Singer Jesy Nelson recently shared an emotional update regarding the complications she is experiencing in her pregnancy with twin babies. Former Little Mix singer Jesy, who is having twins with partner Zion Foster, announced that she has been diagnosed with pre-twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (pre-TTTS). The condition, which is present in pregnancies involving twins with a shared placenta, has serious risks involved and needs intense medical supervision. As Nelson embarks on this difficult journey, her story enlightens us about a rare but dangerous condition many expectant parents may not know much about.

Twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome is a rare but dangerous condition that arises in monochorionic twin pregnancies, in which identical twins share a single placenta. The placenta supplies the developing babies with oxygen, nutrients, and blood flow, but in TTTS, there is an imbalance of blood vessels that interconnect the twins, and thus the vital resources are not evenly distributed. One twin, or the donor twin, shares excess blood with the other, referred to as the recipient twin. This leads to one baby becoming malnourished and possibly anemic, and the other in danger of heart problems due to too much blood.

Nelson described her diagnosis in a heartfelt Instagram video, explaining that she is currently in the pre-stage of TTTS and undergoing frequent monitoring. "I am being scanned twice a week, and each time, things have gotten a little worse," she shared, expressing her fears and hopes for the health of her babies.

Potential Risks of TTTS

If left untreated, TTTS can have devastating consequences. Medical research indicates that:

• 90% of the cases of untreated TTTS lead to loss of one or both twins.
• Despite treatment, only a 70% survival rate for both twins is assured.
• Severe forms can result in preterm labor, cardiac failure in the recipient twin, and organ failure in the donor twin.
• Complications in long-term survivors include neurological damage and developmental delay in surviving infants.

TTTS usually advances in stages, beginning with minimal changes in fluid levels and worsening as one twin continues to get an unequal share of blood. In extreme cases, fetal laser surgery, referred to as the Solomon technique, can be employed to divide the blood vessels and balance the twins.

Why Identical Twin Pregnancies Are More Complicated

Identical twins may develop differently, and their own unique form of placental sharing can have a dramatic effect on pregnancy risk. Jesy Nelson's twins are considered monochorionic diamniotic (mono/di), which means they share a placenta but have two amniotic sacs. This is the type of pregnancy in about 70% of identical twin pregnancies and carries an increased risk of complications like TTTS, umbilical cord entanglement, and growth restriction.

Conversely, dichorionic diamniotic (di/di) twins both have a separate placenta and amniotic sac, which greatly diminishes the threat of TTTS. Twin pregnancy type is normally identified by early ultrasound, with physicians being able to track future complications from inception.

Other Twin Pregnancy Health Risks

Twin pregnancies, even without the presence of TTTS, entail a variety of health risks to the mother as well as infants:

1. Premature Birth

Over 60% of twin pregnancies end in premature delivery, with birth usually taking place before 37 weeks. Premature infants can have immature organs and need neonatal intensive care (NICU) assistance to assist with breathing, feeding, and infection fighting.

2. Gestational Hypertension and Preeclampsia

Pregnant women with multiples are at increased risk of having high blood pressure during pregnancy. This, if left untreated, can result in preeclampsia, a serious complication of pregnancy that can result in damage to organs, preterm labor, and in some cases, maternal or fetal death.

3. Anemia

Pregnant women carrying multiples are twice as likely to experience anemia, a condition where the body does not produce enough healthy red blood cells. This can lead to fatigue, dizziness, and complications during delivery.

4. Birth Defects

According to John Hopkins Medicine, multiple birth babies are twice as likely to have congenital abnormalities compared to single births. These can include heart defects, neural tube defects, and gastrointestinal issues.

5. Amniotic Fluid Imbalances

When twins have to share a placenta, they are more likely to have polyhydramnios (excess amniotic fluid) or oligohydramnios (not enough amniotic fluid). Both result in distress to the babies during fetal development and can result in premature labor.

6. Postpartum Hemorrhage

Twins are at increased risk of excessive postpartum hemorrhage because their uterus is larger and there are greater blood supply needs.

Jesy Nelson's openness about her challenging experience is raising awareness for TTTS, a condition that few individuals—let alone expectant mothers and fathers—might be aware of. Through her tearful video, Nelson stressed the significance of knowing about twin pregnancies aside from the thrill of having multiples. "We had no idea that this type of thing occurs when you're having twins. We just desperately want to make people aware of this because there are so many people who aren't aware."

Her case reminds us of the intricacies involved in twin pregnancy and the significance of early identification and medical management. For mothers carrying twins, frequent ultrasounds and vigilance can become a life-and-death issue for early detection and better outcomes of both babies.

Through constant medical attention and care, she and her partner Zion Foster remain positive and get ready for their babies to be born. In other parents whose situations are no different, the story of Nelson highlights awareness, medical progress, and emotional encouragement in handling complicated pregnancies.

The expecting parents of twin siblings are advised to discuss TTTS screening and possible interventions with their physicians to give their babies the best chance.

Diabetes patients rely upon metformin for controlling their blood sugar and insulin levels. Now, a new study claims that this common diabetes drug has many other health benefits to offer, and these can mimic the benefits of 'intense workouts.' The diabetes drug metformin is used by millions around the world who are struggling with this lifestyle disorder—it releases weight-regulating compounds in the body, the same ones that are released during workouts in inactive people. American scientists found that the drug can have a positive impact on a sedentary lifestyle—find out how.

What is metformin?

Metformin is the most common drug for the management of type 2 diabetes. It helps insulin work better, thereby regulating blood sugar spikes. This drug is usually prescribed when diet and workouts alone are not sufficient for weight management. According to a study by experts at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine’s Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, metformin may replicate the benefits of workouts in people who follow a sedentary, inactive lifestyle. In the case of prostate cancer patients, men who do not work out because of their treatment benefited from metformin use, as the drug raises levels of a molecule that supports weight loss. In the case of patients who cannot work out properly, the effect can be game-changing.

Are workouts necessary during cancer treatment?

Exercising is one of the best ways to avoid obesity and other metabolic disorders. It is also one of the best ways to stay strong during cancer treatment, as it regulates weight, heart health, and blood sugar. This helps cancer patients feel stronger even during treatment and recovery. However, many cancer patients cannot work out regularly because of hormone therapy-related fatigue. Metformin use, in this case, can prove helpful for patients.

How does metformin mimic the benefits of workouts?

Exercising benefits the body by releasing hormones such as oxytocin and dopamine. Researchers from the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center explored whether these could be triggered without exercise and whether metformin could do that. They noted that while the drug cannot fully replace workouts as part of a healthy routine, there is a need to understand how a widely used drug can be beneficial for metabolic health during prostate cancer treatment.

N-lactoyl-phenylalanine, or Lac-Phe, is a molecule that spikes after an intense workout session, and it also regulates appetite and calorie burning. Scientists found that Lac-Phe levels were higher in metformin users even when they were not working out. The Sylvester team noted that prostate cancer patients often struggle with poor blood sugar control, heart disease risk, and weight gain due to hormone therapy. They then took blood samples from 29 people and found that the patients who took metformin had similar Lac-Phe levels to people who were engaged in strenuous workouts. This was noted even when the patients were not exercising. However, metformin did not have an impact on prostate tumours.

The study was published in the EMBO Molecular Medicine journal.

In an alarming incident, more than 330 children in Pakistan have contracted HIV due to reuse of syringes in a hospital in Pakistan’s Punjab, according to a report.

The report, based on an undercover investigation by BBC News, highlighted blatant infection control failures and unsafe medical practices at THQ Hospital Taunsa in Pakistan.

The failures captured on camera, filmed over 32 hours inside THQ Taunsa Hospital in late 2025, showcase persistent unsafe practices, including the reuse of syringes on multi-dose vials, that have infected more than 330 children with HIV since late 2024.

The footage captured multiple violations of basic hygiene protocols, including the staff reusing syringes on multi-dose medicine vials, which increases the risk of contaminating entire batches of medication. In several instances, the same vial was then used to treat different children, the report said.

Other scenes captured included poor sanitation conditions, such as open vials, used needles left on countertops, and improper disposal of medical waste; staff administering injections without sterile gloves, further increasing the risk of cross-contamination.

Pakistan HIV Cases: Previous Outbreak In Southern Sindh

The incident in Taunsa is not the first. In 2019, media reports cited nearly 1,000 children testing positive for HIV due to the reuse of needles in southern Sindh province.

“Pakistan has experienced a series of HIV outbreaks over the past two decades, but we’ve never before seen this many young children infected or so many health facilities involved," Dr Fatima Mir from the Aga Khan University in Pakistan, told The Guardian. She was the lead author of the paper published in the Lancet Infectious Diseases, which also reported the cases.

“Use of syringes and needles is widespread, and Pakistan has one of the highest rates of unsafe injections in the world. Health practitioners need to use intravenous treatment only when necessary, use needles only once, and screen blood for infections before using it for transfusions,” she added.

The India Case: Thalassemic Children Infected With HIV

In 2025, a dozen children undergoing blood transfusions for thalassemia contracted HIV in two different incidents in India's Madhya Pradesh and Jharkhand, highlighting “systemic lapses in blood bank regulations”.

At least six children were found HIV positive at Satna district hospital in Madhya Pradesh, allegedly due to contaminated blood transfusions at the district hospital during treatment for thalassemia.

The children affected include five boys aged under 11 and a nine-year-old girl who have been undergoing blood transfusions at the hospital.

Another six children with thalassemia reportedly contracted HIV from contaminated blood transfusions at a government hospital in the West Singhbhum district of Jharkhand.

Safe Injection Practices: What Is Recommended

The World Health Organization (WHO) mandates the use of single-use, safety-engineered syringes—specifically auto-disable (AD) or reuse-prevention (RUP) devices—to prevent disease transmission and needle-stick injuries.

These devices automatically lock or break after one use and are essential for immunization and medication administration.

The US CDC recommends using single-dose vials whenever possible, over multiple-dose vials, especially when medications will be administered to multiple patients.

Do not administer medications from a syringe to multiple patients, even if the needle or cannula on the syringe is changed.

The US Food and Drug Administration has recalled China-made over-the-counter cough drops and throat lozenges sold across the country over potential safety concerns.

The FDA in a notice stated that Xiamen Kang Zhongyuan Biotechnology from Xiamen in China, has issued a voluntary recall of numerous products based on March 20, 2026.

The regulator noted that the recall was started following the FDA’s recommendation based on observations noted during an August 15, 2025, inspection of the manufacturing facility that “may bear on product quality.”

The FDA classified the recall as Class II on April 10, 2026. Class II recalls apply to products that can cause “temporary or medically reversible” health problems.

While the FDA did not specify how many cough drops were under the recall, the recalled products include:

• Exchange Select (manufactured for Your Military Exchanges): 30-count bag of honey lemon and menthol flavored cough drops
• Caring Mill (distributed by FSA Store, Inc): 90-count bags of cherry cough drops
• Discount Drug Mart Food Market: 30-count bags of honey lemon cough drops
• MGC Health (distributed by Medical Group Care): 25-count and 30-count bags of sugar-free honey lemon cough drops and 80-count bags of honey lemon cough drops
• QC Quality Choice (distributed by CDMA, Inc): 25-count bags of black cherry sugar-free and regular cough drops; 25-count bags of sugar-free and regular honey lemon cough drops; 30-count bags of creamy strawberry throat soothing drops; 30-count bags of menthol cough drops; and 30-count bags of vanilla honey cough drops.

Safe Alternatives For Cough Drops

Coughs are often caused by viral infections, allergies, or environmental irritants such as dust or smoke.

Also read: Eye Drops: US FDA Recalls Over 3 Million Products Over Safety Concerns

Dr. Umashankar Sharma, Medical In-charge (B.N.Y.S), Kailash Institute of Naturopathy, Ayurveda & Yoga, recommends several safe home remedies that can ease both adults' and children’s discomfort naturally.

“Warm liquids like soups, clear broths, or mild herbal teas, such as chamomile, help keep the throat moist and reduce irritation. Honey is a great natural option for children over one year; half to one teaspoon before bedtime can help calm night-time coughing,” he said.

He also suggests using a cool-mist humidifier in the room to add moisture to the air, which can loosen mucus and ease breathing. Saline nasal drops or a short steam session in a warm shower can also help relieve congestion.

Ensuring plenty of rest and hydration with water or warm drinks is essential. Slightly elevating the head with an extra pillow at night can reduce coughing while sleeping.

These remedies are generally safe and effective. However, if the cough persists for more than two weeks, or if the individual experiences high fever, wheezing, or difficulty breathing, it’s important to consult a doctor to rule out more serious conditions.

Home Remedies For Sore Throat

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, throat pain linked to an upper respiratory infection usually improves within about a week. Over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or naproxen can help ease discomfort and may be more effective than acetaminophen because they reduce both pain and inflammation.

Alongside medication, certain home remedies may also provide relief. Options worth trying include saltwater gargle, honey and herbal tea, or other hot beverages such as soups.