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BK. Titanji

@boghuma.bsky.social

33K followers 3.2K following 4.7K posts

Physician Scientist MDPhD Infectious Diseases Academic Medicine Global Health Science Communicator Posts are my opinions, not my employer's and not medical advice I bet on myself and double down https://substack.com/@bktitanji

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BK. Titanji @boghuma.bsky.social · Feb 12

I think I shall just pin this post because ....👀

BK. Titanji @boghuma.bsky.social · Dec 26

Here are 5 top things I'll be watching closely in global public health in 2025:

1. H5N1 outbreak trajectory
2. Impact of RFK Jr. on infectious dz control and vaccines in the US.
3. The mpox outbreak in Africa
4. Expanded access to Lenacapavir for HIV PrEP.
5. The US withdrawal from the WHO.

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BK. Titanji @boghuma.bsky.social · 7h

Of course like any other medication Tylenol when used incorrectly or in excess can cause adverse effects but that is not what has been suggested by RFK Jr and Co. 🤷‍♀️

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BK. Titanji @boghuma.bsky.social · 7h

I have heard the full moon is in Aries or some thing like that this Month. I am sure that too in their minds causes autism

BK. Titanji @boghuma.bsky.social · 7h

a man singing into a microphone wearing a blue jacket that says ria on it

ALT: a man singing into a microphone wearing a blue jacket that says ria on it

media.tenor.com

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BK. Titanji @boghuma.bsky.social · 7h

Please add circumcision to the list of things that DO NOT cause autism. That list also includes Vaccines and Tylenol use in pregnancy.
Thanks for your attention to this matter.

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BK. Titanji @boghuma.bsky.social · 9h

Yes indeed he does.

BK. Titanji @boghuma.bsky.social · 11h

"Make the proof" colloquial phrase that means fabrication of data

Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 11h

RFK Jr on Tylenol and autism: "It is not proof. We're doing the studies to make the proof."

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BK. Titanji @boghuma.bsky.social · 14h

A functioning democracy is a gift to be guarded jealously, protected fiercely and never taken for granted
www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/1...

The world's oldest president seeks an eighth term in Cameroon as youth grumble

Cameroon’s Paul Biya is the world’s oldest president at age 92

www.washingtonpost.com

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BK. Titanji @boghuma.bsky.social · 14h

A 42 year legacy of:
- Human rights abuses
- Erosion of personal freedoms
- High unemployment
- Collapse infrastructure
- Declining GDP
- Rising insecurity and civil unrest.

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BK. Titanji @boghuma.bsky.social · 14h

Cameroon my country has its presidential election this coming Sunday. The 92 year old president who has been in power 42 years is running again for a 7 year term. The only people who think having an authoritarian in power is "fun" have never lived under dictatorship. He will likely "win" again.

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BK. Titanji @boghuma.bsky.social · 16h

In the era of widespread population immunity , among veterans COVID vaccines still reduced the risk for COVID related emergency room visits, hospitalization and death in the 2024-2025 vaccination season, especially in older veterans >65 years.
www.nejm.org/doi/full/10....

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BK. Titanji @boghuma.bsky.social · 1d

Will definitely try to find you!

BK. Titanji @boghuma.bsky.social · 1d

There dark sides too, because trolling exists and humans sadly cannot help themselves ( I have experienced this and it is traumatizing), but overall the impact of microblogging on social media has been mostly positive for me.

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BK. Titanji @boghuma.bsky.social · 1d

Many things
- New research collaborations resulting in several publications
- An expanded network of new friends and connections
- Reaching people I will never be able to connect with in real life through my science communication *advocacy.
- Invitations to give talks, guest speak on podcasts

Conrad Hackett @conradhackett.bsky.social · 1d

Has anything great happened in your life because of social media?

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BK. Titanji @boghuma.bsky.social · 1d

This is very sad and highlights the need of providing care for substance use disorder as an integral part of HIV prevention efforts. Clean needle exchange programs, addiction care and mental health support are sorely underfunded globally.

BK. Titanji @boghuma.bsky.social · 1d

"The practice, in which users inject the blood of already intoxicated individuals, has fueled one of the fastest-growing H.I.V. epidemics in the Pacific and grown widespread in South Africa."
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/08/w...

‘Bluetoothing’: Blood-Sharing Drug Trend Fuels Alarming Global H.I.V. Surge

www.nytimes.com

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BK. Titanji @boghuma.bsky.social · 1d

The 4th WHO situation report on the #Ebola outbreak shows signs of containment with not new case reported since September 25th. The count down (42-days without new cases) to declaring the outbreak over has begun.
It's still been v deadly 43 deaths/ 64 cases so far
www.afro.who.int/countries/de...

WHO: Ebola situation report DRC/25/04 - 05 October, 2025

On 4 September 2025, the Ministry of Health of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) declared an outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease in Bulape Health Zone, Kasai Province, following laboratory confir...

www.afro.who.int

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BK. Titanji @boghuma.bsky.social · 1d

A flu test you can chew may sound futuristic but this is exactly why funding fundamental and applied science matters. Innovation doesn’t always come from big pharma; sometimes it starts with a wild idea and a grant that says, “Let’s see if this works.” 😊

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BK. Titanji @boghuma.bsky.social · 1d

Still, it’s a glimpse of what creative, curiosity-driven research can lead to. From microneedle vaccine patches to dental floss that delivers immunizations (yes, that’s real), scientists are reimagining how we detect and prevent infections.

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BK. Titanji @boghuma.bsky.social · 1d

So far, this is early-stage lab work. The gum’s chemistry works in test tubes and saliva samples, but hasn’t been tried in humans yet! There’s a lot to figure out: taste thresholds, false positives, interference from oral bacteria, etc.

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BK. Titanji @boghuma.bsky.social · 1d

The idea is simple but ingenious: neuraminidase cuts a specific sugar bond, when that happens, free thymol (which has a strong herbal flavor) is released. If you can taste it, the virus might be there.

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BK. Titanji @boghuma.bsky.social · 1d

Just published, a study describing a taste-based flu test yes, chewing gum that could tell you if you have influenza. The gum contains a sensor that detects the flu enzyme neuraminidase & releases a compound called thymol that changes taste when the virus is present.
pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/...

A Viral Neuraminidase-Specific Sensor for Taste-Based Detection of Influenza

Influenza has caused the deadliest pandemics in history, thereby prompting advances in our ability to ensure vigilance at all stages of future outbreaks. Quarantining patients early is crucial when it...

pubs.acs.org

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BK. Titanji @boghuma.bsky.social · 1d

Funding science matters because that’s how we end up with cool stuff like a the possibility of a flu test you can chew like gum, fam 🍬🦠.
www.sciencedaily.com/releases/202...

A flu test you can chew

Flu detection could soon be as simple as chewing gum. Scientists have created a molecular sensor that releases a thyme-like flavor when it encounters influenza, offering a low-tech, taste-based altern...

www.sciencedaily.com

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BK. Titanji @boghuma.bsky.social · 1d

This is a great list. Was delighted to find out I was already following most of these folks and found some new great additions to follow.
Science is important and those rising up to protect the attacks it is currently experiencing and to fight misinformation are especially important right now.

DrDinD.bsky.social @drdind.bsky.social · 2d

The Nobel Prizes, 5 of 6 having so far gone to US based scientists, are a reminder of why we must stand up for science against this horrid administration. Here are some great Scientist Activists to follow.

go.bsky.app/14W5Rdk

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BK. Titanji @boghuma.bsky.social · 1d

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BK. Titanji @boghuma.bsky.social · 1d

Who is going to #IDweek2025 in Atlanta next week?
Looking forward to catching up on ID research and connecting with colleagues. If you are part of the ID #SoMe crowd come hang and say 👋
#IDSky

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