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.

An international team of researchers has identified a new way by which coronaviruses carried by bats can enter human cells.

Their study, published in the journal Nature, targeted the spike proteins of coronaviruses carried by heart-nosed bats in Kenya.

The team, including those from the universities of Cambridge and York, along with those from the National Museums of Kenya, found that a coronavirus, dubbed CcCoV-KY43, has evolved a new way of binding to human cells. It is different from the mechanism used by SARS-COV-2, the coronavirus responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic.

The virus - Cardioderma cor coronavirus (CcCoV) KY43, or CcCoV-KY43 - can bind to a receptor cell found in the human lung, but testing in Kenya suggests it has not spilled over into the local human population.

“Viral spike proteins are keys that fit into locks (host receptors) to open the door and enter a cell. So far, we have identified one alphaCov receptor. The challenge now is to find the others,” said Professor Stephen Graham in the Department of Pathology at the University of Cambridge, joint senior author of the paper.

CcCoV-KY43 is found in heart-nosed bats, Cardioderma cor, an ecologically important species found mainly in eastern Africa, including in eastern Sudan and northern Tanzania.

The researchers say the zoonotic (animal-to-human) and pandemic potential of alphaCoVs has remained relatively uncharted - to date, only two cellular receptors have been characterized for alphaCoVs.

Read: US CDC Study Showcasing COVID Vaccine Benefits Blocked From Publication

How Did The Researchers Identify The New Mechanism

Rather than work on ‘live’ viruses, the scientists used a public database of known genetic sequences, Genbank, to select and synthesise alphacoronavirus ‘spike’ proteins, including 27 viruses originally isolated in bats, and screened these against a library of coronavirus receptors found in human cells.

Spike proteins protrude from the surface of coronaviruses, including SARS-CoV-2, and bind to specific receptors on human cells, triggering infection.

They showed that CcCoV-KY43 binds to the human glycoprotein CEACAM6.

“Before our study, it was assumed all alphacoronaviruses used just one of two possible receptors to enter their host, and the only difference was which species they could enter. We now know alphaCovs might use a whole variety of different receptors to open cells,” said Dr Dalan Bailey, Group Leader at the Pirbright Institute and joint senior author of the paper.

“Not only did we find the new coronavirus receptor in human cells ahead of any virus spillover into the human population, but the study was performed using just a piece of the virus (the spike) rather than the whole pathogen, negating the need to import a live virus into the UK," added Dr Giulia Gallo, lead author of the paper.

Also read: Bangladesh Measles Outbreak: Meghalaya, Tripura To Ramp Up Vaccination, Boost Surveillance

The study stressed the need for further study in East Africa to better understand the risk from the family of viruses that can use this receptor to enter human cells.

This will help scientists to be better prepared for any spillover of the virus into humans in the future, and potentially begin to develop human vaccines and antivirals.

“We hope our findings will help better understand the risk from the family of viruses we identified that can use the human receptor: for example, by mapping the prevalence of the virus in bats and looking to see if it has already spilled over in at-risk populations,” Graham said.

Wondering why, in the peak of the summer, you are suffering from flu-like symptoms such as a sore throat and fever. Then you may not be alone. According to Delhi-based doctors, several patients are reporting to OPDs with a cold, cough, and severe fever.

India’s national capital, New Delhi, is currently reeling under extreme heat and heatwaves. With temperatures already soaring past seasonal norms, the region is also seeing a rise in cases of flu.

According to the latest weather bulletin by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), there will be a steady rise in daytime temperatures over the next couple of days.

Maximum temperatures are expected to climb by 1-2°C over the next two days, remaining above normal for at least five days. The mercury has already been hovering between 40 °C and 42 °C, with Safdarjung recording 40.7°C, about 3 °C above normal. Nights are no cooler, with minimum temperatures ranging between 23 °C and 26 °C-also above average.

Also read: Heatwave in India: Delhi Govt Issues Advisory For Schools, Urges Hydration And Reduced Outdoor Activity

HealthandMe spoke to city doctors to understand whether the conditions are due to heat stress or is it summer flu and the reasons behind.

“Definitely, summer flu is being seen in our hospital. Several patients are coming with a viral type of illness, and many of them have influenza or para-influenza virus, which causes cold, coughs, and severe fever,” Dr. Atul Kakar, Chairperson, Internal Medicine, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital.

According to Dr. Sanjay Gupta, Senior Director of Internal Medicine, Yatharth Hospital, “there is a noticeable rise in cases of cough, cold, viral fever, and upper respiratory tract infections in our OPD.”

The doctors told HealthandMe that people are also reporting “severe gastroenteritis, which is also called the stomach flu”. In addition, there are cases of typhoid and paratyphoid also being seen in the summer months.

The experts attributed the cases to

• The ongoing change in weather,
• Irregular rain,
• Heatwave,
• Fluctuations in temperature
• Unhygienic water and food.

“Such seasonal transitions often weaken immunity, making individuals more susceptible to infections,” the expert said.

Dr. Meenakshi Jain, Principal Director - Internal Medicine, Max Super Specialty Hospital, Patparganj, reported heat-related and bacterial illnesses in summer.

"Delhi-NCR faces an early intense heatwave (temperatures nearing 40°C+), which boosts infections indirectly through weakened immunity, dehydration, and AC-induced indoor crowding,” she told HealthandMe.

Read: Australia Reports Diphtheria Outbreak In Almost 50 Years: What You Need to Know

How To Prevent?

People must take timely precautions, including maintaining good hygiene, avoiding sudden exposure to cold, staying hydrated, and ensuring adequate rest.

Those infected must wear masks in crowded places and seek early medical advice in case of persistent symptoms to prevent complications.

Dr. Jain noted that “heatwaves do not directly cause flu but worsen it via outdoor heat–indoor AC swings, pollution, and heat-stressed immunity”.

Additional triggers include post-monsoon waterlogging, travel, and hygiene lapses at crowded events, the doctor said.

Other measures to prevent flu conditions during peak summer include:

• Hydration and heat avoidance: Drink 3–4L water daily, use ORS; stay indoors 11 AM–4 PM; wear light cotton clothes and hats.
• Hygiene: Wash hands frequently, use masks in crowded/AC spots, drink only boiled/filtered water, and avoid street food.
• Vaccination and monitoring: Get an annual flu vaccine for year-round protection; test for influenza if symptoms linger.

The Bahamas joins 12 countries in the Region of the Americas, including Cuba and Brazil, certified as having eliminated the mother-to-child transmission of HIV, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced.

Eliminating mother-to-child HIV transmission, also called vertical transmission, to zero is a crucial milestone to achieve the UN-mandated Sustainable Development Goal to end AIDS by 2030.

The WHO has congratulated the country on its landmark achievement.

“I congratulate The Bahamas on this outstanding achievement, which solidifies years of political commitment and the dedication of health workers,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General.

“By ensuring that children are born free of HIV, we are securing a healthier, brighter future for the next generation,” he added.

What Is Mother-to-child Transmission Of HIV?

Mother-to-child transmission of HIV occurs when an HIV positive mother passes the virus to her child during pregnancy, labor, delivery, or breastfeeding.

In the absence of intervention, such a rate of transmission of HIV ranges from 15 per cent to 45 per cent. Globally, an estimated 1.3 million women and girls living with HIV become pregnant each year.

Read: Denmark 1st European country to eradicate mother-to-child transmission of HIV, syphilis

How The Bahamas Achieved Elimination

The Bahamas achieved the milestone by pioneering a comprehensive and inclusive health-care model. This includes public health measures such as:

The provision of universal antenatal care to all pregnant women, regardless of nationality or legal status, across both public and private facilities. a strong, integrated laboratory network

a rigorous testing protocol that screens women at their first antenatal appointment and again in the third trimester.

For the prevention and treatment of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs), the country has introduced pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV prevention, which is also offered to pregnant women.

To ensure continuity of care, the health system maintains adequate monitoring for HIV-positive mothers and exposed infants, provides multi-month dispensing of antiretroviral medicines, and offers STI treatment and family planning services free of charge.

“HIV is a reportable condition in the Bahamas. And identifying women who tested positive is one of our first lines of defense for preventing mother-to-child transmission,” explained Glenise Johnson, epidemiologist with The Bahamas’ Ministry of Health and Wellness (MoHW).

Read: Reducing Mother-To-Child HIV Transmission To Zero Key To End AIDS In India: Experts

How Countries Achieve WHO certification

To meet the elimination criteria, countries must show that very few babies are born with HIV and that almost all pregnant women receive proper care. The countries must prove they have sustained the following:

• reducing the mother-to-child transmission rate of HIV to less than 2 per cent;
• achieving fewer than 5 new pediatric HIV infections per 1000 live births; and
• maintaining 95 per cent or higher coverage for antenatal care, HIV testing, and treatment for pregnant women.

"When women can test early in pregnancy, start treatment quickly, and stay in care, every child has a better chance of being born free of HIV and other STIs,” she added.