Tuberculosis (TB) remains a serious global health crisis, impacting millions of individuals every year. While a lot of focus is placed on the physical symptoms of the condition, its psychological impact is often overlooked. Not only do patients experience the direct consequences of the condition but they also suffer greatly from psychological issues such as stress, anxiety, and depression. Research has shown that TB patients often have higher levels of psychological distress caused by social stigma, long treatment durations, economic burdens, and separation.

Dr. Shweta Bansal, Sr. Consultant & Unit Head - Respiratory Disease & Sleep Medicine, points out that psychological distress can change patterns of gene expression, resulting in immune responses that exacerbate TB symptoms and interfere with treatment outcomes. Stress and anxiety affect TB susceptibility and progression, and therefore mental health interventions are a critical part of TB care. Without incorporating mental health support into TB treatment, patient adherence decreases, and the risk of complications, such as drug resistance, increases.

Neglected Symptoms of Drug-Resistant TB

A growing worry is the increased prevalence of drug-resistant TB (DR-TB) in young adults. Most in this age bracket view work and lifestyle needs above their health, and as such, early TB symptoms are ignored. "Young adults work long hours, ignoring symptoms of sickness in the name of hustle culture," opines Dr. Bansal. Symptoms of common DR-TB, including chronic cough, low-grade fever, tiredness, and loss of weight, are usually attributed to stress or fatigue. The fact that the symptoms are delayed allows the infection to advance, making treatment more difficult and elevating the risk of transmission.

Early diagnosis is important to avert DR-TB from gaining more ground among younger generations. Yet, the stigma of TB tends to prevent young adults from visiting doctors, further worsening the situation. Dr. Bansal opines, "Adolescents need to recognize unusual health changes and see doctors early. Health precedes continuous work in avoiding severe complications of TB."

Environmental and Lifestyle Factors Increasing DR-TB Risk

Although tobacco smoking—cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and vaping—is a recognized risk factor for TB, there are other environmental and lifestyle factors that increase susceptibility substantially. According to Dr. Bansal, air pollution, excessive stress, and poor nutrition weaken immunity and make young adults susceptible to TB infection.

Also, the abuse of antibiotics contributes to DR-TB emergence. "Taking antibiotics repeatedly for everyday respiratory infection may lead to antibiotic resistance, and TB becomes harder to treat," she clarifies. Poor living conditions with high-density populations, like group apartments or hostels, also increase the risk of exposure to TB germs. These combined circumstances contribute to an environment where TB germs have a chance to survive, making prevention and early detection more pressing.

Danger of Misdiagnosed TB and the Role of Awareness

One major obstacle to the control of TB is misdiagnosis. TB cases often go undiagnosed as the symptoms are similar to usual respiratory infections, allergies, or flu during seasonal times. Chronic cough, low fever, and persistent fatigue are often brushed off as minor illness. Physical signs, like lumps in the neck or under the arm—TB's possible early warning signs—are often overlooked or attributed to other infections, warns Dr. Bansal.

Misdiagnosis leads to delayed treatment, with TB developing into drug-resistant strains. "Young adults do not usually consider TB as a risk, so they may not seek early testing. This delay allows for drug-resistant TB to progress, making it difficult to treat," reports Dr. Bansal. Awareness, early screening, and education regarding symptoms of night sweats and unexplained weight loss are all key to tackling this increasing epidemic.

Mental Health Cost of Drug-Resistant TB

In addition to the physical hardship, drug-resistant TB has a serious psychological cost. The long and frequently painful treatment process—months of aggressive antibiotic therapy—can be extremely emotionally taxing. Depression and anxiety are common among TB patients, compounded by social isolation and economic hardship.

Depression, a global mental health condition, is suffered by about 4.4% of the world's population. The South-East Asia region carries a heavy burden, and India alone has about 18% of the world's depression cases. Dr. Bansal points out that "depression can arise from interruptions in daily life, social isolation, disease stigma, and TB symptoms. In extreme cases, depression can lead to suicidal thoughts and a poor quality of life."

Coping strategies are essential in addressing the psychological burden of DR-TB. Support systems, psychotherapy, and lifestyle changes can assist patients in coping with the emotional burden of their condition. Dr. Bansal promotes the incorporation of mental health interventions into TB treatment, citing that "it is imperative that mental health treatments be integrated into TB care in conjunction with initiatives to lessen stigma and enhance social support."

The quiet outbreak of drug-resistant TB among young adults necessitates immediate intervention. Increased awareness, early diagnosis, and treatment strategy in full range—including mental care—are crucial for stemming this mounting health threat. While hustle culture keeps on motivating young people to ignore their wellbeing, solving the problem of TB in this population calls for an all-round plan that puts prime importance on education, preventive management, and sturdy healthcare system.

Finally, fighting DR-TB requires changing public attitudes. TB is not just an old disease—a disease of the past—it is still an ongoing and urgent international challenge. Only by taking early measures, raising awareness at the lifestyle level, and adopting comprehensive healthcare measures can we ensure that DR-TB does not become an even more dangerous public health challenge.

Dr. Shweta Bansal is a Sr. Consultant & Unit Head of Respiratory Disease & Sleep Medicine (Unit II) at Artemis Hospitals in India.

This year, Nick Jonas has completed 20 years with type 1 diabetes. This is also the same year when his band, the Jonas Brothers have also hit the mark of 20th anniversary. Speaking to Healthline, Jonas said, "It is crazy hpw it lined up. It has been a wild journey in both... in the Brothers sense, it's been the ride of a lifetime, and we have been so fortunate to be able to do this for 20 years now and to have the support of the world's greatest fans."

He also revealed that he had great and some tough times too living with diabetes. There had been struggles of managing his low, however, he revealed that being the spokesperson of Dexcom, a healthcare company known for its glucose monitoring system, and through his own non-profit initiative Beyond Type 1, he has been joyful. “Overall, I’m really grateful to have been able to be transparent about [type 1] and to connect with all these wonderful people from all regions of the world who are experiencing their own diabetes journey, and it’s a really big thing to feel like you’re a little less alone in it,” said Jonas.

On World Diabetes Day, which was on November 14, Jonas took to the stage during a Jonas Brothers concert and shared the audience his A1C. This is a test that measures one's average blood sugar over the past 2 to 3 months. This number shows how well diabetes has been managed. He shared an inspiring message of hope, while giving a shoutout to his A1C. The concert was attended by Dexcom Warrior community, which makes more than 30,000 people who have been diagnosed with diabetes and may share the same experiences. “It was really special for me to get to use the Jonas Brothers’ platform as a place to speak about something that’s obviously very personal to me and on World Diabetes Day, I think it’s natural to get reflective and to tap into kind of what life looks like for me as a now 33-year-old person living with this disease,” he said.

He also dedicated the song 'A Little Bit Longer', that he had written very early on in his career during his diabetes journey. “It’s a really important time for me to get to speak on stage like that and play a song that I wrote about these experiences when I was 14 and to see the impact it still has to this day with the fan base,” he said.

Living With Type 1 Diabetes

Here are some strategies Jonas uses that helped him manage his diabetes. First off the list is to take the pressure off. “You’re never going to have the perfect day living with this disease and even if you’re super on top of your diabetes management, there are just things that are a little out of your control and being able to take a deep breath, reset, and know that it’s going to be OK on the other side is really important,” he said.

It may seem hard, but he said learning it in the beginning of his diagnosis helped him manage his diabetes. Then comes the care. He has focused on taking vitamins, caring for his skin, and most importantly, staying hydrated. “It’s a simple thing, but the more water I drink, my glucose levels are better. I don’t know exactly why, but I just find that hydrating has a lot of health benefits,” said Jonas. “I didn’t put as much focus on it earlier in my life as I do now, and it’s been really beneficial.”

Physical activity is a must. He walks for 30 minutes daily, or sometimes longer for his physical, mental, and emotional health. “It really centers me and even when it’s cold out, getting out in the fresh air is really important when a lot of my day too, is spent indoors for hours at venue or on a film set or something,” he said.

His focus on self, he says is the most important as he says he relies on his therapist from time to time. "I think it is really important to do that self-work". Lastly, he says everyone who has been diagnosed with diabetes, must take part in the community. “There will be good days, there will be tough days, but you can climb this mountain, and there’s some incredible people out there whose stories will really inspire anybody that’s going through tough moments,” said Jonas.

People prescribed venlafaxine are being urged to stay alert to certain symptoms and side effects that may require medical advice from NHS 111 or their GP. Venlafaxine is a widely used SNRI antidepressant. It is mainly prescribed for depression, but doctors may also recommend it for anxiety disorders and panic attacks.

What Is Venlafaxine?

Venlafaxine, sold under brand names such as Effexor and Effexor XR, is a prescription antidepressant classified as a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor. It helps regulate mood by raising levels of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain, chemicals that play a key role in emotional balance and mental stability.

Doctors Warn People Taking Venlafaxine

The medicine is usually taken as a tablet or capsule. It works by increasing levels of serotonin and noradrenaline in the brain, chemicals that help regulate mood. According to NHS guidance, venlafaxine tends to cause fewer side effects than older antidepressants. That said, it is not completely free of risks.

Most people begin to notice some improvement within one to two weeks, although it can take four to six weeks for the drug to have its full effect.

Venlafaxine Side Effects

Common side effects listed by the NHS include sweating, nausea, a dry mouth, and headaches. These are generally mild and often ease as the body adjusts to the medication.

However, there are other, more serious side effects that may need prompt medical advice. While these reactions are uncommon and affect fewer than one in 100 people, the NHS advises contacting 111 or a GP if they occur.

Venlafaxine Serious Side Effects

NHS advice says you should speak to your GP if you notice unexpected weight gain or weight loss, or sudden changes to your menstrual cycle. This may include spotting, bleeding between periods, or unusually heavy periods.

Patients are also advised to contact their doctor or NHS 111 without delay if they experience any of the following symptoms while taking venlafaxine:

• Yellowing of the skin or the whites of the eyes
• Bleeding gums
• Bruising that appears without explanation or continues to spread
• Thoughts of self-harm or suicide
• Muscle pain or weakness with no clear cause
• Breathlessness, or a heartbeat that feels fast, uneven, or irregular
• Intense feelings of elation, extreme excitement, or restlessness that makes it hard to stay still
• Changes in vision, including blurred eyesight or enlarged pupils
• Coughing up blood
• Blood in urine
• Persistent headaches along with confusion, weakness, or repeated muscle cramps
• Black or red stools, or blood in vomit, which may point to internal bleeding

As adenovirus cases continue to rise globally, health professionals have noticed that this potentially serious infection is sometimes being mistaken for another illness, what many are calling the ‘super flu’.

For those unfamiliar, adenovirus is a DNA virus that gradually affects a person’s upper and lower respiratory tract, as well as other organs. This can include the eyes, digestive system, and kidneys.

Adenovirus Or Super Flu?

According to Dr. Deborah Lee at Dr Fox Online Pharmacy, who spoke to Cosmopolitan: "It spreads when someone breathes in infected droplets, touches the virus and then rubs their eyes, or through the faecal-oral route (not washing hands properly after using the toilet)."

"It moves quickly in crowded spaces where people are close together." She added, "The virus is resistant to soap and many commonly used cleaning products."

Adenovirus: What Are The Symptoms?

The reassuring news about adenovirus is that most people recover within a week or two. Its symptoms are often similar to those of a common cold.

Typical signs include fever, runny nose, sore throat, cough, shortness of breath, and swollen lymph nodes in the neck. In more severe cases, patients may also experience conjunctivitis, ear pain, diarrhea, vomiting, stomach aches, or urinary tract infections.

Certain groups are at higher risk of serious illness. Dr. Lee notes, "Babies and children under five, older adults, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems are the most vulnerable."

Although adenovirus symptoms often resemble those of a typical flu, it’s important to know when someone is dealing with the flu—or worse, the current ‘super flu’ that’s circulating widely.

How Does Adenovirus Differ From The 'Normal' Flu?

One way to tell the difference is by how long someone is sick. Adenovirus tends to develop gradually, whereas the ‘normal’ flu often hits suddenly, with high fever and intense symptoms within hours, Lee explains. Common flu symptoms also include a high temperature (38–40°C), severe headache, and extreme fatigue.

Other key differences: adenovirus can occur throughout the year, while flu is mostly seasonal. Adenovirus can also cause pink eye and gastrointestinal problems like vomiting or diarrhea, but it’s less likely to lead to serious complications compared to flu.

What About The 'Super Flu'?

Doctors say it’s not only the regular flu that needs to be distinguished from adenovirus, but also the current ‘super flu,’ which is causing particularly dramatic symptoms.

This infection is caused by the H3N2 virus and tends to be more severe than typical winter illnesses, especially in the UK.

"Past data shows H3N2 has been linked to more hospitalizations and deaths from flu, especially among adults over 65 and young children, compared with other flu types," Lee explained. When comparing the ‘super flu’ to adenovirus, she notes that the symptoms are very similar.

However, she stresses that the ‘super flu’ is considered much more intense. Not only can your sore throat feel agonizing, but aches and pains may be strong enough to confine you to bed.

Adenovirus vs Super Flu: Symptoms Explained

While adenovirus and the so-called ‘super flu’ can feel very similar, there are subtle differences to watch for. Adenovirus usually develops gradually, with fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, and sometimes pink eye or digestive upset. Most healthy individuals recover within a week or two. In contrast, the ‘super flu,’ caused by the H3N2 virus, hits hard and fast—high fever, intense body aches, severe fatigue, and an agonizing sore throat are common.

Both illnesses can affect vulnerable groups such as young children, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals, but the super flu tends to bring more extreme symptoms that may require hospitalization. Understanding these distinctions can help people recognize the illness early and seek appropriate care.