Birthdays are exciting for everyone. There's celebration, a cake, and balloons. But what if it goes wrong? This is what happened with Giang Pham, from Vietnam, who was celebrating her 33rd birthday on February 14, when a hydrogen balloon in her hand touched the flame from the candle on the cake and exploded on her face.

This incident was also captured on camera. The footage clearly shows how the balloon blew up as soon as it touched the flame. Her friends were shocked and can be heard gasping in the background as they saw this.

In the days following the incident, she also shared photos on her Instagram showing her bandaged face, and revealed the first-degree burns on her hand and second-degree burns on her face. However, the good news was that her vision was unaffected, though for her face to recover, it would take months.

She is now also warning others about the risks of using highly inflammable hydrogen balloons. The other alternative could be a helium balloon, which you could fly higher and they remain on the ceiling.

Health Update

She revealed that her doctor estimated up to six months for her skin to recover. She would still have to go to the hospital for dressing and treatment. Another such case happened with a woman named Tine from Australia, when on her son's 7th birthday, the balloon exploded and "shook her house". Her son was burned in the forearm.

Such incidents happen because decorators want to save the cost by replacing helium with hydrogen, which is highly inflammable.

In Healing

Giang shared that she experienced second-degree burn on her face and first-degree burn on her hands. As per John Hopkins Medicine, first degree burns affect only the epidermis, or the outer layer of skin. The burn site becomes red, painful, dry, however, there are no blisters. A mild sunburn could be an example of such a burn. This is also called superficial burns.

Whereas, second degree burns involve the epidermis and part of the dermis layer of the skin. The burn site appears red, blistered and could also be swollen and painful. This is also known as partial thickness burn.

Then comes the third degree burns, also known as full thickness burn. This destroys the epidermis and dermis and could also damage the underlying bones, muscles, and tendons. However, when the bones and muscles are burned, it could be referred to as a fourth degree burn. The burn sit appears white or charred and there is no feeling in the area since the nerve endings are destroyed.

How burns are treated?

The right way to treat a burn depends on its depth and how much of the body it covers. While minor, superficial burns can be managed at home, deeper or larger burns may need medical attention. Keep these essential guidelines in mind:

Do:

• Remove the source of the burn immediately – For example, take off clothing soaked in hot liquid to prevent further damage.
• Run cool water over the burn – This helps soothe the skin, except in cases of certain chemical burns.
• Keep the burn clean and protected – Cover it with a clean, non-stick bandage when possible.
• Seek medical help – If the burn is deeper than a superficial layer, larger than your hand, or full-thickness, see a doctor.

Don’t:

• Use home remedies like bleach or butter – These can make the burn worse.
• Apply ointments or creams on deep burns – They can trap heat and worsen the injury.
• Put ice on the burn – It can cause more damage to the skin.
• Pop blisters – This increases the risk of infection.

Knowing these simple steps can make a big difference in burn care and healing.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that the rapidly expanding Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is most likely to be bigger than what official figures suggest. It said that the true number of infections potentially two to four times higher than reported.

The alarming update comes as the outbreak, caused by the rare Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, has become the fastest-growing Ebola outbreak in the history.

Ebola Cases In DRC Near 2,000

As of July 14, 2026, health authorities confirmed recording 1,926 confirmed cases and 702 deaths due to Ebola, but WHO officials believe those numbers significantly underestimate the real picture of transmission as many infections are going undetected and unreported across communities.

Speaking to reporters in Geneva, Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, Acting Regional Director for Emergencies at WHO, said the outbreak is spreading faster than surveillance systems can track it.

"We think, with some of our support and modelling, the scale of the outbreak is at least two to four times the number of cases we are finding," Ihekweazu said.

He also said that the DRC cannot tackle the epidemic by itself, appealing for international support and warning that the response is severely underfunded. WHO says it has received only about 40% of the $115 million required for the emergency response.

Also read: Congo Starts Ebola Treatment Trial As Cases Reach 1,427, Deaths Hit 440

Challenges In Containing DRC Ebola Outbreak

The outbreak was first declared in May and is centered in Ituri province. Infections have now spread to North Kivu, South Kivu, Tshopo. Around 90% of reported cases remain concentrated in Ituri, particularly in the city of Bunia.

Health experts say one of the biggest challenges is that around 80% of new infections cannot be linked to known Ebola patients, indicating widespread hidden community transmission. Many patients are dying at home before reaching treatment centers, making contact tracing increasingly difficult.

Unlike previous Ebola outbreaks driven by the Zaire strain, the current epidemic involves the Bundibugyo virus, for which no licensed vaccine or approved treatment currently exists.

Scientists hope that ongoing clinical trials evaluating the antiviral drug remdesivir and the experimental antibody therapy MBP134 could help improve survival rates. The WHO and the DRC's National Institute of Biomedical Research recently began enrolling patients into the study.

Containment efforts are also being hampered by armed conflict, community mistrust, misinformation and strikes by local healthcare workers over unpaid wages. WHO has responded by expanding lab capacity and training more than 21,000 community health workers to strengthen surveillance and treatment.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has also described the outbreak as spreading "substantially faster than previous Ebola outbreaks," noting that it surpassed 1,000 confirmed cases within just 40 days of response activation.

About Ebola?

Ebola is a severe and often fatal viral hemorrhagic fever first identified in 1976. Since then, more than 30 outbreaks have been recorded, primarily in Central and West Africa. Common symptoms of Ebola include:

• Fever
• Headache
• Weakness and fatigue
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Muscle pain
• Sore throat
• Unexplained bleeding or bruising.

Captain Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger, the retired airline pilot celebrated worldwide for safely landing US Airways Flight 1549 on New York's Hudson River in 2009, recently shared that he has been diagnosed with early-stage Alzheimer's disease.

Chesley Sullenberger’s Alzheimer’s Diagnosis

The 75-year-old aviation hero, whose calmness and composure saved all the 155 passengers and crew during what became known as the "Miracle on the Hudson," shared the news in a public statement released on July 14.

He said that he wanted to share his diagnosis to reduce the stigma surrounding the disease.

"I recently found out I have been diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease. It is early stage," Chesley Sullenberger said.

Describing the early effects of the condition, he added, "For now, this means a name may not come easily to me, I forget a story I have recently told, or I don't sleep as well, but I am in the beginning of this long journey."

According to recent, Sullenberger began noticing subtle memory lapses in 2025 before seeking medical intervention. He later received an Alzheimer's diagnosis and is now under specialist care.

Despite the diagnosis, Sullenberger emphasized that he remains hopeful and intends to continue living a meaningful life with the support of his family.

"I've spent my life trying to be of service to others," he said, adding that sharing his diagnosis is another opportunity to help people navigating the disease.

Also read: Your Country May Influence Your Dementia Risk More Than You Think, Study Suggests

Sullenberger Compared His Famous Landing To Alzheimer’s

Sullenberger also drew a parallel between the courage required during the emergency landing in 2009 and the resilience needed to battle Alzheimer's disease.

"It takes courage to face a challenge like this," he said, expressing confidence that, just as people came together during the Hudson River rescue, families, caregivers and researchers can unite in the fight against Alzheimer's disease.

Chesley Sullenberger’s Landing On The Hudson River

Sullenberger became an aviation hero after US Airways Flight 1549 struck a flock of Canada geese shortly after takeoff from New York's LaGuardia Airport on January 15, 2009.

With both engines disabled, he safely landed the Airbus A320 on the Hudson River, allowing every passenger and crew member to survive. The extraordinary incident inspired the 2016 film Sully, starring Tom Hanks.

Following his retirement from commercial aviation in 2010, Sullenberger remained active as an aviation safety advocate, author and public speaker.

Also read: Indian Scientists Create 3D Brainstem Atlas That Can Help Understand Parkinson’s, Sleep Disorders & Stroke Better

Public Figures Who Recently Revealed Alzheimer’s Diagnosis

Sullenberger’s announcement comes as Alzheimer's disease continues to pose a growing public health challenge. He is one of the public figures who recently shared their Alzheimer’s diagnosis.

Before Sullenberger, veteran BBC Radio 2 presenter Paul Gambaccini also shared that he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 2025. Despite the diagnosis, he said he plans to continue broadcasting while he is able and wants to raise awareness about the disease.

Oscar-nominated actor Danny Glover revealed he has been living with Alzheimer's disease for several years after receiving a diagnosis in 2022.

What Is Alzheimer’s Disease?

The condition is the most common cause of dementia and gradually affects memory, thinking and the ability to carry out everyday activities.

Here are the early symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease:

• Frequent memory loss, especially forgetting recently learned information
• Difficulty finding the right words during conversations
• Confusion about time or familiar places
• Trouble planning or solving routine problems
• Misplacing belongings and being unable to retrace steps
• Changes in mood, personality or behaviour
• Poor judgment and reduced decision-making ability

As the disease progresses, individuals may struggle to recognize loved ones, communicate effectively, and carry out daily activities independently.

While there is currently no cure, newer treatments and supportive care may help slow progression in some patients when the disease is detected early.

In a major policy shift, schools and colleges across India are set to introduce comprehensive sex education after the Centre informed the Supreme Court that a nationwide programme on health, safety, relationships and reproductive awareness will soon be rolled out.

The move comes nearly two years after the apex court directed the government to create a structured national framework to improve awareness about sexuality, reproductive health, consent, personal safety and child sexual abuse prevention.

Appearing before a bench of Justices BV Nagarathna and R. Mahadevan, Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati said the Centre has accepted the recommendations of a 26-member national expert committee. The government plans to implement the curriculum nationwide after the Supreme Court grants its formal approval.

The bench also observed that "sex education is not a Western concept incompatible with Indian societal values," noting that misconceptions have led some states to oppose or ban such programmes despite their public health importance.

What Will Be Taught?

The expert panel has recommended making comprehensive sex education a mandatory part of the school curriculum under NEP 2020. Specially trained teachers would conduct brief 15–20 minute sessions twice a week, with lessons tailored to each age group.

Primary school: Personal hygiene, body awareness, and safe and unsafe touch.

Middle and higher classes: Puberty, hormonal changes, consent, personal boundaries, recognising unsafe situations, seeking help, and reproductive and sexual health.

Experts Call It A Long-Overdue Reform

Health experts lauded the move and reiterated that comprehensive sex education is not about encouraging sexual activity. Instead, it equips children with the knowledge and life skills needed to stay safe, make informed decisions and build healthy relationships.

Speaking to HealthandMe, Dr. Ishwar Gilada, the President Emeritus of the AIDS Society of India (ASI) and a Governing Council member of the International AIDS Society (IAS), called the apex Court's directions a landmark moment after decades of advocating for scientific sex education.

He noted that "early sex education can help prevent child sexual abuse among both girls and boys", and also prevent sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and HIV.

A key myth about sex education is that it will encourage sexual activity. Busting the myth, Dr. Arti Anand, Senior Consultant, Clinical Psychology, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, said that "comprehensive sex education is about providing children with the right information at the right age, not encouraging sexual activity".

The experts noted that in the absence of accurate information, children often rely on friends or the internet, where myths and misinformation are common.

Instead, Dr Arti said that a good sex education can:

• Protect children from abuse
• Reduce bullying
• Prevent unhealthy relationships
• Build confidence
• Encourage respect and responsible decision-making
• Help children grow into emotionally healthy, safe and well-informed adults

Studies have proven that comprehensive sexuality education can:

• Reduce risky behaviors
• Lower unintended pregnancies
• Reduce sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
• Help prevent sexual abuse by enabling children to recognise inappropriate behaviour and seek help
• Promote gender equality and mutual respect.

Dr. Amit Prakash Singh, Consultant – Internal Medicine, CK Birla Hospital, Delhi, described comprehensive sex education as an essential life-skills programme that goes beyond reproductive health.

Dr. Singh told HealthandMe that the curriculum will help children understand:

• Puberty
• Consent
• Healthy relationships
• Personal safety
• Gender respect
• Digital safety.