Low-dose CT chest scans could help detect pneumonia in at-risk patients while exposing them to only small amounts of radiation, a new study has found. The research, published in Radiology: Cardiothoracic Imaging, shows that ultra-low-dose scans can effectively detect pneumonia in patients with compromised immune systems, enabling doctors to treat the infection before it becomes life-threatening. According to the researchers, these scans expose patients to just 2% of the radiation dose used in a standard CT scan.

"This study paves the way for safer, AI-driven imaging that reduces radiation exposure while preserving diagnostic accuracy,” lead researcher Dr Maximiliano Klug, a radiologist with the Sheba Medical Center in Ramat Gan, Israel, said in a news release. He added that CT scans are the gold standard for detecting pneumonia but there are concerns regarding the risk posed by repeated exposure to radiation. There is a solution- ultra-low-dose CT scan. However, the problem is that these scans can be grainy and hard to read, researchers said.

Study Gives Solution To This

To overcome that, Klug's team developed an AI program that could help "de-noise" low-dose scans, making them sharper and easier to read. Between September 2020 and December 2022, 54 patients with compromised immune systems who had fevers underwent a pair of chest CT scans -- a normal dose scan and an ultra-low-dose scan. The AI program cleaned up the low-dose scan, and then both sets of images were given to a pair of radiologists for assessment. Radiologists had 100% accuracy in detecting pneumonia and other lung problems with the AI-cleaned low-dose scans, but 91% to 98% accuracy in examining the scans that hadn’t been improved through AI, results show.

"This pilot study identified infection with a fraction of the radiation dose," Klug said. "This approach could drive larger studies and ultimately reshape clinical guidelines, making denoised ultra-low dose CT the new standard for young immunocompromised patients.

How Can You Detect Pneumonia?

Pneumonia is a lung infection that causes the air sacs in the lungs to fill with fluid or pus and can be caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi. The symptoms can range from milk to severe, which includes:

Coughing with or without cough

Fever

Chills

Trouble breathing

Chest pain, especially when breathing deeply or coughing

Sweating or chills

Rapid heart rate

Loss of appetite

Bluish skin, lips, and nails

Confusion.

How to detect Pneumonia in coughing newborns and toddlers?

Pneumonia can severely affect newborns and young children as their lungs are comparatively more sensitive. As per Dr Goyal, young children can cough for various reasons including seasonal infections and tonsillitis, which is very common in this age group. But if they look visibly irritable and have poor sleep patterns, then parents must reach out to an expert. "I am not saying that parents must visit a hospital but any local paediatrician would be able to detect pneumonia in your kid.

Measles Outbreak: It is not yet over in the US, two states, South Carolina and Utah are dealing with ongoing measles outbreaks and have reported more infections today along with additional school and community exposure. South Carolina confirmed 27 new cases, bringing its total to 114. Utah reported 10 more cases, raising its statewide count to 115.

What Is Happening In These Two States?

In South Carolina, health officials said all 27 new cases are from Spartanburg County, which remains the center of the Upstate outbreak. Of the state’s 114 cases, 111 have been recorded in this county alone. The outbreak has been connected to exposures at two elementary schools earlier in the season.

The newly confirmed infections stem from a mix of exposure settings. According to the South Carolina Department of Public Health, sixteen of the new patients were linked to an earlier exposure at the Way of Truth Church in Inman. Eight were household contacts of known cases. One patient was connected to a previously identified school exposure and another picked up the infection in a health care setting. The source of exposure for one case remains unclear.

Health officials said 254 people are currently in quarantine and 16 are in isolation. Among those quarantined are 43 students from Inman Intermediate School. Most of the state’s patients are children and teenagers. Seventy-five cases fall in the five to seventeen age group. Vaccination rates remain a major concern. Officials confirmed that 105 of the infected individuals are unvaccinated. Three others had received one dose of the vaccine, one was fully vaccinated, and two have an uncertain immunization history.

In Utah, the state has recorded 10 new measles cases in the past week. The most recent patient was infectious while attending the Kopper Kids child care program inside Bingham High School in South Jordan, located in Salt Lake County. Authorities said the individual was unvaccinated, though they have not disclosed whether the patient is a child or an adult.

“Measles is extremely contagious, so quick action is critical,” said Dorothy Adams, executive director of the Salt Lake County Health Department. She added that because the source of this infection is unknown, families and staff linked to Bingham High School should watch closely for symptoms and remain aware of possible exposure.

Salt Lake County has reported only three measles cases this year. Most of Utah’s cases, a total of 82, have occurred in the Southwest Utah health district near the Arizona border.

What Is Measles?

Measles, a highly contagious viral disease, had been largely controlled in the U.S. thanks to the widespread use of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. However, gaps in vaccination coverage have led to a resurgence.

The disease is known for its rapid transmission. A single case can lead to significant spread if vaccination rates in a community fall below the 95% threshold needed for herd immunity. Children are particularly vulnerable; although the first dose of the MMR vaccine is typically administered at 12 months, increased parental concern has led some to seek earlier vaccination during the outbreak.

Early warning signs include:

• Fever
• Fatigue and tiredness
• Cough and runny nose
• Red, inflamed eyes

From time and again experts have highlighted that flu has come early this year. In fact, they have predicted that this could be a 'nasty season', all thanks to the mutated version of H3N2 virus.

What Is The K Strain Flu?

Known as the superfly, this is H3N2 'subclade K'. It is a type of seasonal influenza A virus and people have not encountered much of it in the recent years. This is why there is less immunity against it. However, the National Health Service (NHS), UK, has already sent out a 'flu jab SOS' to vulnerable people.

NHS has confirmed that the super flu is circulating in England this year, and due to less immunity, it is making it easier to spread across people. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has urged people to get a flu jab. As per the early data, this year's vaccine has offered good protection despite the new strain.

Daniel Elkeles, chief executive of NHS Providers, said that the major concern is that H3N2 is associated with a more severe illness and superflu could be "a very nasty strain of flu". He said that UK could be experiencing a "tidal wave" of illness.

Read More: Unique Symptoms Of H3N2 Flu Strain In UK And How Long Infection Now Last

Who Needs The Flu Jab?

NHS offers free flu jabs to people who need it the most, which includes:

• anyone aged 65 or above
• those with long-term health conditions
• pregnant women
• care home residents
• carers for older or disabled people, or those who receive a carer's allowance
• people who live with someone who has a weakened immune system

NHS also includes frontline health and social care workers to get the jab.

The flu jab is also available in a nasal spray version, which could be administered to children aged 2 to 3 years as well as school-aged children, up to year 11.

Everyone else who is not in this list have to buy the jab.

Should You Buy The Flu Shot? How Long Does It Take For The Jab To Work?

Even if you are healthy, you should get the shot, say doctors. Vaccines are still working against the drifted influenza A (H3N2) subclade, also known as the super flu. The vaccines in high street chemists are sold for £20.

Anyone can be vaccinated, except for those who have a serious allergy to any of its ingredients or to the vaccine it self. The best way to know is to speak to the pharmacist and your GP.

For the vaccine to work, it usually takes up to 14 days. However, what is more important to not is that during the 14-day-long period, you are still vulnerable to catching the virus.

What Are Some Of The Misconceptions Around Flu Vaccine?

Some people think that it is the flu vaccine itself that has given them the flu, however, the truth is that while vaccine does not give you a flu, it gives your body the instruction it needs to fight off an infection, in case you catch it. While you may still catch the flu after being vaccinated, the affects will be milder and would not last as long.

The best part, the vaccine is frequently updated to match the strain or the version of flu that experts expect will be circulating.

Also Read: This ONE Key Symptom Will Help You Differentiate Flu From COVID, According To Doctor

What More Can Be Done To Protect Yourself Against The Super Flu?

Elkeles says that anyone experiencing flu or cold symptoms should wear a mask in public places. This is important for the "tidal wave" of illness in the UK. Speaking to Times Radio, he said, "When you were talking about anything like Covid, I think we need to get back into the habit that if you are coughing and sneezing, but you’re not unwell enough to not go to work, then you must wear a mask when you’re in public spaces, including on public transport, to stop the chances of you giving your virus to somebody else. And we were all very good about infection control during Covid. And we really, really need to get back to that now.”

Justin Timberlake had publicly revealed in his Instagram post about his diagnoses of Lyme disease, a tick borne illness that can cause lingering and unpredictable symptoms. The 44-year-old pop icon shared how this condition caused him "massive nerve pain", fatigue, and other symptoms as he went on his World Tour.

However, he did note that if diagnosed at an early stage, the condition is also treatable. It is spread by infected blacklegged ticks.

Justin Timberlake On Prioritizing His Health More After Being Diagnosed With Lyme Disease

In an Instagram post, he revealed that he had been battling with some health issues. In a report by PEOPLE, a source close to Jessica Biel said that the singer is prioritizing his health after the "grueling tour and Lyme disease diagnosis".

Justin Timberlake's Lyme Disease Diagnosis

Timberlake disclosed that during his Forget Tomorrow World Tour, which promoted his sixth solo album Everything I Thought It Was, he had been quietly “battling some health issues.”

“When I first got the diagnosis, I was shocked for sure,” Timberlake wrote. “But at least I could understand why I would be onstage and in a massive amount of nerve pain, or just feeling crazy fatigue or sickness.”

He admitted that the symptoms forced him to reconsider continuing the tour, saying, “I was faced with a personal decision. Stop touring? I decided the joy that performing brings me far outweighs the fleeting stress my body was feeling.”

Despite the physical toll, Timberlake pushed through his JT LIVE 25 tour leg, which included festival performances like Lollapalooza Brazil, before finally wrapping things up on July 31.

What Is Lyme Disease?

Lyme disease is caused by bacteria transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected black-legged tick. It's most common in certain parts of North America and Europe, especially during the warmer months.

The most common early sign of Lyme is a red rash that often resembles a bull’s-eye, typically appearing within 3 to 30 days after the bite.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), US, notes that the early symptoms can also mimic the flu, fever, chills, headache, fatigue, and muscle aches. If caught early and treated with antibiotics, most people recover completely within a few weeks.

However, for some, like Timberlake, symptoms can persist or worsen even after treatment. This condition, sometimes called Post-Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome (PTLDS), includes ongoing fatigue, nerve pain, cognitive issues, and more.

“Lyme can be incredibly tricky because its symptoms overlap with many other conditions,” explained Dr. Christopher Bazzoli, an emergency medicine expert at the Cleveland Clinic, as reported by the New York Times. “When it’s not caught early, it can lead to a wide range of complications, from joint pain to neurological issues.”

In some untreated or severe cases, complications can include:

• Chronic fatigue
• Arthritis
• Heart palpitations
• Dizziness or shortness of breath
• Nerve pain
• Memory or concentration problems
• And in rare instances, meningitis

Doctors are still researching why some people recover quickly while others experience long-term effects. For now, treatment usually includes rest, medications for symptom relief, and in some cases, extended antibiotic therapy.

Timberlake has now joined a growing list of celebrities, including Avril Lavigne and Shania Twain, who’ve opened up about their experiences with Lyme disease in hopes of raising awareness.

Takeaway For You: If you’ve spent time in wooded or grassy areas and experience unusual fatigue, joint pain, or rashes, it’s worth getting checked for Lyme. Early diagnosis can make all the difference.