Influenza can look like a run-of-the-mill childhood illness, but in an occasional patient it can cause a life-threatening illness known as acute necrotizing encephalopathy (ANE). This isn't a normal fever or headache—it's a catastrophic neurologic emergency characterized by out-of-control brain swelling and an incessant immune attack.

A new JAMA review illuminates 41 pediatric cases of ANE in the U.S. from late 2023 through spring 2025. In nearly all cases, the patients had previously been healthy before developing acute and severe flu-like symptoms. Of these cases, 27% ended in death, and 63% of survivors had moderate to severe neurologic disability three months after the illness.

What Is Acute Necrotizing Encephalopathy (ANE)?

ANE occurs when the body’s immune system goes into overdrive during an influenza infection. Dr. Thomas LaRocca, co-senior author of the study and pediatric critical care specialist at Stanford, describes it as “similar to the sepsis response” in which the immune system causes damage to the brain instead of fighting infection.

Typically, after a few days of flu symptoms—fever, congestion, vomiting—kids suddenly develop neurologic signs like seizures, altered mental status, or coma. In all 41 cases, children suffered significant brain swelling. 95% had fevers, while 68% experienced seizures.

ANE resembles the worst-case scenario of flu complications—fast, deadly, and difficult to treat once it spreads.

Pandemic-Level Numbers During Two Severe Flu Seasons

While ANE is rare historically, researchers identified 41 confirmed cases across 23 U.S. pediatric hospitals over two flu seasons, an unusually high incidence tied to aggressive influenza activity in 2023–2025.

The majority of children were 5 years old, previously healthy, and almost all infections were associated with influenza A (39 of 41), with only two cases attributed to influenza B. Disturbingly, only six children had been vaccinated against the flu that year—fewer than 16%, versus about 55% national pediatric vaccination coverage.

This stark gap raises a critical warning: even though ANE is rare, it’s heavily preventable through vaccination.

Why Timing and Early Treatment Is Important?

ANE progresses quickly. Nearly half of the fatal cases occurred within eight days of hospitalization; survivors spent an average of 22 days in hospital, with 11 days in ICU.

Treatment must start fast. As Dr. Keith Van Haren, pediatric neurologist at Stanford and co-author, stresses: early intensive care—combining steroids to calm the immune system and plasma exchange (replacement of a child’s plasma with donor plasma)—can significantly improve chances.

Despite ANE’s reputation as nearly always fatal, about 70% of survivors regained some mobility: 19 could sit, 16 could stand, and 13 could walk independently within three months—even after severe brain swelling.

Dr. LaRocca and Van Haren also point out that intensive neurocritical care, careful immunotherapy, and early support increase recovery odds even when the diagnosis appears grim.

ANE represents just one extreme of flu’s neurological impact. During the 2024–25 season, 13% of pediatric flu deaths involved encephalopathy or encephalitis (IAE), with ANE being the most severe subtype. Historically, the average rate has been around 9% of child flu deaths—ranging from 0% in the mild 2020–21 season to 14% in 2011–12.

These statistics remind us that while ANE is rare, brain complications from flu are not negligible—and they disproportionately affect young children under 5.

Why Vaccination Is The Best Prevention For Kids?

Both experts and study authors emphatically agree: prevention is better than cure.

“Vaccinate,” Van Haren said plainly. Not only does the flu shot reduce typical risks like respiratory failure—but it also prevents extreme complications like ANE. For children who survive one episode of ANE, vaccination becomes even more critical to avoid recurrence.

Given that only a small fraction of affected children had been vaccinated, these deaths and disabilities were arguably avoidable.

What Parents Should Watch For?

Here’s what families and healthcare providers should know:

• Monitor flu symptoms closely—especially in kids who develop neurological signs like confusion or seizures.
• Act early, don’t wait for symptoms to escalate. Ensure transfer to hospitals equipped for neurocritical care and plasma exchange.
• Remember that ANE progresses fast—every hour counts.
• If your child survives, rehabilitation is possible. Many children regain functional abilities despite initial severe outcomes.
• Don't let hope fade early; survival is real when aggressive care is delivered promptly.

The unusual spike in ANE during the 2023–2025 flu seasons serves as a wake-up call to both the medical community and families: even previously healthy children are vulnerable. While ANE remains a rare complication, early recognition and intervention can dramatically alter its course.

More broadly, this work underscores the hidden dangers of influenza—and why simple preventive steps matter so much.

Flu-Linked brain swelling in children is rare but when it does strike, it can be fatal or leave lifelong disability. Vaccination, vigilant symptom awareness, and rapid access to advanced care are key to prevention and survival. In cases where the immune system spirals out of control, timely and aggressive treatments like steroids and plasma exchange can make the difference between recovery and tragedy.

Getting good-quality sleep does more than just help you wake up refreshed—it could also extend your lifespan. A 2023 study found that people who consistently fell asleep easily, stayed asleep through the night, and woke up feeling rested had a significantly lower risk of early death, and were 30% less likely to die from any cause, 21% less likely to have heart disease, 19% lower risk of cancer, and 40% lower risk from other causes.

Given these benefits, it’s no wonder many turn to supplements to improve their sleep. Two of the most popular options are melatonin and magnesium. But which one truly helps you drift into deep, peaceful sleep?

Role of Melatonin In Sleep

Melatonin is a hormone naturally produced by the body that helps signal it’s time to sleep,” says Kenneth Lee, M.D., medical director of the Sleep Disorders Center at UChicago Medicine. According to the Mayo Clinic, melatonin levels rise in the evening when it gets dark and drop in the morning with daylight. “It regulates your circadian rhythm, telling your body when to rest,” adds dietitian Stephanie Crabtree, M.S., R.D.

Melatonin production stays steady through young adulthood but begins to decline after age 40, according to the Cleveland Clinic. That’s one reason melatonin supplements are often studied for older adults. Dr. Lee notes that it can be especially helpful for issues like jet lag, shift work, or misaligned sleep schedules. “If you’re someone who can’t fall asleep until 1 a.m. but need to wake up early, melatonin taken at the right time can help shift your body clock,” he explains.

A 2022 review in Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews found that melatonin helped people with sleep and neurodevelopmental disorders fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer. However, research is mixed for those using it as a general sleep aid. A Sleep Medicine Reviews analysis of 24 studies concluded that melatonin may help some people but is not consistently effective for all.

Side Effects of Melatonin

According to the Mayo Clinic, oral melatonin can sometimes cause headaches, dizziness, or nausea. Less common effects may include mild tremors, anxiety, or confusion. It can also interact with medications such as blood thinners, diabetes drugs, and contraceptives, so it’s important to consult your doctor before use.

How Magnesium Supports Better Sleep

Magnesium is a vital mineral involved in hundreds of body processes, including those linked to rest. “It helps calm the nervous system, relax muscles, and regulate neurotransmitters, which together promote sleep,” says Crabtree. It also supports the body’s natural production of melatonin.

Unlike melatonin, magnesium doesn’t directly trigger sleep but may improve relaxation and reduce nighttime restlessness. “It helps regulate GABA, a neurotransmitter that quiets the brain,” says Dr. Lee. A 2024 study in Sleep Medicine: X found that magnesium L-threonate supplementation improved sleep quality, though the results were based on self-reported data. “In my experience, some patients find magnesium helpful, while others notice little change,” Dr. Lee adds.

Side Effects of Magnesium

According to Dr. Lee, magnesium may cause nausea, diarrhea, or stomach cramps, especially at high doses. The NIH also notes that it can interfere with certain medications, including antibiotics, diuretics, and drugs for osteoporosis or acid reflux.

Melatonin vs. magnesium: Which Is Better?

Research remains inconclusive on which supplement works best. “Melatonin may help if your main issue is falling asleep, or if you’re adjusting to jet lag or shift changes,” says Crabtree. “But magnesium can be more effective for restless nights or tension that keeps you from relaxing. It also supports deep, restorative sleep and can be used safely for longer periods.”

Natural Ways To Sleep Better

• Practicing good sleep hygiene: Use your bed only for sleep and intimacy, avoid screens or heavy meals before bed, and create a calming pre-sleep routine.
• Trying cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I): This structured approach helps retrain your mind and body for better sleep.
• Getting screened for sleep disorders: Persistent sleep problems may signal conditions like sleep apnea or restless legs syndrome, which require medical care.

Dietary supplements are meant to complement your diet, not replace medical treatment. They are not designed to diagnose, treat, or cure illnesses. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any supplement, especially if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or considering giving it to a child.

The Stratus strain, also known as the ‘Frankenstein’ variant, belongs to the SARS-CoV-2 XFG and XFG.3 lineages and has been spreading swiftly across the United Kingdom, with evidence suggesting it is also circulating globally. According to recent data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), these variants now account for nearly 30 percent of all COVID-19 cases in England, with XFG.3 emerging as the most dominant strain.

In recent weeks, medical experts have voiced concerns that the Stratus variant might have the ability to partially evade immunity built through vaccination, potentially increasing infection risks across all age groups.

What Sets the Stratus or ‘Frankenstein’ Variant Apart?

One of the unusual symptoms linked to this strain is a hoarse or raspy voice, which doctors say was rarely reported with previous variants. “Unlike earlier strains, Stratus carries specific mutations in its spike protein that may allow it to slip past antibodies formed through prior infection or vaccination,” explained Dr. Kaywaan Khan, a Harley Street general practitioner and founder of the Hannah London Clinic.

Is the Stratus Variant More Transmissible?

The XFG or Stratus strain is a member of the Omicron family and is a hybrid of two subvariants, LF.7 and LP.8.1.2. This combination of genetic material helps the virus attach more tightly to human cells, making it potentially more contagious. Like other variants, it also contains several mutations that may enhance its ability to evade antibodies produced either through infection or vaccination.

Could The ‘Frankenstein’ Variant Be The Most Vaccine-Resistant?

Early reports from health authorities suggest that existing COVID-19 vaccines still provide a degree of protection against the Stratus variant. Vaccines designed for earlier strains continue to reduce the risk of severe illness and hospitalization across multiple variants, and experts remain cautiously hopeful that they will do the same against Stratus. However, studies are ongoing to determine how much protection current vaccines actually provide against this specific strain.

As the situation develops, public health recommendations may change. Officials are urging people to follow reliable updates and continue to follow safety advice. Vaccination appointments remain widely available in the UK, and eligible individuals are encouraged to receive their doses or boosters as recommended.

What Are the Symptoms of Stratus?

The most common symptom so far appears to be a sore throat, though overall, the symptoms are similar to those caused by other COVID-19 variants. People infected with Stratus may experience:

• Fever
• Fatigue
• Cough
• Sneezing
• Runny or congested nose
• Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea

So far, XFG has not been linked to more severe illness compared to previous variants, and hospitalization rates have not shown a sharp increase, which is reassuring.

Why The Stratus Variant Still Deserves Attention

Although it does not appear to cause more severe disease, the Stratus variant is a reminder that COVID-19 continues to evolve. Vaccines remain the strongest line of defense, and researchers are continuing to study how well they perform against this strain. Staying informed through credible sources and following updated health guidance can help limit the spread and keep communities safer.

Infertility impacts millions across the globe, touching both men and women alike. According to the World Health Organization, around 17.5% of the global population, roughly one in six people, experience fertility challenges. This condition can significantly reduce or even prevent natural conception.

Yet, despite its prevalence, infertility remains clouded by myths and misconceptions, many of which unfairly place the blame solely on women. Seeking to debunk these long-held beliefs, Dr. Holly Miller, an American Board-certified obstetrician and gynecologist, took to Instagram to share three important truths every woman should know about fertility.

3 Truths About Fertility Women Should Know

With the help of modern medicine and medical interventions like IVF, fertility treatment can help people boost their chances of reproducing.

Infertility Isn't Just a Woman's Issue

It’s important to understand that infertility affects both partners — it’s not solely a woman’s issue. Blaming only the woman is both unfair and inaccurate. In fact, experts find that the causes of infertility are almost evenly split between men and women.

Roughly one-third of infertility cases are linked to the woman, another third to the man, and the remaining third result from issues affecting both partners — or from causes that doctors are unable to clearly identify.

To identify the cause of infertility, both partners should undergo testing simultaneously. For men, a semen analysis — a quick and straightforward test — is often the easiest and most informative first step.

The "Wait One Year" Rule Changes with Age

Most couples automatically try to conceive for a full 12 months before they think about seeing a fertility doctor. However, the doctor emphasizes that the woman's age is the single most important factor that affects the chances of successful treatment.

If you are under 35 years old: You can safely try for a full 12 months of regular, unprotected sex before seeking a specialist.

If you are 35 or older: You should contact a specialist after only 6 months of trying without success.

If you are 40 or older: You need to see a specialist right away—as quickly as you possibly can.

The doctor explains that after age 35, the woman's egg supply starts to decline more quickly. Time is essential, so couples should strongly ask their doctors for an early referral.

"Unexplained Infertility" Often Means "Undiagnosed Problem"

When a couple is diagnosed with "unexplained infertility," which happens in about 10% to 20% of cases, it means the basic first tests did not find a clear reason. This can be upsetting, but it does not mean you can never have children. In the doctor's experience, the term "unexplained" often means there are hidden problems, such as:

• Small issues with the male partner's sperm that were missed by the basic tests.
• A hidden condition called Endometriosis, which can only be confirmed by a surgical procedure.
• Not having sexual intercourse at the best time or not often enough.