Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., said the confirmation of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead the Department of Health and Human Services is "not a slam dunk," as President Donald Trump's nominee works to shore up support.

In an appearance on "Fox News Sunday," Fetterman said he has met with Kennedy twice in his office and that whatever his decision ends up being on the HHS nominee, it will be "an informed view." 

"I've invested a lot of time to really understand his background and to learn more about the man," Fetterman said, adding: "I approached with an open mind and I watched the hearing. And that's how the process works." 

TRUMP HEALTH SECRETARY NOMINEE RFK JR SURVIVES HEATED HEARINGS AHEAD OF CRUCIAL CONFIRMATION VOTES

Asked if he's reached a decision on whether he'll vote "yay" or "nay" for Kennedy, Fetterman said he has spoken to colleagues on both sides regarding the matter. 

"It's been challenging for sure. Absolutely. It's certainly not a slam dunk for the nomination," Fetterman told "Fox News Sunday" host Shannon Bream. 

"I've made an investment to really understand and talk to all of the nominees, and I treated everyone with respect and I took the time to listen, and that's been part of my commitment," he added.

Kennedy, a lifelong Democrat who switched his presidential campaign against Biden to run as an Independent before ultimately dropping from the race to back Trump, made it through back-to-back grillings by the Senate Finance Committee on Wednesday and the Health Committee on Thursday. He still faces crucial committee and full Senate confirmation votes in his mission to lead 18 powerful federal agencies that oversee the nation's food and health.

VP VANCE MAKES CONFIRMATION PREDICTIONS FOR GABBARD, PATEL AND RFK, JR: 'HAVE TO FIGHT FOR EACH ONE'

Most of the tough questions and sparring over his stances on vaccines, abortion, Medicaid and other issues came from Democrats on the two committees, but Thursday's hearing ended with the top Republican on the Health panel saying he was "struggling" with Kennedy's nomination.

"Your past of undermining confidence in vaccines with unfounded or misleading arguments concerns me," Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., told the nominee.

The physician from Louisiana, who is a crucial vote and who has voiced concerns over Kennedy's past stance on vaccines, asked whether Kennedy can "be trusted to support the best public health." The senator told Kennedy, who seeks to lead key health agencies like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Food and Drug Administration, the National Institutes of Health and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, that "you may be hearing from me over the weekend."

Kennedy, whose outspoken views on the pharmaceutical and food industries have also sparked controversy, has said he aims to shift the focus of the agencies he would oversee toward promotion of a healthy lifestyle, including overhauling dietary guidelines, taking aim at ultra-processed foods and getting to the root causes of chronic diseases.

A strong pro-life advocate, Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., told "Fox News Sunday" that he is supporting Kennedy despite the nominee's past comments saying he supported codifying Roe v. Wade and abortion "even if it's full term."  

"I am now OK to supporting RFK Jr. because I think during the course of the hearing he's committed to a Republican pro-life agenda, President Trump's pro-life agenda," Graham said when asked about those specific past remarks from Kennedy. "So I will take him at his word. I'm comfortable with what he said on the pro-life issue. He has been radically pro-choice as a person. But I do believe that as secretary, he will implement a pro-life agenda that will be pushed by President Trump. I will be a yes, but I'll also watch every move he makes." 

Fox News' Paul Steinhauser contributed to this report.

A woman who suffered intensely painful periods for some 20 years was finally diagnosed with a revealing ailment — helping to clear up a mystery that began plaguing her even before she became a teenager.

Jen Moore, 35, a former wedding cake baker, said she was unable to stand up straight when she first began experiencing painful periods as a girl of 11 years old.

She said doctors put her on birth control pills to try to reduce her periods, according to news agency SWNS — but that didn't alleviate her pain over the years.

WOMAN WITH CANCER REVEALS THE DIET THAT SHE SAYS SAVED HER LIFE 

She was informed by doctors that what she was experiencing was "normal," she told the news agency — and that she was just someone who was "unlucky" to have painful menstrual periods.

But during the COVID lockdown, when she came off the contraceptives after 22 years, she said she "didn't recognize the person she became" and would often pass out from the pain and blood loss.

When she went to a physician due to her menstrual pain and had an ultrasound, she was told that no endometriosis had been detected, she told SWNS.

Not satisfied, Moore, of Cambridge, England, paid on her own to have an MRI scan.

She was ultimately diagnosed with endometriosis and adenomyosis, conditions in which the lining of the uterus grows in places where it should not be.

FDA APPROVES OPIOID-FREE PAIN MEDICATION WITH ‘NO SIGN OF ADDICTION’ 

Said Moore, "At the time, I thought it was normal because I didn't know any different."

When she was young, she said, her mother took her to see doctors — and Moore said she was told that her painful periods eventually would stop.

She said doctors told her that even if she did have endometriosis, "all they would do is put me on the pill."

She also said that today she still feels "rage" at what happened to her.

"I also feel heartbroken," she told SWNS, "thinking about myself as an 11-year-old who had no idea she was about to go through so many of these things."

She added, "I feel hope that generations are standing up and that they don't want to tolerate this anymore."

TRUMP AND A HEALTHIER AMERICA WELCOMED BY DOCTORS: 'NEW GOLDEN AGE'

Yet "I feel that it shouldn't have to fall to the patients to do that," she also said.

Moore said that even now, she feels "exhausted" and that there "isn't an area of my life" that this hasn't touched.

‘I’M A DOCTOR — HERE'S THE WELLNESS ROUTINE I FOLLOW FOR A LONGER, HEALTHIER LIFE'

She said that even though she had painful periods for so long, she wanted to go to college and try to live as normal a life as possible, "despite being bed-bound" for about a week every month. 

She has learned, she said, that she has endometriosis on her bowels and her bladder — "it's everywhere again, it's just relentless."

She said she's had "this condition damaging her organs for 22 years — that's a lot of damage to unpick, so surgeries are never magic and [don't] always provide a pain-free life."

"Unfortunately," she said, "there is still a lot of endometriosis for me."

Janet Lindsay, CEO of Wellbeing of Women, told SWNS, "Endometriosis is a condition that affects the lives of many women, often for years before a diagnosis is made … For too long, women's pain has been dismissed or misunderstood."

There is an "urgent need," she said, "for greater awareness, early diagnosis, and better support for those living with the condition."

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

Last year, Bindi Irwin, daughter of the late Steve "Crocodile Hunter" Irwin, discussed her recovery from surgery following an endometriosis diagnosis. 

Irwin, 26, said her "inescapable" pain was dismissed by doctors for 10 years as she was tested for all kinds of diseases.

"I was tested for everything," Irwin told People magazine last summer. "Every tropical disease, Lyme disease, cancer, you name it. I had every blood test and scan imaginable."

For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health

Endometriosis, according to the Mayo Clinic, is a condition "in which cells similar to the lining of the uterus, or endometrium, grow outside the uterus," as Fox News Digital previously reported.

"Endometriosis often involves the pelvic tissue and can envelop the ovaries and fallopian tubes."

The condition can be severely painful for those suffering from it — and it can impact fertility and menstruation.

Lauryn Overhultz of Fox News Digital contributed reporting.

A new opioid-free pain medication was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Thursday, marking a non-addictive alternative for patients.

Journavx (suzetrigine), made by Vertex, is the "first and only approved non-opioid oral pain signal inhibitor," according to a press release from the Massachusetts-based company.

The new drug is intended for treatment of moderate to severe acute pain in adults. 

COMMON PAIN RELIEVER COULD CAUSE MEDICAL COMPLICATIONS IN SOME PEOPLE OVER 65, STUDY SUGGESTS

Patients with acute pain after surgery or due to a broken bone or an injury are often prescribed opioid medications, according to Julie Pilitsis, MD, PhD, a neurosurgeon at Banner – University Medicine and chair of the Department of Neurosurgery at the University of Arizona College of Medicine in Tucson.

"This is the first time many patients receive opioids, and a subset of patients are known to go on to become dependent or addicted to the medications," she told Fox News Digital.

"Patients with pain have had very few options to treat their pain with medications that don’t have addictive properties or side effects they can’t tolerate."

THE 6 MOST COMMON HEADACHE TYPES — AND WHEN TO SEE A DOCTOR

The main reason traditional pain relievers have addictive properties or intolerable side effects is that they work by modifying receptors in the brain, Pilitsis noted.

"This medication — which is a drug that inhibits sodium channels — works outside the brain on pain receptors," she noted.

"To have a non-opioid option to prescribe in these cases is exciting — and this is the first time in nearly two decades that we have something new to offer patients for acute pain."

Acute pain — sudden or urgent pain that results from injury, trauma or surgery — affects more than 80 million Americans annually and is the most common reason for emergency department visits, according to statistics.

Around half of these will be prescribed an opioid, and 10% of those will have "prolonged opioid use."

In 2023, more than five million Americans 12 and older reported a "prescription use disorder" within the past year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Approximately 294,000 people died from prescription opioid overdoses between 1999 and 2022, the above source stated.

By managing acute pain effectively, suzetrigine may help prevent it from developing into chronic pain without the danger of dependency, meeting a "major unmet need," noted Jianguo Cheng, MD, PhD, a pain management specialist at Cleveland Clinic.

"Many current therapies rely on opioids, contributing to dependency and misuse," he told Fox News Digital. "Suzetrigine’s non-opioid mechanism eliminates risks of misuse, addiction and respiratory depression, making it a safer alternative for acute pain management."

In addition to acute pain, suzetrigine may also be a solution for neuropathic (nerve) pain, depending on the results of further studies, the doctor added.

Dr. Marc Siegel, clinical professor of medicine at NYU Langone Health and Fox News senior medical analyst, also applauded the approval of suzetrigine.

"It has no sign of addiction, which makes it a hugely important new tool as we fight the opioid epidemic," he told Fox News Digital.

In clinical trials, the non-opioid medication received high patient satisfaction ratings, with 83% reporting "good" to "excellent" pain relief in real-world applications, Cheng noted.

Siegel noted that the drug has shown to decrease pain by about half, which he described as "excellent."

"This drug is a big step forward and has been well-studied," he added.

Suzetrigine has become available for patients with acute pain, noted Pilitsis. 

"It will be important to find physicians who are comfortable prescribing pain medications and to check with your insurance company to ensure that it is covered," she advised.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

The medication is expected to fall under the Non-Opioids Prevent Addiction in the Nation (NOPAIN) Act, effective January 2025, which provides Medicare coverage for FDA-approved non-opioid pain therapies, according to Cheng. 

"This policy aims to improve access and affordability, ensuring suzetrigine’s inclusion in outpatient and surgical settings while reducing reliance on opioids," he said. 

The most common side effects of Journavx, according to the company’s website, include itching, muscle spasms, rash, and increased levels of an enzyme called creatine phosphokinase in the blood, among others.

The drug may also cause temporary fertility challenges.

For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health

Certain medications can increase the risk of side effects and affect the drug’s effectiveness, the company cautioned, as can food or drink containing grapefruit.

Patients should see their doctor if any side effects become bothersome or do not go away.

Fox News Digital reached out to Vertex for additional comment.

"Make America Healthy Again" (MAHA) became a rallying cry during the final months of the 2024 presidential election, after Robert F. Kennedy Jr. endorsed President Donald Trump and joined his campaign.

A little over a week after Election Day 2024, Trump announced Kennedy as his pick to lead the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). 

Under Kennedy's leadership, the MAHA movement aims to improve nutrition in America, eliminate toxins, preserve natural habitats and fight the chronic disease epidemic, according to its website.

TRUMP AND A HEALTHIER AMERICA WELCOMED BY DOCTORS: 'NEW GOLDEN AGE'

Read on to learn more about some of the key players behind the MAHA movement.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is a former presidential candidate, son of former Sen. Robert F. Kennedy and President Trump's pick for HHS secretary. 

Kennedy has said he aims to make America healthy again through strategies such as focusing on food and nutrition, targeting chronic diseases, changing FDA policies and raising awareness of alternative health treatments. 

'GOD-INTENDED FOODS' ARE KEY TO A HEALTHIER AMERICA, EXPERT SAYS

Jessica Reed Kraus is the author of "House Inhabit," one of the top culture Substack blogs. The California-based influencer previously described herself as "super liberal," but her politics shifted during the coronavirus pandemic. 

Kraus worked with both the Trump and RFK Jr. presidential campaigns, and she wrote glowingly about the MAHA Inaugural Ball in her Substack.

Marla Maples, ex-wife of President Donald Trump and mother of Tiffany Trump, was among the supporters who appeared on Capitol Hill this past Wednesday during the confirmation hearing for HHS secretary. 

The Georgia native, also a co-founder of the Global Wellness Forum, shared her excitement for the MAHA movement and her hopes for a healthier America.

MARLA MAPLES ADVOCATES FOR HEALTHIER FOOD CHOICES FOR AMERICANS AMID RFK JR. HEARINGS

"I have to support America's health, our children's health … We suffered [for] so long with what they're putting in our food supply without having consent on what we're getting medically," she told Fox News Digital in an interview. 

Jillian Michaels is a renowned fitness expert based in Miami, Florida. As a certified personal trainer and nutrition specialist, she takes a no-nonsense approach to health and wellness. 

In Sept. 2024, Michaels appeared in a "Make America Healthy Again" ad with healthcare entrepreneur Brigham Buhler.

Alex Clark is the host of the "Culture Apothecary" podcast. She speaks with guests who share their own healing remedies for those seeking alternative healthcare methods. 

A contributor to the nonprofit political organization Turning Point USA, the Arizona-based Clark has over 120,000 followers on X and nearly half a million Instagram followers.

Known as the "Food Babe," Vani Hari has been raising alarms about chemicals in food, water and the air for over a decade. 

Based in North Carolina, the mother of three is the author of several books and the "Food Babe" blog. 

As a food activist, Hari aims to influence major food giants to adopt healthier policies.

Caitlin Sinclair, who is with Turning Point Action, spoke with Fox News Digital about her personal connection to the MAHA movement.

Sinclair experienced a "dark, seven-year odyssey" of wrongful diagnoses, she shared. 

The MAHA movement is part of a "spiritual awakening" in the U.S. that is key to helping people achieve the American dream, she said.

Calley Means is a New York City-based entrepreneur, author and advocate for healthcare reform, focusing on the intersection of food, policy and chronic disease. 

Means co-founded TrueMed, a company in Washington, D.C., that helps Americans use health savings accounts (HSAs) and flexible spending accounts (FSAs) for preventative health measures like nutrition and fitness. 

He also co-wrote the book "Good Energy" with his sister, Casey Means, M.D. 

Dr. Casey Means is a Stanford-trained physician and metabolic health expert based in Los Angeles.

Formerly a surgeon, she shifted her focus to preventive medicine, emphasizing the role of diet and lifestyle in combating chronic disease. 

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

Means focuses on metabolic health, highlighting the connections between blood sugar, inflammation and long-term wellness. She was among the supporters who attended the confirmation hearing for RFK Jr. on Jan. 29.

Nicole Saphier, M.D., a board-certified radiologist with advanced fellowship training in breast imaging, is a Fox News medical contributor and bestselling author. 

The New York City-based doctor also wrote the book "Make America Healthy Again" in 2020, spearheading the MAHA movement. 

An Australian who now calls Los Angeles home, Liana Werner-Gray said her life changed dramatically in 2009 at age 21, when she was told she had cancer in her lymphatic system.   

Eschewing traditional medicine, Werner-Gray embarked on a "massive detox" and changed her diet. She is the author of "The Earth Diet" and several other books.

For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health

The wellness advocate spoke with Fox News Digital about her personal health journey while attending RFK Jr.'s confirmation hearing.

Daphne Oz is an Emmy-winning TV host, author and wellness advocate known for her expertise in healthy living, nutrition and balanced lifestyle choices. She is based in Florida.

As the daughter of Dr. Mehmet Oz, Daphne Oz has built a career emphasizing the importance of nourishing foods, mindful indulgence and wellness. She was recently spotted at the MAHA inaugural ball held in celebration of RFK Jr. on Jan. 20. 

A man who is 92 years old is not only still competing in his activity of choice, he's teaching others the secrets of how to live a long, healthy and fulfilling life.

Ivan Pedley, a retired toolmaker, plays ping-pong twice a week and said he has no plans to stop any time soon.

The grandfather of three took up the paddle sport when he was 14, news agency SWNS reported. Now, 78 years later, he's still playing.

'I'M A DOCTOR — HERE'S THE WELLNESS ROUTINE I FOLLOW FOR A LONGER, HEALTHIER LIFE'

The retiree plays roughly 14 games a week at the Great Wyrley Table Tennis Club in Staffordshire, West Midlands, England.

He often goes up against opponents who are much younger, SWNS said.

And while he may have slowed down a bit over time, Pedley said he rarely gets knocked off the table and that success at the sport is all about "technique."

He said regular ping-pong playing helps him stay fit and healthy and that continuing to play it well into his senior years is the best thing he's ever done.

"I enjoy every minute of it.", said Pedley, who lives in Walsall, West Midlands.

EATING THIS BREAKFAST FOOD COULD HELP YOU LIVE LONGER, STUDY SUGGESTS

"It's the best thing I've ever done. I don't know anyone older than 92 playing." 

He said that while others who play might be "faster" than he is, "it's all in the technique."

There are "a lot of people in their 60s" who play, he said, "but I play the younger people, too. I try to play everybody at the club.

TO LIVE LONGER, DO THESE 5 THINGS EVERY DAY, SAYS A BRAIN HEALTH EXPERT

"I'll keep going for as long as I can, as long as my health stays. Sitting on your backside is no help to anyone."

He said he first found his passion for ping-pong while he was a teenager and let it go for a while when he was in his 20s.

But once he reached his 60s, he rediscovered his love of the sport after a chance game with a friend while on vacation, he said.

He then started playing regularly again while also continuing to stay involved in bowling, swimming and judo. He's a brown belt.

Pedley said he believes he's gotten better at ping-pong because of the standard of skill in those he's playing against these days.

WORLD WAR II VETERAN TURNS 100, REVEALS SECRETS OF A LONG, HEALTHY LIFE 

He added, jokingly, "I do let these [them] win sometimes, though, because I don't want to dishearten them."

Pedley goes to the club on Tuesdays and Fridays, he said, spending up to three hours each time.

"I don't want to sit here and do nothing," he said. "I like to keep myself healthy. … I keep going. It makes me get up and do it.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

"Once you're committed, you have to try and turn up. I'd tell anyone to join a club to start with.

"I've done amateur competitions. I've got certificates from what I've achieved at table tennis."

For more Health articles, visit foxnews.com/health

"He'll always put his heart into it," club Secretary Tony Reeds told SWNS about Pedley/.

He said Pedley will play against "anyone" who comes into the club to play ping-pong.

"He's part of the furniture now. He's had some good games."

Pedley tells people, "If you want to keep fit, this is the way to do it," Reeds noted.

Older people are wise to stay active, eat well, remain connected to others and take care of themselves both physically and mentally in other ways as well, health and medical experts have long said. 

Contributing to the saturation of wives-focused television series in the 2010s was "Mob Wives," a docu-series following the lives of Italian women married to men serving prison sentences for mob-related crimes.

The reality show starred main protagonists Drita D'Avanzo, Carla Facciolo, Karen Gravano and Renee Graziano, daughter of infamous Bonanno crime family consigliere Anthony Graziano, and detailed tumultuous friendships and marriages, chaos and brutal banter.

"I received a call from a producer," Kelly Gorsky, a specialist in therapy, psychology and anger management, told Fox News Digital. "He said, ‘I have a complicated situation, a complicated potential client. Can you handle a difficult person, and would you be open to possibly treating them on a TV show?"

'MOB WIVES' STAR RENEE GRAZIANO SPEAKS OUT AFTER ARREST, CAR CRASH: ‘GRATEFUL TO BE ALIVE’

Since 2007, Gorsky has treated clients through her private practice.

With over 1 million viewers per episode, Season One of "Mob Wives" aired recorded sit-down sessions between Gorsky and Graziano.

"I learned to be challenged," Gorsky said. "I actually learned composure, self-filtering, self-control, self-regulation, even when a client attempts to place you in very uncomfortable circumstances."

Season One offered viewers a look into the stages of grief as a major story line unfolded in Graziano’s life. Her former husband, Hector "Junior" Pagan, was revealed as an FBI informant who wore a wire and snitched on her father. Graziano detailed her struggles to Gorsky during weekly sessions.

She acknowledged one key takeaway was learning how to support a client through the most challenging and unusual circumstances.

‘MOB WIVES' STAR NATALIE DIDONATO HAS BEEN FOUND AFTER BEING REPORTED MISSING: MOTHER

"Whatever they wanted to use out of that 50-minute session, it was out of their discretion," she said. "They got to use whatever content they wanted."

Unsure about the value of sessions recorded in an industrial building for viewers’ entertainment, Gorksy didn’t sign on for additional seasons.

The show aired for six seasons. The final episode aired one month after beloved "Mob Wives" cast member Angela Raiola, known as "Big Ang," died from complications of lung cancer.

'MOB WIVES' STAR RENEE GRAZIANO OVERDOSED ON FENTANYL: 'I WAS DEAD'

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER

Gorsky authored the book "Anger Management: 101," providing insights on how individuals can avoid engaging in or propelling arguments. She details coping skills, tools and information for an alternative to anger, which she initially applied to her own life.

"I had a tremendous amount of anger, friction, yelling, screaming, arguing, and it was just a roller coaster," she said, describing her childhood. "It wouldn’t stop."

"Anger is a pretty healthy emotion that provides you with a cue that something is wrong," Gorsky said.

The court-approved book is written in short chapters, and clients are encouraged to work through them gradually.

LIKE WHAT YOU’RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS

"The end goal is to make better decisions because you have better skills to resolve conflicts," Gorsky said.

"Even if you’re the most reactive individual, most of the time, everything is preplanned," she said. "All your plans, situations, people, events, gatherings; you know whom you’re with. You know who the people are. You know what the usual conflicts are."

Gorsky recommends planning management of expectations and responses versus flying blind and welcoming the alternative.

"Usually circumstances are predictable," she said.

As health officials report a surge of winter viruses, health experts are warning that heart disease symptoms can sometimes mimic respiratory illnesses.

Four viruses are circulating in the U.S., sparking concerns of a possible "quademic."

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), influenza, COVID-19 and norovirus are all at "very high levels" around the country, experts warn. 

NEW BIRD FLU STRAIN DETECTED ON POULTRY FARM AS EXPERTS MONITOR MUTATIONS

The American Heart Association (AHA) confirmed that certain viruses have been linked to increased risk of heart attack and stroke. 

"The highest risk is within three days of infection, but remains heightened for up to 90 days," the AHA stated on its website.

Johanna Contreras, M.D., a cardiologist at Mount Sinai Fuster Heart Hospital in New York City, said she has seen people mistaking virus symptoms for serious heart complications.

Some patients who experience shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing, swelling and palpitations may assume their symptoms are linked to a cold when these could be signs of heart failure, she said in a release sent to Fox News Digital.

FEELING EXTRA TIRED? THIS VIRUS COULD BE THE CULPRIT, STUDY SUGGESTS

Weakness, fever, dizziness and chest pain could also mask potentially life-threatening conditions.

Those may include pulmonary embolism (blood clot in the lungs), heart attack, pericarditis (inflammation around the lining of the heart), heart failure or viral myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle), according to Mount Sinai cardiologists.

Viruses can provoke an inflammatory condition, which can lead to or worsen cardiac conditions, according to Dr. Icilma Fergus, director of cardiovascular disparities for the Mount Sinai Health System in New York City.

"Typically, those [viruses] that make one sicker and promote a hypercoaguable state (an increased tendency to form blood clots) are more dangerous," she told Fox News Digital. 

THIS DISEASE KILLS MORE PEOPLE THAN ALL CANCERS AND ACCIDENTS COMBINED

"The focus has now been increasingly placed on RSV and norovirus on top of the known influenza and COVID viruses."

Anuradha Lala, M.D., another cardiologist at Mount Sinai in New York City, noted that the body’s immune system creates an inflammatory response to fight and eliminate the virus — but this inflammation could inadvertently harm cardiac tissue. 

"If you have a known heart condition, viral infections can bring on exacerbations — or a worsening of the underlying tissue — whether it is atrial fibrillation, coronary heart disease or heart failure," she noted in the release.

A recent patient at the hospital recently experienced severe shortness of breath, weakness, palpitations and fatigue, fearing they had heart failure, she noted. 

"After they had bloodwork taken, there was a frantic moment when we could not reach the patient to share results that revealed a significantly elevated troponin level, which can be linked to a heart attack," she shared in the release. 

"Although we suspected the worst, we eventually reached the patient and they were hospitalized with influenza A and severe viral myocarditis. They were treated appropriately and luckily there was a good outcome."

DIABETES, HEART DISEASE CASES SKYROCKET — AND SCIENTISTS SUGGEST A KEY REASON

Older adults — as well as those who are immunocompromised or have a history of heart issues or other underlying conditions — are particularly at risk for cardiac complications, according to the Mount Sinai cardiologists. 

"Anyone is susceptible, even healthcare providers — and anyone who is not paying attention to their symptoms may get sick with potentially life-threatening complications," Fergus said in the report.

Patients who notice persistent chest pain and palpitations after a viral illness should consider ruling out myocarditis, which is inflammation of the heart muscle, according to Contreras.

It is important to discuss any post-virus symptoms with a healthcare professional, especially for those in high-risk groups, health experts told Fox News Digital.

Specific symptoms that warrant emergency attention include chest pain, difficulty breathing or staying awake, feelings of passing out, or extremes of blood pressure.

Swelling of the legs may also be linked to cardiac events — especially if there is also an underlying heart condition or risk factors such as obesity, diabetes or a family history of heart disease, Lala stated in the Mount Sinai release.

During the cold, damp winter months, certain viruses may thrive and become more virulent, Fergus told Fox News Digital. 

"People should stay vigilant and observe for symptoms of an impending cold," she advised. "Get tested to know what virus you have, as the antiviral treatments are different."

People should take measures to avoid exposure to winter illnesses and seek treatment if they become ill, especially if they have an underlying condition, Fergus advised.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

It is recommended that those who are in vulnerable groups get vaccines when available, the cardiologist added.

The American Heart Association recommends following the below precautions to reduce the chances of contracting a virus: 

For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health

Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the U.S., according to the American Heart Association.

The Food and Drug Administration has reclassified a recall of chocolate products to its most serious level. 

On Dec. 12, 2024, the Cal Yee Farm LLC of Suisun Valley, California, issued a recall for several of its chocolate and yogurt-covered products, as well as its trail mix and toffee, due to undeclared allergens. 

"People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to milk, soy, wheat, sesame, FD&C #6 and almonds run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products," according to a release from Cal Yee Farm that was published on the FDA's website at the time.

WALMART RECALLS OVER 12,000 CARTONS OF CHICKEN BROTH IN 9 STATES

The products were sold in nine states — California, Arizona, Virginia, New Mexico, Texas, Tennessee, Oregon, Ohio and Pennsylvania — the release said. 

The company also operates an online store. 

In the Jan. 29 weekly enforcement report, the FDA classified the recall of eight Cal Yee Farm products as a "Class I" designation.

A "Class I" recall is "a situation in which there is a reasonable probability that the use of, or exposure to, a violative product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death," according to the FDA's website. 

THIS AMOUNT OF DARK CHOCOLATE DAILY COULD REDUCE DIABETES RISK, STUDY FINDS

These eight products involved are:

All but the Cal Yee's Cajun Sesame Hot Sticks and New Orleans Hot Mix products were recalled due to undeclared milk. 

The Cajun Sesame Hot Sticks and New Orleans Hot Mix were both recalled due to undeclared wheat and soybean oil, the FDA's website said.

For more Lifestyle articles, visit www.foxnews.com/lifestyle

Two fruit basket products, various butter toffee products and a mango with chili product that were part of the initial recall announcement were not included in the FDA's most recent enforcement report and have not been classified. 

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER

No illnesses related to the candies have been reported, the FDA's website said.

"The recall was initiated after an FDA inspection of our facility where it was discovered that products containing milk, soy, wheat, sesame, FD&C #6 and almonds were distributed in packaging that did not reveal the presence of milk, soy, wheat, sesame, FD&C #6 and almonds," said a release from Cal Yee Farm that was published by the FDA. 

Those with allergies to those foods and who believe they might have the recalled products "should not consume the product and should dispose of them or return them to us for a full refund," the release said. 

The top Republican on the Senate's chief health committee, Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., indicated Thursday during Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s second confirmation hearing of the week that his vote for Trump's nominee to head Health and Human Services was not a lock, noting that he was "struggling" to confirm Kennedy over his inability to admit vaccines are safe and don't cause autism.

Kennedy faced two separate hearings in front of Senate lawmakers this week in his bid to be the next secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services. Kennedy was probed frequently over his views on vaccines, which have been a sticking point for many senators as they figure out whether to vote in favor of Kennedy's nomination or not.

RFK JR RIPS DEM SENATOR FOR PUSHING ‘DISHONEST’ NARRATIVE ON PAST VACCINE COMMENTS: ‘CORRECTED IT MANY TIMES’

During the hearings, Kennedy refused to reject claims he has posited publicly in the past that vaccines cause autism and argued he is not anti-vaccine but rather "pro-safety." Kennedy added during the hearings that his plan as HHS secretary would be to "follow the science," noting that if the science says he is wrong on vaccines, he will publicly apologize. 

But senators, like Cassidy, have suggested during Kennedy's confirmation hearings that the science says vaccines are safe — and they don't cause autism.

"My responsibility is to learn, try and determine, if you can be trusted to support the best public health," Cassidy, a former physician, said during his closing remarks at Kennedy's Thursday confirmation hearing in front of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP). "A worthy movement called ‘MAHA,’" Cassidy continued, "to improve the health of Americans, or to undermine it, always asking for more evidence, and never accepting the evidence that is there … That is why I've been struggling with your nomination." 

DOCTOR DEFENDS RFK JR'S VACCINE STANCE: ‘HE’S NOT AGAINST VACCINES'

Cassidy repeatedly asked Kennedy during the Thursday hearing to publicly declare that vaccines don't cause autism, but he refused. "That would have an incredible impact," Cassidy said. 

"There are issues we are, man, ultra-processed food, obesity, we are simpatico. We are completely aligned," Cassidy continued during his closing remarks. "And as someone who has discussed immunizations with thousands of people, I understand that mothers want reassurance that the vaccine their child is receiving is necessary, safe and effective. We agree on that point, the two of us, but we've approached it differently. And I think I can say that I've approached it using the preponderance of evidence to reassure, and you've approached it using selective evidence to cast doubt."

Meanwhile, Cassidy pointed out the massive "megaphone" Kennedy has as a descendant of former President John F. Kennedy, and questioned whether he will use his credibility "to support" or "to undermine" the nation's public health and its confidence in vaccines.

"I got to figure that out, for my vote," Cassidy said.

A health company CEO explained why she and other mothers nationwide have rallied behind Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and the "MAHA" (Make America Healthy Again) movement, telling Fox News Wednesday that the former presidential candidate's promise of "radical transparency" in the health system is the key selling point to his supporters.

RFK JR. LIKELY TO BE CONFIRMED AS HEALTH SECRETARY, DR. SIEGEL SAYS

"When you have rates of obesity at 74% of adults and then even worse is 38% of children being pre-diabetic, something is wrong and everyone knows it," Caroline Carralero, the founder and CEO of Daily Nouri, a probiotic supplement company focused on achieving optimal gut microbiome health, told "The Story."

With obesity, Carralero highlighted a health crisis that Kennedy has focused on several times in the past.

"I've spent the last 10 years in the food and beverage industry, now leading a company that's focused on gut microbiome health," she told Fox News anchor Martha MacCallum. Carralero explained that her work has allowed her to be in close proximity to a lack of transparency present in the United States' food and health system that Kennedy has repeatedly called out.

RFK Jr., President Donald Trump's nominee for the Department of Health and Human Services, was grilled by Democrats during a three-hour confirmation hearing Wednesday.

SCOOP: TRUMP HHS SECRETARY NOMINEE RFK JR TO STRESS HE'S NOT ‘ANTI-VACCINE’ AT CONFIRMATION HEARING

Verbal jabs from Democrat senators were thrown at Kennedy, with many questioning his position on vaccines. Despite ongoing controversy over his stance on vaccines and other issues, Kennedy has repeatedly stated that he is not "anti-vaccine." He has been outspoken on the need for transparent data and information with regard to not just vaccines, but on a myriad of issues pertaining to American health.

During Kennedy's opening statements, he said, "News reports have claimed that I am anti-vaccine or anti-industry. I am neither. I am pro-safety." The HHS nominee also fired back at Democrat senators for pushing a "dishonest" narrative about him that he says he has repeatedly corrected on national television.

RFK JR RIPS DEM SENATOR FOR PUSHING ‘DISHONEST’ NARRATIVE ON PAST VACCINE COMMENTS: ‘CORRECTED IT MANY TIMES’

Carralero argued that America is standing at a "fork in the road" with regard to health and the wrong decisions could lead the country away from achieving optimal health practices.

"Really what's at stake is American health," she said.

"We can either continue along the path that we've been on, which is to say, continue with the health care system, or as some like to say, the sick care system that we have," she said, highlighting how the American health system is the fastest growing industry in the country with the most "failed" results.

Carralero detailed how Kennedy's mission for health is to get to the "root causes" of the chronic disease epidemic that is affecting children. In order to dig into these root causes, the health and food system in America needs to be "radically transparent."

"That's what's really caught moms' attention and that's what has kind of swept across this grass-roots movement. When you look at what's happened, it's a uni-party movement," said Carralero.

The Daily Nouri CEO argued that many of the moms behind the MAHA movement were Democrats who voted for Trump.

"They were historically voting Democrat and have crossed party lines because they know that their children's health is at stake and everyone knows that something is not right," Carralero said. "It's why we're all very much so in support of RFK Jr., getting confirmed."

As Robert F. Kennedy Jr. appeared on Capitol Hill Wednesday for the confirmation hearing for HHS Secretary, supporters and leaders in the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement gathered to show their support.

Among the supporters was Marla Maples, ex-wife of President Trump and mother to Tiffany Trump, who co-founded the Global Wellness Forum.

The organization "unites and empowers groups and activists worldwide, amplifying their efforts to promote health, sovereignty, truth and transparency," according to its website.

WHY DOES RFK JR.’S VOICE SOUND RASPY? HERE’S WHAT TO KNOW

Maples spoke with Fox News Digital in an on-camera interview sharing her excitement for the MAHA movement and her hopes for a healthier America under her friend Kennedy.

"I have to support America's health, our children's health … we suffered so long with what they're putting in our food supply without having consent on what we're getting medically," said Maples.

Maples added, "It's the most important thing I think we have for ourselves [and] our children … and I have a little grandbaby coming, so I want to make sure we leave a cleaner world for our children's children, too."

Tiffany, 30, is expecting a child with her husband Michael Boulos, President Trump announced in October. 

MAKE AMERICA HEALTHY AGAIN: THE POWERHOUSE FOODS THAT WORK MEDICAL MAGIC

Maples shared that Americans should "read every label" of the food they are consuming.

"Just make sure you stay away from corn syrups, any artificial colors. I've been telling people forever. No refined sugars." 

Maples said she believes Americans should rely on their own intuition when it comes to their health.

"Truly, you have an inner sense of what's good for us, and really trusting that, taking time and just caring enough about yourself."

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

She added, "It's really about maintaining your own health and being your own best doctor."

Maples also advocated for people growing their own food when possible.

"If you have the chance to grow your own garden, that's the best. I used to do it growing up. Now I live in a condo and I have little herbs growing."

The wellness advocate is also a big believer in the power of prayer, sharing, "Be really sure before you put anything in your body and pray over it all."

For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health

To stay fit both physically and mentally, Maples shared that she does handstands and lots of stretching.

"If I have a chance to play a sport during the week, I'll get out and do that because it keeps my mind very clear and helps my mind be very focused."

Representatives of the Global Wellness Forum were also seen supporting Kennedy at his confirmation hearing.

"We're going to be helping support Bobby and Bobby's initiatives in the government … making sure there's a way we can bring teams together to support what he's going to be doing in the government, so we can support in the community," Maples added.

Jillian Michaels continues to support Robert F. Kennedy Jr. after a contentious first day of his Senate confirmation hearing as secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

Michaels, who is the host of the "Keeping It Real" podcast that discusses health, fitness and nutrition, sat down with Fox News Digital to discuss why she believes Kennedy would be the best candidate for the role.

"I'm going to start out playing devil's advocate when it comes to RFK. I'm going to tell you that he's definitely eccentric. I mean, the guy's weird. It's like, yeah, I came across a dead bear and I thought, I'll eat it. No. I left it in the car. OK, hold on. Now, what do I do with it? I'll leave it in the park when someone finds a bear in the park, that'll be funny. I mean, he's totally eccentric," Michaels said, referring to Kennedy admitting to dumping a dead bear cub carcass 10 years ago in Central Park in August.

"I'm going to give you that. Is he malicious? No. Does he have nefarious intentions? Quite the opposite. And in fact, he has an illustrious career going after big corporations that prioritize profits over people. And I think this will be the first time in a long time, at least in the course of my adult life, we have a person who is running HHS, the Department of Health and Human Services, that actually wants to make America healthy again. And that's why I want him in this role. I don't believe that he can be corrupted, and I think that has been the root of America's healthcare crisis for decades," Michaels said.

JILLIAN MICHAELS ISSUES WARNING ON AMERICA'S ‘HORRIFYING’ HEALTH CRISIS: ‘GOOD AGAINST EVIL’

During her interview with Fox News Digital, Michaels shared her top tips for individuals who are focusing on getting healthier in 2025.

"I like to give people very low-hanging fruit here. And what I mean is accessible, affordable and not terribly time-consuming," she began.

"So, number one, start with the step goal. I asked for 10,000 steps a day and people are going, ‘I have no time to do this.’ So hold on and hear me out. I'll take 7,000 steps a day. And the answer is buying a walking pad for a few hundred bucks that you can fold up and put in the closet that has a little platform desk on it. And you can literally stand up, which burns one and a half times the calories of sitting. You can shuffle along at a snail's pace, which is what I do all day long. And over the course of your day, you will hit that step goal. And it doesn't matter if it's hailing cats and dogs outside, because it's an indoor opportunity to move your body while multitasking. So it's affordable, it's accessible, and you can do it while you're doing your day job, right?" Michaels continued.

WATCH: Jillian Michaels doesn’t believe RFK Jr can be ‘corrupted,’ truly ‘wants to make America healthy again’

Michaels' second tip is using "common sense" when it comes to food choices. 

"What I mean by that is if you're going to McDonald's, which of course I don't want you to do, but if you're going there, can you not buy the soda? Right. Can you get the friggin' grilled chicken sandwich instead of the Big Mac and the large fries? People understand that. Use common sense. Get the healthier option and cut half of it and take it home for later. This will save you money. 

"Don't drink calories. How do we cut back on calories? Because we want to use common sense of food choices. Meaning we will remove some of this ultra-processed crap that isn't good for us and will eat less calories, which will help us maintain a healthy body weight. Those two things will go a friggin' really long way. Every step in the right direction is exactly that. It's a step in the right direction versus a step in the wrong one," she continued.

Michaels' third and final tip for people looking to improve their health this year is to prioritize "better sleep hygiene." 

"Then I would say from there, wherever you can, grab your healthy habits and amplify them. Be it focusing on better sleep hygiene, maybe it's blue blockers, sleeping in a cold room, you know, having blackout shades so that you sleep better to get seven to eight hours. You should focus on that.

"If you can do little micro meditations throughout your day to help you manage stress. Community. This is where I would say grab and go. You know, I don't mind if you essentially dine at the buffet of healthy lifestyle habits. Wim Hof breathing, cold plunging, sauna, red light therapy supplementation. Great. Good. You know, pick and choose. By all means, but if you can give me a step goal, you can stop drinking calories, you can use common sense with your food choices, and you can really do your best to prioritize your sleep… That's 90% of the battle. I promise you it's 90% of the battle," she said.

WATCH: Jillian Michaels shares top tips for people trying to get healthier in 2025

Before RFK Jr.'s Senate hearing on Jan. 29, Michaels took to X to explain to her followers why he is a good candidate for the position within the United States government.

"It wasn't long ago that Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was widely celebrated as a champion of the people. A relentless fighter who took on corporate giants like Monsanto and the pharmaceutical cartels. His work in environmental law helped expose corporations poisoning our water, air, and food supply and his advocacy against Big Pharma's unchecked power made him a rare public figure willing to challenge billion-dollar interests that profit from human suffering.

"Yet today, the very people who once hailed him as a hero now viciously smear him with absurd and outright fabricated lies. The attacks aren't just dishonest; they're desperate," she said. 

Michaels went on to address misconceptions people have about Kennedy. 

"Kennedy is NOT anti-vax. He is vaccinated, and his children are vaccinated," she wrote in part. 

During the Senate hearing, Kennedy repeatedly insisted that he was not "anti-vaccine" and slammed multiple Democrat senators for pushing a "dishonest" narrative against him that he has "corrected" on national television many times. Democrats on the committee pointed to a slew of past comments from the nominee in which he questioned or disparaged COVID shots and other vaccines.

Michaels continued on X, formerly known as Twitter, "The media doesn't want you to research these facts for yourself. They want you to accept their cartoon villain version of RFK Jr. without question. Who's panicking? Follow the money.  Big Pharma, Big Ag, and Big Food - the same corporate behemoths Kennedy has spent decades exposing - are funneling millions into the campaign coffers of the politicians and media figures attacking him."

"These industries don't just bankroll senators; they own them. And they own the mainstream media, which is why every major outlet has been relentless in smearing him," she continued in part, adding that "the attacks have reached unprecedented levels."

LIKE WHAT YOU’RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS

Michaels concluded, "I've never in my life seen a single person so intensely maligned as RFK Jr. But the sheer desperation of the attacks tells you everything you need to know. They wouldn't be trying this hard if he weren't a real threat to their power. Don't take my word for it. Do your own research. See who benefits from these lies. Then if you are convinced that evil shouldn't win CALL or EMAIL your SENATOR and demand RFK is confirmed!"

Back in November, Michaels told "Fox & Friends" that she's "hopefully optimistic" about RFK Jr.'s impact on America's health.

WATCH: Jillian Michaels 'hopefully optimistic' about RFK Jr's impact on America's health

"I mean personally, I am overjoyed, but I am very focused on getting him confirmed through the Senate right now," Michaels said of Kennedy. 

In December, Michaels was a guest on "Jesse Watters Primetime" to discuss how RFK Jr. can "Make America Healthy Again." Watters played a clip of Kennedy performing impressive pull-ups at 71 and asked Jillian how "leading by example" can be effective.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER

WATCH: Leading by example begets trust, says Jillian Michaels

"Well, it begets trust. You practice what you preach. You don't just talk the talk, you walk the walk. Otherwise, it's just noise and everybody knows that," Michaels said.

Michaels stated that most Americans don't have the luxury of avoiding overly processed foods completely and believes that RFK Jr. will help systemically change how our food is prepared. 

"That's something that I believe, in my heart, that RFK is planning to deliver. He will get these poisons and this garbage out of the food, and he will root out corruption in our government agencies," she said.

SOBER EFFECTS - Kelly Ripa reveals the surprising result of giving up alcohol. Continue reading…

DEMENTIA DUPE – A little-known condition is often misdiagnosed as Alzheimer's disease. Continue reading…

WATER WEIGHT - A certain type of water could support weight loss, a study suggests. Continue reading…

Facebook

Instagram

YouTube

Twitter

LinkedIn

Fox News First

Fox News Opinion

Fox News Lifestyle

Fox News Health

Fox News Autos

Fox News Entertainment (FOX411)

Fox Business

Fox Weather

Fox Sports

Tubi

Fox News Go

Fox Nation

An Ebola outbreak has been reported in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

At least a dozen cases of the hemorrhagic fever have been reported in the Bolamba health zone, which is located in the Équateur Province in the DRC. Eight deaths have been reported.

Colomba Mampuya, president of the Red Cross/Ecuador committee, reportedly shared the information with media on Jan. 27.

CDC WARNS US PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIALS OF EBOLA-LIKE DISEASE

Meanwhile, the neighboring country of Tanzania has been grappling with an outbreak of Marburg fever.

"This is an unusually high death rate, even for Ebola," said Jacob Glanville, CEO and president of biotechnology company Centivax in San Francisco.

"This suggests either that more active cases have been identified, or that this strain is more lethal than average for prior strains, or that medical care was unusually poor for these subjects," he told Fox News Digital. 

The cases were identified in isolated villages, which improves the odds of outbreak isolation and increases the chance that medical care was substandard, Glanville noted. 

"However, biopsy samples should immediately be sequenced to rule out a new and potentially more lethal form of Ebola," he said.

KANSAS CITY TUBERCULOSIS OUTBREAK IS LARGEST IN US HISTORY

Samuel Scarpino, director of AI and life sciences and professor of health sciences at Northeastern University in Boston, reiterated that the ongoing situation in rural DRC is "quite serious."

"While the risk of widespread transmission is likely low, local impacts could still be substantial," he told Fox News Digital. 

"It is essential that the international community provides medical and public health support to DRC and that vaccines be made quickly available in both the affected and surrounding areas."

Both experts agreed that the U.S. is not at risk.

"Because Ebola only spreads from symptomatic individuals, the risk that a traveler could spark a small cluster of cases outside of DRC is very low," Scarpino said.

"We will be watching the situation closely, but currently, the risk to the U.S. is incredibly low."

Ebola occurs when someone is infected with orthoebolavirus zairense, which is a virus mainly found in sub-Saharan Africa, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The virus was first discovered in 1976 in the DRC.

The resulting disease is life-threatening, causing death in up to 90% of cases.

Initial symptoms of Ebola disease include "dry" symptoms like fever, aches, pains and fatigue, the CDC stated.

As the disease progresses, the person may experience "wet" symptoms like diarrhea, vomiting and unexplained bleeding.

Symptoms usually begin within eight to 10 days of exposure, according to the same source.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

The sickness is spread through contact with bodily fluids from someone who has been infected. 

In rare cases, it may spread from contact with an infected animal.

The best ways to prevent infection are to avoid contact with bodily fluids of infected people, to wear the proper protective equipment in high-risk environments, and to monitor for symptoms to ensure timely medical attention.

There are two FDA-approved medications (monoclonal antibodies) available to treat Ebola disease: mAb114 (Ansuvimab, also known as Ebanga) and REGN-EB3 (Inmazeb).

For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health

Patients should also receive supportive care, including fluids and electrolytes, medicine to treat symptoms and any necessary treatment for infections, according to the CDC.

Conservatives on social media rallied around Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on Wednesday as the Trump nominee for secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) faced questions from senators in his confirmation hearing.

"RFK crushed it," conservative commentator Charlie Kirk posted on X. "Very proud of him. Confirm him, now!"

"RFK killed it today," RNC national committeewoman Amy Kremer posted on X." So proud of him! LFG."

"RFK Jr is crushing this hearing," former GOP Rep. Scott Taylor posted on X. "Dems look unhinged and very petty. America is sicker, more obese, and more unhealthy than ever. Something has to change!"

'WHAT A JACKA--': CONSERVATIVES HAMMER DEM SENATOR'S 'DRONING MONOLOGUE' DURING RFK JR HEARING

"The room ERUPTED in applause IMMEDIATELY after RFK Jr’s confirmation hearing concluded," conservative commentator Benny Johnson posted on X. "Confirm him."

Former NCAA swimmer and conservative commentator Riley Gaines posted on X that "the Dems embarrassed themselves today."

RFK JR RIPS DEM SENATOR FOR PUSHING 'DISHONEST' NARRATIVE ON PAST VACCINE COMMENTS: 'CORRECTED IT MANY TIMES'

"Confirm RFK!!!!" Gaines wrote.

"Absolute masterclass," Trump 2024 Deputy Rapid Response Director Greg Price posted on X during the hearing.

Verbal fireworks exploded minutes into the Senate Finance Committee hearing on Wednesday, the first of two straight days of congressional confirmation hearings for the controversial vaccine skeptic and environmental crusader who ran for the White House in 2024 before ending his bid and endorsing Trump.

Kennedy repeatedly insisted that he was not "anti-vaccine" and slammed multiple Democratic senators for pushing a "dishonest" narrative against him that he has "corrected" on national television many times. Democrats on the committee pointed to a slew of past comments from the nominee in which he questioned or disparaged COVID shots and other vaccines.

Kennedy returns to Capitol Hill on Thursday for a hearing in front of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee. It is considered a courtesy hearing as only the Senate Finance Committee will vote on Kennedy's confirmation.

With Republicans controlling the Senate by a 53-47 majority, Kennedy can only afford to lose the support of three GOP senators if Democrats unite against his confirmation. During Wednesday's hearing, no Republicans appeared to oppose the nomination.

Fox News Digital's Paul Steinhauser contributed to this report.

A man who served in World War II as an airman recently turned 100 years old — and celebrated in style with two different birthday parties. 

He also said the smartphone has been one of the most significant inventions in his lifetime — plus shared his tips for living a long and healthy life. 

John Fife, who lives in Clevedon, in North Somerset in the U.K., turned 100 on Dec. 26, 2024, news agency SWNS reported.

EATING THIS BREAKFAST FOOD COULD HELP YOU LIVE LONGER, STUDY SUGGESTS

He celebrated first with family and friends at a hotel — and second with friends and neighbors in the lounge at Coleridge Court, a McCarthy Stone Retiring Living development, as SWNS noted.

He said, "I feel very fortunate that I still enjoy good health and am able to get out and about."

Born and educated in Edinburgh, Fife said he was called up for national service with the Royal Air Force in 1943. 

He trained as a wireless operator and air gunner in the RAF, SWNS said. 

He then served with Coastal Command Air/Sea Rescue until he was demobilized in 1946.

TO LIVE LONGER, DO THESE 5 THINGS EVERY DAY, SAYS A BRAIN HEALTH EXPERT

After leaving the military, Fife got married and started a career in the civil service with the Post Office Savings Bank in two different locations.

He, his wife and their two sons moved to Glasgow in 1966 where, following the separation of the Savings Bank from the Post Office, he worked on setting up a new headquarters for the Savings Bank, known today in the U.K. as National Savings & Investments, the same source noted.

During this time, he received special recognition for his services.

"In 1970, I was presented to Queen Elizabeth II on her visit to the headquarters of the new Department," Fife said, as SNWS reported.

He retired from the Civil Service in 1984 and moved to Clevedon to be nearer his sons.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

So how does he keep active even today? 

"I start each day with a fixed goal, such as a long walk or going to church, and I love completing jigsaws," he said, as SWNS reported.

For more Health articles, visit foxnews.com/health

He said he's also "made new friends and started new activities since moving to Coleridge Court in 2022."

When asked for his secrets of living a long life, Fife was quite clear.

"Make a decision to do things and carry them out and do what you can to help the less fortunate," he said.

He said medical advances throughout his years on Earth have been extraordinary — and also named the smartphone as probably the most significant development he's witnessed in his 100 years.

In a world where loneliness is becoming increasingly prevalent, researchers have taken a bold step forward by introducing Melody, a life-sized artificial intelligence robot designed to combat this growing epidemic. 

However, Melody is not just another gadget; she represents a significant move toward creating robots that closely resemble humans in both appearance and interaction.

Realbotix, the innovative tech firm responsible for Melody's creation, aims to produce robots that are not only visually indistinguishable from humans but also capable of meaningful interactions.

I’M GIVING AWAY THE LATEST & GREATEST AIRPODS PRO 2

According to CEO Andrew Kiguel, "Melody was created with the intention of having robots that are easy to travel with and modify for various forms of personal interaction." This focus on adaptability allows Melody to serve multiple roles, from educational tools to companions in entertainment.

Melody boasts an impressive array of features that enhance her functionality and user experience:

Realistic movements: Equipped with advanced motor technology, Melody can execute fluid and natural movements, enhancing her ability to engage in lifelike interactions.

CHINA’S NEWEST HUMANOID ROBOT IS READY TO SERVE LIKE NEVER BEFORE

Eye tracking and object recognition: With micro-cameras embedded in her eyes, she can maintain eye contact and recognize objects, making conversations feel more genuine.

Modular design: Her components can be easily disassembled and reassembled, allowing for portability and customization according to user needs.

Open-source compatibility: Melody's design supports integration with various AI platforms, including Realbotix's proprietary companionship AI, making her versatile for different applications.

GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HERE

Realbotix emphasizes that Melody's primary purpose lies in fostering connection rather than intimacy. Her role as an engaging companion is designed to enhance human experiences through interaction and fun. However, she can engage in adult conversations if desired. The company envisions Melody as a versatile solution for addressing loneliness, with potential applications across multiple domains such as education, healthcare and personal companionship.

WHAT IS ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI)?

With a price tag of $175,000, Melody is positioned as a premium product aimed at those seeking a unique blend of companionship and technology. This investment speaks to the growing market for humanoid robots designed for personal interaction, reflecting a shift in how we view relationships in an increasingly digital world.

SUBSCRIBE TO KURT’S YOUTUBE CHANNEL FOR QUICK VIDEO TIPS ON HOW TO WORK ALL OF YOUR TECH DEVICES

One look at Melody, and you might think she is designed for something else entirely. As technology evolves, so too does our understanding of companionship. Melody represents not just a technological advancement but also a cultural shift towards accepting robots as part of our social fabric. With her ability to remember personal interactions and adapt to individual preferences, she challenges our perceptions of connection in the modern age.

What do you think about the rise of humanoid robots like Melody? Are they the solution to loneliness or just another gadget? Let us know what you think by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact

For more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Cyberguy.com/Newsletter

Ask Kurt a question or let us know what stories you'd like us to cover.

Follow Kurt on his social channels:

Answers to the most-asked CyberGuy questions:

New from Kurt:

Copyright 2025 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.

Andie MacDowell is battling a painful neuromuscular disorder.

"I have piriformis syndrome, so it's a muscle that kind of clamps down on my sciatic nerve, and it was shooting down my leg," MacDowell shared on "The Drew Barrymore Show."

"I thought I was going to have hip replacement — thank God, my hips are fine," she remarked.

ANDIE MACDOWELL EMBRACES HER WRINKLES, SAYS GETTING OLDER 'DOESN'T FEEL LESS SEXY'

Piriformis syndrome occurs when your piriformis muscle compresses your sciatic nerve and results in inflammation. It can cause pain or numbness in your buttock and down the back of your leg. It can happen on one side of your body or both, according to the Cleveland Clinic. 

The 66-year-old actress added that she practiced daily exercises to mitigate any pain. 

"I have to work my tiny little bottom and my hips. I have to work the bottom and work my hip. I just do it every day… it doesn’t hurt anymore… it’s a miracle," said MacDowell.

During her appearance, MacDowell made a vulnerable admission about her health, saying she thought she was "literally falling apart" after she started riding her indoor bike "like a crazy person."

"It's not appropriate for my body, and I ended up with bad knees… a bad hip," she explained. 

"The good news is my pieces are fine," MacDowell said. "My knees are good except for aging. They've aged."

She continued, "I think as you age… lift weights, work with a [personal trainer] PT person to build your muscles." 

ANDIE MACDOWELL'S DAUGHTER MARGARET QUALLEY LEADS CELEBRITY KIDS TAKING OVER THE ACTING SCENE

The "Groundhog Day" alum additionally shared that she left Hollywood for a simpler life in South Carolina.

During her interview, MacDowell touched on how she’s coped with her children growing older and moving out.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER

"Everything changes, it’s a hard shift," she confessed. "You hear about how a lot of mothers… are happy… they’re free… I didn’t have that feeling, I still don’t have that feeling. I’ve had to work really hard on my independence."

The "St. Elmo’s Fire" actress shares three children with her ex-husband, Paul Qualley — daughters Margaret and Rainey, along with their son Justin. Both daughters have followed in their mom’s acting footsteps.

As Dry January has some people putting down the bottle for the first month of the year, the health benefits of eliminating alcohol are in the spotlight.

But TV personality Kelly Ripa, host of ABC’s "Live with Kelly and Mark," revealed that giving up alcohol had an unexpected effect on her.

On Wednesday’s episode, when Andy Cohen co-hosted alongside Ripa, he brought up that he is "in the middle of dry January."

6 TIPS TO REDUCE ALCOHOL USE AND CANCER RISK AFTER SURGEON GENERAL'S WARNING

"Usually, a little weight loss comes my way after," he commented. "That’s not really happening yet."

Ripa responded that when she quit drinking in 2017, she expected there to be a "windfall of weight loss."

"Because everybody’s like, ‘Well you are going to get too skinny … you can’t afford to lose it,’" she said. "I gained 12 pounds!"

DOES ‘DRY JANUARY’ ACTUALLY IMPROVE YOUR HEALTH? HERE'S WHAT TO KNOW

"I don’t understand this ‘magical weight loss’ that people [imply]," she continued. "I think I just took to eating the sugars … because apparently, alcohol is like a lot of sugar."

In 2020, Ripa revealed to People Magazine that she and her friends decided to try a sober month back in 2017, and that she "liked the way [she] felt."

"Not that I was a heavy drinker — I wasn’t someone who got drunk — but even like two glasses of wine at a girl’s night out dinner, I would feel it the next morning," she said.

"I just didn’t really feel the need or desire to go back to it," Ripa went on. "It wasn’t really a choice or a thought, it was just, ‘Yeah, I guess I don’t drink anymore.’"

Dr. Kathleen Jordan, Midi Health chief medical officer and women’s health and weight management specialist, shared some health benefits of eliminating or limiting alcohol, including reduced cancer risk and weight loss.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

"Less drinking eliminates the hundreds of calories in the drinks themselves (anywhere from 160 to 400 or more calories per drink) and less drinking is often accompanied by less late-night snacking," the California-based doctor told Fox News Digital.

"Less alcohol also helps your body get a good night’s sleep, while bad sleep is associated with weight gain. Alcohol interferes with the ability to reach a deep sleep, which then contributes to daytime fatigue and sluggishness – and ultimately to weight gain."

But limiting alcohol might not pose these benefits for everyone, Jordan noted.

If low or moderate drinkers experience weight gain after eliminating alcohol, the expert said that’s most likely due to substituting drinking with snacking or sugary mocktails.

For more Health articles, visit foxnews.com/health

Jordan recommended replacing alcohol with different variations of water instead, including bubbly, flat or garnished water, which will satiate "nervous eating" and the habit of drinking.

Dry January also occurs when the climate is cold and dark, with most Americans tending to spend more time indoors. 

To support the benefits of not drinking and prevent weight gain, Jordan advised keeping up with physical activity even during the winter months.