What is the Flu?

Influenza, commonly called “the flu,” is an illness caused by RNA viruses that infect the respiratory tract of many animals, birds, and humans. In most people, the infection results in the person getting fever, cough, headache, and malaise (tired, no energy); some people also may develop a sore throat, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. The majority of individuals has symptoms for about one to two weeks and then recovers with no problems. However, compared with most other viral respiratory infections, such as the common cold, influenza (flu) infection can cause a more severe illness with a mortality rate (death rate) of about 0.1% of people who are infected with the virus.

The above is the usual situation for the yearly occurring “conventional” or “seasonal” flu strains. However, there are situations in which some flu outbreaks are severe. These severe outbreaks occur when the human population is exposed to a flu strain against which the population has little or no immunity because the virus has become altered in a significant way. Unusually severe worldwide outbreaks (pandemics) have occurred several times in the last hundred years since influenza virus was identified in 1933. By an examination of preserved tissue, the worst influenza pandemic (also termed the Spanish flu) occurred in 1918 when the virus caused between 40-100 million deaths worldwide, with a mortality rate estimated to range from 2%-20%. Continue reading Flu →

Immunization: Vaccination. Immunizations work by stimulating the immune system, the natural disease-fighting system of the body. The healthy immune system is able to recognize invading bacteria and viruses and produce substances (antibodies) to destroy or disable them. Immunizations prepare the immune system to ward off a disease. To immunize against viral diseases, the virus used in the vaccine has been weakened or killed. To immunize against bacterial diseases, it is generally possible to use only a small portion of the dead bacteria to stimulate the formation of antibodies against the whole bacteria. In addition to the initial immunization process, it has been found that the effectiveness of immunizations can be improved by periodic repeat injections or “boosters.” Also see Immunizations (in the plural) and Immunization of a specific type (such Immunization, Polio). Continue reading Immunizations →

Efficient Approaches to avoid Flood-Borne-Diseases.

Rain…rain… go away… come again another day.” Sounds familiar? Yup! Who among us folks can’t recall this prominent nursery lyrics. This song is commonly heard from the angelic voice of our very cute4 and smart kids inside their nursery schools.

It is also amusing to listen and look at our children persistently singing this song while they enjoy playing along the busy streets. However, during these rainy seasons, their innocence can’t resist but enjoy jumping, running and wading along the murky flood waters. They don’t even care if they can acquire various illnesses or deadly diseases.

Generally, health experts commonly agree that flood-borne-diseases are most prevalent during these rainy seasons. According to them, flood-borne-diseases is a composition of illnesses caused by different infections such as bacteria, virus and parasites which are prevailing during rainy and high tide seasons.

These types of diseases are obtained from polluted environment due to improper waste and garbage disposals particularly the human wastes, including, some “unhygienic practices” such as spitting and urinating anywhere.

Among these leading flood-borne-diseases that are widespread during these rainy and high tide seasons are “Leptospirosis” and various skin diseases such as “Athlete’s Foot”, “Eczema”, “Fungi” and other skin allergies. Continue reading Flood Borne Diseases →

What is dengue fever?

Dengue fever is a disease caused by a family of viruses that are transmitted by mosquitoes. It is an acute illness of sudden onset that usually follows a benign course with symptoms such as headache, fever, exhaustion, severe muscle and joint pain, swollen glands (lymphadenopathy), and rash. The presence (the “dengue triad”) of fever, rash, and headache (and other pains) is particularly characteristic of dengue. Other signs of dengue fever include bleeding gums, severe pain behind the eyes, and red palms and soles.

Dengue (pronounced DENG-gay) strikes people with low levels of immunity. Because it is caused by one of four serotypes of virus, it is possible to get dengue fever multiple times. However, an attack of dengue produces immunity for a lifetime to that particular serotype to which the patient was exposed.

Dengue goes by other names, including “breakbone” or “dandy fever.” Victims of dengue often have contortions due to the intense joint and muscle pain, hence the name breakbone fever. Slaves in the West Indies who contracted dengue were said to have dandy fever because of their postures and gait.

Dengue hemorrhagic fever is a more severe form of the viral illness. Manifestations include headache, fever, rash, and evidence of hemorrhage in the body. Petechiae (small red or purple blisters under the skin), bleeding in the nose or gums, black stools, or easy bruising are all possible signs of hemorrhage. This form of dengue fever can be life-threatening and can progress to the most severe form of the illness, dengue shock syndrome. Continue reading Dengue Outbreak →