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With over 58 million cases and 6 million deaths by August 2022, the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), causing severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARs-CoV-2), has had an insurmountable impact on the world’s population. This is one of the worst health crises since 1918’s influenza pandemic. There are four subvariants of Omicron; BA.1, BA.1.1, BA.2 and BA.3. As a result of new mutations in its spike protein, most of which occur in its receptor binding site, the Omicron variant appears to be more transmissible and less resistant to vaccination and antibody response. Understanding Omicron’s virology and mutations is essential to developing diagnostic and therapeutic methods. A thorough assessment of control measures, as well as timely adjustment of control measures, requires addressing such issues as re-infection risk, vaccine response, booster vaccine doses, and the increased rate of Omicron infections. This review article aims to look at the current information about the different types of SARs-CoV-2, focusing on the new subtype BA.2.75.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention is warning about a new outbreak of meningococcal meningitis among gay, bisexual, and other men that have sex with men (MSM) due to multiple cases reported in Florida. Meningococcal meningitis (MM) is a bacterial infection often spread by direct contact or through respiratory droplet dissemination from an infected person to a host. Meningitis can cause a wide range of complications, from thrombosis to cerebral edema or even septic shocks as the bacteria thrive on colonizing the submucosa of blood vessels adjacent to inflamed meninges. The CDC urged MSM to immediately take the MenACWY vaccine. 200 years ago, several outbreaks have been recorded of the disease throughout history, the first being in Africa in the 1840s. The world cannot afford more outbreaks and serious measures should be taken to contend with and contain such potential threats. In this review, we aim to provide an updated investigation of the bacterial infection relevant to the current global health status and a revision on what governments, policymakers, health providers, and individuals should do to prevent the further spread of this fatal disease.

BackgroundGaming addiction is a compulsive mental health condition that can have severe negative consequences on a person’s life. As online gaming has increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, studies have shown a heightened risk of mental health issues. This study aims to assess the prevalence of severe phobia and addiction to online gaming among Arab adolescents and identify risk factors associated with these disorders.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted across 11 Arab nations. Participants were recruited using convenience sampling through an online survey distributed on social media platforms in 11 Arab countries. The survey included demographic questions, the Nine-item Internet Gaming Disorder Scale-Short Form (IGDS-SF9) to measure participants’ online gaming addiction, the Social Phobia Scale (SPS), and questions assessing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the prevalence of internet gaming addiction. The data were analyzed using SPSS win statistical package version 26.ResultsOut of 2,458 participants, 2,237 were included in the sample due to non-response and missing data. The average age of the participants was 19.9 ± 4.8 years, and the majority were Egyptian and unmarried. 69% of the participants reported playing more than usual since the COVID-19 pandemic, as they were confined to their homes. Higher social phobia scores were associated with being single, male, and Egyptian. Participants from Egypt and those who felt that the pandemic significantly increased their gaming time had higher scores for online gaming addiction. Several major criteria, such as playing hours per day and beginning gaming at an early age, were associated with a higher level of online gaming addiction with social phobia.ConclusionThe study’s findings suggest that there is a high prevalence of internet gaming addiction among Arab adolescents and young adults who play online games. The results also indicate a significant association between social phobia and several sociodemographic factors, which may inform future interventions and treatments for individuals with gaming addiction and social phobia.

Background Gaming addiction is a compulsive mental health condition that can have severe negative consequences on a person's life. As online gaming has increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, studies have shown a heightened risk of mental health issues. This study aims to assess the prevalence of severe phobia and addiction to online gaming among Arab adolescents and identify risk factors associated with these disorders. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted across 11 Arab nations. Participants were recruited using convenience sampling through an online survey distributed on social media platforms in 11 Arab countries. The survey included demographic questions, the Nine-item Internet Gaming Disorder Scale-Short Form (IGDS-SF9) to measure participants' online gaming addiction, the Social Phobia Scale (SPS), and questions assessing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the prevalence of internet gaming addiction. The data were analyzed using SPSS win statistical package version 26. Results Out of 2458 participants, 2237 were included in the sample due to non-response and missing data. The average age of the participants was 19.9 ± 4.8, and the majority were Egyptian and unmarried. 69% of the participants reported playing more than usual since the COVID-19 pandemic, as they were confined to their homes. Higher social phobia scores were associated with being single, male, and Egyptian. Participants from Egypt and those who felt that the pandemic significantly increased their gaming time had higher scores for online gaming addiction. Several major criteria, such as playing hours per day and beginning gaming at an early age, were associated with a higher level of online gaming addiction with social phobia. Conclusion The study's findings suggest that there is a high prevalence of internet gaming addiction among Arab adolescents and young adults who play online games. The results also indicate a significant association between social phobia and several sociodemographic factors, which may inform future interventions and treatments for individuals with gaming addiction and social phobia.