After Doctors Misdiagnosed Her with a Cold, a 5-Year-Old Girl Died from a Treatable Illness Common in Children

July 12, 2025 - by USA Facts News - Leave a Comment

Cassie | Source: Facebook/jazz.worobez.3

After Doctors Misdiagnosed Her with a Cold, a 5-Year-Old Girl Died from a Treatable Illness Common in Children

A little girl lost her voice just days after her illness began, yet doctors insisted it was a simple viral infection. Her parents were told to wait it out. They would later find out that a basic test could have changed everything and saved her life.

Cassie was five, energetic, and in her first year of school when she began showing signs of what doctors described as an ordinary seasonal virus. The symptoms, initially mild, didn’t raise alarms among the professionals who examined her. But for her parents, something didn’t sit right.

As Cassie’s condition steadily declined, they were left clinging to medical advice that would soon prove devastatingly wrong. No one realized that her body was fighting a bacterial infection that affects hundreds of millions of people worldwide and is often resolved with a single course of antibiotics. Little Cassie never got that chance.

Early Symptoms and a Dismissive Diagnosis

It began with a sore throat and hoarse voice, symptoms common enough in young children that they rarely cause panic. But within three days, Cassie had lost her voice completely. Her mother, Jasmine, and stepfather, Justin Sutton, grew concerned. Something felt off. Cassie wasn’t acting like herself.

Seeking answers, the family took her to a local doctor. The assessment was brief and uncomplicated. Cassie was diagnosed with a viral infection, likely a cold, and they were told to let it run its course. There was no further investigation into her symptoms.

The advice was to keep her comfortable at home. Despite following the doctor’s instructions, Cassie’s condition didn’t improve. Her energy was fading, and her voice hadn’t returned. Still, reassured by professionals, her parents held on to hope that rest and time would be enough.

Escalating Trouble and an Emergency Room Visit

As days passed, Cassie’s breathing began to change. What started as quiet fatigue turned into visible distress. Her stepfather later described it as resembling an asthma attack or the labored breath of someone with emphysema. It was clear that something more than a cold was taking hold.

Alarmed, Cassie’s parents rushed her to the emergency room. There, doctors performed tests for COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), both of which came back negative. Once again, the family was told she likely had a viral infection.

Despite Cassie’s growing discomfort and difficulty breathing, they were advised to take her home and continue monitoring her. No bacterial tests were ordered, and antibiotics were not considered. Cassie was sent home for the second time, her parents still searching for answers that the system wasn’t giving them.

What Is Strep A?

What no one considered was one of the most common yet potentially dangerous infections among children her age: group A Streptococcus, more commonly known as strep A. The condition primarily affects school-aged children between five and 15, and can spread easily among siblings, caregivers, teachers, and anyone in close-contact settings.

Households, daycares, schools, colleges, and even military barracks are considered high-risk environments due to the ease of person-to-person transmission. Strep A is most known for causing strep throat, a condition that inflames the throat and tonsils — the lymph nodes at the back of the mouth.

Optical microscopy image of group A Streptococcus pyogenes, the bacterium linked to strep throat and other serious infections | Source: Getty Images

Unlike typical colds, strep throat often comes with a sudden, severe sore throat, fever, and swollen lymph nodes. The inflammation typically spreads to the surrounding area, resulting in pharyngitis, or sore throat.

Diagnosis is simple. Treatment involves antibiotics, typically penicillin or amoxicillin. A quick throat swab can confirm the presence of the bacteria. For those allergic to penicillin, alternative antibiotics can be prescribed. Medication may be delivered via pills, liquid, or injection.

A medical worker takes throat swab samples from a child | Source: Getty Images

The standard treatment lasts ten days, and the full course must be completed even if symptoms improve early, to ensure the bacteria are fully eliminated. Stopping early increases the risk of complications or recurrence.

With proper diagnosis and treatment, strep throat typically resolves in seven to ten days. But when misdiagnosed, as in Cassie’s case, the delay can have irreversible consequences.

Collapse at Home and Medical Response

Despite being discharged with instructions to wait it out, Cassie’s condition did not stabilize. At home, her symptoms quickly shifted from concerning to critical. What had once been labored breathing became an emergency.

Her lips turned blue, and she started drifting in and out of consciousness while in her mother’s arms. Jasmine immediately called triple-0, and as they waited for help to arrive, Justin began CPR. He continued for ten to 15 minutes until paramedics arrived and took over.

Cassie was flown by medical helicopter to Westmead Children’s Hospital. There, doctors worked urgently to revive her. But by the time she arrived, her body had already endured too much.

A Diagnosis That Came Too Late

At Westmead Children’s Hospital, doctors did everything they could to revive Cassie. For 78 minutes, they performed continuous CPR, but the lack of oxygen had already caused irreversible damage. On August 28, 2023, her parents were called in for a meeting.

There, they received the news that Cassie had been pronounced brain dead. It was only after this that the hospital conducted a throat swab. The results confirmed what none of the earlier examinations had tested for. Cassie had contracted strep A.

The bacterial infection that had gone undetected could have been treated if caught in time. Her family was left grappling not only with the loss but with the knowledge that the condition was entirely preventable. The illness had been hiding in plain sight.

Global Prevalence and Risks

Cassie’s case is far from isolated. Group A Streptococcus is one of the most common bacterial infections worldwide, with healthcare providers globally diagnosing over 616 million new cases each year. Of those cases, around 500,000 result in death.

In the U.S., it accounts for about 15 to 35 percent of sore throat cases in children, and five to 15 percent in adults, making it one of the most common reasons children visit a doctor.

Despite its prevalence, it is frequently overlooked during initial examinations, especially when symptoms resemble those of a viral cold. Because cough is typically absent in strep A infections, the presence of fever, sore throat, and fatigue without respiratory congestion should prompt immediate testing.

Strep throat gets its name from the group A Streptococcus (GAS) bacteria that cause it. There are more than 120 strains of this bacterium, and while most cases are mild, certain strains can lead to severe complications.

Optical microscopy image of group A Streptococcus pyogenes | Source: Getty Images

If untreated, strep throat may develop into rheumatic fever, a serious illness that can cause permanent damage to the heart and its valves. Symptoms often come on suddenly and may include:

A severe sore throat
Fever that spikes quickly, often on the second day
Chills
Headache
Loss of appetite
Abdominal pain
Nausea or vomiting

Notably, a cough is not usually present with strep throat. This distinction matters: when a patient has a cough and cold-like symptoms, it’s more likely to be viral, not bacterial. However, some people infected with strep A may show no symptoms at all, making them unknowing carriers.

Group A Streptococcus pyogenes, the bacterium linked to strep throat and other infections | Source: Getty Images

Strep throat is highly contagious. Even those without symptoms can spread it, though people with active symptoms are more infectious. It spreads through respiratory droplets by coughing, sneezing, or even sharing utensils.

With proper diagnosis and treatment, strep throat typically resolves in seven to 10 days. But when misdiagnosed, the delay can have irreversible consequences. Yet in many cases, including Cassie’s, such testing is not performed unless specifically requested.

In children, whose immune systems are still developing, the condition can escalate with alarming speed. Awareness and timely intervention remain the most effective tools for prevention.

Cassie’s Final Gift on Jersey Day

In the days following Cassie’s passing, her family faced decisions no parent ever wants to make. Amid their grief, they chose to honor her life by helping others. Cassie’s organs were donated on September 1, 2023. The day coincided with Jersey Day, a national campaign in Australia that promotes organ and tissue donation.

Three children received life-saving transplants as a result of that decision. All three recipients were expected to make full recoveries. For Cassie’s family, knowing she was able to help others brought a sense of meaning to an otherwise senseless loss.

Her stepfather described her as a “real-life superhero,” a child who, in the face of unimaginable circumstances, was able to change the course of three other families’ lives.

Grief, Reflection, and a Plea for Awareness

As they prepared for Cassie’s funeral, her family described feeling numb, a state that allowed them to function moment to moment. In the quiet between arrangements and farewells, the weight of what had happened settled in.

While nothing could bring Cassie back, her parents found themselves returning to the same thought: the outcome could have been different. A single course of antibiotics might have saved her. The infection was treatable, and the warning signs had been there.

Still, they weren’t focused on blame. For now, their priority was making others aware. They urged families to speak up when something doesn’t feel right, to trust their instincts, and to ask for tests even when reassured by medical professionals.

“But what I’ve said to everyone is we’re going to worry about those doctors later because that’s a fight for a different day,” said Justin. Their hope now was to prevent other families from facing the same loss. Jasmine and Justin’s story is not isolated.

In the UK, another family experienced a nearly identical heartbreak when doctors dismissed the symptoms of their five-year-old daughter, just hours before she died beside her mother in her sleep.

Real Life

People lose it as they’re just now realizing what the tiny pockets in jeans are for

February 27, 2025 - by USA Facts News - Leave a Comment

People lose it as they’re just now realizing what the tiny pockets in jeans are for

A Levi jeans historian has revealed the reason for the small pockets in jeans

If you have ever wondered why there are so many tiny pockets in jeans, today is the day you find out.

While many people may use the tiny pockets in jeans to hold their loose change or other small items, you may be surprised to learn that’s not what they were originally designed for.

The pockets in question are usually found inside the larger main pocket at the front of jeans, and they’ve been the source of a lot of speculation over the years.

People on Twitter have shared their theories for what this tiny pocket for, with one user writing: “To hide money so you’ll forget about it and remember when you are broke.”

People online have shared what they have been using the mini pockets in jeans for (Getty Stock Image)

Another said: “Mom used to say ‘A quarter for the phone’.”

But the original design of these tiny pockets spans as far back as the 1870s, when the first ever made pair of jeans was made in 1873. It was made for an item that is rarely used in modern society.

Yet the classic fashion feature of tiny pockets still exists.

What were the tiny pockets on jeans originally designed for?

Well, these pockets were intended to hold pocket watches, which is a small clock faces set within a metal case commonly used at the time of the jeans’ invention.

Of course, we don’t tend to use pocket watches now because anything with a screen can tell us the time. Although wristwatches existed at the time of these jeans, they only became more common in the 20th century and therefore pocket watches were more of a go-to to tell the time.

Historian Tracey Panek, who works for the original makers of jeans, Levi Strauss & Co’s, detailed further the reason behind this as she spoke to Insider.

Panek said: “The oldest pair of waist overalls in the Levi Strauss & Co. Archives (from 1879) include the watch pocket. Our 19th century overalls had a single back pocket on the right side of the pant beneath the leather patch.”

Waist overalls are the initial name for the blue jeans made by Levi Strauss & Co in 1873.

Why do jeans still have the tiny pockets?

But although the pocket watch is not used nowadays, there is a notable reason why jeans still include the tiny pockets inside them today in Levi jeans.

Panek explained: “One interesting fact about the watch pocket is that during WWII the two corner rivets were removed as a way to conserve metal for the war effort.”

The historian added: “The rivets returned to the watch pocket after the war. It was riveted in the top two corners and included our recognizable arch design, called the Arcuate, stitched with a single needle sewing machine.”

There is a reason mini pockets in jeans still exist today (Getty Stock Image)

“The watch pocket was an original element of our blue jeans, like the rivets on our pockets, button fly, arched back pocket stitching and leather patch,” Panek continued.

“To preserve the integrity of the early design, Levi Strauss & Co. maintains the watch pocket.”

On the Levi’s website, she added: “This cinch-free blue jean with the uniform look of the Arcuate, a contrast to previous years when the single-needle application made each Arcuate design unique, was the blue jean of the future and you can still see it in our 501 jeans more than 70 years later.

“Levi’s emerged from World War II as fresh, modern and uniformly manufactured.

“And with a distribution that now spanned oceans, it was well on its way to becoming the world’s ubiquitous global garment that it is today.”

Real Life

What We Know About Gabby Petito’s Death: Her Family Opened Up Ahead of Netflix Documentary Release

February 19, 2025 - by USA Facts News - Leave a Comment

Gabby Petito and Brian Laundrie | Source: Instagram/gabspetito

What We Know About Gabby Petito’s Death: Her Family Opened Up Ahead of Netflix Documentary Release

From a disturbing 911 call to Brian Laundrie’s mother’s chilling letter, here’s what we know about Gabby Petito’s death, the investigation, and the unanswered questions that remain.

The disappearance of Gabby Petito in 2021 gripped the nation, sparking widespread media coverage and public concern. Now, her tragic story is the focus of the Netflix project, “American Murder: Gabby Petito.”

Netflix describes the three-part documentary as an intimate look at Gabby’s life, pieced together with personal journal entries, text messages, and video footage.

“[…] The series captures the reality of a young woman enmeshed in an abusive relationship behind closed doors — even as she put on a happy, ‘Insta-perfect’ face for social media,” a press release from Netflix stated.

Gabby and her boyfriend, Brian Laundrie, embarked on a cross-country road trip in July 2021, sharing their travels and glimpses of their relationship on social media.

“She wanted to cross the country in the camper van and live the van life and live free. This was her dream,” her mother, Nicole, recalled. The couple was last seen together in Utah, where an August 12 police stop in Moab was captured on bodycam footage.

Officers had responded to reports of a domestic altercation, but after speaking with the pair, they let them continue their journey. A later review concluded that officers had mishandled the situation, overlooking warning signs of abuse.

In response, Gabby’s family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the Moab Police Department. Later released FBI documents revealed that a witness had observed the couple’s altercation on August 12.

The witness, traveling through Moab, reported seeing Brian hitting Gabby inside their white Ford Transit van. Concerned, he turned his vehicle around and parked nearby to monitor the situation.

According to the FBI’s report, “The male in the van ‘acted like a lunatic,’ sporadically opening and slamming doors and pacing around the van. He seemed to be pleading with the female and at one point may have tried to hug the female, but was pushed back by her.”

“The male ultimately pushed the female’s legs into the passenger side of the van, closed her door, and entered the driver’s side,” the report continued. Gabby and Brian were then seen crying shortly after.

Although he considered intervening, the witness ultimately chose not to. He later contacted the FBI in September after seeing media coverage of Gabby’s disappearance.

Gabby Petito | Source: Instagram/gabspetito

Brian briefly left Gabby on August 17, returning to Florida for a few days before flying back to Utah on August 23. Gabby’s father, Joe, who lived in Florida, recalled ordering an Uber Eats meal for the couple while they were in Salt Lake City on August 21.

Gabby Petito and Brian Laundrie | Source: Instagram/gabspetito

The couple left Salt Lake City for Grand Teton National Park around August 24. That same day, Nicole had her final FaceTime call with her daughter.

“She seemed OK to me at the time, other than I don’t know where the relationship was going with the boyfriend,” Nicole said, indicating possible tension between the two.

Gabby Petito and Brian Laundrie | Source: Instagram/gabspetito

Communication with Gabby became increasingly infrequent after that. “She was making her way up to Yellowstone,” Nicole recalled, noting that after August 24, their exchanges were limited to text messages.

“The last text I got from her was on Aug. 30. I don’t know if that was her texting me or not,” Nicole admitted. On September 1, Brian returned to his parents’ home in North Port, Florida — alone.

Gabby Petito’s Death and Brian Laundrie’s Confession

As weeks passed with no sign of Gabby, public speculation grew over what had happened to her. When Brian returned home alone from their trip, concerns escalated. Her family reported her missing, and the case became a national focus.

On September 19, authorities discovered her remains in Bridger-Teton National Forest in Wyoming. Teton County Coroner Dr. Brent Blue later confirmed how Gabby died and that her body had been in the wilderness for three to four weeks.

Brian Laundrie and Gabby Petito | Source: YouTube/Nomadic Statik

“After a detailed investigation by our forensic pathologist, our anthropologist, and local law enforcement with assistance from the FBI, the Teton County Coroner’s Office is following the following verdict,” Dr. Blue stated.

Brian Laundrie and Gabby Petito | Source: YouTube/Nomadic Statik

“In the manner of death of Gabrielle Venora Petito, we find the cause and manner to be — cause, death by strangulation, and manner is homicide,” he continued.

As the search for Brian continued, his belongings were eventually found in a Florida nature preserve near his parents’ home. On October 20, authorities recovered his remains along with a backpack, a revolver, and a notebook.

Gabby Petito and Brian Laundrie | Source: YouTube/Nomadic Statik

A Florida medical examiner later ruled that Brian had died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The notebook contained Brian’s written confession. “A review of the notebook revealed written statements by Mr. Laundrie claiming responsibility for Ms. Petito’s death,” the FBI reported.

Gabby Petito and Brian Laundrie | Source: YouTube/Nomadic Statik

In their final statement on the case, Special Agent Michael Schneider confirmed, “The investigation did not identify any other individuals other than Brian Laundrie directly involved in the tragic death of Gabby Petito.”

Roberta Laundrie’s Disturbing Letter to Brian Laundrie

A shocking revelation in the heartbreaking Gabby and Brian case came with the discovery of a letter written by Brian’s mother, Roberta. In the undated letter, which was found among Brian’s belongings, Roberta made a chilling offer to her son.

FBI agents taking away evidence from the family home of Brian Laundrie on September 20, 2021, in North Port, Florida. | Source: Getty Images

“If you’re in jail, I will bake a cake with a file in it. If you need to dispose of a body, I will show up with a shovel and garbage bags,” she wrote. The envelope was marked with Brian’s name and included the words “burn after reading.”

The letter, which Roberta instructed Brian to destroy after reading, was later released by her lawyer to USA TODAY. In it, she also expressed her deep love for her son.

“I just want you to remember I will always Love you and I know you will always Love me. You are my boy,” she penned to her son.

Gabby Petito’s Final Days and Fear of Leaving Brian Laundrie

In the days before her death, according to reports, Gabby told her ex-boyfriend, Jackson, that she was considering leaving Brian but feared how he might react.

This new revelation, shared in the recent Netflix docuseries, highlights her growing concerns about the relationship. Filmmaker Julia Willoughby Nason further described reading Gabby’s messages with Brian as unsettling.

“Looking at her text messages with Brian for the first time, knowing that he had murdered her was haunting because it was like the manipulation…was very subtle,” she said. “And I think that we’re hoping that this series can show the subtlety of intimate partner abuse, especially among young people.”

Gabby Petito and Brian Laundrie | Source: Instagram/gabspetito

While Brian had returned to Florida on Aug. 12, leaving Gabby alone in Salt Lake City, she reached out to Jackson, confiding in him about her fears of ending the relationship.

“She wasn’t sure of what he would do, or what he could do,” Jackson shared. On Aug. 27, Brian had returned, and Gabby messaged Jackson again, mentioning that their stop in Jackson, Wyoming, reminded her of him.

That same day, witnesses reported seeing Brian arguing with staff at the Merry Piglets Tex-Mex restaurant. Some believe this confrontation may have contributed to his growing agitation just hours before Gabby’s death.

However, the couple’s text messages shed new light on what happened inside. “Ask for the check and tell her that the smell made me sick…idk the chicken wasn’t right. I actually don’t feel good…gonna be a min [sic],” Gabby texted Brian.

Brian Laundrie and Gabby Petito | Source: Instagram/gabspetito

“Okay. I got the check, should I wait for you, should I get a to go box?” he replied. “I don’t want to pay for food that made me sick,” she wrote back. Witnesses revealed that they believed Brian was arguing with staff about money and said he left and returned four times.

Gabby Petito and Brian Laundrie | Source: Instagram/gabspetito

Later that afternoon, Gabby was captured on surveillance footage at a Whole Foods store. She attempted to call Jackson, but he was at work and couldn’t answer.

In one of her last messages, she expressed doubts to her mother about her relationship with Brian. She suggested that she might be better off pursuing her van-life blog without him.

Gabby Petito’s Family Focuses on Advocacy and Healing

Rather than dwelling on the past, Gabby’s family has dedicated themselves to making a difference through the Gabby Petito Foundation. Their efforts have led to the passage of four laws aimed at improving how police handle missing persons cases.

Gabby Petito’s family and their attorney during a press conference in Bohemia, New York, on September 28, 2021. | Source: Getty Images

One significant change includes requiring officers to implement a “lethality assessment protocol” — a series of questions designed to identify potential signs of domestic violence.

Though they acknowledge that there is no true closure, they have found healing through their advocacy. “I have forgiven Brian, and I know that is what Gabby would have wanted, and I’m moving forward so I can move on,” Nicole said.

“That is my personal experience. I don’t think everyone has to forgive. They can when they are ready if they are ever ready. But for me personally, I needed to forgive to let that anchor go,” she added.

Her husband, Gabby’s stepfather, echoed the sentiment, “Forgiveness is for you. It is for your healing. For your grief. For you to be able to move on.”

Despite their personal growth, Gabby’s family revealed that they have never received an apology from Brian’s parents. “We are never going to get that,” Joe said.

“At this point, I don’t want one,” Tara Petito, Gabby’s stepmother, added. “It doesn’t help us. I would love for them to be charged with something. I really, really would love that. Do I think that is happening now? Unfortunately no. So I really want to erase that name out of my memory.”

Recent depositions suggest that Brian’s parents knew Gabby was “gone” long before her body was discovered, though they have continued to deny any wrongdoing through their attorney.

A supporter photographed holding a “Justice for Gabby” sign on October 20, 2021. | Source: Getty Images

Nicole expressed that, while many questions remain unanswered, the family has accepted the reality of the situation. “I don’t think we will ever know why. The two people who will only know why and how are the two people who were there,” she said.

“I think we have the answers we needed. We know that things were known. I don’t want to go too deep. I don’t like to talk about them or say their names,” she continued.

A memorial site for Gabby Petito in Blue Point, Long Island, New York. | Source: Getty Images

Gabby Petito’s tragic story brought national attention to domestic violence and missing persons cases. While her family will never have all the answers, they have chosen to focus on advocacy and healing.

Real Life

Where in the US Will the Northern Lights Be Visible on Valentine’s Day?

February 15, 2025 - by USA Facts News - Leave a Comment

The northern lights | Source: Getty Images

Where in the US Will the Northern Lights Be Visible on Valentine’s Day?

This Valentine’s Day, a minor geomagnetic storm could bring a dazzling display of the northern lights to parts of the U.S. Find out which locations have the best chance to witness this rare celestial event, why the auroras appear, and how to capture them on camera for an unforgettable night.

Officials have issued a forecast predicting a G1-class geomagnetic storm for Thursday evening, which means auroral activity could be seen this Friday.

This natural phenomenon occurs due to solar activity and geomagnetic disturbances, and its timing aligns perfectly for a romantic night under the stars.

The Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) seen in Alaska, United States, on December 31, 2024. | Source: Getty Images

What Causes the Northern Lights?

The northern lights, or aurora borealis, provide a window into solar activity, space weather, and Earth’s magnetic field. At any given moment, the sun ejects charged particles from its corona, or upper atmosphere, creating the solar wind.

A person viewing the northern lights | Source: Pexels

When this solar wind slams into Earth’s ionosphere, the auroras are born. In the Northern Hemisphere, this phenomenon is known as the northern lights (aurora borealis), while in the Southern Hemisphere, it is referred to as the southern lights (aurora australis).

A view of the northern lights | Source: Pexels

“These particles are deflected towards the poles of Earth by our planet’s magnetic field and interact with our atmosphere, depositing energy and causing the atmosphere to fluoresce,” said Billy Teets, director of Dyer Observatory at Vanderbilt University.

A shot of the northern lights | Source: Pexels

The color of the auroras is dictated by the chemical composition of Earth’s atmosphere. “Every type of atom or molecule, whether it’s atomic hydrogen or a molecule like carbon dioxide, absorbs and radiates its own unique set of colors, which is analogous to how every human being has a unique set of fingerprints,” Teets explained.

A view of the northern lights through trees | Source: Pexels

“Some of the dominant colors seen in aurorae are red, a hue produced by the nitrogen molecules, and green, which is produced by oxygen molecules,” he added.

Where Will the Northern Lights Be Visible?

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Space Weather Prediction Center’s aurora viewline map, residents in Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Alaska have the best chances of seeing the northern lights over the coming days.

A view of the northern lights | Source: Pexels

Depending on the strength of the storm, the auroras could extend as far south as northern Michigan and Maine. Additionally, high-latitude regions such as Canada and Alaska have a greater likelihood of witnessing auroras.

The northern lights | Source: Pexels

Specific locations with favorable conditions include Anchorage, Fairbanks, Juneau, and Utqiagvik in Alaska, as well as Gillam, Manitoba; Iqaluit, Nunavut; Whitehorse, Yukon; and Yellowknife, Northwest Territories.

A shot of the northern lights behind mountains | Source: Pexels

How the Sun’s Activity Plays a Role

The sun is currently experiencing its solar maximum — the peak phase of its cycle where solar activity is at its highest. This heightened activity results in increased coronal mass ejections (CMEs), which are bursts of magnetized plasma emitted from the sun’s corona.

When CMEs travel toward Earth as part of the solar wind, they interact with the planet’s magnetic field, producing luminous green and pink auroras.

The upcoming geomagnetic storm is expected to be driven by a high solar wind event, much like the G1 storm that previously occurred.

The northern lights | Source: Pexels

Shawn Dahl, coordinator for NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center, explained that the northern lights occur when a surge of solar material and intense magnetic fields from the sun collide with atoms and molecules in Earth’s upper atmosphere.

“As part of that interaction, light gets released, and that’s what we see as this shimmering beauty of the aurora,” he added.

A view of the northern lights | Source: Pexels

NOAA has reported that another solar wind stream is on its way to Earth, flowing from a canyon-like hole in the Sun’s atmosphere. The first contact with this stream on February 14 could cause a minor G1-class geomagnetic storm, enhancing auroral visibility.

The northern lights | Source: Pexels

Additionally, these unusual atmospheric conditions have led to another sky phenomenon — polar stratospheric clouds (PSCs). Normally invisible at night, these clouds recently put on a breathtaking display, illuminated by the full Moon.

The northern lights | Source: Pexels

PSCs form only when temperatures in the stratosphere drop to an extreme –85°C (–121°F), allowing tiny water molecules to freeze into colorful ice clouds.

This winter, the Arctic’s stratosphere has been exceptionally cold, possibly due to a strong polar vortex trapping frigid air over the region.

Photographers and skywatchers in high-latitude areas, including Alaska and parts of Canada, have reported seeing these clouds more frequently than ever before.

One longtime observer, Fredrik Broms of Norway, noted, “I have seen more PSCs this winter than in all my life.” With both heightened aurora activity and the rare nighttime appearance of PSCs, this winter is shaping up to be an extraordinary one for skywatchers.

A shot of the northern lights | Source: Pexels

The K-Index and Geomagnetic Storms

The K-index, and by extension the Planetary K-index, measures the magnitude of geomagnetic storms. A Kp-index of 0 to 9 helps experts determine when geomagnetic alerts and warnings should be issued.

A G1 storm, like the one forecast, is classified as minor, but it can still create stunning auroras under the right conditions. Geomagnetic storms can impact more than just auroras.

The northern lights | Source: Pexels

According to NOAA, power grids, satellite operations, and radio communications are all susceptible to geomagnetic activity. However, most minor storms do not cause significant disruptions.

The northern lights | Source: Pexels

When and How to See the Northern Lights

The best time to catch the northern lights is in the hours before and after midnight, NOAA advises. To maximize visibility, experts recommend traveling to locations with minimal light pollution.

Even a Full Moon can diminish the clarity of the auroras, so finding an area with dark skies is essential. Space weather is unpredictable, making real-time monitoring crucial.

A view of the northern lights | Source: Pexels

The citizen science platform Aurorasaurus sends alerts when auroras might be visible. Additionally, apps like My Aurora Forecast & Alerts and Space Weather Live provide up-to-date space weather conditions for iOS and Android users.

How to Photograph the Northern Lights

Capturing the northern lights requires the right camera settings.

For DSLR or mirrorless cameras:

Use manual mode and set the focus to infinity.
Choose an aperture of f/2.8, an ISO between 800 and 1600, and an exposure time of five to ten seconds.
Adjust the white balance to around 3,500K for better color accuracy.
Reduce ISO or exposure time if the image is too bright; increase if it’s too dark.
Avoid excessive noise by balancing ISO and exposure time accordingly.

The northern lights | Source: Pexels

For smartphones:

Enable night mode if available or use a third-party app with manual controls.
Stabilize the phone using a tripod to prevent blurring.
Set ISO to around 800 and exposure time to five seconds.
Adjust the white balance if the colors appear unnatural.

A view of the northern lights | Source: Pexels

A Valentine’s Day to Remember

If conditions align, skywatchers in northern Michigan and Maine may experience an unforgettable Valentine’s Day light show. While space weather remains unpredictable, heightened solar activity suggests that more auroral displays could be on the horizon in the coming months.

As Elizabeth Macdonald, a space physicist with NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, noted, the auroras are “the last step of processes” originating from the sun’s energy.

She emphasized how the northern lights provide insight into the complex interactions between solar material and Earth’s atmosphere.

Whether you’re an astronomy enthusiast or simply looking for a unique way to spend Valentine’s Day, this year’s solar activity may create a spectacle worth watching.

Keep an eye on space weather forecasts, head to a dark sky location, and prepare for the mesmerizing display of nature’s very own light show.

LIFESTYLE / Real Life

Eerie conspiracy theory you might want to pay attention to if you’ve never broken a bone in your life

February 2, 2025 - by USA Facts News - Leave a Comment

Have you managed to live your entire life so far without having broken any bones within your body?

Well, if you answered ‘yes’, then you are very special, indeed – apparently, for four possible reasons.

Taking to Instagram recently, a self-professed medium and psychic named Rachel Stiles claimed there are several well-known conspiracy theories about people who’ve never broken a single bone.

One, she says, centres on the notion of protection. The second, suffering. Coming in third is a theory about reincarnation, and the fourth, connection. So, without further ado, let’s dive in to theory numero uno.

Protection

There are several theories about people who’ve never broken a bone (Rebecca Nelson/Getty)

The alleged prophet shared a video of her four theories on social media recently, explaining each in detail and sparking vast debate in the comments – beginning with ‘Protection’.

“This theory means that you are being protected by people in the spirit world,” she penned.

“Depending on what you believe, this could be a spirit guide, angel, or a loved one who has passed, protecting you from the other side.”

Stiles then quotes the Biblical passage, Psalm 34, passages 19-20, which read: “The righteous person may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from the all.

“He protects all his bones, not one of them will be broken.”

Taking to the comments, one reader shared their own experience with this, teasing, ‘lol broken bone and emotional suffering but I feel divinely protected’, while another continued, ‘I am 78 and never broken a bone and I know I have guardian angel’.

Suffering

Some believe not having broken a bone is the sign of a guardian angel (umbertoleporini/Getty)

According to Stiles, this theory hinges upon the basis that some people haven’t ever broken a bone in this life because they are destined to hurt in an emotional capacity instead.

“To even the scales, you are given a stronger frame to bear the emotional suffering,” she wrote.

By the sounds of things, this theory has hit several of the psychic followers right in the feels, with one writing in the comments: “No broken bones here. The emotional suffering is something else though.”

Another jibed: “I got that premium emotional suffering package for sure hahahahaha.”

Reincarnation

Reincarnation – otherwise known as either ‘rebirth’ or ‘transmigration’ – is the belief that a person’s soul is reborn in a new body after death.

According to Stiles, not having broken any bones throughout the duration of your life so far could indicate, ‘symbolically’ that your ‘soul has developed strong spiritual bones through past lives’.

She continued: “You may have already faced and overcome challenges that taught you resilience, making the need for physical injuries less relevant in this life.

“If your soul experienced significant physical trauma or injury in a past life, you may have chosen a life in this incarnation where physical safety is emphasised.

Connection

The last of Stiles’ theory centres around the alleged sacredness of bones in many varying cultures around the world, and their connection to ‘ancestral wisdom’.

“To never break a bone could signify that you are deeply connected to your ancestors,” she wrote online. “And that their strength flows through you.”

This theory seemingly resonated with a handful of her followers, one of whom told their ‘divine’ story.

“I’ve done everything but break a done – and always would get mad when I was little that everyone got a cast and I didn’t,” they firstly confessed.

Could reincarnation have a part to play in why you’ve never broken a bone? (Yana Iskayeva/Getty)

“Meanwhile I have ridden horses and jumped huge fences my entire life.. always sprains, strains and discomforts but never breaks. Many times I probably should have too. So wild. Divinely protected.”

“I embrace with my entire being, the ancestors flowing through me for good & purpose,” another claimed.

Real Life

Palisades Fire in Los Angeles: Elderly Residents Evacuated with No Shoes on While the Worst Is Still ‘Yet to Come’

January 8, 2025 - by USA Facts News - Leave a Comment

Residents evacuating their home | Source: Getty Images

The Palisades Fire in Los Angeles has left thousands scrambling for safety, with elderly residents evacuated in little more than their nightwear and socks. Sadly, as powerful winds grounded aircraft and flames spread uncontrollably, it seems this fiery battle is far from over.

A firefighter watching the flames from the Palisades Fire burning in front of the Pacific Palisades Presbyterian Church during a powerful windstorm on January 8, 2025, in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images

What started as a manageable blaze quickly spiraled out of control, forcing more than 30,000 people from their homes and leaving officials warning that the worst was “yet to come.”

Flames from the Palisades Fire burning a home during a powerful windstorm on January 8, 2025. | Source: Getty Images

A police officer escorting a homeless woman to evacuate away from Pacific Coast Highway and Topanga Canyon Boulevard as the Palisades Fire raged down the hills in Los Angeles, California, on Tuesday, January 7, 2025. | Source: Getty Images

The intense winds — with gusts expected to reach as high as 80 mph — grounded firefighting aircraft, making it nearly impossible to contain the blaze. Los Angeles Fire Department spokesperson Margaret Stewart confirmed that air support had to be halted by 8 p.m. due to unsafe weather conditions.

Smoke from the Palisades Fire filling the sky as seen from the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, California on January 7, 2025. | Source: Getty Images

This time, traffic jams made the evacuation process even more perilous. Many residents abandoned their cars on congested roads, opting to run to safety on foot.

A man evacuating along Sunset Boulevard as the Palisades Fire burns amid a powerful windstorm on January 7, 2025, in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images

Firefighters pleaded with people to park their cars on the side of the road or leave their keys behind to allow emergency vehicles to pass. But many vehicles were left in the way, forcing crews to bulldoze cars off the streets to clear a path.

The unfolding disaster wasn’t limited to the Palisades area. In neighboring Los Angeles County, the Eaton Fire threatened Altadena and Pasadena, prompting emergency evacuations at a local elderly care facility.

Velma Wright, age 102, photographed being evacuated from a care facility as embers and flames approach during the Eaton fire in Pasadena, California, on January 7, 2025. | Source: Getty Images

Workers at The Terraces at Park Marino assisted living community rushed to evacuate around 95 residents, many of whom were in wheelchairs or on gurneys.

Video footage captured harrowing scenes of seniors bundled in shawls and thin gowns, some without shoes, sitting in a 7-Eleven parking lot as fire officials worked to secure safer accommodations.

Elderly patients being evacuated into emergency vehicles as embers and flames approach during the Eaton fire in Pasadena, California, on January 7, 2025. | Source: Getty Images

An elderly patient being evacuated into emergency vehicles during the Eaton fire in Pasadena, California, on January 7, 2025. | Source: Getty Images

Governor Gavin Newsom echoed these concerns during an update. He stated that fire crews had been strategically positioned in areas of high fire risk, anticipating that the Palisades and Eaton Fires might not be the only blazes firefighters would need to tackle.

Another elderly patient being evacuated into an armored vehicle during the Eaton fire in Pasadena, California, on January 7, 2025. | Source: Getty Images

Local authorities and fire departments worked tirelessly to mitigate the damage and ensure the safety of residents. The city of Santa Monica coordinated with the Los Angeles Fire Department, deploying mutual aid to assist with firefighting efforts.

A photo of Santa Monica Pier with the Palisades fire burning in the distance on January 7, 2025. | Source: Getty Images

Santa Monica officials remained on high alert, monitoring developments as winds continued to pose a significant threat overnight. Pasadena’s Vice Mayor, Steve Madison, urged residents to avoid the Rose Bowl Stadium parking lots.

A resident photographed riding through smoke from the Palisades fire on January 7, 2025, in Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images

His office posted an update on social media, writing in part, “Please be advised the Rose Bowl Stadium parking lots will be used tonight and in the coming days as a command post for Pasadena Fire and Police.”

The National Weather Service issued a “particularly dangerous situation” warning for Los Angeles and eastern Ventura counties, which remains in effect until Thursday.

A firefighter battling a house fire in Pacific Palisades, California, on January 7, 2025. | Source: Getty Images

The warning cited extreme fire danger due to the combination of strong winds and low humidity — a perfect storm for wildfire outbreaks.

Swain explained that while the strongest winds were expected Tuesday night into early Wednesday morning, the fire danger would remain high throughout the week due to the increasingly dry vegetation.

People stopping to take a breath as they evacuate along Sunset Boulevard during the Palisades Fire on January 7, 2025. | Source: Getty Images

Swain highlighted how the wind event would have a prolonged impact on vegetation, increasing fire risk as the week progressed. “The vegetation will become progressively drier the longer the wind event goes on,” he explained.

He predicted that the driest conditions would occur toward the end of the wind event, increasing the likelihood of additional fires breaking out.

People evacuating during the Palisades Fire on January 7, 2025. | Source: Getty Images

Residents photographed evacuating during the Palisades Fire on January 7, 2025. | Source: Getty Images

The dangers posed by the fires also extended to firefighters on the front lines. Crews faced a grueling battle, often unable to rely on air support.

Instead, they resorted to hand tools and hoses, trying to contain the rapidly advancing flames while navigating treacherous terrain.

More people photographed evacuating during the Palisades Fire on January 7, 2025. | Source: Getty Images

Among those raising awareness was actor Steve Guttenberg, who was seen spreading the word about evacuation orders and urging residents to take the fire seriously.

Locals driving on Sunset Boulevard as they evacuate from the Palisades Fire on January 7, 2025, in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images

His efforts, along with those of countless first responders, volunteers, and community members, underscored the importance of collective action during such a crisis.

Firefighters working to put out the Palisades Fire in Los Angeles, California, on January 7, 2025. | Source: Getty Images

A close-up of the Palisades Fire grows in Pacific Palisades, California. | Source: Getty Images

Fire officials and local authorities have worked tirelessly to manage the fires and protect communities, but with conditions unlikely to improve in the immediate future, the region braces for more challenges in the days to come.

News / Real Life

World Cup Skier And His Girlfriend Found Dead

December 26, 2024 - by USA Facts News - Leave a Comment

Professional skier Jean Daniel Pession and his girlfriend Elisa Arlian were tragically found dead in a ‘final embrace.’

After hearing the tragic news, people have been left heartbroken.

One person penned: “How sad. Dreadful way to end their lives, a real tragedy… Many condolences to their heartbroken families and friends!”

Another added: “That’s awful… praying for their families!”

“May you both rest in eternal peace. This is so sad and tragic! Condolences to their family & loved ones,” wrote a third.

A fourth said: “What a horrible way to pass away. So sorry for everyone involved.”

Elisa Arlian and Jean Daniel Pession. — Professional skier Jean Daniel Pession and his girlfriend Elisa Arlian were found dead while in a ‘final embrace.’ Credit: @elisa.arlian/Instagram

Pession was a member of Italy’s World Cup speed skiing team and achieved his best results in 2021, finishing 15th in the final World Cup standings, while at the 2022 World Championships, he placed 22nd.

The skier’s girlfriend was a cross-country ski instructor and elementary school teacher at the Saint-Marcel school, as reported by the Mirror.

Pession and Arlian were climbing Mount Zerbion, a mountain of the Pennine Alps in Aosta Valley, Italy when the tragedy occurred.

When they did not return home, their families raised the alarm and three helicopters including mountain rescue, police, and firefighter teams were launched.

The couple’s bodies were discovered buried in the snow by search and rescue teams.

Jean Daniel Pession and Elisa Arlian. — The couple’s families reported them missing when they didn’t return home from their hike. Credit: @elisa.arlian/Instagram

The Italian Winter Sports Federation has confirmed Pession and Arlian died in a mountain accident, falling nearly 2,300 feet.

It is unknown what exactly caused the accident.

Italian outlet RAI reports: “It took hours and hours of flying over to locate them: there were no traces on the rock to suggest where they had fallen.

“Perhaps, while they continued along the ridge that divides the north and east faces, they slipped on the snow or the ground gave way.”

The search team found the couple’s body when a device eventually picked up a signal from one of their cell phones.

“They were almost at the summit, just a step away, when suddenly they were betrayed by the mountain they loved so much. When they were found, they were still tied together, like in a final embrace,” the RAI reports.

This news was posted in a video shared to X, formerly Twitter, and translated by People.

In a statement, the Italian Winter Sports Federation highlighted Pession’s achievements.

It read (per NBC): “A terrible tragedy strikes the world of winter sports and speed skiing in particular.

“President Flavio Roda and the entire Federation express their condolences to the Pession family for this tragic misfortune.”

Aosta Valley’s Regional Council President, Alberto Bertin, also expressed his condolences, stating: “Two young lives broken by an accident in the mountains, that mountain which was their passion.

“In this moment of profound sadness, we express our closeness to the families, friends, and the entire sporting community, holding us close to them with affection and compassion.”

News / Real Life

Parents Hid Baby’s Face to Shield Her from Stares — Now, at 2, She Looks ‘Gorgeous’ After Surgery

December 24, 2024 - by USA Facts News - Leave a Comment

Celine Casey and Vienna Brookshaw | Vienna Brookshaw | Source:instagram.com/viennarosebrookshaw

A little girl was born with a strange birthmark that only affects one in every 20,000 babies. Her mother was worried that she had done something wrong and had no idea what the birthmark meant for her daughter. What she did know was that she wanted it removed.

Celine Casey, mother to Vienna Brookshaw, has shared the little girl’s incredible story. Casey and Brookshhaw, who live in the United Kingdom, began their journey in April 2021 when Brookshaw was born.

When doctors placed Brookshaw on Casey’s chest, Casey was immediately worried that she had done something wrong during her pregnancy, resulting in her daughter developing a pronounced birthmark between her eyebrows.

Although the birthmark meant nothing for Brookshaw’s physical health, Casey knew the toll it might take on her mental health as she got older and encountered other children who would be curious about her condition.

Brookshaw was one of 20,000 babies born with congenital melanocytic nevus (CMN.) The condition means that Brookhaw was born with a cluster of benign pigment cells between her eyebrows that would have grown as she grew.

The condition is rare, and there was no way to tell how much Brookshaw’s birthmark may have grown as she got older. However, her mother knew she didn’t want her daughter to deal with that.

Casey asked doctors to remove the birthmark as soon as possible so she wouldn’t grow up feeling different from all her peers. Casey also worried that if she didn’t remove the birthmark, her daughter would resent her and her partner. Casey shared:

“We love seeing her grow on her journey, and we can’t wait for the day that she does grow up and can speak for herself so we can hear her opinion, we’d love her no matter what, even if we did keep the birthmark.”

Although Casey wanted to remove the birthmark with only the best intentions, it was not easy for her. She even had to start a crowdfunding page so she could pay for her daughter’s surgery after being denied by the NHS.

When Brookshaw was only an infant, Casey and her partner noticed that people were already staring at her and treating her differently from other babies, so they hid her face and knew they had to remove the birthmark as soon as possibleHowever, they were denied when the parents requested help from the NHS. The NHS will reportedly not pay for any surgery that is not essential for physical health. Brookshaw’s surgery might have been considered cosmetic and not crucial.

After learning they would not receive help from the NHS, Casey and her partner set up a GoFundMe page to raise the money they needed for their daughter’s surgery. They explained her situation and set a donation goal.

In 24 hours, the parents had raised $52,000. However, the couple was hit with another blow when they learned that since the COVID-19 pandemic, hospital costs had skyrocketed, and they needed another $27,000.

They again used GoFundMe and raised all the money they needed for Brookshaw’s birthmark removal surgery. Casey shared:

“Everybody has things they’re insecure about on their body, and the doctor said he’d respect that, but with Vienna, it wasn’t going to affect her mental health right now. But we didn’t see it as that, she’s going to start school when she’s three, and younger kids are so smart, they point out stuff like that.”

A comment left by a follower | Source: instagram.com/viennarosebrookshaw/

Now, Brookshaw is two, and doctors have entirely removed her birthmark, leaving her with only a tiny scar between her eyebrows. Casey often shares updates about little Shaw’s scar and healing process on her social media, with followers telling Casey how “gorgeous” her little girl is.

Casey shared that although her birthmark had been removed, they still needed to travel to London so Brookshaw’s surgeon could assess how well her scar was healing and if she would need any further surgeries than the three she already had. Shaw is now living like a typical two-year-old.

A comment left by a follower | Source: instagram.com/viennarosebrookshaw/

While little Brookshaw’s birthmark affected only a small area of her body, another little girl experienced birthmarks that covered 80% of her body.

LIFESTYLE / Real Life

‘Phubbing’ your partner is ruining relationships without people even knowing they’re doing it

December 21, 2024 - by USA Facts News - Leave a Comment

The dating game is hard enough in this day and age, strewn with all manner of obstacles to dodge.

And in a world where most of the interactions we have with any potential partner are online, the pitfalls are much deeper and much harder to spot.

You only have to take the vast number of dating terms we have these days as evidence of that – everywhere you look, someone is being ‘ghosted’, ‘benched,’ or ‘breadcrumbed’.

In short, it’s a brutal world out there, and you’ve got to be ready for anything.

Well, on that note, we have a new term doing the rounds, and the chances are you might do it yourself and have no idea about it: phubbing.

"Babe, we need to talk about your phubbing problem."

Mindful Media /Getty

What is phubbing?

You may think you’re a top class dater, but ‘phubbing’ is something you may do without realising.

The word is a mix between ‘phone’ and ‘snubbing’, and in this phone obsessed society, everyone’s probably been guilty at least once.

The group chat is more than likely popping off during dates, as the gang are wondering how things are getting on. However, those who go to respond are unknowingly ‘phubbing’ their date/partner, and there’s a reason it needs to stop.

In short, anytime you’re ignoring the human in front of you for your phone screen, you’re a culprit of ‘phubbing’.

The bloke had a rather embarrassing predicament after watching porn on his phone.

Getty Stock Photo

How phubbing is damaging relationships and lives

As well as being kind of rude, ‘phubbing’ is also having a damaging effect on relationships, according to one study.

The study’s authors explained: “The phenomenon of phubbing, which hits individuals’ social interactions, is an important risk factor for romantic relationships.

“In other words, partners’ being too busy with their smartphones during their romantic relationships harms relationship satisfaction and perceived romantic relationship quality.”

But that’s not all; as well as romantic satisfaction, phubbing can have a negative effect on life satisfaction too. This means, phubbing could be making your partner more miserable in their day to day life too.

The paper went on: “The results… indicate that partner ‘phubbing’ had a significant indirect effect on life satisfaction through perceived romantic relationship quality and relationship satisfaction.

“These results reveal that relationship satisfaction and perceived romantic relationship quality decrease in individuals who are exposed to partner phubbing behaviours, and that decreased relationship satisfaction and romantic relationship quality harm life satisfaction.”

So, next time you think about reaching for that phone on a date, think again.

Health / News / Real Life

Expert reveals what it means if you have to pee moments after you’ve just urinated

December 21, 2024 - by USA Facts News - Leave a Comment

Experts has revealed what it means if you have to pee moments after you’ve just urinated.

Credit: Westend61/Getty

Have you ever felt the urge to want to go to the toilet even though you’ve just been? It can be frustrating but there might be a reason behind it.

Known in the healthcare industry as “frequent urination,” there could be five main reasons why this happens, according to Business Insider.

Drinking excessive fluids or irritants

One of the main reasons this could be happening might be related to what you’re putting into your body. From drinking excessive amounts of liquid to consuming bladder-irritating foods, there’s a host of things to look out for.

According to Dr. Courtenay Moore, a urologist and clinical associate professor of urology at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, some things that can cause irritation are acidic fruits or fruit juices, alcohol, fizzy drinks, coffee, tea, chocolate, and spicy foods.

So what can you do to stop this from happening?

The quickest and easiest thing to do, according to Moore, is to limit how many of the “irritating” foods and drinks you’re having in your daily diet.

It is also advised to try drinking smaller amounts of liquid throughout the day rather than large amounts all at once, as this can put pressure on your bladder rather than gradually filling it up.

Urinary tract infection (UTI)

The next underlying reason for needing to pee frequently, even after you’ve just been, could be related to a urinary tract infection.

Now, if you’ve ever had the displeasure of experiencing this common but annoying bacterial infection, then you know just how irritating they can be.

Dr. Ramesh Krishnan, a urologist at Memorial Hermann Medical Group, has previously emphasized that UTIs can cause inflammation in the bladder, which in turn causes the bladder to become overactive.

Other symptoms can also range from painful urination, pressure in the abdomen or pelvis, and pee that’s bloody, cloudy, or smelly.

In terms of treatment, UTIs are usually treated with a course of antibiotics prescribed by a doctor. Drinking extra fluids can also help to flush the infection out of the area.

Credit: Thomas Barwick/Getty

Overactive bladder

Having a generally overactive bladder can also increase the amount one needs to go to the toilet.

While it is considered normal to be going to the toilet between six to eight times a day, if you’re having to go more than that, then you’ve probably got an overactive bladder, if it’s not anything else on this list.

To confirm this, a healthcare professional would need to identify the underlying cause – whether it be Bladder obstructions, hormonal changes or the introduction of new medication – before they could work on the appropriate treatment.

Interstitial cystitis

The next reason can be related to something known as interstitial cystitis.

Business Insider states that interstitial cystitis sometimes referred to as painful bladder syndrome, is a “chronic condition that results in pain in the pelvic region and frequent urination.”

As per Moore’s advice, many of those who experience this sensation find relief when they go to the toilet as the pressure builds up over time as their bladder fills up.

The pain can range from mild to severe but in the most extreme cases, Moore says some people may even go to the bathroom about 50 times a day.

The condition is much more common in women than men, experts say.

There isn’t a particular treatment for this one, but it can be managed better using tactics such as pelvic physical therapy, botox injections into the bladder, and dietary modification to avoid bladder irritants.

Credit: Goodboy Picture Company/Getty

Prostate issues

And one of the final reasons some people need to pee just after they’ve gone to the toilet could be a prostate issue.

In men, prostate issues, particularly an enlarged prostate, can cause frequent urges to pee, Krishnan told the outlet, noting that it could be related to signs of benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Other symptoms include peeing in the middle of the night, trouble emptying the bladder, and having a weak flow of pee.

So there we have it.

If you suspect that you may be experiencing any of the above, please seek medical advice from a trained professional.