The Scan by 2 Minute Medicine®: Another Viral Virus, Is One Drink Too Much?, Eggs, Humans, and the Flu, and Detrimental Exercise:

The Scan by 2 Minute Medicine® is a pop-culture medical newsletter and exclusive benefit for 2 Minute Medicine Plus subscribers.

We begin with a discussion about a recent surge in human metapneumovirus cases in China. Then we take a closer look at the United States Surgeon General’s new recommendations on alcohol intake. After that, we examine recent developments in the avian flu outbreak. Finally, we discuss how strenuous exercise can be detrimental to women’s health.

Another Viral Virus:

The Story: The flu-like human metapneumovirus (HMPV) has seen a surge in cases in China and other countries in the northern hemisphere, evoking fear in a post-COVID-19 era that saw the start of a pandemic almost exactly 5 years ago.

So, what is the human metapneumovirus?

HMPV is a virus first identified in the Netherlands in 2001 that spreads from person to person via respiratory droplets. It predominantly affects children under the age of 2 but reinfection can occur throughout life. Infants, patients with chronic lung diseases such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, the immunocompromised, and the elderly are most vulnerable to the virus. Typical symptoms are indistinguishable from the flu and include cough, runny nose, congestion, and a sore throat. However, HMPV can cause hospitalization or even death if the lungs are severely affected.

Will this be the next viral pandemic?

HMPV cases are rising in China, leading to fears of another pandemic. However, experts say there is currently a very low possibility for HMPV to progress to that stage. Although the virus was only identified in 2001, researchers believe it has been around for decades. In fact, it is so common that some studies estimate that 90-100% of children are infected by HMPV by the age of 5 to 10 years old. This means most people have some degree of existing immunity due to previous exposure. Unlike COVID-19, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), or the flu, HMPV isn’t a household name simply because it isn’t routinely tested. Furthermore, the current HMPV spike correlates with lower temperatures that viruses spread easier in.

Could this surge disrupt the United States’ job market?

Although the current outbreak isn’t a global health concern, some experts fear a ripple effect on the economy. 2024 ended with layoff announcements from Amazon, Boeing, and Google, and projections estimate about 38% of firms utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) will replace human personnel with AI in 2025. HMPV’s pandemic potential remains low; however, COVID-19 has taught us we must remain vigilant in observing its economic and public health impacts.

Is One Drink Too Much?:

On January 3, 2025, the United States Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy released an advisory on the link between alcohol consumption and elevated cancer risk. The document states alcohol increases the risk of developing at least 7 types of cancer, including mouth, pharynx, larynx, esophagus, breast (in women), liver, and colorectal. In the U.S., alcohol is the third leading preventable cause of cancer, contributing to nearly 100,000 cancer cases and 20,000 cancer deaths every year. However, only 45% of Americans are aware of this relationship. Interestingly, even one drink a day can increase the risk of some cancers, including mouth and breast.

This is a far cry from studies that have actually suggested cardioprotective effects of alcohol and an inverse association between wine consumption and cancer risk. Furthermore, alcohol is glorified in pop culture through music, movies, and television shows. Songs such as Doses and Mimosas by Cherub and Shots by LMFAO are catchy and widespread, and a recent study found an average of more than two alcohol brand placements per episode in 10 popular television shows.

Dr. Murthy recommends we take a closer look at the current recommended limits for alcohol consumption, potentially decreasing it to 0. He is also pushing for the health warning label on alcohol-containing beverages to include a warning about cancer risk, similar to those seen on cigarette packages. When it comes to drinking alcohol, it appears less is better and none is best.

Eggs, Humans, and the Flu:

On January 6, 2025, the Louisiana Department of Health reported the United States’ first H5N1-related human death. The patient, who was older than 65 and had underlying health issues, became severely ill after positive contact with poultry and wild birds. Since 2024, the US has had 66 confirmed human cases, over half of which are from California.

H5N1, or the bird flu, is a subtype of avian influenza A that usually spreads between birds. The current outbreak began in January 2022 and is particularly interesting because of higher-than-usual incidence in mammals such as dairy cows. Although it infects humans on rare occasions, there hasn’t been recorded human-to-human spread. Symptoms are flu-like and include fever, cough, sore throat, headaches, muscle aches, and fatigue. Since 2003, the World Health Organization has counted 954 confirmed human cases of avian flu, with a mortality rate of about 52%. 

The news comes after a record-breaking 20 million egg-laying chickens died in the U.S. last quarter because of the bird flu. Some states require eggs from cage-free hens and the outbreak has led to egg shortages and a steep uptick in prices. California declared a state of emergency over the bird flu and the U.S. Department of Agriculture is pushing for vaccinating poultry. While human-to-human spread hasn’t occurred yet, experts warn that as more people are infected with H5N1, the chances of the virus mutating to become more transmissible increases.

Detrimental Exercise:

Dame Laura Kenny, a British cyclist, is the most decorated British female Olympian, with 5 gold and 1 silver medal. She retired in March 2024, just months before the Paris Olympics, to focus on family. Mother of Albie and Monty, Laura announced on New Year’s Eve that she is expecting her third child. The news comes after years of fertility woes, including a miscarriage in 2021 and an ectopic pregnancy in 2022.

Miscarriage, or natural pregnancy loss before 20 weeks of pregnancy, and ectopic pregnancy, when the fertilized egg implants outside of the uterus, occur at a rate of 10-20% and 2%, respectively. Risk factors for these conditions include maternal age, previous miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy, chronic diseases such as obesity and diabetes, smoking, and some infections. Laura Kenny wonders if Olympic training is also a risk factor. Many female Olympians including Hope Solo (soccer), Laura Roper (hockey), Rebecca Adlington (swimming), and many others have suffered miscarriages or ectopic pregnancies. Studies have shown that low- to moderate-intensity exercise does not increase the risk of miscarriage, although the jury is still out on the effect of extremely strenuous activity – particularly at the Olympic level – and “elite sports” on early pregnancy loss. However, vigorous exercise can cause anovulation, or the absence of periods, through hormonal pathways.

After competing for decades, Kenny says “it’s a relief” to retire and dedicate more time to her family. She also recently joined The Ectopic Pregnancy Trust as an ambassador, calling for more research into the link between elite sport and pregnancy. Her ectopic pregnancy cost her an ovary and almost her life. She is committed to preventing more women from suffering the same.