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.

A common antidepressant may help millions of people living with long COVID, according to a major international clinical trial that found the medication significantly reduced persistent fatigue, one of the condition's most debilitating symptoms.

The findings, published in the Annals of Internal Medicine suggest that fluvoxamine, an selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), could become one of the first evidence-backed treatments specifically targeting long COVID-related fatigue.

Fatigue Due To Long COVID

Even after completely recovering from COVID-19 infection, millions continue to experience long COVID, a condition that causes symptoms that last for months or even years.

Fatigue is among the most common complaints, often accompanied by brain fog, poor concentration, sleep disturbances and reduced quality of life.

Despite the growing burden, there are currently no widely accepted drug treatments for long COVID fatigue, making the new findings particularly significant.

Also read: COVID-19 In India: Omicron RF.5 Primarily Affects Throat, Unlikely To Trigger Pneumonia In Healthy People, Say Experts

What Did The Study Find?

Researchers conducted a randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial with 399 adults in Brazil who had experienced long COVID symptoms for at least 90 days after their initial infection. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either:

• Fluvoxamine
• Metformin
• Placebo

After treatment and follow-up, patients taking fluvoxamine reported significantly lower fatigue scores compared with those receiving placebo. Improvements were observed within the first month and became more pronounced after 60 days. Participants also reported having a better quality of life.

On the other hand, Metformin did not show a meaningful benefit for long COVID fatigue in this trial. Serious adverse events were rare, and fluvoxamine was generally well tolerated.

Also read: India Logs 339 COVID-19 Cases In First Half Of July: What To Know About The RF.5 Omicron Subvariant

About Fluvoxamine

Fluvoxamine is commonly used to treat depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Scientists believe its benefits in long COVID may extend beyond its antidepressant effects.

The drug is thought to reduce inflammation and influence immune signaling through activation of the sigma-1 receptor, a protein involved in regulating inflammatory responses and cellular stress. These mechanisms have also made fluvoxamine a subject of previous COVID-19 treatment research.

Researchers caution, however, that the exact biological mechanism behind its effect on long COVID fatigue remains under investigation.

Lead investigator Dr. Gilmar Reis of Pontifical Catholic University of Minas Gerais said the findings represent an important step toward treating one of long COVID's most persistent symptoms. "This trial gives clinicians their first strong evidence for a medication that helps reduce long COVID fatigue."

Senior author Dr. Edward Mills, professor at McMaster University, said, "This is an important step forward for patients who have been desperate for evidence-based options."

While researchers describe the results as encouraging, they stress that fluvoxamine should not be started without medical supervision.

Long COVID Affects Millions

Because fluvoxamine is already widely available, inexpensive and familiar to physicians, experts say positive findings from this trial could help future research and influence treatment strategies if it fairs well in larger studies.

Researchers describe the study as one of the strongest pieces of evidence that a medication can effectively reduce long COVID fatigue, offering hope for patients who have been struggling.

In just over six months of 2026, the US has reported 2,260 confirmed measles cases, according to the latest update from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Of the total cases, 2,245 were reported across 44 jurisdictions, while 15 cases were identified among international visitors to the US.

34 Measles Outbreaks Reported by Mid-July

The CDC has recorded 34 measles outbreaks so far this year. Overall, 93% of confirmed cases (2,108 of 2,260) are linked to outbreaks, including 741 cases from outbreaks that began in 2026 and 1,367 cases from outbreaks that started in 2025.

By comparison, the US reported 2,289 confirmed measles cases during all of 2025. Of these, 2,263 cases were reported across 45 jurisdictions, while 26 cases occurred among international visitors.

In 2025, the CDC recorded 48 outbreaks, with 90% of cases (2,066 of 2,289) linked to outbreaks. In 2024, the country reported 16 outbreaks, with 69% of cases (198 of 285) associated with outbreaks.

Also read:13.5 Million Children Remain Zero-Dose In 2025 Despite Global Vaccination Gains: UN Report

Children and Teenagers Most Affected

Of the 2,260 confirmed cases reported in 2026:

• 20% are among children aged 5 years and younger.
• 70% are among children and young adults up to 19 years of age.
• 6% of patients have been hospitalized, down from 10% in 2025.
• 93% of patients were either unvaccinated or had an unknown vaccination status.

US Risks Losing Measles Elimination Status

The US, which achieved measles elimination status in 2000, could lose that designation later this year if sustained transmission continues.

From January 1 to April 16, the CDC reported 1,748 confirmed measles cases across 33 jurisdictions.

Utah Reports Highest Active Outbreak

Utah continues to report the country's largest active outbreak. The state added three new cases, bringing its 2026 total to 510, although the CDC's measles tracker lists 518 cases.

Pennsylvania confirmed eight new cases, bringing its state total to 109, while the CDC map lists 110 cases. Virginia reported no new cases this week after adding 22 cases last week, with a cumulative total of 177 cases. Idaho reported one new case, raising its 2026 total to 24.

Read More: England Confirms Third Measles Death: NHS Launches Catch-Up MMRV Vaccination Drive

What Is Measles?

Measles is an extremely contagious viral disease caused by the measles virus, a member of the Morbillivirus genus.

The World Health Organization (WHO) states that measles primarily affects children. The virus first infects the respiratory tract before spreading throughout the body.

Measles Symptoms:

Symptoms typically appear 10 to 14 days after exposure and usually last 4 to 7 days. Common symptoms include:

• High fever
• Cough
• Runny nose
• Rash covering the body

Why Vaccination Matters

The WHO has maintained that vaccination is the most effective way to prevent measles and notes that disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic led to setbacks in measles surveillance and immunization programs worldwide.

Vaccination rates have also been affected by growing vaccine hesitancy, with anti-vaccination groups discouraging MMR vaccination.

According to the WHO, measles vaccination alone has accounted for more than 60% of all childhood lives saved by vaccines worldwide over the past 50 years.

One dose of the MMR vaccine provides about 95% protection against measles. A second dose, usually given between 4 and 6 years of age, increases protection to about 99%.

The second dose also provides 99% protection against rubella and 88% protection against mumps, making the two-dose schedule the global standard.

In a major boost to India's fight against cervical cancer, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has developed SHetA2, an indigenous drug candidate designed to treat HPV-induced cervical dysplasia and cervical cancer.

The novel anti-HPV therapeutic is being developed to treat Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia (CIN)— a precancerous condition caused by persistent human papillomavirus (HPV) infection— to prevent progression to invasive cervical cancer.

SHetA2: Developed Through India-US Collaboration

SHetA2 was developed through a collaboration between Dr. Showket Hussain of the ICMR-National Institute of Cancer Prevention and Research (ICMR-NICPR) and Dr. Doris M. Benbrook of the Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma, USA.

It is a first-in-class targeted therapeutic candidate that selectively eliminates HPV-induced precancerous and cervical cancer cells while sparing healthy tissue. The technology has the potential to provide a safe, affordable and minimally invasive treatment option.

Under the Medical Innovations Patent Mitra (MITRA) initiative, ICMR has licensed SHetA2 to Emcure Pharmaceuticals Ltd.

Also read: Cervical Cancer Cases In India Drop 37% Over A Decade, Highlighting Impact Of Screening & HPV Vaccination

How SHetA2 Works

SHetA2 is being evaluated for the treatment of HPV-induced cervical dysplasia and established cervical cancer. According to the ICMR, treating cervical dysplasia at the precancerous stage could significantly reduce the risk of progression to invasive cancer by enabling earlier intervention.

According to ICMR, SHetA2:

• Selectively targets HPV-driven oncogenesis while sparing normal cells.
• Has demonstrated strong safety, tolerability and improved bioavailability in preclinical and Phase I studies.
• Can be administered orally or as a vaginal suppository, making it a cost-effective, non-invasive, take-home therapy suitable for global use, including low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
• Suppresses abnormal cell growth without the tissue destruction associated with current ablative treatments.
• Has shown no toxicity in preclinical studies while aiming to prevent progression from precancerous lesions to cervical cancer.
• Inhibits HPV-induced tumour growth by suppressing high-risk HPV E6/E7 oncoproteins through disruption of HSP70 interactions.
• Has shown promising results in in vitro, preclinical and ongoing Human Phase I trials in the United States, supporting its potential role in global cervical cancer elimination.

What Is Cervical Dysplasia?

Read More: Affordable India-Made HPV Test Offers Hope For Early Cervical Cancer Detection

According to the Cleveland Clinic, cervical dysplasia is a precancerous condition caused by HPV infection in which abnormal cells develop on the surface of the cervix. It is also known as Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia (CIN).

Without treatment, cervical dysplasia can progress to cervical cancer. However, early detection and treatment can prevent abnormal cells from becoming cancerous.

• CIN 1 usually resolves on its own and rarely progresses to cancer.
• CIN 2 and CIN 3 are more likely to require treatment to prevent cervical cancer.

Declining Cervical Cancer Burden in India

The latest estimates show that annual cervical cancer cases in India have declined from approximately 1.27 lakh to around 79,000, marking a significant public health milestone in reducing the burden of one of the country's most common cancers among women.

Dr. Sandeep Nayak, Chairman of Oncology, MACS-Renova Oncology Institute, KIMS Hospital, said the development of SHetA2 is a major step toward indigenous innovation and self-reliance in India's fight against cervical cancer.

He noted that "for decades, pre-invasive conditions such as CIN or Stage 0 cervical carcinoma have been managed through surgical procedures including LEEP, laser ablation and cold knife conization. While effective, these treatments can affect cervical competence and future pregnancy outcomes in some women".

According to Dr. Nayak, SHetA2 represents a shift from surgical destruction to non-invasive medical management. As a potential oral or localized therapy, it could eliminate precancerous cells while preserving healthy tissue and cervical structure, an important advantage for younger women who wish to retain fertility.

He added that SHetA2 may also pave the way for targeted therapies against other HPV-associated diseases, including penile and anal intraepithelial neoplasia, as well as certain head and neck cancers.