivors to have a much higher risk of heart problems later in life due to the harsh impact of treatments. In Jessica's case, her doctors believe this is what led to her heart failure, which then caused her liver and kidneys to fail.

After being placed on the transplant list, Jessica waited for a matching donor. The wait for three organs is especially long because they all must come from a single person. However, on February 24, a match was found.

The surgery was incredibly complicated. A team of surgeons worked together to transplant the heart and liver at the same time, followed by a separate procedure for the kidney. This allowed them to complete the surgery as quickly as possible.

Who Needs a Triple-Organ Transplant?

According to Mayo Clinic, triple-organ transplants are considered for people whose disease has damaged three of their major organs. For example, a person with severe heart failure might have a damaged heart that then causes their liver and kidneys to fail. In other cases, a problem with the liver or kidneys can lead to heart failure.

Because this surgery is so demanding on the body, doctors look for patients who are otherwise in good health. The patients who receive these transplants are often children or young adults, but older patients have received them as well.

What Are The Risks of Triple-Organ Transplant?

Getting a triple-organ transplant is a long and difficult process. First, the patient is put on a special transplant list, waiting for a single donor who can provide all three organs.

The surgery itself is extremely complex and can last for many hours. The heart is transplanted first, since it is the most fragile organ. The surgical team works with a detailed plan, like a "playbook," to make sure everything goes smoothly.

While a triple-organ transplant offers a chance at life for patients who have no other options, it also comes with higher risks than a single-organ transplant. The patient is at risk for serious complications like bleeding and infection. However, a highly skilled medical team can catch and treat these problems early, which is key to success.

A New Chance At Life

Jessica's journey back to health has been long, but she is now thriving with her new organs. She says she feels "reborn" and has more energy than ever. She has a stronger heartbeat and is filled with gratitude for her organ donor's selfless choice, which gave her a second chance at life.

Jessica, who has been cancer-free for 20 years, has never let being blind stop her from living a full life. She navigates her world with ease and is even planning a new career in forensics. She is also happily planning her wedding for 2026, looking forward to a bright future with her fiancé.

Currently US is experiencing changes in their COVID vaccine guidelines. In the past few weeks, the Center of Disease Control and Prevention changed their vaccine eligibility guidelines for children, giving parents and their healthcare professionals the autonomy to choose whether they want to get their children vaccinated. This was a highly contested decision, so much so that the American Association of Pediatrics released their own guidelines stating that all children ages 6 to 23 months should get the vaccine.

This year's updated COVID-19 vaccines have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) with a more specific focus. The approval is for adults aged 65 and older and for younger people who have certain medical conditions that put them at a higher risk for severe COVID-19.

Federal health officials say that anyone who wants a vaccine can still get one after talking with their doctor. However, this narrower approval might make it harder for some people to get a shot if they don't meet these specific criteria.

Who Is Eligible For The COVID-19 Vaccine?

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the new vaccines from Moderna, Pfizer, and Novavax are available for people at higher risk. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has a long list of conditions that can put someone at higher risk for a severe COVID-19 infection. These include common issues like

• Asthma
• Blood cancers
• Cerebrovascular diseases
• Chronic kidney disease
• Some chronic lung diseases
• Some chronic liver diseases
• Cystic fibrosis
• Type 1 and 2 diabetes
• Gestational diabetes
• Disabilities, including Down syndrome
• Heart conditions
• HIV
• Mood disorders, including depression and schizophrenia
• Dementia
• Parkinson’s disease
• Obesity
• Physical inactivity
• Current or recent pregnancy
• Primary immunodeficiencies
• Current or former smoking
• Solid organ or blood stem cell transplant recipients
• Tuberculosis
• Use of immunosuppressive drugs

What Are The Major Risk Factors For COVID-19?

According to the CDC COVID-19 while having an underlying health condition is a big risk factor for severe COVID-19, other things can also increase a person's risk. Age is the biggest risk factor. For example, people ages 50 to 64 have a risk of death that is 25 times higher than people ages 18 to 29. The risk keeps going up with age:

Ages 65-74: 60 times higher risk of death

Ages 75-84: 140 times higher risk of death

Ages 85+: 340 times higher risk of death

Race and Ethnicity also play a role. The pandemic has had a more severe impact on racial and ethnic minority groups. These groups are more likely to get COVID-19, be hospitalized, end up in the ICU, or die from the disease—often at a younger age. This is often due to problems with healthcare access, like not having health insurance or reliable transportation.

What Are Some Other Condition That Are At Risk of COVID?

For some health issues, the link to severe COVID-19 isn't as clear and needs more research. These include epilepsy, hemophilia, sickle cell disease, and substance use disorders. Other conditions, like high blood pressure and Hepatitis B or C, have shown mixed results in studies, so it's not yet certain if they increase a person's risk of severe illness.

The CDC also mentions that doctors should look at a patient's age, health problems, and vaccination status to determine their risk. Here's what they should do:

Suggest Vaccination

Encourage patients to get the updated COVID-19 vaccine, as it's safe and effective.

Prescribe Treatment

Give antiviral medicines early to eligible patients to significantly lower their risk of hospitalization and death.

Encourage Prevention

Advise high-risk patients to continue wearing masks and to keep up with their regular medical appointments to manage their health conditions.

Help Everyone

Be sensitive to the needs of different groups, including racial and ethnic minorities. Doctors should offer resources and support to help all patients get the care they need.