The current measles outbreak has gripped US states like Texas and New Mexico leaving people worried whether it would become a new pandemic. According to the Texas Department of State Health Services as of February 21, 90 cases were diagnosed in the last month in the South Plains area, with at least 77 of them were reported in children and teens under 17.

Measles is highly contagious and can be deadly. The outbreak, which started spreading in late January, has resulted in multiple hospitalizations, with at least nine confirmed cases and three probable cases as of early February. Health officials caution that at least one in five infected individuals will have to be hospitalized, highlighting the severity of the situation.

Misinformation surrounding vaccines and with the new Trump administration anti-vaccine campaigs, has causing parents to hesitate or refuse vaccination.

Furthermore, the country down under Australia is also witnessing a surge in measles cases as health officials in Sydney have issued an urgent alert, urging residents to watch for measles symptoms after an infected individual visited several places in Sydney over the last seven days.

Authorities report that the traveller had returned from South East Asia where there are ongoing outbreaks of measles.

What Are The Symptoms Measles?

Key symptoms of measles include fever, a runny nose, sore eyes, and a cough. Typically, a red, blotchy rash appears three to four days later, spreading from the head down to the body. Symptoms can manifest between 7 and 18 days after exposure.

Anyone who experiences these symptoms after potential exposure should immediately contact their doctor or emergency department. It is crucial to call ahead before visiting to avoid potentially exposing others in the waiting room. Dr. Selvey also highlighted that ongoing measles outbreaks are occurring in various parts of the world, making awareness and prompt action essential.

Why It Is Important To Get Vaccinated?

According to CDC everyone should get the MMR vaccine. It protects you from measles, mumps, and rubella. Getting vaccinated helps stop these diseases from spreading. There are two safe MMR vaccines available. They work the same way, so it doesn't matter which one you get. Kids can also get a shot that protects against chickenpox too, but this is only for children.

Who Should Get Vaccinated?

Kids Need Two Shots

All children should get two MMR shots. The first shot should be given when they are between 12 and 15 months old. The second shot should be given when they are between 4 and 6 years old. If needed, the second shot can be given earlier, but it must be at least 28 days after the first shot.

College Students Need to Be Protected

Students going to college or other schools after high school, need two shots if they are not already immune. The shots must be at least 28 days apart.

Adults Need at Least One Shot

Most adults need at least one MMR shot. Some adults need two shots, especially those who work in healthcare, travel a lot, or go to college. These people should get two shots, with 28 days between them.

Travelers Need to Be Extra Careful

Anyone traveling to other countries should make sure they are protected. Babies 6 to 11 months old should get one shot before traveling. Kids 12 months and older, teens, and adults need two shots, with 28 days between them.

Healthcare Workers Must Be Immune

People who work in healthcare should have proof that they are immune to measles, mumps, and rubella. If they are not immune, they need two MMR shots, spaced 28 days apart.

Women Thinking About Having Babies

Women who might get pregnant should talk to their doctor about the MMR vaccine. It's safe to get the shot while breastfeeding.

A new Phase II clinical trial has found that a carefully formulated cannabis-based treatment may help alleviate agitation in people with advanced dementia. The findings offer hope for patients and caregivers who face one of the most distressing symptoms of the disease.

The findings are a result of the LiBBY (Life's End Benefits of cannaBidiol and tetrahYdrocannabinol) trial, that was presented at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference (AAIC) 2026 in London.

Researchers say the treatment, which combines purified tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) in an oral formulation, showed significant improvements compared to a placebo.

What Did The Trial Find?

The multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase II study enrolled 120 hospice-eligible adults with Alzheimer's disease or other forms of dementia experiencing significant agitation.

Participants received either the THC/CBD formulation or a placebo for 12 weeks. Researchers assessed agitation using the Cohen-Mansfield Agitation Inventory (CMAI) along with clinician evaluations of behavioral improvement.

According to the trial results, participants in the cannabis treatment group experienced significantly greater reductions in agitation than those given a placebo.

Clinician assessments showed improvement in 83.9% of treated participants after two weeks, compared with 30.5% in the placebo group.

By 12 weeks, improvement was seen in 87.2% of treated participants versus 23.6% receiving placebo. Nearly 90% of treated participants showed overall clinical improvement during the study.

The study's lead investigator, Dr. Jacobo Mintzer of the Medical University of South Carolina, said, "These results were extremely impressive and showed a level of response not seen before in clinical trials related to dementia. Rarely do we see close to 90% of patients in a trial respond positively to a new medication."

He added, "Agitation affects many people with late-stage dementia, causing symptoms such as restlessness, aggression, and emotional distress that can profoundly impact patients and their caregivers. Current treatment options are limited and often carry significant side effects."

Also read: Normal Ageing or Alzheimer's? Doctors Explain Six Key Differences to Watch For

Agitation Is A Major Challenge in Advanced Dementia

Agitation affects the majority of people living with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias, especially in the advanced stages.

Symptoms may include pacing, aggression, yelling, restlessness, irritability, and emotional distress, making day-to-day care increasingly challenging.

It also places a heavy emotional and physical burden on caregivers. Many currently prescribed medications, including antipsychotics and sedatives, may increase the risk of falls, excessive sedation, stroke, or even death in older adults.

A treatment that safely reduces agitation without substantially increasing adverse events could be helpful for the patients as well as caregivers.

Investigators said that the results are the strongest seen so far in clinical trials on agitation in advanced dementia.

Also read: Alzheimer's May Be Detectable Years Before Symptoms, Says Neurology Expert

What Is Dementia?

Dementia is an umbrella term describing a significant decline in mental function that interferes with everyday life. It commonly affects memory, thinking and reasoning abilities and is caused by underlying conditions such as Alzheimer's disease or vascular dementia.

Common Signs of Dementia:

• Memory problems
• Confusion
• Difficulty finding words
• Changes in mood or behavior
• Trouble completing familiar tasks

The Growing Global Burden

Dementia significantly affects an individual's ability to live independently, work and perform daily activities while placing a substantial burden on families and caregivers.

According to the WHO, dementia costs the global economy an estimated US$1.3 trillion every year, with about half of that amount attributed to unpaid care provided by family members and friends.

Lionel Messi is one of the most iconic football players in the world. What many people don't realize is that his athletic career almost ended before it truly began.

As a child, Messi was diagnosed with Growth Hormone Deficiency (GHD), a rare medical condition that affects normal growth and development.

With the ongoing FIFA fever, his story has sparked renewed interest, particularly because Barcelona helped shape football history.

What Is Growth Hormone Deficiency?

Growth Hormone Deficiency is a condition in which the pituitary gland does not produce enough growth hormone, a hormone essential for normal growth in children. Without adequate treatment, children with GHD often experience the following symptoms:

• Slower than normal growth
• Short stature compared to other children of same age
• Delayed physical development
• Reduced muscle mass and bone growth

While growth is the most noticeable concern, modern treatment allows many children to achieve normal or near-normal adult height if diagnosed early.

Also read: American Pro Football Players 4 Times More Likely To Die From Diseases Like ALS, Dementia & Parkinson's: Study

Lionel Messi's Diagnosis

Messi himself has spoken in recent interviews about the financial and emotional challenges his family faced during those years.

Doctors recommended regular treatment with synthetic growth hormone, requiring frequent injections over several years.

At the time, growth hormone therapy reportedly cost around $900 to $1,000 per month, an amount that Messi's family could not afford.

Barcelona Stepped In

Messi's local Argentine club, Newell's Old Boys, initially provided some assistance, but not long-term financial support.

His skills on the field eventually caught the attention of FC Barcelona. The Spanish club agreed to sign the young Argentine and help cover the costs of his medical treatment.

The decision required Messi and his family to relocate from Rosario, Argentina, to Spain, which became one of the most significant turning points in football history.

Also read: Former NFL Star Chris Johnson Reveals ALS Diagnosis; Everything You Need To Know About Lou Gehrig's Disease

Did Growth Hormone Make Messi A Better Footballer?

This remains one of the biggest misconceptions surrounding Messi's football career. Messi received growth hormone therapy as a medically prescribed treatment, not as a performance-enhancing drug.

The treatment was meant to correct a hormone deficiency and allow normal physical development under medical supervision.

Sports medicine experts have long emphasized that therapeutic treatment for Growth Hormone Deficiency is fundamentally different from the illegal misuse of growth hormone for athletic performance.

Can Children With GHD Live Normal Lives?

Today, Growth Hormone Deficiency is a recognized endocrine disorder. When diagnosed early and treated appropriately, many children experience significant improvements in growth and can lead healthy, active lives.

• Treatment typically involves:
• Daily or long-acting growth hormone injections
• Regular monitoring by pediatric endocrinologists
• Periodic assessment of growth and hormone levels

Messi's story is more than a football success story. It underscores the importance of early diagnosis and access to specialized medical care. Pediatricians recommend evaluating children whose height or growth pace consistently falls well below expected levels for their age.

The U.S. Department of Defense is introducing a new policy that will require military personnel over 30 and above to undergo an annual testosterone deficiency screening as part of their routine Periodic Health Assessment.

Personnel under 30 can choose to be screened voluntarily. Those diagnosed with testosterone deficiency may opt for testosterone replacement therapy (TRT), though treatment will remain voluntary.

Why Is the Pentagon Introducing The Policy?

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth made the announcement on Wednesday, saying the military must ensure that troops remain physically and mentally prepared for the demands of modern warfare.

Hegseth said in a video posted on X, "As we know, the modern battlefield is brutal and unrelenting. It requires and demands maximum psychological and mental readiness. I'm authorizing a new screening program for testosterone deficiency for our service members, ensuring you have the right testosterone levels to operate at your absolute best."

"By addressing these health markers early, we're keeping you on the leading edge of lethality and giving you the same level of support that you give this nation: the absolute best."

The Defense Secretary also said the goal extends beyond active military service.

"We owe our warriors the absolute best medical care in the world. Taking care of your long-term health means ensuring you remain strong, resilient, and capable, not just for your next deployment, but for the rest of your life."

Also read: Donald Trump's 'Two Mangled Hands' Spark Fresh Health Speculation

Does Testosterone Matter?

Testosterone is a hormone that plays an important role in maintaining muscle mass, bone density, strength, energy levels, mood and sexual function in men. Levels naturally decline with age, typically beginning around age 30, falling by roughly 1% each year thereafter.

Military experts say service members may face additional risk factors like high operational tempo, chronic stress, sleep deprivation, traumatic brain injury, blast exposure, and prolonged physical exertion.

Army Major Theodore Crisostomo-Wynne, a urologist at Madigan Army Medical Center, previously told an FDA advisory panel that researchers have observed hormonal disruptions among elite military personnel.

"The high operations tempo and high stress that these service members go through can actually decrease testosterone, sometimes acutely and sometimes even in the long term," he said.

Also read: Expert Highlights Key Vitamins To Combat Male Infertility And Boost Reproductive Health

Experts Warn

While low testosterone is a genuine medical condition, physicians caution that it should not be diagnosed or treated simply because hormone levels decline with age.

The American Urological Association says a diagnosis requires both symptoms of testosterone deficiency and at least two separate early-morning blood tests confirming low testosterone levels.

Experts also note that testosterone replacement therapy is intended for people with clinically confirmed deficiency, not healthy individuals seeking improved athletic performance or anti-aging benefits.

According to the Endocrine Society, using testosterone without a medical indication may increase the risk of acne, infertility, worsening sleep apnea, and other adverse effects.

What Is Testosterone Deficiency?

Testosterone deficiency, also known as hypogonadism, occurs when the body does not produce enough testosterone to maintain normal bodily functions. Common symptoms of testosterone deficiency include:

• Persistent fatigue
• Reduced muscle strength
• Low sex drive
• Depression or low mood
• Difficulty concentrating
• Reduced bone density
• Erectile dysfunction

A diagnosis requires both symptoms and laboratory confirmation, according to medical guidelines.