An inquiry into the death of a student potentially caused by prolonged laughing gas use revealed that she was inhaling two to three "large bottles" of the substance daily, as reported by The Independent.

According to the Berkshire coroner’s court, Ellen Mercer, aged 24, sought medical assistance from emergency services in the early hours of February 9 last year due to her inability to walk without falling over. She received medical treatment at Wexham Park Hospital Emergency Department but unfortunately passed away approximately 24 hours later, at 12:52 am on February 10.

During the inquest, Senior Coroner Heidi Connor mentioned that "nitrous oxide gas," commonly referred to as laughing gas, contributed to "part of her cause of death." The post-mortem report revealed that Ellen Mercer's death was attributed to bilateral pulmonary thromboembolism, deep vein thrombosis, and "long-term complications associated with nitrous oxide use."

Michaela Kirtley, an emergency medical technician from Phoenix Response Services, affiliated with the South Central Ambulance Service, visited Mercer’s residence on February 8.

Upon arrival, Mercer’s boyfriend guided her to the bedroom.

“I took notice of the room,” Kirtley recalled.

“There were no sheets on the bed at all. There was just the duvet, severely stained. The room was bare.”

This sight led Kirtley to recognise the vulnerability of the individual she was dealing with.

According to Kirtley, Mercer “was talking as normal,” and the only abnormal vital sign noted was her heart rate, which could have been elevated due to anxiety.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/in-uk-more-than-560000-young-people-jobless-due-to-mental-health-issues-673307">Also read |&nbsp;In UK, more than 560,000 young people jobless due to mental health issues</a>

Mercer informed Kirtley that she had sustained burns on her legs from a gas canister spill, preventing her from walking or using the restroom for two weeks. Additionally, Kirtley noted that Mercer appeared to be six months pregnant.

Upon inspecting&nbsp;Mercer's leg wounds, described as "pussy," Kirtley's concerns heightened.

During the inquest, Kirtley recounted that&nbsp;Mercer's boyfriend presented a box of gas canisters, identified as nitrous oxide. Kirtley remarked that these canisters were unusually large, weighing 600g. According to&nbsp;Mercer's boyfriend, she consumed "two to three bottles" per day, although her intake had decreased in recent weeks.

Mercer informed Kirtley that she had lost consciousness, resulting in the gas canister falling onto her legs.

Subsequently, an ambulance took Mercer to the hospital.

Also watch |&nbsp;UK: Sunak spent $2.5M on focus groups to sell 'Eat Out' scheme says report

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/uk-sunak-spent-25m-on-focus-groups-to-sell-eat-out-scheme-says-report-710127/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

At the time of the student’s death, it wasn’t illegal to have laughing gas for recreational use. However, in November 2023, the government made it illegal and classified it as a Class C drug. The investigation is still ongoing.

(With inputs from agencies)

An inquiry into the death of a student potentially caused by prolonged laughing gas use revealed that she was inhaling two to three "large bottles" of the substance daily, as reported by The Independent.

An inquiry into the death of a student potentially caused by prolonged laughing gas use revealed that she was inhaling two to three "large bottles" of the substance daily, as reported by The Independent. According to the Berkshire coroner’s court, Ellen Mercer, aged 24, sought medical assistance from emergency services in the early hours of February 9 last year due to her inability to walk without falling over. She received medical treatment at Wexham Park Hospital Emergency Department but unfortunately passed away approximately 24 hours later, at 12:52 am on February 10. During the inquest, Senior Coroner Heidi Connor mentioned that "nitrous oxide gas," commonly referred to as laughing gas, contributed to "part of her cause of death." The post-mortem report revealed that Ellen Mercer's death was attributed to bilateral pulmonary thromboembolism, deep vein thrombosis, and "long-term complications associated with nitrous oxide use." Michaela Kirtley, an emergency medical technician from Phoenix Response Services, affiliated with the South Central Ambulance Service, visited Mercer’s residence on February 8. Upon arrival, Mercer’s boyfriend guided her to the bedroom. “I took notice of the room,” Kirtley recalled. “There were no sheets on the bed at all. There was just the duvet, severely stained. The room was bare.” This sight led Kirtley to recognise the vulnerability of the individual she was dealing with. According to Kirtley, Mercer “was talking as normal,” and the only abnormal vital sign noted was her heart rate, which could have been elevated due to anxiety. Also read | In UK, more than 560,000 young people jobless due to mental health issues Mercer informed Kirtley that she had sustained burns on her legs from a gas canister spill, preventing her from walking or using the restroom for two weeks. Additionally, Kirtley noted that Mercer appeared to be six months pregnant. Upon inspecting Mercer's leg wounds, described as "pussy," Kirtley's concerns heightened. During the inquest, Kirtley recounted that Mercer's boyfriend presented a box of gas canisters, identified as nitrous oxide. Kirtley remarked that these canisters were unusually large, weighing 600g. According to Mercer's boyfriend, she consumed "two to three bottles" per day, although her intake had decreased in recent weeks. Mercer informed Kirtley that she had lost consciousness, resulting in the gas canister falling onto her legs. Subsequently, an ambulance took Mercer to the hospital. Also watch | UK: Sunak spent $2.5M on focus groups to sell 'Eat Out' scheme says report At the time of the student’s death, it wasn’t illegal to have laughing gas for recreational use. However, in November 2023, the government made it illegal and classified it as a Class C drug. The investigation is still ongoing. (With inputs from agencies)

UK student dies using two to three 'big bottles' of laughing gas daily

On Thursday, a panel of US government-appointed medical experts unanimously recommended Pfizer's and Moderna's mRNA Covid vaccines over Johnson &amp; Johnson's due to its weaker protection and greater risks.&nbsp;

There was a 15-0 vote in favour of the new guidance, which applies to everyone over the age of 18.

Rochelle Walensky, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), signed off on the measure Thursday evening. "Today's updated recommendation emphasizes CDC's commitment to provide real-time scientific information to the public," she said in a statement, encouraging American citizens to get vaccinated and get coronavirus booster shots.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/eu-drug-regulator-gives-go-ahead-for-pfizer-covid-pills-emergency-use-437518" hreflang="en">EU drug regulator gives go-ahead for Pfizer Covid pill's emergency use</a>

The recommendation steers the public away from J&amp;J's drug, which initially won praise in part because it could be stored at room temperature and performed well against earlier strains of the Coronavirus after just one shot.

However, it was later linked to clotting, especially among women of childbearing age, which led authorities to temporarily suspend its use then resume it in April. Since then, it has remained a distant third choice of vaccination among Americans.

It was discovered this week that this clotting effect is more prevalent than initially thought, and not necessarily restricted to females.

Additionally, preliminary laboratory testing indicates that the jab provides little protection against the new Omicron variant -- at least against infection.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/omicron-uk-reports-over-88000-covid-cases-highest-daily-since-pandemic-began-437395" hreflang="en">Omicron: UK reports over 88,000 Covid cases, highest daily since pandemic began</a>

CDC called the vote after new safety data raised concerns.&nbsp;

According to new data released by the CDC, nine people have died so far because of low platelet counts or Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (TTS), with around 16 million doses of vaccine administered.

As of August 31, there were 54 cases, 36 of which required intensive care. The survivors had long-term effects such as paralysis in some cases.

Women aged 30-49 were at the greatest risk, where TTS occurred at around a rate of one in 100,000.

The risk, however, isn't limited to women, with two of the nine deaths occurring among men. Additionally, the CDC said the death toll may be underestimated.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/covid-vaccines-likely-to-be-less-effective-against-omicron-variant-who-437383" hreflang="en">Covid vaccines likely to be less effective against Omicron variant: WHO</a>

TTS has caused fatalities in about one out of seven cases.&nbsp;

CDC scientist Sara Oliver told a committee of independent experts, they had several choices, including recommending not to use the vaccine altogether.&nbsp;

The panel of experts agreed, however, that the J&amp;J vaccine should remain available for people who, for whatever reasons, may refuse mRNA vaccines, despite their higher efficacy and lower risks.&nbsp;

In its discussion of risks and benefits, the CDC also said that the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines carry risks, primarily for younger men who may in very rare cases develop myocarditis or pericarditis -- inflammation of or around the heart.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: Lab leak "most likely" source of Covid-19, British MPs told

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-lab-leak-most-likely-source-of-covid-19-british-mps-told-437529/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

No fatalities have been reported from these cases, and the two vaccines offer a much greater level of protection than the J&amp;J shot.

"The Johnson and Johnson Covid-19 vaccine is a life saving tool for individuals in high risk populations," Penny Heaton, global therapeutic area head of vaccines at J&amp;J argued.

The panel agrees with the company that recommending against the J&amp;J shot completely would send an undesirable message to other areas of the world where the jab may be the only option.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

On Thursday, a panel of US government-appointed medical experts unanimously recommended Pfizer's and Moderna's mRNA Covid vaccines over Johnson & Johnson's due to its weaker protection and greater risks.

On Thursday, a panel of US government-appointed medical experts unanimously recommended Pfizer's and Moderna's mRNA Covid vaccines over Johnson & Johnson's due to its weaker protection and greater risks. There was a 15-0 vote in favour of the new guidance, which applies to everyone over the age of 18. Rochelle Walensky, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), signed off on the measure Thursday evening. "Today's updated recommendation emphasizes CDC's commitment to provide real-time scientific information to the public," she said in a statement, encouraging American citizens to get vaccinated and get coronavirus booster shots. Also read | EU drug regulator gives go-ahead for Pfizer Covid pill's emergency use The recommendation steers the public away from J&J's drug, which initially won praise in part because it could be stored at room temperature and performed well against earlier strains of the Coronavirus after just one shot. However, it was later linked to clotting, especially among women of childbearing age, which led authorities to temporarily suspend its use then resume it in April. Since then, it has remained a distant third choice of vaccination among Americans. It was discovered this week that this clotting effect is more prevalent than initially thought, and not necessarily restricted to females. Additionally, preliminary laboratory testing indicates that the jab provides little protection against the new Omicron variant -- at least against infection. Also read | Omicron: UK reports over 88,000 Covid cases, highest daily since pandemic began CDC called the vote after new safety data raised concerns. According to new data released by the CDC, nine people have died so far because of low platelet counts or Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (TTS), with around 16 million doses of vaccine administered. As of August 31, there were 54 cases, 36 of which required intensive care. The survivors had long-term effects such as paralysis in some cases. Women aged 30-49 were at the greatest risk, where TTS occurred at around a rate of one in 100,000. The risk, however, isn't limited to women, with two of the nine deaths occurring among men. Additionally, the CDC said the death toll may be underestimated. Also read | Covid vaccines likely to be less effective against Omicron variant: WHO TTS has caused fatalities in about one out of seven cases. CDC scientist Sara Oliver told a committee of independent experts, they had several choices, including recommending not to use the vaccine altogether. The panel of experts agreed, however, that the J&J vaccine should remain available for people who, for whatever reasons, may refuse mRNA vaccines, despite their higher efficacy and lower risks. In its discussion of risks and benefits, the CDC also said that the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines carry risks, primarily for younger men who may in very rare cases develop myocarditis or pericarditis -- inflammation of or around the heart. Watch | Gravitas: Lab leak "most likely" source of Covid-19, British MPs told No fatalities have been reported from these cases, and the two vaccines offer a much greater level of protection than the J&J shot. "The Johnson and Johnson Covid-19 vaccine is a life saving tool for individuals in high risk populations," Penny Heaton, global therapeutic area head of vaccines at J&J argued. The panel agrees with the company that recommending against the J&J shot completely would send an undesirable message to other areas of the world where the jab may be the only option. (With inputs from agencies)

Citing risk of clotting, US expert panel votes for the use of Moderna, Pfizer vaccines, over J&J

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