Football fans around the world were stunned when Real Madrid confirmed that Kylian Mbappé, its French captain and marquee signing, was hospitalized for an acute bout of gastroenteritis during the Club World Cup. Although Real Madrid had originally reported that he was absent for the initial match because of illness, there was a formal medical report that confirmed the extent of his illness and in-hospital treatment and tests he required.

Even though Mbappé is recovering now with specific medical treatment outside the hospital, his sudden health fright focused fresh public attention on a prevalent but poorly understood illness: acute gastroenteritis.

What Gastroenteritis?

Gastroenteritis is the inflammation of the stomach and intestines that causes vomiting, diarrhea, cramps in the abdomen, and occasionally fever or muscle pain. Commonly called the "stomach flu," it is not caused by the flu virus and has nothing to do with respiratory infections. Rather, it is usually caused by infection or chemical irritants to the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. There are two main types:

1. Infectious gastroenteritis – due to viruses, bacteria, parasites, or fungi.
2. Chemical gastroenteritis – due to ingestion of poisonous substances such as some drugs, alcohol, or polluted food/water.

Mbappé's illness is an acute gastroenteritis, which means the symptoms came on suddenly and intensely but would likely pass with good care.

How Gastroenteritis Spreads?

The most prevalent reason for gastroenteritis is the intake of contaminated food or water. It is also spread by contact with infected people or surfaces they have contacted. Some typical situations include:

• Consumption of undercooked meat or seafood
• Inadequate washing of hands after using the toilet
• Drinking unbottled or unfiltered water during travel

Though most individuals recover quickly, individuals with compromised immune systems—such as young children, elderly, or those with chronic diseases—are at a higher risk for developing complications like dehydration and extended illness.

Symptoms Of Gastroenteritis

Acute gastroenteritis usually presents with a combination of the following:

• Sudden onset of watery diarrhea (non-bloody)
• Nausea and vomiting
• Abdominal cramps or bloating
• Low-grade fever
• General fatigue or muscle aches

These symptoms typically occur within 1–3 days of contact with the infection and can last anywhere from 24 hours up to two weeks, depending upon the cause and the immune response of the patient.

In the Mbappé case, the symptoms were bad enough to need hospitalization, which is not usual but required for observation of dehydration, electrolyte disturbances, or ongoing vomiting.

What Causes Gastroenteritis?

The origin of gastroenteritis comes from the inflammatory reaction in the body from a threat within the gastrointestinal system. Pathogens or toxic chemicals entering the system will have the immune reaction summon inflammation to combat invaders and heal damage.

In a majority of instances, it is an acute and transient condition. But if the infection is especially virulent or if the immune system of the body is weakened, inflammation becomes intense, aggravating symptoms and necessitating medical attention. The most common offenders are:

• Viruses (such as norovirus and rotavirus)
• Bacteria (E. coli, Salmonella, or Campylobacter)
• Parasites (Giardia)
• Fungi (uncommon but potential in immunocompromised hosts)

How Serious Is Acute Gastroenteritis?

For otherwise healthy people, acute gastroenteritis is usually self-limiting and resolves with rest and hydration. For elite athletes such as Mbappé, any alteration in the body's fluid and nutrient balance can have a profound impact on performance and recovery. The disease becomes more severe when:

• Dehydration occurs from heavy vomiting and diarrhea
• The symptoms do not improve after a few days
• There is the presence of blood in stool
• There's a loss of ability to retain fluids
• Fever is severe and persistent

In such instances, hospitalization is advisable—as in Mbappé's case—for rehydration, electrolyte balance, and observation.

What You Can Do to Stay Safe?

Although not all gastroenteritis cases can be avoided, the risk may be drastically cut down by sensible and preventive hygiene practices. Here's how:

1. Practice Proper Handwashing

Hand washing with soap and water for 20 seconds or more, particularly before eating and after using the bathroom, is one of the best means of preventing the transmission of GI infections.

2. Safe Food Handling

Do not cross-contaminate when handling food, thoroughly cook meat, and refrigerate perishables immediately. Wash fruits and vegetables before eating.

3. Safe Water to Drink

While traveling, use sealed bottled water, don't drink ice in beverages, and eat only cooked or packaged food to minimize the risk of "traveler's diarrhea."

4. Clean Surfaces

Disinfect surfaces frequently in shared spaces such as gyms, bathrooms, or kitchens to stop the spread of infection.

5. Watch Out for Medication and Drug Use

Excessive alcohol or certain medications use can irritate the lining of the gut and lead to chemical gastroenteritis.

While Kylian Mbappé will soon return to action, his recent hospitalization is a reminder that even the best professional athletes are not beyond the reach of diseases such as gastroenteritis. It also emphasizes the value of early treatment and medical surveillance in more complicated instances.

For the general public, it is imperative that they know about the causes, symptoms, and prevention of gastroenteritis—particularly with increasing travel and food safety as an ongoing global issue. With the right information and good hygiene techniques, most instances of gastroenteritis can be prevented or treated at home. But learning when to seek assistance—such as Mbappé's medical team—is what can turn the tables.

Acute gastroenteritis is widespread, but its effect can be from mild disruption to severe health risk depending on how it is handled. As a world-class sportsman or an average person coping with day-to-day well-being, early recognition of the symptoms, fluid intake, and attention to food and hygiene safety can keep you one step ahead of this miserable but avoidable illness.

Children around the world lose an estimated 8.45 million days of healthy life each year due to second-hand smoke, according to research shared at the European Respiratory Society Congress in Amsterdam. The impact is especially severe for children from low-income communities, who are more likely to encounter smoke at home, in public areas, or in indoor spaces, even though they themselves do not smoke.

Second-Hand Smoke’s Toll on ChildrenRecent studies confirm that second-hand smoke (SHS, which is also known as passive smoking, is a major factor in childhood illness and mortality, contributing to both deaths and long-term disabilities. Research published in Respiratory Research (2025) highlights the global scale of the problem, telling which populations are most affected and the conditions that maintain or increase exposure. The findings suggest that the health burden may be even higher than previously estimated, emphasizing the need for stronger protections.

What the Data ShowsThe Global Burden of Diseases 2021 analysis reports that while age-standardized exposure to SHS has slightly declined since 1990, the absolute number of deaths and lost healthy life years has not fallen, largely due to population growth and aging. Around half of all children worldwide are still exposed to smoke, with the heaviest burden falling on regions with lower socio-economic development. Many low- and middle-income countries have yet to implement comprehensive smoke-free policies in indoor environments.

Passive Smoking Impact on Young Children

Second-hand smoke contributes significantly to respiratory illnesses. In 2019, roughly 6.94% of deaths from lower respiratory infections in children under five were linked to SHS exposure, with infants under one year at particular risk. The loss of healthy life years remains high, and trends show slow improvement in regions such as South Asia.

Beyond respiratory issues, SHS exposure is linked to stunted growth, ear infections, and long-term lung problems. According to WHO data, nearly 150 million children worldwide were stunted in 2022, and second-hand smoke, both during pregnancy and after birth, is a contributing factor. Studies also show that SHS can cause changes in DNA methylation, potentially altering gene expression and increasing susceptibility to future disease.

Challenges in Protecting Children

Homes remain the primary setting for exposure, even as public smoking bans expand. Social and economic factors—such as crowded living conditions, poor ventilation, lower awareness of risks, and weaker regulatory enforcement—further increase children’s vulnerability.

Precaution Steps That You Can Adopt

1. Create and enforce completely smoke-free indoor spaces, including homes and vehicles.
2. Increase awareness among caregivers and the public, emphasizing the dangers of indoor smoking.
3. Simple measures, like smoking outdoors away from doors and windows, can make a difference.
4. Pregnant women should avoid SHS entirely, as exposure in utero can lead to low birth weight and preterm births.
5. Health systems should track SHS exposure in children through routine check-ups and surveys.

Second-hand smoke is far from a minor concern. It remains a threat to child health, causing preventable illness, developmental setbacks, and death. Protecting children requires a combination of effective policies, public awareness, and everyday actions by parents, caregivers, and communities. Even small steps, like choosing smoke-free homes and outdoor smoking can significantly reduce risks.

A Listeria outbreak affecting certain recalled frozen meals sold at Trader Joe’s and Walmart has led to four deaths as well as 19 hospitalizations, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has updated and expanded a food safety alert regarding possible Listeria contamination in several prepared pasta meal products. The extent of the outbreak is now known to have occurred in at least 15 states and has unfortunately resulted in multiple deaths. Here’s what you need to know.

Listeria Outbreak: What’s happened?

Listeria: What Products Are Included In The Outbreak?

Several pasta products have been linked to Listeria contamination, according to the CDC and USDA FSIS.

September 26 update:

• FreshRealm Beef Meatball Marinara Linguine Meals

September 25 update:

• Marketside Linguine with Beef Meatballs & Marinara Sauce
• Trader Joe’s Cajun Style Blackened Chicken Breast Fettuccine Alfredo

June 2025 notices:

• Marketside Grilled Chicken Alfredo with Fettuccine, White Meat Chicken, and Parmesan Cheese
• Marketside Grilled Chicken Alfredo with Fettuccine, White Meat Chicken, Broccoli, and Parmesan Cheese
• Home Chef Heat & Eat Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo with Grilled White Meat Chicken and Parmesan

Listeria Outbreak 2025: Where Were The Products Sold?

The recalled meals were sold at major retailers including Kroger, Walmart, and Trader Joe’s. Even if some of these products are no longer on sale, they may still be in refrigerators or freezers at home, so consumers are urged to check and discard them if necessary.

Where Is The Listeria Outbreak Located?

The CDC has confirmed cases in 15 states:

• California: 2
• Florida: 1
• Illinois: 1
• Indiana: 1
• Louisiana: 2
• Michigan: 2
• Minnesota: 1
• Missouri: 1
• Nevada: 1
• North Carolina: 1
• Ohio: 1
• South Carolina: 1
• Texas: 3
• Utah: 1
• Virginia: 1

Officials note that these are only the reported cases and the actual number of infections is likely higher than currently documented.

What is Listeria And What Are Its Symptoms?

Listeria is a bacterium that can cause serious illness. Each year, about 1,250 people in the US are infected, with around 172 deaths. Anyone can contract Listeria, but it is particularly dangerous for pregnant women, newborns, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems.

Symptoms vary depending on age, health, and whether the infection has spread beyond the intestines.

• Pregnant individuals: Fever and flu-like symptoms may signal an invasive infection.
• Others: Fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, or seizures can occur if the illness spreads.

New covid strain symptoms: A new Covid strain is circulating in the UK, now accounting for a noticeable share of cases in England. Named Stratus, it has two variants, XFG and XFG.3. Experts have pointed out that one of its distinguishing features may be a hoarse voice, which is less common in earlier strains. By September 10, 2025, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) reported a 7.6% increase in coronavirus cases across England compared to the previous week, though it’s not clear how many infections are linked specifically to XFG.

At the same time, the UK is facing a “tripledemic” which is a rise in Covid, flu, and RSV infections at the same time. This has left many people confused about whether their symptoms are caused by Covid or just a seasonal illness. Below, we explain how to spot the differences.

What Is the Tripledemic?

A tripledemic happens when cases of flu, Covid-19, and RSV rise sharply in the community. Dr. Armando Paez, chief of Infectious Disease at Baystate Health, explains that a tripledemic becomes concerning when infections reach a level that could overwhelm healthcare services.

While the idea of three viruses circulating at once may feel alarming, there are steps you can take to protect yourself, your family, and your community. Vaccinations, good hygiene, and staying home if you feel unwell are key precautions.

New Covid Strain: Stratus (XFG and XFG.3)

The World Health Organization classifies XFG as a “variant under monitoring”, with a low public health risk globally. Compared to other variants, XFG has shown higher growth rates, even surpassing the recently reported Nimbus NB.1.8.1 variant.

New Covid Strain Symptoms: Unique Symptoms of Stratus

While classic Covid symptoms in the UK included fever, cough, and loss of taste or smell, Stratus may appear differently. A notable sign of this variant is a hoarse or raspy voice. Other symptoms may include:

• Shortness of breath and chest tightness
• Sore or scratchy throat
• Headaches and body aches
• Digestive issues, nausea, or loss of appetite
• Brain fog or trouble concentrating
• Loss of taste or smell (less common than before)

How to Tell Covid from Flu or RSV

Symptoms of Covid can overlap with flu and RSV, including:

• Fever or high temperature
• Cough
• Fatigue
• Muscle or joint aches

What makes Stratus different is the hoarse voice, which could be an early clue that your illness is Covid rather than a typical cold or flu. Other signs to watch for include nasal congestion, sore throat, digestive issues, and overall tiredness. RSV, while often mild, can occasionally lead to more serious complications like pneumonia or bronchiolitis.

What You Should Do

As flu, Covid, and RSV spread together this season, health experts urge everyone to stay up to date with vaccines. Dr. Jamie Lopez Bernal of the UKHSA advises getting your winter vaccines early to reduce risk before infections increase further.

If you develop symptoms, monitor your health closely and see a doctor if your condition worsens or persists. Taking precautions now can help protect you and those around you during the ongoing tripledemic.