MRI scans are strong diagnostics with high-definition images of what lies inside a body. Strong magnetic fields require precaution, as brought out by an instance where a young woman suffered very serious injuries due to an oversight in a metallic core within a silicone sex toy that she happened to have before the MRI scan. This makes a stark reminder about the potentially deadly consequences of missing metal objects when such procedures are being performed. In April 2023, a 23-year-old woman went into an MRI with a silicone plug containing a metal core that was not known.

She thought that the item is made entirely out of silicone according to the advertising. However, the strong magnetic field of the MRI machine interacted with the hidden metal, dragging the object through her body and causing excruciating pain. According to reports from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the scene was harrowing, with the woman screaming in agony and requiring immediate hospitalization. Despite pre-scan screenings, which are routine prior to a scan, the patient did not inform the facility that the object existed because he presumed it was purely non-metallic. This caused serious injuries that led to the patient's law suit against the manufacturer for deceitful misrepresentations of material content.

MRI machines employ magnets between 0.5 to 3 Tesla (T). This is thousands of times stronger than the Earth's magnetic field. The tremendous force causes ferromagnetic materials, like iron and nickel, to be magnetized quickly and become strongly attracted toward the magnet. Objects as small as hairpins or paper clips will accelerate at 40 miles per hour inside the magnetic field.

The force can lead to catastrophic injuries in items lodged within the body, such as metallic implants or foreign objects. Metallic cores within devices, like pacemakers or intrauterine devices, must be disclosed to radiologists to prevent such complications.

How Metal Objects Interact with MRI Fields?

On these claims, Dr. Adam Taylor, a specialist in human anatomy, weighed his words in a international health website and added that the distance away and mass of this object would increase its velocity towards that of sound, "The acceleration would be phenomenal, but with a metallic core, it can't go anywhere near supersonic speeds. As for the size, the magnetic acceleration to the internal soft tissues would ensure that there could be severe intracranial trauma."

The injuries inflicted in this case likely involved damage to major blood vessels, nerves, or organs, highlighting the devastating impact of even minor oversight during an MRI scan.

This is not an isolated case. There are documented cases of metallic objects causing serious damage during MRI scans with a 65-year-old man with schizophrenia swallowed metal objects, including sockets and a hinge pin. The powerful magnetic field during an MRI scan caused the objects to rupture his stomach, resulting in serious injuries.

A toddler who ingested 11 small magnets perforated his bowel while undergoing a scan, making his case unique. In another deadly but extremely rare incident, there have been people who hide a firearm on themselves during MRI procedures. Magnetic attraction can trigger a discharge in a weapon and has led to some fatal injuries.

These cases emphasize the very strong need for adequate screening and patient education prior to an MRI.

Preventing MRI-Related Incidents

Medical professionals have been trained to avoid risks. This is by properly screening a patient for metallic objects. In general, most pre-scan protocols include:

• Patients are interrogated about implants, recent surgery or exposures at work related to metals.
• Radiologists sometimes use handheld metal detectors to search for hidden items.
• People who work with metal, like welders or machinists, will need additional testing to detect microscopic metal fragments within soft tissues or eyes.

The case emphasizes the importance of product labeling by manufacturers, especially those products that are likely to unintentionally cause harm to health. The patient's assumption that her device was 100% silicone points to a larger problem in consumer markets with misinformation.

It also reminds the patients to report any possible dangers to the medical professionals, no matter how the objects look non-metallic. In sensitive cases, patients can request private discussions with healthcare providers to ensure safety without discomfort.

In the end, it is a joint effort from manufacturers, healthcare professionals, and patients that can prevent such tragedies. Manufacturers must ensure truthful marketing, while healthcare providers should educate patients about the dangers of metal objects in MRI settings. For patients, understanding the risks and actively participating in pre-scan disclosures can be lifesaving.

This young woman's experience is a sobering example of the unforeseen dangers posed by MRI machines when precautions are overlooked. It serves as a wake-up call to address gaps in patient awareness, medical protocols, and product transparency. By learning from this incident, the medical community and the public can work together to ensure MRI scans remain a safe and effective diagnostic tool.

Whooping cough deaths are rising in the US, as the country sees a surge in the infection. So far, tens of thousands have been infected, with at least 13 people dead from the bacterial infection this year. While the infection rate is lower than last year it continues to remain above typical pre-pandemic years. The Scientific American reports that the number of deaths have also seen a rise.

What Causes Whooping Cough?

Whooping cough or what is scientifically known as the respiratory infection called pertussis is severe, and is characterized by violent cough. It could leave people, especially infants, struggling to breath. While it is rarely fatal, it can have lingering symptoms and thus have earned the name '100-day cough'. Whooping cough is caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis, which emits toxins into a person's respiratory tract. This is why early treatment with antibiotics vital to managing the infection. The bacterium is easily spread between people, through direct contact and droplets from mouth or nose. This is what makes it contagious.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the US and its territories recorded 27,871 confirmed cases of whooping cough as of December 20 this year. By the same point last year, cases had reached 41,922, marking a sharp rebound after four pandemic years when annual infections stayed below 10,000.

Also Read: What Is Candida Auris Infection? The Deadly Superbug Spreading In US

How Lethal Is Whooping Cough?

As of now, 13 people have died of pertussis this year. As per the report from the Pan American Health Organization, and provision CDC data from last year, 10 deaths were noted in 2024, while three increased in 2025.

Public health experts worry that persistently high whooping cough cases this year, following last year’s surge, may reflect falling vaccination rates. The DTaP vaccine protects infants and young children, while Tdap covers older children and adults. CDC guidelines recommend multiple doses starting at two months, yet only 79 percent of children born in 2021 had received four DTaP doses by age two.

Who All Can Get The Shot For Whooping Cough?

Whooping cough is most dangerous, especially among infants under a year old. Public health experts also recommended that pregnant people must get the Tdap vaccine to transfer the antibodies to newborns. All adults are also advised to get the Tdap vaccine in every 10 years to ensure a continued protection.

What Are The Common Symptoms Of Whooping Cough?

Early symptoms that can last for 1 to 2 weeks usually include:

• Runny or stuffed-up nose
• Low-grade fever (less than 100.4°F)
• Mild, occasional cough

CDC notes that later symptoms could be rapid, violent, and uncontrolled coughing fits. About one to two weeks after early symptoms begin, many people develop intense coughing spells, known as paroxysms. These fits typically last one to six weeks, but in some cases can continue for up to 10 weeks. As the illness progresses, the cough becomes more frequent and severe.

During these episodes, people may produce a high-pitched “whoop” when breathing in, vomit during or after coughing, feel extreme exhaustion, struggle to breathe, have trouble sleeping, or even fracture a rib. Many describe it as the worst cough they have ever experienced.

As 2025 ends, more and more people are falling ill. With a surge in flu cases, and mystery disease like adenovirus, thousands of people are already infected. Now, a deadly fungus, also considered a superbug due to its resistance to all types of antibiotics. This is Candida auris.

Also Read: What To Know About The Super Flu Surge In US; 'It Will Likely Get Worse', Say Experts

What Is Candida Auris? The Superbug Resisting All Antibiotics

It is a type of invasive year that can cause deadly infections in people, especially with weakened immune system. As of now, it has infected at least 7,000 people across 27 US states, confirmed the data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The fungus can spread easily in healthcare settings, especially in hospitals and nursing homes. It is also spreading at an "alarming" rate, says CDC. The Hill reported that some strains of the fungus are troublesome because they are resistant to all types of antibiotics that are commonly used to treat fungal infections.

Due to fungus's resistance to antibiotics, it is becoming difficult to contain. As of now, more than half of the states have reported clinical cases of Candida auris in 2025. Another factor that makes it more dangerous is that standard lab tests cannot detect it. In a CDC press release, a CDC epidemiologist Dr Meghan Lyman said, "The rapid rise and geographic spread of cases is concerning and emphasizes the need for continued surveillance, expanded lab capacity, quicker diagnostic tests, and adherence to proven infection prevention and control."

Origins Of Candida Auris - The Superbug

This was first discovered in 2009 in Japan from the ear canal of a patient. Since then, it has spread to many countries, including India, where it was identified as a major public health threat in 2014.

Also Read: New Year's Eve Safety Tips, Fire Departments Across US Share Ways To Welcome 2026 Safely

Can Anyone Fight Off This Superbug?

Healthy people could possibly fight off this infection on their own. However, the population vulnerable could find it more difficult to fight off this deadly fungus. Melissa Nolan, an assistant professor of epidemiology and biostatistics at the University of South Carolina told Nexstar, "If you get infected with this pathogen that’s resistant to any treatment, there’s no treatment we can give you to help combat it. You’re all on your own."

Like the mystery disease, adenovirus, this fungus too can survive on surfaces, said Nolan. “It’s really good at just being, generally speaking, in the environment. So if you have it on a patient’s bed for example, on the railing, and you go to wipe everything down, if in whatever way maybe a couple of pathogens didn’t get cleared, then they’re becoming resistant. And so over time, they can kind of grow and populate in that hospital environment," said Nolan.

Is This Superbug Only Limited To The US?

Studies show that this superbug is not just limited to the US, but is spreading globally. It has already been found in at least 61 countries and on 6 continents. The study also found that the fungus is becoming more and more drug resistant, all due to its ability to switch from a yeast-like growth to a filament-driven spread. It also contains a cell wall that has proteins and makes it easier to stick on human skin "like glue". This is what enables it to colonize the human cells.

Former Australian batter Damien Martyn, 54, is suffering from meningitis, and was taken ill on Boxing Day in a Queensland hospital. The news on his condition came on Tuesday evening, and details confirmed to ESPNcircinfo noted that he is currently in an induced coma.

Former players, his colleagues and the sporting community is rallying around the 54-year-old, who currently "is in for the fight of his life" said the former AFL player Brad Hardie. His former teammate Darren Lehmann also told Martyn to "keep strong" on X.

“He is getting the best of treatment and [Martyn’s partner] Amanda and his family know that a lot of people are sending their prayers and best wishes,” said Adam Gilchrist his former Test and Western Australia teammate. Cricket Australia boss, Todd Greenberg, also wished Martyn a quick recovery. “I’m saddened to hear of Damien’s illness,” he said. “The best wishes of everyone at CA and in the wider cricket community are with him at this time.”

What Is Meningitis?

According to NHS UK, it is an infection of the protective membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord. It can affect anyone, but is most common in babies.

While fever is not always present, it is usually considered as one of the classic symptoms of meningitis. It is important to know the varied symptoms, causes, and treatments of meningitis for early diagnosis and proper management of the disease.

Meningitis is an infectious illness that brings about inflammation in the meninges. The most common cause of such inflammation is bacterial or viral infections, though other causes are also possible including fungal, parasitic, or non-infectious causes (autoimmune disease, head injury, or brain surgery). Meningitis may be caused by bacterial meningitis, which the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicates can be so severe and bring about conditions like hearing loss, vision problems, and death if not received on time.

Does Meningitis Always Result in Fever?

Although fever is a common presentation of meningitis, it is not always present. Certain people, particularly those with compromised immune systems, newborns, or the elderly, can get meningitis without significant temperature elevation. In these instances, other signs such as headache, confusion, or stiff neck can be more suggestive symptoms of the disease.

Fever in meningitis is usually caused by the body's immune reaction to the infection, but some factors can affect its occurrence or absence, such as:

• The nature of meningitis (bacterial, viral, fungal, or non-infectious)
• The immune response of the individual
• Pre-existing health conditions
• The course of the disease

Identifying the Symptoms of Meningitis

Meningitis signs may differ based on the reason and severity of infection. Even though fever is a common symptom, it should also be noted for other vital symptoms, which are:

• Severe headache
• Stiff neck
• Photophobia (sensitivity to light)
• Nausea and vomiting
• Confusion or inability to concentrate
• Fatigue or trouble waking up
• Seizures
• Skin rash (in meningococcal meningitis)

Symptoms in infants can be different and also involve excessive crying, irritability, feeding problems, a bulging soft spot (fontanelle) on the head, and unusual lethargy.