Category Archives: Health Advisory

Health Advisory on ZIKA VIRUS

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Key facts

• Zika virus infection is a mosquito-borne disease caused by a flavivirus. This occurs in tropical countries with large mosquito population.

Transmission
• Zika virus is transmitted to people through the bite of an infected mosquito from the Aedes genus, mainly Aedes aegypti in urban areas and Aedes albopictus in rural areas.
• Aedes bite aggressively during the day.
• This is the same mosquito that transmits Dengue and Chikungunya.
• Zika virus can also be transmitted through sex carrying Zika virus unprotected.
• Zika virus has been detected in blood, urine, amniotic fluids, semen, saliva as well as body fluids found in the brain and spinal cord.

Signs and Symptoms

• Common symptoms include fever, conjunctivitis, and skin rash.
• Other symptoms include headache, muscle pain, joint pain, pain behind the eyes, and vomiting.
• The illness is usually mild and self-limiting with symptoms lasting for 2-7 days.

Complication
• Neurological type of complication: Guillain-Barre’ syndrome which is the sudden weakening of muscles.
• Neonatal malformation: Microcephaly which is a condition where a baby’s head is smaller than those of other babies of the same age and sex.

Prevention and Treatment
• Avoid infection by preventing mosquito bites.
• Use insect repellants.
• Use window and door screens.
• Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants or permethrin-treated clothing.
• Once a week, empty and scrub, turn over, cover, or throw out items that hold water such as tires, buckets, planters, toys, or trash containers.
• People sick with Zika virus should get plenty of rest, drink enough fluids and treat pain and fever with common medicines.
• People with signs and symptoms of Zika virus infection should undergo diagnostic test (serology)
• If symptoms persists, they should seek medical care and advice immediately to the nearest health facility.

How is ZIKA, CHIKUNGUNYA and DENGUE infection prevented?

Search and Destroy

Cover the drums, pails, and other waste containers at all times
Clean and replace the water in flower vases once a week
Cover the holes around the house with soil or sand
Remove or pierce old tires that are being used as roof supports, also those tires placed around the house that might hold water.
Flip-over empty bottles, jars, tin cans and other items that can collect and hold water
Clean and remove water on dish racks and other household items that can hold water

SELF-PROTECTION MEASURES

Use mosquito repellants to avoid mosquito bites
Use mosquito nets when sleeping at daytime
Wear long sleeves or clothes that will protect your skin from mosquito bites

SEEK EARLY CONSULTATION

Seek and consult with the nearest health facility if you already have fever fro two days
SAY “YES” TO FOGGING ONLY DURING OUTBREAKS

Fogging should be done when there is an impending and during outbreaks

SOURCE

Holiday-related stress

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As Christmas Day nears I noticed that a lot of people are getting sick. I’m not sure whether it’s due to the inclement weather or the fact that there are a lot of Christmas-related activities that makes them busier. The reasons may vary from one person to another. Here are a few tips on how to cope with the holiday stress.

  1. Make a plan of all your activities be it personal or with family members.
  2. Do not ignore common signs of illness.
  3. Serve nutritious food. Eat ham and pastries in moderation. Drink plenty of water.
  4. Have enough sleep or rest when you can.
  5. If you can’t avoid crowded places like malls and market, do your grocery shopping as early as you can.
  6. Prepare a list of possible gift items to save you time and energy. If you are shopping online for musical instrument, check on thehub.musiciansfriend.com/drum-buying-guides/how-to-choose-the-right-drumsticks.
  7. Choose inexpensive and environment-friendly Christmas decor. You can DIY decors using available materials at home.
  8. Buy age-appropriate toys for kids. Make sure the toys are free from harmful chemicals.
  9. Welcome the New Year with noise from pots and pans and not with firecrackers.

Image courtesy of Keerati at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Best Ways To Stay Younger For Longer

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beauty sleep

There are many ways to stay looking and feeling younger for longer, and many are not as complicated as you may think. Whilst there are many pharmaceuticals, creams and lotions available promising the gift of younger skin and anti-aging affects, many ways for a healthy and young glow are completely free. And by using a combination of top techniques, you can easily roll back the years and look your age, and possible even younger.

If you’re looking for simple life changes that you can make to help you stay younger then a top tip is to get more sleep. During our twilight hours the body does most of its growth hormone releasing and cell repair work. If you’re not getting enough sleep and are constantly tired, your body will also show signs of tiredness. Stress is also another important factor, and can have a huge affect on your look especially if it is stopping you from sleeping. Your nervous, digestive and immune systems can all be affected by high levels of stress, and you should try and ensure you have so down time so you can fully relax.

There is also a range of life choices that you can make that will help you stay looking younger for longer. Exercising and maintaining a healthy weight is paramount to keep flexibility and better functioning organs. Cutting out the cigarettes will roll back the years significantly, whilst limiting your alcohol intake can offer fresher and healthier skin. Meanwhile, using sun cream even when it’s cloudy is a good idea, as sun damage causes aging spots, wrinkly and leathery skin, and blotchy pigmentation all of which will age you.

Cosmetic surgery can also help you stay younger for longer, and by utilising skilled surgeons you can ensure that any work received simply enhances the beauty that you naturally have. Organisations such as the Hospital Group are highly skilled in offering top quality consultations and surgery, and whether you’re looking for cosmetic changes, laser hair removal or weight loss options, surgery can be ideal. Dental treatment in particular is a great way of looking younger, and by offering a white and shiny smile, your complexion will take on an entirely new glow.

Surgery can sometimes seem extreme, but even simple procedures such as hair removal or Botox can have significant effects on how you look. Increased hair on the face can age you dramatically, with the removal of hair instantly providing a smoother and younger looking complexion. Meanwhile, whilst you may have seen some of the worst Botox cases, small amounts of its use can reduce wrinkles and aging lines without the forced expressions that have negatively influenced the sector. And, like with any surgery, whilst some take it to the extreme, you can use Botox in a subtle way to make your younger look as natural as possible.

Some of the best ways to stay younger use a combination of both life changes and treatments. Getting more sleep, reducing your stress and becoming healthier will offer your body the best way to become fit. And by using treatments or surgeries to eradicate some aging features, you’ll look younger in no time at all.

Image courtesy of FrameAngel at FreeDigitalPhotos.net