The United States have been long suffering from various disease, and now is the season of ticks. On the rise is Lyme disease, and tick bites have recorded the a 5-year high ER visits in Northeast, reports 12 News. The Health and Me had previously reported on the surge that ERs across the US is experiencing, wit the highest in July, since 2017. he Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that close to 31 million Americans suffer from tick bites every year, and this summer saw a sharp increase, particularly in the Northeast.

The CDC says that the Fordham Tick Index, which monitors tick activity in southern New York, Connecticut, and northern New Jersey, is now at a "very high" risk level, 9 out of 10.

What Could Be The Reason For This High?

Experts are attributing this surge to environmental shifts, growing deer numbers, and more human presence within woodlands.

Not Just The US, But UK Too Issues A Public Health Warning

Previously Health and Me also reported that with the unexpected wave of heat in the UK, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued a public warning against a small, almost invisible threat that could send you to the hospital.

Taking simple steps can help you avoid these bugs that could leave you with flu-like symptoms lasting for weeks.

Case Study

Amid the tick season, Health and Me reported on a case of an 8-year-old boy who has Lyme disease. The case points out on the cases of how, when symptoms ignored, or with lack of caution and awareness can ticks become a real threat.

Lyme Disease: How Worried Should One Be Of Ticks?

Most tick-borne diseases in the United States are rare, with one big exception, reports the New York Times (NYT). Lyme disease is far more common than any other tick-related illness.

In fact, it's 12 times more prevalent than the next most common disease, anaplasmosis. In some regions, up to 50% of adult ticks carry the bacteria that cause Lyme, making it the leading tick-borne illness in the country.

“That’s our biggest concern,” said Erika Machtinger, an entomologist and head of the vector-borne disease team at Pennsylvania State University Extension, as noted by the NYT. “There aren’t vaccines in development for anything else; there is for Lyme disease.”

While Lyme disease is typically treatable, especially if antibiotics are taken within 72 hours of a bite, it can be tricky to diagnose. When missed, it may lead to lingering symptoms that persist for years after treatment.

Location Matters Most

Ticks exist throughout most of the continental U.S., but risk levels vary greatly by location. Some places have ticks that barely transmit disease, while others see thousands of Lyme cases each year.

“Where you live matters more than anything,” explained Jean Tsao, an ecologist and Lyme expert at Michigan State University, reports NYT.

That can influence everything — from what one wears on a hike to how they move through outdoor spaces.

For instance, in Arizona, where tick-related illnesses are rare, residents might wear shorts and sandals without much concern.

But in Michigan, where Lyme disease is on the rise, Tsao recommends wearing long pants, socks with shoes, and clothing treated with Permethrin, a fabric-safe repellent.

“I never walk into the woods with Tevas or Chacos anymore,” she said. “And I wouldn’t say I’m paranoid.”

How Common Is Lyme Disease?

Lyme disease is most common in the Northeast and Upper Midwest, where tick populations have been established for decades. In 2023, Rhode Island reported over 2,800 cases, while Texas had only 27. Areas newly seeing Lyme-carrying ticks, like parts of Michigan, may still have fewer cases, but the numbers are rising.

Even urban parks can pose a risk, as ticks only need a few host animals like birds, rodents, or raccoons to survive.

Tick Type Makes a Difference

Not all ticks are equally dangerous. The blacklegged tick, also known as the deer tick, is the primary carrier of Lyme bacteria.

Other types, like the lone star tick or dog tick, can transmit disease but pose less of a threat.

Blacklegged ticks go through three life stages, and take a blood meal at each. Adults are most likely to carry Lyme, while larvae rarely do. Surprisingly, most Lyme infections happen during the nymph stage, when ticks are smaller and harder to see.

These tiny nymphs often attach in areas that are hard to inspect. “The toilet is a great place to check for ticks,” said Machtinger. “You can reach all your crevices. I know it sounds weird, but it’s true.”

If someone finds a tick, the first step is to identify the species. This can be done via a healthcare provider, a tick ID website, or local university extension services. Ticks can be stored in a Ziploc bag or between strips of Scotch tape for identification. If the tick is a deer tick and the bite occurred within 72 hours, a single dose of antibiotics can reduce the risk of illness. Otherwise, one should monitor for rashes and flu-like symptoms.

Tick Behavior Basics

Ticks can bite anywhere on the body, but they tend to favor warm, hidden areas like the groin, armpits, and behind the ears. Where the tick attaches can also depend on activity. For example, a tick found while hiking is likely to be on the lower body, while one from gardening might show up on an arm.

Those with darker skin tones may find ticks harder to detect. “You have to get to know your freckles really, really well,” said Machtinger.

The good news? Ticks don’t bite immediately, and they typically need 24 hours to transmit Lyme after attaching. That means regular tick checks, especially after spending time outdoors, are highly effective. Showering soon after outdoor activity can also help wash off ticks before they embed.

Additionally, ticks die quickly in a clothes dryer, making it a good idea to tumble dry outdoor clothes on high heat after an outing.

Despite their reputation, ticks are delicate creatures that can be hard to study in labs. Over time, scientists who work with them may even find them "almost cute," Machtinger added. While most people may never go that far, understanding the real risks they pose, and how to prevent them, can take some of the fear out of tick season.

Being in the military means you may witness things or be involved in combat or missions that are life-threatening and horrible to deal with. There are accidents, training injuries, or difficult situations that place them under immense stress. All of these things lead to PTSD, or post-traumatic stress disorder. According to the US National Center for PTSD, at some point in their lives, 7 out of 100 veterans will have PTSD. This number increases to 13 for the female veterans. Dealing with this can take a lifetime, with them experiencing symptoms for years.

Combat veterans also often struggle with anxiety, and depression after experiencing traumatic brain injuries (TBI). These struggles can leave them feeling hopeless and even suicidal. However, a surprising new treatment might offer hope: a psychedelic drug called ibogaine.

How Ibogaine Might Help

Ibogaine comes from the roots of an African shrub. A recent study, published in Nature Mental Health, suggests that this drug can safely and effectively treat the long-term effects of TBI in veterans. Thirty veterans took part in the study, traveling to Mexico for the treatment because ibogaine is not legal in the U.S.

Researchers discovered that ibogaine changes brain activity in ways that can reduce stress and help veterans better deal with their past trauma. A lead researcher from Stanford Medicine noted that no other drug has been able to ease the brain and mental health symptoms of TBI in this way. He called the results "dramatic" and plans to study the compound further.

What Ibogaine Is?

People who take ibogaine often say the experience is like a "waking dream," where they think about memories and see strong images. This compound is used in African religious ceremonies and has also been looked at as a possible treatment for depression and to help people overcome drug addiction.

Journey to Mexico and Positive Outcomes

For this study, researchers worked with a small group of 30 special operations veterans. These veterans had lasting symptoms from TBIs and had been exposed to many explosions. The veterans chose to receive ibogaine treatment at a clinic in Mexico on their own. The clinic gave them ibogaine by mouth, with medical supervision. They also received a dose of magnesium, which helps prevent heart problems sometimes linked to the drug.

Before the treatment, doctors from Stanford checked the veterans. Many had PTSD, anxiety, or issues with alcohol. About half had thought about suicide at some point, and some had even attempted it. Within just one month of ibogaine treatment, the improvements were significant:

• PTSD symptoms dropped by 88%
• Depression symptoms dropped by 87%
• Anxiety symptoms dropped by 81%

The veterans also reported less disability and better focus, thinking skills, memory, and impulse control. Another veteran in the study, who served in the U.S. Navy for 27 years, shared that his thinking abilities were "fully restored" after ibogaine, which helped him at work and improved his family life.

How Ibogaine Changes the Brain

Brain scans helped researchers understand why the drug might be effective. Veterans whose planning and organizing skills improved after treatment showed an increase in certain brain waves called theta rhythms. Stronger theta rhythms might help the brain adapt and be more flexible. Similarly, those with fewer PTSD symptoms showed less complicated brain activity, suggesting the drug helps calm the intense stress response associated with PTSD. These brain scans might also help doctors find out which patients would benefit most from ibogaine.

The study reported no serious side effects, and no heart problems occurred. Veterans did mention typical symptoms like headaches and nausea during treatment.

Partly because of these positive findings, Texas recently approved a $50 million plan to fund more studies of ibogaine. This program will help match private money for ibogaine trials, which could lead to the drug being approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Researchers believe ibogaine could become a broader drug for brain recovery. They think it works on unique brain pathways and could help us better understand how to treat other forms of PTSD, anxiety, and depression that aren't necessarily connected to TBI.

On World Hepatitis Day today, the spotlight is on one of the most misunderstood but critical public health challenges, viral hepatitis. Observed annually on July 28, this global awareness day focuses on liver inflammation that can silently progress into liver cirrhosis or cancer.

This year’s theme, “Hepatitis: Let’s Break It Down,” urges dismantling financial, social, and systemic barriers that prevent people from seeking testing, vaccination, and treatment.

The World Health Organization (WHO) continues to call for unified action to eliminate hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030.

Also Read: 5 Surprisingly Easy Things You Can Do Daily to Start Reversing Fatty Liver

But how far have we come in achieving that goal? A look at the data and expert insights reveals a mixed picture.

Hepatitis A on the Rise Among Adults

Traditionally associated with childhood jaundice, hepatitis A is now emerging as a more serious threat, especially in urban adults. Doctors in Mumbai report a rise in severe adult hepatitis A cases, including complications like liver failure. As hygiene standards improved in metros, fewer people were exposed to the virus in early childhood, leaving them without natural immunity. This means adults now face more aggressive symptoms when exposed through contaminated food or water, often during the monsoon season.

Pregnant women, too, are being impacted. In one case, a woman admitted for what appeared to be morning sickness was found to have hepatitis A. Doctors emphasize that hepatitis A can affect both mother and baby, and early diagnosis is crucial.

Hepatitis C Cases Drop Thanks to Free Treatment

There is, however, good news when it comes to hepatitis C. Since 2018, India’s National Viral Hepatitis Control Programme has made direct-acting antiviral treatments freely available. These drugs offer a full cure in just three months. As a result, new hepatitis C infections have declined significantly in both public and private hospitals.

In Maharashtra alone, over 28 lakh people were tested for hepatitis C in 2024-2025, out of which 9,476 tested positive. More than 2,000 people were started on treatment. Compared to 1,339 reported cases in 2021-2022, this rise in diagnosis doesn’t necessarily indicate more infections — instead, it reflects better testing and surveillance. Experts credit this progress to improved blood screening protocols and increased awareness around the dangers of needle sharing.

Hepatitis B Still a Serious Threat

Despite medical advancements, hepatitis B remains a major concern. Often referred to as one of the most infectious viruses, it affects millions and is known for its ability to stay dormant and reactivate. While it isn’t curable yet, it is manageable with long-term antiviral therapy. Unfortunately, lack of early symptoms means many people are diagnosed only when serious liver damage has already occurred.

Data from Maharashtra shows an alarming increase in hepatitis B cases, from 9,000 in 2021-2022 to 65,000 last year. This includes 23,000 pregnant women, highlighting the virus’s continued prevalence and risk of mother-to-child transmission. In some cases, patients have even required liver transplants due to delayed diagnosis and treatment.

Testing and Vaccination Are the Need of the Hour

Advances in diagnostics are changing the game. Portable machines like Truenat are making it easier to test for hepatitis viruses in remote areas. Maharashtra saw a 150% rise in hepatitis B testing and a fivefold increase in hepatitis C testing from 2023-24 to 2024-25. The central government is reportedly planning to install Truenat machines in all 40,000 primary health centres across the country in the next two years.

Vaccines for hepatitis A and B are available and effective, yet coverage remains uneven. Experts strongly advise vaccination for high-risk individuals and routine screening for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and anti-HCV antibodies. These simple blood tests can be lifesaving when followed up with further tests to assess viral load.

Dr. Somnath Mukherjee, gastroenterologist at CMRI Kolkata, points out that hepatitis continues to be “one of the least understood global health challenges”, despite being preventable, treatable, and in some cases, curable.

He emphasizes the need to dismantle ignorance and stigma around testing and treatment. “World Hepatitis Day provides an opportunity to simplify awareness and dismantle barriers to infection awareness and elimination,” he says. His message is clear: Get tested. Get treated. Get protected.

Hepatitis 101

Hepatitis, caused by viruses labeled A through E, can often go unnoticed until significant liver damage has occurred. “Hepatitis B and C are the most dangerous,” explains Dr. Somnath Mukherjee, noting that these infections can silently progress to liver failure, cirrhosis, or even liver cancer if untreated.

While Hepatitis A and E typically spread through contaminated food or water—often in areas with poor sanitation—B and C are more commonly transmitted via unsafe blood transfusions, shared needles, or unprotected sex.

Symptoms, if they appear at all, might include fatigue, jaundice, dark urine, pale stools, abdominal swelling, or itching. “Waiting for symptoms is pointless,” he stresses, as most infections are asymptomatic.

The good news, however, is that hepatitis is preventable and treatable. Vaccines are available for Hepatitis A and B, and Hepatitis C is now curable with a three-month oral medication.

Though Hepatitis B isn’t curable yet, it is manageable with antiviral drugs. “Screening is crucial,” says Dr. Mukherjee, recommending simple blood tests like the Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and Anti-HCV antibody, especially for those at higher risk.

Feminine hygiene products' safety is a big thing. Even while manufacturing, these products must be handled with care because unsafe practices can lead to serious health issues. These products are used for the hygiene of intimate areas, and it is very easy to get infections and other health issues from using improper period products and so one must be careful. Now, there are many more period products, many of which are reusable. Reusable period products aim to make period hygiene more accessible as well as reduce wastage. However, could these reusable products be the cause of declining health?

A new study, published on July 22 in Environmental Science & Technology Letters, found that reusable feminine hygiene products, like period underwear and reusable pads, often contain harmful chemicals called PFAS. These are known as "forever chemicals" because they don't break down easily in the environment or our bodies. This is a big deal because more and more people are choosing these products for their eco-friendly benefits.

Are Hygiene Products for Women Safe?

Researchers from the University of Notre Dame, checked 59 reusable feminine hygiene products from different countries. They tested products from five categories to see how much total fluorine, a sign of PFAS, they contained. For products with many layers, they tested each layer separately, making for a total of 323 samples.

PFAS in Many Products

The study found that a lot of period underwear (33%) and reusable pads (25%) had high levels of PFAS on purpose. While most other products had lower levels of PFAS, likely not added on purpose, 19 products were tested more closely for specific PFAS chemicals. Every single one of these 19 products had PFAS, with two common types being 6:2 and 8:2 fluorotelomer alcohols.

Products from North America, South America, and Europe all had at least one item with these intentionally added PFAS. However, the good news is that at least one product in each category did not have any intentionally added PFAS. This suggests that these chemicals aren't actually needed to make these products.

Risks to Health and the Environment

Researchers stressed how important it is for these reusable products to be safe, especially for young women who might be more sensitive to these chemicals. Finding PFAS in reusable period products is worrying for a few reasons:

Health Problems

PFAS have been linked to many health issues, including problems with the immune system, hormones, development in children, low birth weight, early puberty, high blood pressure in pregnant women, and even some cancers. These chemicals are so widespread that they're found in the blood of most Americans.

Skin Contact

Since these reusable products touch the skin directly, there's a concern that PFAS could be absorbed into the body.

Environmental Harm

When these products are thrown away, the PFAS in them can stay in landfills for a long time, polluting our water sources.

How Do We Ensure Safety?

According to the University of Notre Dame news release, the researchers purposely didn't name specific brands. Instead, they hope their study will push companies to be more open about the ingredients in their products. Dr. Graham Peaslee, another author, pointed out that while reusable period products are seen as eco-friendly, the presence of PFAS goes against that idea, harming both users and the environment.

A key finding is that only some brands are intentionally using PFAS. Researchers explained, this means PFAS aren't essential for making these products. This is positive news, as it suggests manufacturers can create these environmentally friendly items without using concerning chemicals.

The study aims to help people ask manufacturers the right question: "Does this product contain any intentionally added PFAS?" Since there are currently no rules for labeling these products, and only a few U.S. states have laws about PFAS in consumer goods, studies like this are vital. They help regulators and manufacturers find where PFAS are being used and encourage the development of safer alternatives.