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Jimmy Barnes hospitalised with major health issue

<p>Iconic Australian rocker Jimmy Barnes has been hospitalised with a severe bacterial infection, compelling him to cancel an eagerly anticipated gig. The 67-year-old music legend took to his official Facebook page on Tuesday to share the distressing news with his fans.</p> <p>"I'm sorry to let you know that I've been receiving intravenous antibiotics over the last 36 hours to treat bacterial pneumonia," Barnes revealed in his Facebook post. The veteran musician expressed regret that the infection had thwarted his plans to travel to Noumea for Rock The Boat 2023, an event fans were eagerly anticipating.</p> <p>Despite the setback, Barnes assured fans that his band, along with his daughter Mahalia and other special guests, would still be performing on board. He sincerely apologised for any inconvenience and disappointment caused, explaining that doctors had confined him to bed for a two-day rest. Barnes, optimistic about a swift recovery, assured fans that he aimed to be back in action for the upcoming performance at By The C in Torquay.</p> <p>'I'd like to apologise sincerely to everyone for the inconvenience and disappointment this has caused," he wrote, "but the doctors have confined me to bed for two days. The timing couldn't be worse. I'm expected to make a full recovery in time to perform live at By The C in Torquay." </p> <p>Bacterial pneumonia, the cause of Barnes' current health predicament, is a serious condition involving inflammation of the lungs following an infection. The infection leads to the air sacs in the lungs filling up with fluid, causing pneumonia. The potential complications of pneumonia include respiratory failure, sepsis, lung abscess and, in extreme cases, death.</p> <p>This recent health setback comes after Barnes underwent emergency hip surgery earlier this year, forcing the cancellation of his summer tour. The rocker had faced years of chronic pain, leading to a major hip operation in late 2022. The surgery required an extended period of bed rest, during which Barnes had to put his live performances on hold.</p> <p>Reflecting on the earlier health challenges, Barnes noted, "We had some (live) things planned, but they fell through because of my surgery." Following the operation, the musician spent several months recovering in Thailand, his second home, alongside his wife Jane. Gradually regaining strength, Barnes, at one point, relied on a cane to walk, but by March, he had made a full recovery.</p> <p>Despite the current setback, Barnes remains resilient, determined to bounce back and deliver the energetic performances that have endeared him to fans worldwide. As the music legend takes the necessary time for recovery, fans are undoubtedly sending their thoughts and well wishes for a speedy return to the stage.</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

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Richard Gere's terrifying health scare

<p>Richard Gere has been rushed to hospital while holidaying with his family in Mexico. </p> <p>The 73-year-old actor was struck with a bad case of pneumonia, with reports saying he was perfectly healthy just days prior to falling ill. </p> <p>Gere was on vacation with his family when the illness hit, as they celebrated his wife Alejandra Silva’s 40th birthday, according to reports by<em> <a href="https://www.the-sun.com/entertainment/7434445/actor-richard-gere-hospitalized-in-mexico-pneumonia/">The Sun</a>.</em></p> <p>He reportedly had a nasty cough in the time leading up to their travels, and it progressed badly enough that the <em>Pretty Woman</em> actor had to check himself into a medical facility, a source told <em>TMZ</em>.</p> <p>After a night in hospital, Gere was told he had contracted pneumonia and was discharged from the facility and continued to rest and recover at home. </p> <p>In a recent Instagram story posted by Alejandra, Gere is seen walking on the beach with his son and wife, wearing a mask.</p> <p>Other information shared on social media suggests that Gere was not the only member of his family who was under the weather recently.</p> <div id="indie-campaign-rHsIzpAmAj7xkA4llYlH-2" data-campaign-name="NCA ENTERTAINMENT newsletter" data-campaign-indie="newsletter-signup" data-jira="TSN-268" data-from="1640955600000" data-to="1677502800000"></div> <p>On a post of Alejandra walking on the beach holding hands with one of their children, she wrote, “Thank you all for the birthday wishes. After almost 3 weeks of everyone being sick in our family today finally I feel much better!"</p> <p>“Thank you for all the love, I give it all back to you!”</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p>

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Toddler suffers brain damage after Easter egg hunt

<p dir="ltr">A young boy who suffered brain damage after a fun weekend may lose his toes and fingers after contracting a life threatening disease.</p> <p dir="ltr">Teddie was “bouncing around” with his siblings during an exciting Easter egg hunt on Good Friday but it was two days later when he woke up with a temperature.</p> <p dir="ltr">Mother Zoe Stewart noticed a pink looking bruise on his forehead which had then spread all over his stomach. </p> <p dir="ltr">Teddie’s condition began to rapidly deteriorate and he was rushed to hospital where he was diagnosed with bacterial meningitis and septicaemia.</p> <p dir="ltr">The doctors said it was too late to wait for the painkillers to kick in and they had to drill into Teddie’s shin bones.</p> <p dir="ltr">“He was starting to bleed from his mouth and his nose, it was just terrifying,” Zoe told The Mirror.</p> <p dir="ltr">“We were told what all parents never want to hear, that we needed to understand there was a chance Teddie may not make it as he has a life-threatening infection.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Teddie was transferred to Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital where he spent two weeks in the ICU - all while his parents feared the worst.</p> <p dir="ltr">Eventually he was taken off life support and began breathing on his own, however, he has suffered some brain damage of which the long term effects are still unknown. </p> <p dir="ltr">A <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/please-help-little-teddies-parents?qid=ac29c369ef749c5c5d13b40672d8bdf7" target="_blank" rel="noopener">GoFundMe</a> page has been created to help the family. </p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: GoFundMe</em></p>

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Dog owners warned of deadly bacterial disease

<p>Dog owners in Australia are being warned of a deadly bacterial disease known as leptospirosis after it was detected in both NSW and the Northern Territory.</p> <p>The disease is usually contracted in contaminated bodies of water or from the urine of infected animals. It is most commonly from rats.</p> <p>Although a range of animals such as cattle, pigs and horses are at risk, there are fears for dogs with the infection found in the suburbs of Sydney and Darwin.</p> <p>Cases of leptospirosis have been detected in recent days in NSW’s Hunter region, as well as Marrickville and the Northern Beaches.</p> <p>Symptoms include fever, severe headache, sore muscles, chills, vomiting and red eyes, and it can cause kidney failure, jaundice, respiratory complications and, in some extreme circumstances, death.</p> <p>Dr Andrew Cornwell from Cardiff Veterinary Hospital warned a positive case had been confirmed in the Hunter region last week and urged pet owners to consider getting their animals vaccinated against the disease.</p> <p>Cornwell added that although the vaccines were not typically part of a pet owner’s core vaccination program, the shots are widely available at veterinarians across the country</p> <p>Meanwhile, NT Health Director of the Centre for Disease Control, Dr Vicki Krause warned last month cases had been reported in the Northern Territory, with between one and four cases found per year in the NT. </p> <p>Known hotspots in the NT for leptospirosis exposure include the Fogg Dam and Harrison Dam areas in Greater Darwin, rural Darwin, the Katherine district, Finniss River, Tipperary, Daly River and Gunbalanya.</p> <p>Protecting your dog</p> <p>Chief Veterinarian at RSPCA Dr Liz Arnott said given the high facility rate of the disease, it was crucial to seek medical attention if your dog became ill.</p> <p>“But unfortunately, it is hard to know if your dog has been exposed to the bacteria until they are unwell. One of the first signs of exposure is lethargy. Other common symptoms include vomiting and diarrhoea, as well as loss of appetite.</p> <p>“If your dog is experiencing any of these symptoms, you should seek immediate veterinary attention."</p> <p>Liz also reminded pet owners there were vaccination options for those dogs deemed at a high risk.</p> <p>Pet owners should be mindful humans can also contract the disease and are urged to practice good hygiene and to wash your hands after dealing with your pet.</p> <p><em>Image: Getty</em></p>

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Bert Newton gives update on his health after hospital stay

<p>After months of being <a href="/news/news/2017/03/bert-newton-rushed-to-hospital/" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">in and out of hospital</span></strong></a> due to <a href="/health/body/2017/04/bert-newton-has-been-rushed-to-hospital/" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">complications with pneumonia</span></strong></a>, Aussie TV legend Bert Newton has finally provided his fans with an update on his health condition.</p> <p>“I'm feeling better now,” the 78-year-old told the <a href="http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/" target="_blank"><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Daily Telegraph</span></em></strong></a>. “It took a while. I didn't realise until I copped it the first time, that pneumonia is such a serious thing, but I'm feeling better now.”</p> <p>The entertainer, who has been a fixture on our screens for more than 40 years, was first hospitalised in March with a bad case of pneumonia, returning just a month later after the infection returned. His health has been a concern for a while now, with the star undergoing a quadruple bypass in 2012.</p> <p>Unfortunately, his recent health scares prevented him from attending this year’s Logie Awards, with wife Patti and daughter Lauren going in his place. Despite not being there in person, Patti didn’t want her hubby to miss out.</p> <p><img width="500" height="500" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/38126/image__500x500.jpg" alt="Image_ (346)" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"/></p> <p>“Even though Bert's not well I'm taking him to the Logies,” she captioned the adorable snap of her bedazzled outfit on Instagram.</p>

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Elton John rushed to hospital

<p>Sir Elton John is recuperating after several days of treatments for a dangerous bacterial infection.</p> <p>Elton John’s spokesperson has confirmed that all his April and May performances for his “Million Dollar Piano” show in Las Vegas have been cancelled as he gets better.</p> <p class="body-el-text">"During his return flight home from Santiago, Chile, he became violently ill. Upon returning to the UK, Elton's doctors admitted him to hospital, where he underwent immediate treatment to remove the infection," Sir Elton's spokesperson said.</p> <p class="body-el-text">"After spending two nights in intensive care followed by an extended stay in hospital, Elton was released from hospital on Saturday, April 22 and is now comfortably resting at home per doctor's advice. Infections of this nature are rare and potentially deadly. Thankfully, Elton's medical team identified this quickly and treated it successfully. He is expected to make a full and complete recovery."</p> <p>The singer will most likely be better in time for his performance in the UK at the Twickenham Stoop in London on June 3.</p> <p>Unfortunately, his performance in California on May 6 has been cancelled.</p> <p>On Monday John said, “I am so fortunate to have the most incredible and loyal fans and apologise for disappointing them. I am extremely grateful to the medical team for their excellence in looking after me so well."</p> <p>This health scare comes at a busy time for the musician who was scheduled to perform at Caesars Palace, is currently working on a Broadway adaption of <em>Devil Wears Prada</em> and is collaborating on a film musical version of <em>Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat</em>. </p>

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