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.

What began as what appeared to be an ordinary influenza infection turned into a medical emergency for an otherwise healthy eight-year-old girl in Aurora, Ontario.

Leanne Gorin developed fulminant myocarditis, a rare and severe form of heart inflammation triggered by influenza B, within just 48 hours of becoming ill.

She spent five weeks at SickKids Hospital and underwent multiple major procedures, including a 10-hour open-heart operation, before dying on July 23, a day after her eighth birthday.

Her mother, Ilona, told local media that Leanne had been a perfectly healthy child and initially showed few warning signs beyond a 40°C (104°F) fever.

“I had a perfectly healthy daughter,” she said, describing the complication as extraordinarily rare.

Leanne's case highlights the severity of myocarditis - a complication of influenza that parents may rarely hear about.

What Is Myocarditis?

In many cases, myocarditis can be mild or even go unnoticed. But in severe cases, inflammation can dramatically reduce the heart's ability to pump blood.

The most serious form is called fulminant myocarditis. It can cause rapid heart failure, dangerous abnormal heart rhythms and cardiogenic shock, where the heart can no longer pump enough blood to support the body's organs.

Also read: Alzheimer’s With AFib: Study Finds Unexpected Benefit Of Blood Thinners On Brain Function

How Can The Flu Affect The Heart?

Influenza primarily infects the respiratory system, but the infection can trigger ripple effects throughout the body.

Researchers believe myocarditis may occur through a combination of direct viral injury and an excessive or abnormal immune response to the infection. The resulting inflammation can damage heart muscle cells and interfere with the heart's functions.

Why Is Fulminant Myocarditis So Dangerous?

As the heart becomes inflamed and weakened, it may no longer pump enough blood to the brain, kidneys and other organs. Patients can develop very low blood pressure, abnormal heart rhythms and severe heart failure. The condition can deteriorate pretty quickly.

In Leanne's case, her condition became critical within 48 hours. She eventually needed major cardiac surgery and prolonged hospitalisation.

Also read: Healthy BMI But Belly Fat? Why Your Waist May Predict Heart Risk Better

What Symptoms Should Parents Watch For?

The tricky part is that early symptoms can overlap with influenza itself. Parents should seek medical attention if a child with flu develops symptoms that suggest the heart may be struggling, including:

• Chest pain or pressure
• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• A racing or irregular heartbeat
• Fainting or severe dizziness
• Extreme or unusual weakness
• Sudden difficulty exercising or walking
• Pale, greyish or bluish skin
• Swelling

A high fever alone does not mean a child has myocarditis. Influenza commonly causes high fever, particularly in children.

If new or unusually severe symptoms appear, like breathing problems, chest symptoms, fainting or a noticeably abnormal heartbeat, medical attention must be sought.

Doctors can investigate suspected myocarditis using tests such as an ECG, blood tests, echocardiogram and, in some cases, cardiac MRI. Treatment depends on how severely the heart has been affected.

A commonly prescribed class of blood-thinning medicines may do more than prevent strokes in patients with both Alzheimer’s disease and atrial fibrillation (AFib). A new Swedish study suggests newer blood thinners may also be linked with a slower rate of cognitive decline.

The findings, published in the European Heart Journal, come from a large analysis of 7,308 people with Alzheimer’s disease and AFib.

Researchers compared patients who were on newer oral anticoagulants, known as NOACs, to those taking the older drug warfarin and people who were not receiving anticoagulant treatment.

What Did The Study Find?

Patients taking NOACs experienced a slower decline in cognitive function compared to those taking warfarin or no anticoagulant.

Cognitive function was assessed using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), a commonly used test that evaluates areas including memory, attention and orientation.

The researchers also found that NOAC treatment was associated with more favourable outcomes for stroke and death compared to no anticoagulation.

The study included patients from Sweden's national dementia registry and followed their outcomes over many years.

“This finding suggests that NOAC may offer benefits beyond their established role in preventing stroke and blood clots in people with atrial fibrillation,” said Maria Eriksdotter, professor at Karolinska Institutet and senior author of the study. She noted that the effect on cognition was modest, but even a small delay in cognitive deterioration could be meaningful over several years.

Also read: Limiting Sugar Before Age 2 May Lower Alzheimer’s Risk By 46%, Study Suggests

How Could A Blood Thinner Affect Alzheimer’s?

Researchers believe that the connection may stem from the relationship between AFib, blood clots and the brain. AFib causes the heart to beat irregularly, which can allow blood clots to form. These clots can travel to the brain and cause a stroke.

But researchers are also investigating whether smaller blockages in blood vessels, including so-called silent strokes, may contribute to cognitive damage.

Blood thinners reduce the formation of these clots, potentially protecting the brain from some additional vascular injury. Researchers have also proposed that the body's blood-clotting system could interact with biological processes involved in Alzheimer’s disease.

Also read: Alzheimer's Sleep Loss May Be Reversible; Study Sparks Hope For New Treatments

Why Did Newer Blood Thinners Prove Better Than Warfarin?

The researchers noted that differences in how consistently patients took their medicines may partly explain why NOACs appeared to perform better than warfarin. However, the study cannot determine exactly why the difference occurred.

Blood Thinners And Alzheimer’s

As this study was observational, it does not mean that blood thinners can treat Alzheimer’s successfully. Researchers analysed existing medical records rather than randomly assigning patients to receive a particular blood thinner. Therefore, it can identify an association but cannot prove that NOACs themselves caused the slower cognitive decline.

Anticoagulants are prescribed primarily to reduce the risk of stroke associated with AFib, and they can also cause serious bleeding. But this study raises the possibility that treating cardiovascular risk aggressively in people with Alzheimer’s could potentially have benefits for the brain as well.

Toronto Public Health is investigating a Legionnaires’ disease outbreak near the downtown core after six confirmed cases were identified among people who live, work or recently visited the area.

The cases are clustered within roughly a one-kilometre radius of Bathurst Street and Dupont Street, with patients developing symptoms between July 2 and July 26, according to Toronto Public Health. Officials are now carrying out environmental inspections and collecting samples to determine where the Legionella bacteria may have come from.

The source has not been identified yet, and Toronto Public Health said the overall risk to the public remains low because Legionnaires’ disease generally does not spread from person to person.

Did A Cooling Tower Cause Toronto's Legionnaires' Outbreak?

Also read: Legionnaire’s Disease NYC Outbreak: 3 Dead, 67 Sick; Health Authorities Have Identified ZIP Codes Linked With Cluster

Investigators believe this could be one of the possibilities but no source has been confirmed yet. Toronto Public Health is conducting on-site inspections to identify potential sources. Precautionary control measures have already been implemented.

Officials are also investigating whether the current cluster could be connected to an earlier outbreak at Castleview Wychwood Towers, a nearby long-term care facility where five cases were confirmed in July.

The possibility of a building water system is particularly relevant because Legionella grows more easily in warm, stagnant water, especially when disinfectant levels are inadequate or systems contain biofilm and sediment.

Toronto Has Already Seen A Rise In Legionella Cases

The current investigation comes against a broader increase in legionellosis in Ontario. Public Health Ontario reported 94 laboratory-confirmed cases between January 1 and June 16, 2026. Of these, 35 were linked to a cluster or outbreak, compared with an average of just 3.6 outbreak-associated cases during the same period from 2021 to 2025.

The province also recorded an earlier-than-expected increase in cases in April, when the rate was 1.8 times higher than the average for the previous five years.

For Toronto residents, however, health officials are stressing that the current investigation does not mean there is a widespread public health emergency.

What Is Legionnaires’ Disease?

Also read: Legionnaire’s Disease Outbreak Kills 2 And Sickens 58 In New York City- Know Symptoms And Risk

The bacteria become a health concern when they multiply in human-made water systems. These can include cooling towers, large plumbing systems, hot tubs, showers, humidifiers and decorative fountains.

People can become infected by breathing in tiny droplets or vapour containing the bacteria. Drinking contaminated water is not considered the usual route of infection, and people generally do not catch Legionnaires’ disease simply by being around someone who has it.

Who Is Most At Risk?

Most healthy people exposed to Legionella do not develop severe disease. However, the risk of serious illness is higher among:

• Older adults
• People who smoke
• People with chronic lung disease or other underlying health conditions
• People with weakened immune systems

Symptoms can include fever, cough, shortness of breath and muscle aches, and the infection can become severe enough to require hospitalisation. Legionnaires’ disease can also be fatal, particularly in vulnerable people.