A 27-year-old woman from Erith, south-east London, who was bitten by a tick as a teenager was diagnosed with Lyme disease last year. Now, she is educating others, telling them that even their old disease could suddenly come back to them, all thanks to Covid-19.

She is Maia Pavey. She has been bedridden for two years after a Lyme disease diagnosis. She now faces an uncertain future.

What Happened To Maia?

Express US reports that when she was a teenager and was part of the Scout activities, she had spent plenty time outside in wooded and grassy areas. This is when she was bitten by ticks. However, there were no noticeable symptoms back then. It was only after in March 2022, when she contracted Covid-19 that her health deteriorated. By August 2023, she was confined to her bed. She reported to be suffering from "crushing" fatigue, numbness, limb pain, dizziness, and nausea.

Maia's mother, Helene, who is 66, and a self-employed private tutor has been taking care of her daughter. She suspects that Lyme disease remained dormant for many years, before it was "reactivated" due to Covid-19.

"She was involved with a branch of the Scouts – they would go in the woods and walk through long grass," Helene said.

Maia was diagnosed with this bacterial infection in December 2024. Maisa was the owner of a photo lab studio in Wollwich, with her partner of seven years, Tristan Snow, 30. However, ever since her diagnosis, she has not been able to work or take care of herself.

The couple currently stays with Maia'a parents, Jason 55 Helene, and her brother Jake, 23.

Maia says, as is also reported by the Mirror that her "independence is gone completely". However, the family is trying to remain "as positive as possible".

Maia's current condition only allows her to eat or even use the restroom from her bed. She is only allowed to leave for urgent medical appointments.

Read: What Is Babesia That Could Block Your Lyme Disease Recovery?

Has Maia's Condition Improved Ever Since?

The ray of hope is the antibiotic treatment, which is delivered to her intravenously. It seems to help her condition improve, and she too is optimistic about managing her symptoms. "Educate yourself about tick-borne illnesses and the ways to avoid them or protect yourself," she says.

"If you know anyone who is suffering but doctors have disregarded their symptoms, consider checking whether it's Lyme disease via a Lyme literate specialist. And if you know someone dealing with a chronic illness, reach out to them regularly. They are probably quite lonely."

Read More: Justin Timberlake Reveals Lyme Disease Diagnosis: Here’s What That Means For His Health

Can Diseases Come Back Due To Covid?

As per a 2022 study published in the Indian Journal of Dermatology, it was reported that ancient diseases were making a comeback due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the study does not mention whether a person who has been diagnosed with a disease earlier could reignite after contracting COVID-19.

As far as Lyme disease is concerned, the National Health Services (NHS), UK, states that it is typically more manageable when caught early. The NHS also notes that a circular or oval-shaped rash surrounding a tick bite can signal early Lyme disease in some individuals, however, both Maia and Helen disagreed noticing any such signs of tick bite.

Too often, cancer diagnoses come out of the blue, or due to symptoms worsening with late diagnoses. However, researchers may have developed a new way to detect cancer early, about 10 years before the actual diagnosis. All of this can be achieved through a simple blood test.

The cancer the test will predict is neck and head cancer. Accounting for nearly 4% of all cancers in US, an estimated 68,000 men and women were diagnosed with it. However, this is not just a singular cancer, neck and head cancer is a group of diseases that start in the soft, moist lining of the nose, mouth, and throat.

To tackle this, researchers at Mass Eye and Ear, a member of the Mass General Brigham healthcare system have developed a blood-based test that can diagnose this cancer with great accuracy.

Can Blood-Tests Predict Cancer?

Researchers have created a new and extremely precise blood test called HPV-DeepSeek. This test is specifically designed to find the smallest bits of cancer DNA from the HPV virus that have broken away from a tumor and entered the bloodstream.

It's much better than older tests because it checks for many more pieces of the viral DNA, the entire HPV code, which makes it highly sensitive and accurate. In fact, it correctly identified the cancer 99% of the time, even in its very first stages, easily beating current testing methods.

How Can We Detect Cancer Early?

Head and neck cancers caused by HPV are increasing, and right now, there’s no way to find them early. Doctors typically only discover them after a patient feels sick and the cancer is already advanced, often leading to severe treatments. The breakthrough here is that HPV-DeepSeek could be used to screen for cancer before a person ever has symptoms.

In one study, the test successfully spotted cancer in people who wouldn't be diagnosed until years later—up to nearly eight years early. Finding the cancer this soon could completely change how it's treated, allowing doctors to use gentler methods and save patients from harsh side effects. This potential for early detection is truly a game-changer.

Where Does Head and Neck Cancers Start

The vast majority of head and neck cancers are called squamous cell carcinomas. These start in the squamous cells, which are the flat cells that make up the mucosal lining (the wet, protective layer) of these areas:

• Mouth (Oral Cavity), this includes the lips, tongue, gums, the roof and floor of the mouth, and the lining of the cheeks.
• Throat (Pharynx), the throat is a tube with three parts:
• Upper part (Nasopharynx), which is behind the nose.
• Middle part (Oropharynx), which includes the back of the mouth, the tonsils, and the base of the tongue.
• Lower part (Hypopharynx), the lowest part of the throat, just above the voice box.
• Voice Box (Larynx). Which is a structure in the neck that holds the vocal cords. It also has a flap of tissue called the epiglottis, which keeps food out of the windpipe.
• Other less common one's head and neck cancers can also start in salivary glands and nasal cavity and sinuses.

Is HPV responsible For All Head & Neck Cancer Diagnosis?

In a separate, but related, development, the research team also tested a different, very sensitive blood test called MAESTRO for head and neck cancers not caused by HPV. The study published in Clinical Cancer Research, found that MAESTRO's job is to accurately find any tiny specks of cancer that might have been left behind after a patient has surgery.

Finding this remaining cancer is an important tool for doctors because it helps them predict which patients might have the cancer return, letting them decide if extra treatment, like radiation, is necessary. Ultimately, both HPV-DeepSeek and MAESTRO show that these new, advanced blood tests are a powerful way to make diagnoses more accurate and move toward truly personalized care for cancer patients.

At the Times Network Health Summit 2025, panelists were invited to discuss on the pressing issue of breast cancer and to focus on advancing breast cancer care. The session couldn't have been held at a more important time than now, as October is also the month of breast cancer awareness.

For the same experts from various fields were invited, including Anchal Sharma, a cancer survivor and social entrepreneur, founder of Canheal, a support group offering various services and resources to cancer patients; Dr Shyam Aggarwal, Chairperson Oncology at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital; Dr Geeta Kadayaprath, Oncoplastic breast surgeon, and senior consultant and lead of Surgical Oncology at Apollo Athenaa Women's Cancer Centre; and Vishali Iyer, country head, communications, patient advocacy, CSR and business excellence & execution at Novartis. The session was moderated by Kalpana Sharma, Lifestyle and Health Editor, Times Now.

From A Survivor's POV

Sharma shared that she was diagnosed with cancer in 2017, during the time of her brother's wedding. This is why she continued hiding the news for 22 days, until all the functions were over. Learning from her own journey and struggles she founded Canheal, where people attend workshop from all over the places. "We do not just focus on building a community outside hospital, but also to decrease financial burden," she said.

She also shares the importance of such community, as it helps people who come from not so well-to-do backgrounds. Sharma speaks of a 27-year-old woman who had been diagnosed with cancer for the fifth time. Such people benefit from such communities.

Are People Aware Enough?

Dr Aggarwal said that when it comes to awareness, early diagnosis is utmost. "Not going for screenings makes one more vulnerable to breast cancer," he said. Dr Aggarwal also pointed out that while the guidelines recommend women above the age of 40 to be screened once in two years, less than 2% of women are actually getting screened. While, in contrast to this, in the US, the number is 80% and in the UK it is 70%.

"Awareness is there, but the implementation is not. This is why many women come to doctors at a much later stage in their cancer," he said.

Patriarchy Is An Obstacle In Breast Cancer Awareness

Dr Kadayaprath also pointed out that it is not just the stigma or the lack of awareness, but also denial of the disease and patriarchy that play a big role. "Women often do not get a chance to express themselves, they are the sole pillar around which the entire household works. So when there is a lump, if it is painless, she continues to do whatever she does," she points out.

Dr Kadayaprath also says that of all the top 10 priorities a woman has, her health comes at 11th, which also prevents her from talking about it.

She also warns people of the misinformation on social media, which usually makes it to the audience based on their relatability. "You only listen to things you want to accept. So, if someone is saying that biopsy spreads cancer, you will not get it done."

A New Language Of Awareness

Iyer brings an interesting point by stating that cancer journey is not just about telling people what to do, but also in the way you approach their journeys. She agrees with Sharma that no two cancer patients have the same journey, thus she says, "we must be careful of the language we use. We must know when to use medical terminology and when to listen to the patients fear" to ensure that the support is extended in right manner.

"Every time I wear tight jeans or belt, I get these UTI-like infections on the next day. First time when I observe this thing, the symptoms were mild, but third time, the symptoms got worse..." wrote a 26-year-old on a Tele-medicine/consulting app, almost three years ago. Now, a study published in the American Journal of Public Health is highlighting something very similar that even clothing choices could create conditions favorable for UTI.

According to clinical experts, wearing tight jeans or other restrictive clothing can significantly elevate the risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs). These infections are among the most common bacterial illnesses, particularly in women, and are characterized by symptoms such as burning sensation during urination, urinary urgency, and pain in the lower abdomen.

Does Tight Clothing Lead To UTI?

The urinary tract is protected by multiple defense mechanism, which also includes flushing action of urine, antimicrobial properties of mucosal surfaces, and the balance of resident microflora. However, due to prolonged use of tight jeans or any such non-breathable garments, the balance could be disrupted.

Tight clothing reduces airflow in the genital area and traps heat and sweat. The resulting warm, moist environment facilitates bacterial growth, particularly of Escherichia coli (E. coli), which is the leading cause of UTIs. Friction caused by tight garments further irritates the skin and mucosa, allowing bacteria to multiply and migrate towards the urethra and bladder.

Read: Can A UTI Cost You Your Limbs? Explains Doctor

What Does The Study Say?

The recent study also highlights that synthetic, restrictive clothing could in fact, increase bacterial colonization. Non-breathable fabrics like polyester or spandex can trap perspiration and prevent evaporation. It can thus create an ideal habitat for microbes. The risk is even heightened in hot and humid climates, where sweating is more pronounced.

Does It Mean That Suits Can Cause UTIs?

Not necessarily, it is not the spandex itself that causes UTI, it is the unhygienic condition of its usage. The tight clothing or swimwear do not cause UTI, it happens when you do not change or clean your intimate area after wearing such clothing for a long time. The recommendation is to remove such clothing, especially after sweating or strenuous activity.

Read: Urine Color Chart- What Is Normal Vs What's Not?

Who Are At More Risk Of UTI?

While UTI affects both the genders, women are at more risk of it, due to their anatomical and physiological factors. The female urethra is shorter than the male urethra, which makes it easier for bacteria to ascend from the perineal area into the bladder. Statistically, almost half of all women will experience at least one UTI during their lifetime, compared to significantly lower prevalence in men.

There are also additional risk factors in women, which include hormonal fluctuations. During menopause, the decline in estrogen levels alters the vaginal flora, reducing protective lactobacilli and making the urinary tract more susceptible to infections. Furthermore, certain contraceptive methods, including diaphragms and spermicides, can disrupt the normal microbial balance and increase UTI risk.

Men and children may also develop UTIs. In pediatric cases, the prevalence is estimated at 1–2%, and in men, infections are often associated with underlying urological abnormalities or prostatic enlargement. Globally, healthcare systems treat approximately 8–10 million UTI cases annually.

What Are the Common Symptoms Of UTI?

• Dysuria (burning pain during urination)
• Increased urinary frequency and urgency
• Suprapubic or pelvic discomfort
• Cloudy or foul-smelling urine
• Hematuria (blood in urine)
• Urinary incontinence or urge incontinence
• Fatigue or malaise
• Flank pain or lower back pain (suggestive of kidney involvement)
• Systemic symptoms such as fever, chills, nausea, and vomiting in severe cases