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.

People use aluminium foil as a common cooking tool and food storage solution, which studies show to be safe for most people when used occasionally. The proper method of use determines whether it functions as the best solution for storing food over extended periods. People can store dry, uncooked items in foil because it creates fewer safety risks than keeping reactive foods for extended periods. Ms Aditi Prasad Apte, Senior Clinical Nutritionist at Aster RV Hospital, Bangalore, in an interview with Health and Me, spoke about the dangers of storing food in aluminium foil. The expert also shared alternatives that are safer and can be helpful.

What happens when you store food in aluminium foil?

People who eat food processed with aluminium may ingest small amounts of aluminium through their meals. The likelihood of this occurrence increases when particular conditions exist, which include using food that contains heat, acid, salt, or strong spices. These include tomatoes, citrus, vinegar, and strongly flavoured foods. Heat increases the transfer, which means that wrapping hot food directly in foil produces higher transfer rates than covering leftovers for short periods. One should understand that storing hot food in foil can create food safety issues because of aluminium contamination.

How does storing food in aluminium foil affect the kidneys?

The use of foil creates an incomplete airtight seal, which results in insufficient cooling and creates unsafe storage conditions when food remains at dangerous temperatures for extended periods. The health risks connected to long-term excessive aluminium exposure have remained a topic of scientific discussion for many years. The bodies of healthy people process and remove aluminium consumed through food mainly via the kidneys.

People who have kidney problems must handle aluminium exposure with special caution. Research has studied the links between high aluminium exposure and neurological and bone problems, but has found no proof that using foil for daily activities leads to these medical issues. The larger issue requires people to take steps to reduce their exposure to unnecessary risks whenever possible.

Are there any safer alternatives?

Safer alternatives for routine storage include glass containers, stainless steel containers, ceramic storage, and food-grade silicone options. These products provide specific benefits for storing hot leftovers, acidic foods, and items that need to be kept in refrigerators for extended periods. Parchment paper may also be a better barrier than foil in some cooking situations.

There are also several myths worth clarifying. Some people believe that aluminium foil contains harmful substances that make it unsafe to use. Normal, occasional use is not the same as dangerous exposure. Another myth is that foil always reacts with food; in reality, reaction risk depends heavily on the type of food, temperature, and duration of contact.

The fact is that foil works better for wrapping food and providing temporary coverage than it does as a standard storage method. The best approach requires people to use aluminium foil appropriately in cooking situations. People should not store acidic or hot food in foil for extended periods, and they should not consume food that has come into contact with damaged foil. The safest approach for regular home use is to use foil only when necessary, while understanding which materials work better in specific situations.

With the launch of generic versions of Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro, the demand for these weight loss and diabetes medications is skyrocketing in India. Amid the rising demand, there is also a surge of counterfeit jabs—often sold through unregulated online vendors—that can endanger lives.

According to a Reuters report, Indian drug regulators have seized more than 260 suspected counterfeit pens of Eli Lilly's popular obesity and diabetes drug Mounjaro, worth Rs 7 million, ‌from the northern state of Haryana.

The suspected fake pens were recovered from a vehicle on the outskirts of New Delhi, and were kept under improper temperature conditions and appeared in different font sizes compared with the original product, which ⁠raised suspicion of being counterfeit.

The Haryana Food and Drug Control Administration has also arrested two people accused of making and selling the drugs. The primary accused did not have a pharmaceutical license and made the products at a private property, Drug Control Officer Amandeep Chauhan told Reuters. They had ordered peptides used in the drugs and other raw materials from vendors on the Chinese e-commerce platform Alibaba.

The arrested duo also sold the pens on the online marketplace IndiaMART at a 27 per cent discount to the original drug's price, ⁠Chauhan said.

While samples have been sent to government-run laboratories for confirmation, Eli Lilly and Company (India) spokesperson issued a statement welcoming the action against illicit medicines.

Noting that it "takes patient safety extremely seriously", the company stated that it's "actively supporting the investigation and will continue to work with regulatory and law enforcement authorities worldwide to protect patients from the risks of counterfeit products".

Also read: Lehengas, Diets & Now Mounjaro: The New Must-Have For Indian Brides?

Can Fake Ozempic/Mounjaro Pens Turn Dangerous?

The short answer: extremely. The risks go far beyond inefficacy. Some fake jabs contain:

• Insulin – Can dangerously drop blood sugar, leading to seizures or coma.
• Toxic substances – Seized products have been found to contain mercury, cement, and rat poison.
• Bacteria – Due to non-sterile production environments, leading to infections.
• Wrong or mixed medications – Including none of the intended drug at all.

Read More: Can Weight Loss Jabs Surge Divorce Rates? What Experts Are Saying

How To Identify Counterfeit Ozempic/ Mounjaro Pens?

Counterfeit products may have

• spelling errors,
• instruction leaflets not in English,
• unsealed packaging,
• changes in the size, shape, or appearance of medicine

These are indicators that the medicine has not been produced by the original manufacturer or is being illegally sold in the wrong market.

Further, counterfeit drugs are often sold on social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, or salon backrooms.

Also read: India To Strictly Inspect GLP-1 Drugs To Curb Misuse: Govt Flags Risks Amid Weight-loss Hype

Another major lure of counterfeit Ozempic/Mounjaro is the price tag—black-market versions are often heavily discounted. But remember: this comes at the cost of your health, safety, and potentially, your life.

If you’re unsure about a product, consult your pharmacist or primary care provider. Always ensure that any medication you take has been prescribed by a qualified healthcare provider and obtained from a licensed source.

As Bangladesh grapples with a surge in highly infectious measles cases, neighboring Indian states Meghalaya and Tripura are strengthening preventive measures by ramping up vaccination drives and intensifying surveillance, particularly in border districts, to curb any potential spillover and contain the spread of the disease.

As per media reports, Bangladesh is reporting more than 1,100 suspected infections in a single day. The vaccine-preventable measles has also claimed the lives of 98 children in the country’s one of the worst outbreaks.

Measles: Response In Meghalaya

To strengthen early detection and response in Indo-Bangla border areas, the Meghalaya government conducted an orientation-cum-preparedness meeting last week at the Amlarem Sub-Divisional Office with district administration and health department officials, the Border Security Force, community leaders, and grassroots workers, including ASHAs and Anganwadi workers.

Dr A Khonglah, sub-divisional medical and health officer, Amlarem, informed of a few suspected cases in the state, The Times Of India reported. Khonglah noted there was “no cause for panic”, but stressed that early reporting was critical for timely testing and treatment.

In a notification issued on Monday, Meghalaya’s state health department called for stepping up surveillance in East Khasi Hills District.

“Immediate corrective measures are required in response to ongoing measles outbreaks in Bangladesh and the heightened risk in border districts and blocks. It is imperative to strengthen surveillance, early detection, reporting, and response mechanisms across all sectors in East Khasi Hills District,” the notification said.

The state health department directives include:

• All fever with rash cases (suspected measles) in any age group should be reported immediately to the nearest health facility/ANM/medical officer.
• Ensure close coordination with the health department and World Health Organization (WHO) for timely investigation and response.
• Any child suspected of measles should be strictly restricted from attending school/AWC until complete recovery.
• The measles-suspected child should remain isolated at home with minimal contact to prevent further transmission.
• Sensitize teachers and Anganwadi Workers to identify symptoms of fever with rash.

Tripura: Closely Monitoring Measles Trends

Similarly, Health officials in Tripura are also assessing the prevailing measles and rubella situation, with a focus on vaccination coverage and containment measures.

The officials in a review meeting focused on evaluating infection trends, immunization progress, and the effectiveness of ongoing containment strategies, Northeast Today reported.

Mission Director of the National Health Mission (NHM), Saju Vaheed A on Sunday visited Unakoti district to assess the prevailing measles and rubella situation, with a focus on vaccination coverage and containment measures.

The director reviewed data on vaccination coverage and stressed the need for close monitoring of vulnerable areas.

Also read: Measles Again On The Rise Globally: Is India At Risk?

Measles: Sporadic Outbreaks In India

Since the beginning of the year, India is seeing sporadic outbreaks of measles. Madhya Pradesh's Gwalior reported three outbreaks, and Morena six.

Over January and February 2026, 41 children were diagnosed with measles in Tikari village in Madhya Pradesh.

However, swift action by health authorities with proactive frontline engagement and data-driven rapid response prevented an escalation into large measles outbreaks. These sporadic outbreaks also highlighted the critical importance of measles-rubella (MR) vaccination in protecting children and communities.

Measles in Bangladesh

As per official data, till April 19, Bangladesh recorded 3,443 confirmed measles cases and more than 23,600 suspected infections.

While over 12,000 patients have recovered, the outbreak has resulted in at least 36 confirmed deaths and 181 deaths among suspected cases, MNTV reported.

In response, Bangladesh has vaccinated more than 1.9 million children against measles and rubella in an emergency nationwide campaign.

Health Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain said the situation has begun to stabilize due to early intervention, adding that vaccine supplies remain sufficient to sustain the campaign through June.

What Is Measles?

Measles is a highly contagious virus that spreads through direct contact or through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It is a vaccine-preventable disease that can cause devastating complications, including blindness, pneumonia, encephalitis, and long-term immune dysfunction.

Symptoms typically appear seven to 14 days after exposure and may include:

• high fever,
• cough,
• runny nose,
• red eyes,
• rashes across the body.

To safeguard against measles, individuals should ensure timely vaccination, especially for children.

Maintaining good hygiene, such as frequent handwashing and covering the mouth while coughing or sneezing, helps reduce transmission.

Avoiding close contact with infected individuals and ensuring proper nutrition to boost immunity are also important.

Public awareness and community health programs play a crucial role in prevention.