Report: 13 cases of flesh-eating bacteria, eight deaths confirmed in Florida
Officials said eight cases were tied to wound exposure but stressed the infections are "sporadic and unrelated to an outbreak."
The Sunshine State saw its highest-ever case count in 2024—82 infections and 19 deaths—with health officials noting that hurricanes and storm surges, such as those from Hurricane Helene last year, can push coastal waters inland, heightening infection risks.
The bacteria, found in saltwater and brackish water, can cause severe illness or death within one to two days, according to the CDC.
Most cases in the U.S. occur in Gulf Coast states.
Read the full story from Miami Herald's Sonia Osorio here.
Dr. Edward Hirsch, an infectious disease specialist at HCA Florida University Hospital, recommends rinsing off after swimming in ocean water and ensuring seafood is thoroughly cooked. "It's very frightening. Luckily, it's very rare," he added.
Here are some key facts about Vibrio vulnificus, according to the CDC:
For more information, visit the CDC's Vibrio page.
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Compass Therapeutics to Present Second Quarter Financial Results and Provide Business Update on August 11, 2025
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Yahoo
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HRT for beginners: Your complete guide to menopause hormone therapy
As a woman in her late 40s, I can't open Instagram, a news roundup or my email — much less the group chat — without seeing something about hormone therapy or menopause. Sure, the algorithm is just doing its thing (unlike my periods), but these really are hot topics now (sorry, brain fog prevented a clever hot flash analogy). Not only has search interest in hormone replacement therapy (HRT) more than tripled over the past five years, according to Google Trends, but celebrities and influencers are talking about it — and it's all over the news. It's curious, then, that prescribing rates are in the basement. Usage was a mere 4.7% among postmenopausal women, according to a 2024 study in JAMA Health Forum, and recent research suggests there hasn't been an uptick since. "It's surprising," says Dr. Stephanie Faubion, medical director of The Menopause Society and director of the Mayo Clinic Center for Women's Health. "Not every woman needs to be on hormone therapy, but a lot who need it probably aren't getting it." Hormone curious? Feeling overwhelmed by information? Just want to wake up not drenched in sweat? You're in the right place. What is hormone therapy for menopause? You probably know the term "hormone replacement therapy" or HRT, but experts prefer "menopause hormone therapy" (MHT) or just hormone therapy. "It's more accurate. We're not trying to replace hormones," Faubion says. "It takes a much lower dose to manage symptoms than what the premenopausal ovary would have made." Think about estrogen and/or progestin like a supplement rather than a replacement. Officially, MHT is for healthy women under the age of 60 and within 10 years of menopause to help with hot flashes and vaginal changes like dryness and painful sex. Beyond hot flashes: How hormone therapy can help Not to get into semantics again, but saying MHT "helps" is like saying weighted vests are just … popular. Even impressive stats like a 55% to 90% improvement in hot flashes, per a review in the Journal of Menopausal Medicine, seem to understate things. "For myself and many patients, hormone therapy has been life-changing," says Elana Bodzin, DPT, a pelvic floor physical therapist and menopause coach in Pleasant Ridge, Mich. "I was miserable with hot flashes and fatigue. Almost immediately I was sleeping through the night. My hot flashes were gone, my energy was back, my mental health improved; it was astounding how quickly I felt human again." Approved by the FDA for hot flashes (called vasomotor symptoms or VMS) and vaginal changes (aka genitourinary syndrome of menopause or GSM), MHT often has a ripple effect on other symptoms, quality of life and overall health, says Dr. Robert Kauffman, professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Texas Tech University in Amarillo, and a fellow of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology. For vaginal health, estrogen can alleviate dryness, increase blood flow and restore elasticity to vaginal tissues, which may help you get your groove back in the bedroom, as well as improve some urinary or incontinence issues, Bodzin says. Good news if your "I have to go" suddenly turns into "I have to go change my undies." And those are just the benefits you can feel. A review in the journal Best Practice & Research Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism found that MHT prevents bone loss and reduces the risk of fracture by 20% to 40%. It's also been shown to lower the risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, colon cancer and dementia, especially in high-risk groups. Is hormone therapy safe? The short answer: Yes. But, like anything, caveats exist. According to the Menopause Society, women with a history of breast or uterine cancer, cardiovascular or severe liver disease, blood clots or unexplained uterine bleeding are generally advised to avoid systemic menopausal hormone therapy — meaning the kind that travels through your entire body via options like pills or patches. "Otherwise, risks of adverse effects are very low for healthy women in their 40s and 50s — but not zero," says Faubion. "They include a slight increased risk for blood clots, stroke — and breast cancer with combo estrogen/progesterone therapy." Putting the risks in perspective Are those things scary? Sure. But risks can be minimized and the benefits tend to far outweigh the potential problems — especially when put in context. Take breast cancer. Only after three to five years of certain hormone regimens does breast cancer risk begin to rise — and even then, it's modest, states a 2025 report in the European Journal of Cancer. "We're talking a few extra cases per thousand after five years of estrogen plus progestogen therapy," says Faubion. "Consider other factors that also increase the risk of breast cancer, like being inactive or overweight or having one to two glasses of wine a night. Somehow hormone therapy has been demonized in ways other things haven't." The lingering fear factor Indeed, the biggest problem with hormone therapy may be its history. Back in the late 90s, MHT use was as high as 27%. Then the Women's Health Initiative study initially linked hormones to increased risk of heart attack, stroke and breast cancer — but those risks were most pronounced in women over 60, particularly those who started treatment many years after menopause. Panic-inducing headlines followed, and usage plummeted. Since then, additional analysis and new studies have shown minimal or no health risks in younger women using lower doses for shorter periods. The science evolved, but public opinion didn't. "There's still an unreasonable fear among both women and physicians. I'm stunned how many physicians are afraid of it; we've lost an entire generation who could have benefited," Kaufmann says. Whether MHT is right for you is a decision to make with your care provider based on health history, symptoms, and other factors. "If a woman watched her mother die of breast cancer, she may not want to take any chance, and that's OK, but others may feel differently," Faubion says. "Hormone therapy isn't the anti-aging miracle it's sometimes touted online but it's also not an evil thing out there killing people." Types of hormone therapy: Finding what works for you There are two main types of hormones, and within those, approximately a million ways to deliver them, give or take: Systemic: This estrogen-plus-progestin therapy is absorbed into your bloodstream and travels throughout the body — helping with classic menopause symptoms like hot flashes and bone loss. It comes in pills, patches, sprays, gels or high-dose vaginal rings (like Femring). Local or vaginal: This treatment (also called vaginal estrogen therapy) stays mostly in the vaginal tissues, easing symptoms like dryness, irritation and recurring UTIs — without significantly raising hormone levels in the rest of your body. It's available as creams, suppositories, vaginal gels and low-dose vaginal rings (like Estring). This type of hormone therapy does not increase your risk of blood clots or cancer. And it may even be safe for breast cancer patients and others who aren't candidates for systemic hormones. What you choose depends on personal preference, symptoms, health history — even insurance. Pills, patches and gels are often covered; vaginal rings, not so much. "We often start with transdermal estrogen — like a patch or gel — versus a pill because it bypasses the liver, so the risk of a blood clot is thought to be lower," Faubion says. Your health care provider might also suggest both systemic and local vaginal hormones. 'The lowest dose of systemic may work well for hot flashes, but often isn't enough to restore the vaginal tissues,' she says. One non-negotiable: If you have a uterus and take systemic estrogen, you must also take the hormone progestin, which protects against uterine cancer, reports the American Cancer Society. You can get a 2-in-1 or separate meds. Or, if you have a hormonal IUD like Mirena (perimenopause is hard enough without throwing an unintended pregnancy into the mix, amiright?), it takes care of the progestin. Dosage and monitoring The dose prescribed depends on different factors, including how far into menopause you are, age and severity of symptoms. For example, a menopausal woman in her 50s likely needs a lower dose than a 39-year-old who just had her ovaries removed and is thrust into menopause, Faubion says. The goal: Find the lowest effective dose, which may take trial and error. That's why tracking symptoms and follow-ups are important — as is speaking up if you don't get relief. "Unfortunately, some clinicians start with the lowest dose and never raise it, so women may not achieve symptom relief," Faubion says. Similarly, say something if you feel off. Just as some women don't do well with certain types of hormonal birth control, certain forms of MHT could trigger emotional or physical changes that others wouldn't, Bodzin says. With options on options, you can switch things up. Finding a provider fluent in hormones You might also need to reconsider your health care provider. The ob-gyn who expertly delivered your babies or handled your Pap smears with care may not have the same expertise — or enthusiasm — when it comes to menopause management. In fact, according to Mayo Clinic Proceedings, while 94% of ob-gyn residents say it's important to be trained in menopause care, more than a third wouldn't prescribe hormone therapy to a healthy, newly menopausal woman who could benefit. It's also not uncommon for clinicians to downplay symptoms or, because many were never educated on menopause management and aren't sure what to do, they may default to doing nothing, Faubion says. If this happens to you, it's time for a second opinion, allowing the Menopause Society to be your guide with their provider search. Still, some women are bypassing traditional office visits altogether in favor of online clinics that specialize in hormone therapy. While telemedicine clinics are convenient and improve accessibility, experts warn that MHT shouldn't be like shopping online for a pair of readers. "You still need regular pelvic exams and an assessment to be sure you don't have uterine cancer or other issues," reminds Kauffman, noting that follow-ups and monitoring are key. "Expanding access to care is a good thing, but I get some heartburn over what can't be done through the internet." In short, if you do go virtual, make sure you also have IRL care too. And regardless of where you go, remember: You are your best advocate. "It's never the right answer to be told nothing can be done," Faubion says. Meet the experts Stephanie Faubion, MD, director of the Mayo Clinic Center for Women's Health and medical director of the Menopause Society Robert Kauffman, MD, professor of obstetrics and gynecology, assistant dean for research education, and clinical professor of laboratory sciences and primary care at Texas Tech University and a fellow of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology Elana Bodzin, DPT, pelvic floor physical therapist, menopause coach and founder of Aligned Physical Therapy and Wellness Our health content is for informational purposes only and is not intended as professional medical advice. Consult a medical professional on questions about your health.
CNN
5 minutes ago
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My earwax buildup was a problem, but this easy-to-use, shower-safe ear cleaner helped
I've struggled with uncomfortable, unsightly and unhygienic earwax buildup my whole life, but after I stopped using cotton swabs like Q-tips to clean them — they can cut ear canals or perforate eardrums, potentially leading to hearing loss or other injuries, according to CNN — I struggled to find a suitable cleaning alternative. Cheap drugstore earwax removal kits were not only cumbersome to use, with their ear drops and washer bulbs, but ineffective at best and ear-clogging at worst, defeating the whole purpose. After one particularly harrowing earwax experience involving post-swim waterlogged ears that stifled my hearing for nearly a week and a doctor appointment that resulted in a medical ear flushing and a pool of Dijon-mustard-yellow gook the image of which will haunt the rest of my days, I knew I needed a better solution. When I discovered the Blask Wolf Wush Pro ear cleaner at Amazon — a shower-safe ear-flushing device for just $60 — I immediately added to cart, and I'm so glad I did. Here are my thoughts after testing it for the past five months. Black Wolf Wush Pro Ear Cleaner The Wush ear cleaner is easy to use and extremely effective at removing (and preventing) earwax buildup. Plus, because the whole device is water-resistant, you can just use it whenever you shower. Ease of setup and use With just a handful of parts to worry about — the ear irrigator (or main Wush device), six soft silicone ear tips and a plastic water basin to fill the irrigator and stand the device upright — the Wush ear cleaner is incredibly simple to use right out of the box. Ensuring it's fully charged and an ear tip is installed are the only things you need to worry about in terms of setup. When you're ready to use it for the first time, there are just two buttons on the main device you need to use: one that powers the Wush on and off, and another that toggles between its three pressure settings. After filling the reservoir with warm water, simply turn it on, choose your pressure level(s), then place the ear tip in each ear for about 15 seconds. Personally, I primarily stick to using the lowest pressure setting, as it's plenty powerful enough to get the job done on a daily basis for me, but it's nice to have the other two settings available for when you need an especially extra-deep cleaning or if you've missed a few ear cleanings in a row and want to make sure your ears are as clean as possible. On subsequent uses, I let the water run through the nozzle for a couple seconds after turning on the Wush in case of any residual water. I've also consistently found there's enough water in the basin for me to be able to fully clean both ears without having to refill it mid-clean, which keeps the overall process speedy and efficient. Proven results After the first few times using the Wush ear cleaner, I did check the cleanliness of my ears by using cotton swabs to see if there was any residual earwax still in my ears. Every single time, though, the Q-tips came out looking as clean as they did before they went in. I was admittedly a little surprised at how well it worked, expecting even just a little leftover wax fragments to be visible, but the Wush has done a consistently great job of flushing my ears, even at just its lowest pressure setting. I was also a little worried that using the Wush would cause my ears to get waterlogged, since whenever I go swimming, I often come home with clogged ears I have to spend a very long time attempting to unclog. Because the Wush essentially blasts a stream of powerful water directly into the ear canals, I thought it would 100% induce similar issues. Surprisingly, though, the Wush has only left my ears feeling slightly waterlogged two or three times over the course of five months, and it usually comes right out with a quick shake or two of my head. Conveniences abound Unlike the annoying aforementioned drugstore earwax removal kits, the Wush prioritizes convenience. I already mentioned the simplicity of being able to use it while showering, but additionally, I haven't had to recharge it once in the five months I've been using it. Granted, I haven't used it every single day, and I don't use the higher-intensity settings at all, but most people should be able to get three to five months of use out of it on a single charge. I also really like that multiple ear tips are included in case you want to share the device with others in your household (each person can have their own designated tip), not to mention they're just important to have on hand as backups if you somehow lose one or if one gets too dirty. (That being said, the one ear tip I've had in there since my first use still looks brand-new to me, and I haven't cleaned it separately. A gunk-magnet Apple AirPod, this is not.) Since starting to use the Wush earlier this year, I haven't had nearly as many issues with my ears clogging, and I haven't experienced other issues like touching around my ears and feeling built-up earwax or, even more embarrassing, seeing or feeling bits of earwax fall out of my ears at random. I would absolutely recommend the Wush to anyone looking for a quick, easy and safe way to clean their ears on a daily basis. Plus, it's more environmentally friendly than other options, eliminating the need to use and waste multiple cotton swabs daily. Intensity and potential dizziness As mentioned previously, I typically stick to the lowest pressure level when using the Wush, but sometimes I'll adjust it if I feel the need for a deeper clean. I did try the third, most powerful pressure level once when I first got the Wush; however, I haven't used it since, as it feels just slightly too intense for me and unnecessary, as I can achieve a significant clean at lower levels. Even the middle pressure level feels a little uncomfortable to me, but my ears could just be more sensitive than others'. Some reviewers online have also mentioned feeling a little dizzy and off-balance when using the Wush, but I have yet to personally experience anything like that. That said, I've also never had severe carsickness or any other form of motion sickness, so this could easily affect people differently. It's worth noting, though, that you should only use warm water with the Wush, as room-temperature or cold water could exacerbate any dizziness, according to Black Wolf. The brand also suggests tilting your head to the right when using the Wush on your right ear and tilting your head to the left when using it on your left one so both the water and wax can more easily flow out. This tilt could also contribute to being off-balance, so be aware of these things when trying the Wush the first few times and make sure you have a solid place to be able to balance yourself while standing in the shower to avoid any potentially hazardous slips or falls. No clear science or safety backing When attempting to research the safety and efficacy of using the Wush, I was surprised to find very little information online. In fact, all I found was this vague nothingburger of a statement buried deep in Black Wolf's site: 'Wush Pro is rigorously tested to meet high safety and performance standards. Its controlled water pressure and ergonomic design ensure a safe and effective clean every time.' I've reached out to Black Wolf, the maker of the Wush ear cleaner, for further information and will update this article if I hear back from them. What is the best way to use the Black Wolf Wush ear cleaner to clean your ears? What is the best way to use the Black Wolf Wush ear cleaner to clean your ears? The quickest, simplest way to use the Wush ear cleaner is while taking a shower. Simply fill the reservoir with warm water from the shower head, turn it on and choose your desired pressure level. Then insert the ear tip in each ear for about 10 to 15 seconds to Wush everything out. How often should you use the Black Wolf Wush ear cleaner? How often should you use the Black Wolf Wush ear cleaner? You can use the Wush ear cleaner daily, inserting the ear tip into each ear for about 10 to 15 seconds, to keep ears clean and prevent the buildup of earwax. Is it safe to use the Black Wolf Wush ear cleaner? Is it safe to use the Black Wolf Wush ear cleaner? Yes. According to Black Wolf, the brand that makes Wush, 'Wush Pro is rigorously tested to meet high safety and performance standards. Its controlled water pressure and ergonomic design ensure a safe and effective clean every time.' CNN Underscored has a team of writers and editors who have many years of experience testing, researching and recommending products, and they ensure each article is carefully edited and products are properly vetted. After neglecting having a robust skin care routine and advanced hygiene regimen for perhaps too long, CNN Underscored copy chief Daniel Toy has since invested in himself, testing and covering men's grooming products from longtime-favorite brand Harry's to LeBron James' The Shop.
