Dengue is a
vector-borne disease transmitted by an infected
female mosquito of the Aedes aegypti
species that causes high fever. These mosquitoes are different from
normal mosquitoes with white bands present on their legs. It often bites during
the day and after the infected mosquito bites a
human, the symptoms start developing in the body within 3-14 days. It
has been seen that dengue infects children more.
Dengue Fever has the following symptoms:
1. High fever usually around 104 °F.
2. Severe headache
3. Rashes
4. Pain behind the eyes
5. Intense muscle and joint pain
6. Loss of appetite
7. Fatigue
Tips to prevent Dengue:
- Avoid water stagnation in coolers, open areas, containers etc. By
pouring a thin layer of kerosene oil over the stagnated areas to prevent the
breeding of mosquito larvae.
- People are advised to wear
full sleeves clothes to prevent transmission in the rainy season.
- Mosquitoes frequently hang around in damp, dark areas. Make sure that
there is plenty of sunlight in the room or house to keep mosquitoes out.
Additionally, camphor may destroy many kinds of pests, so a smoky candle can be
lighted every other day for roughly 30 minutes in the room.
- As dengue mosquitoes usually bite during the daytime, it is
advised to use a mosquito net while sleeping during the day and mosquito
repellents in the form of roll-ons, sprays and sticks should be used.
- Use aerosol during the day to prevent mosquito bites.
Diagnosis and Treatment:
- Complete blood count test was
done which gives information about platelet status, Dengue NS1 antigen, nucleic
acid detection by PCR, etc...
- Blood transfusions for
platelets in severe cases as the platelet count eventually drop in dengue
patients.
- Though there are no antiviral
medicines to treat dengue fever, early diagnosis and clinical treatment can
help the patients.
- Those suffering from dengue are advised to keep themselves
hydrated.
This day is celebrated in
remembrance of French biologist Louis Pasteur who gave the first dose of the
first vaccine against the zoonotic disease rabies. This day holds importance in
promoting awareness and educating people about the zoonotic diseases that can
be transmitted from animals to the humans.
Zoonoses, also known as zoonotic
diseases, are infectious conditions caused by microorganisms that can pass from
animals to humans. These zoonotic pathogens, which can be bacterial, parasitic,
viral, or even strange agents, can spread through direct or indirect contact
between animals and humans.
Causes- Zoonotic
diseases are caused by a number of factors. Some of them are:
1. Direct contact- due to bites, scratches, or ingesting bodily fluids
including blood, saliva, urine, faeces, or bite wounds from an infected animal.
2. Indirect contact: This
might happen in areas where sick animals feed or live and are infected by the
zoonotic pathogens.
3. Foodborne: Due to
consuming contaminated foods like as raw fruits and vegetables, milk, meat,
eggs coming from infected animals.
Symptoms-
- Flu like symptoms like fever, cough,
headache, fatigue and bodyache.
- Visible lesions of bite marks, scratches
on the skin.
- Abdominal cramps, vomiting, severe
diarrhea and loss of appetite.
Diagnosis
and Treatment-
- Physical
examination of the skin
- Administration
of antibiotics and vaccines in case of animal bites.
- Wear
masks or protective clothing those who have animal allergy.
- Periodic
blood tests to identify the pathogens in order to start the medications.
Prevention
and Control-
- Vaccinate the pet animals immediately
before getting them home.
- Immediate administration of vaccines or
medicine in case of animal bites or scratches.
- Increasing knowledge of zoonotic diseases
and operationalization among the people globally.
- Improve biosecurity and identify the main causes of zoonotic disease in livestock.
- Improving the
zoonotic disease regulation and monitoring.
- Make alternative
livelihoods
and ensure food security while promoting sustainable agricultural
technology.
On
June 27, 1995, the first National HIV Testing Day (NHTD) was observed. This is
a day to encourage people to get tested for HIV, learn their status, and
connect with care and treatment.
The
theme for 2022, "HIV Testing is Self-care," is apt, given the
importance of self-care during the COVID-19 pandemic
This
year’s theme focuses on the following goals for partners.
- Testing is key to ending the HIV epidemic.
- Taking the test is taking care of yourself.
- Taking care of our loved ones too!
- Taking care of the wellness of the society
It's
also very important, considering the crucial necessity of individual and
community initiatives to improve physical and mental health.
What
is HIV AND why HIV Testing is necessary?
Human
immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a virus that targets the body's immune system,
which serves as its natural protection against sickness. If HIV is not treated,
it might weaken the immune system to the point that it can no longer fight
infection. Early testing helps to prevent this advanced stage of the virus,
known as AIDS, is lethal and can be prevented.
HIV
is a life-threatening disease that can infect people of all ages, genders, and
sexual orientations. Up to one in every seven persons living with HIV
remain unaware of their status.
The
test is quick and simple: During an HIV test, doctors collect a blood or saliva
(swab test) sample for analysis. In about 20 minutes, you'll know if you have
the infection. An HIV test is free.
If
your HIV test results indicate that you have the virus, you can get the therapy
you need to stay healthy. Antiretroviral medications now allow HIV patients to
live long and normal lives.
When you know your HIV status, you can take
precautions to safeguard current and future sexual partners, as well as
encourage former partners to be tested.
This day is celebrated in
remembrance of Michael Jackson who suffered from vitiligo and died on 25th
June, 2009 to create global awareness about vitiligo. It encourages unity among
the people with vitiligo to rule out the discrimination faced by them by the
people and raise their voices and visibility in all the areas of life. Over 1%
of the total world population suffers from vitiligo where it affects all the
genders and ethnic groups especially in the age groups of 20-30 years.
Causes- Vitiligo is an
autosomal disease that causes the loss of skin pigment cells called
melanocytes. This causes the skin to lighten in patches across the body and
face. It is often unpredictable but children born to both parents having this
disease are more likely to develop vitiligo. This is non-communicable disease
and around 80% of the people develop this condition before the age of 30 years.
Symptoms-
- Depigmentation of the hair, skin and eyes.
- Patch on the skin with no color especially on the inside of the
mouth.
- Premature graying of hair on the scalp and eyebrows.
- Light sensitivity
- Change in color of the eye’s retina.
- Freckles and moles with light pinkish color due to reduced
pigment.
Diagnosis and Treatment-
- Physical examination of
the skin
- Electroretinogram for
detect of light sensitivity in the eyes associated with vitiligo.
- Micro-pigmentation also
called permanent make up, is a tattooing procedure to treat vitiligo.
- Protective sunglasses,
clothing and sunscreens to protect from the UV exposure.
Genetic
counseling to understand the inheritance of vitiligo in the family history.
Sickle cell anemia is the most common inherited
blood disorder which causes “sickle†shaped red blood cells in humans. These
deformed blood cells stick with each other, blocks the blood flow and oxygen to
reach the other parts of the body. This day is observed annually with the goal to
increase public knowledge and an understanding of sickle cell disease, and the
challenges experienced by patients and their families.
This sickle cell
mutation occurs when negatively charged glutamine is replaced by a neutral
valine at the sixth position of the beta-globin chain and this mutation is
transmitted and is inherited by an autosomal co-dominant fashion. People
suffer from severe pain and has to be treated with strong painkillers like
morphine. Symptoms of sickle cell start showing from around 5 to 6 months of
age and along with the pain a person can also suffer from anemia, swelling in
the hands and feet, bacterial infections, blindness, bone damage and stroke.
The only available treatment to the
sickle cell anemia is the stem cell transplantation. Genetic counseling is very
vital to understand the possibility of inheritance of sickle cell anemia in the
family history. Periodic checkups with the doctor is very
crucial for the people suffering with sickle cell anemia to check the blood
hemoglobin, Red Blood Cells counts etc.
Menstruation or menses
is the monthly shedding of the lining of a woman’s uterus. It is also known as the
menstrual period, cycle or period. The menstrual blood is composed of blood and
tissue from the endometrium of the uterus and flows through the cervix and out
of the body through the vagina. The average menstrual cycle is 28 days long and can range in
length from 21 days to about 35 days. The menstrual cycle is triggered by
hormones controlled by the pituitary gland in the brain and the ovaries in the
female reproductive tract. Girls start menstruating
at the average age of 12 and as early as 8 years of age or as late as 16 years
of age. Women stop menstruating at menopause, which occurs at about the age of
51.
Significance of National Menstrual Hygiene Day:
- It aims to bring together the people
for promoting good menstrual health and hygiene for everyone around the world.
- To break the silence, raise awareness
and change the social stigmas around menstrual health and hygiene.
- It provides an opportunity to engage decision-makers and increase the
political priority to catalyse the actions for menstrual health and hygiene at
global, national, and local levels.
Tips to maintain Menstrual Hygiene:
1. Change the sanitary pads regularly to avoid the conditions like Toxic Shock Syndrome (bacterial infection) and other infections.
2. Maintain
cleanliness and hygiene.
3. Choose the correct
method of sanitation.
4. Wash yourself
regularly.
5. Consult a
gynaecologist immediately if any discomfort or infection arises.
Dengue is a vector-borne disease transmitted by an infected female mosquito of the Aedes aegypti species that causes high fever. These mosquitoes are different from normal mosquito with white bands present on their legs. It often bites during the day and after the infected mosquito bites a human, the symptoms start developing in the body within 3-14 days. It has been seen that dengue infects children more.
Symptoms of Dengue Fever:
1. High fever
2. Headache
3. Rash
4. Muscle and joint pain
5. Loss of appetite
6. Fatigue
Diagnosis and Treatment:
- Complete blood count test done which gives information about platelets status, Dengue NS1 antigen, nucleic acid detection by PCR etc…
- Though there are no antiviral medicines to treat dengue fever, early diagnosis and clinical treatment can help the patients.
- Those suffering from dengue are advised to keep themselves hydrated.
Tips to prevent Dengue:
- Avoid water stagnation in coolers, open areas, containers etc.
-  People are advised to wear full sleeves clothes to prevent the transmission in rainy season.
- Use a mosquito net or mosquito repellent while sleeping during the day.
- Use aerosol during the day to prevent from mosquito bites.
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Lupus or Systemic Lupus Erythematosus is a long-term life altering autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system becomes hyperactive and attacks the healthy tissue by creating auto antibodies. This disease can affect any organ of the body causing damage, pain and inflammation and due to its complex nature, lupus is sometimes known as the “disease of a thousand faces.† It is a potentially fatal disease commonly seen in women between the ages of 15- 45 years. Lupus is still under-recognized and people are unaware about this condition.
Causes- It is caused by a variety of factors such as:
(i) Hormonal problem- women (15-45 years) experience lupus more often as compared to men due to higher estrogen level.
(ii) Environmental factors: exposure to sunlight, stress, smoking, virus infection, medications.
(iii) Family history: Family members with lupus have higher risks of this condition.
Types of Lupus- There are different types of Lupus but Systemic Lupus Erythematosus is the most common among all.
- Cutaneous lupus erythematosus: This type of lupus affects the skin. People experience skin issues like a sensitivity to the sun, rashes and hair loss.
- Drug-induced lupus: This is caused by certain medications. Symptoms are same as that of systemic lupus erythematosus, but it’s usually temporary.
- Neonatal lupus: A rare type of lupus, this is condition found in infants at birth. Children born with neonatal lupus have antibodies that were passed to them from their mother  who either had lupus at the time of the pregnancy or may have the condition later in life.
Symptoms-
- Sensitivity to sunlight, rashes, hair loss
- shortness of breath, fever, headache
- chest pain, stomach pain, joint pain and muscles pain
- Fatigue, dry eyes and mouth sores
- Blood clots
- Seizures
Diagnosis and Treatment-
- Blood cell count and detection of biomarkers responsible for lupus.
- Urine examination for the lupus affecting kidneys.
- Antinuclear antibody (ANA) test to find out the possibility of this autoimmune disorder.
- Tissue biopsy for skin.
- Medicines such as hydroxychloroquine, steroids, etc.
Prevention and Control-
- Prevent exposure to sunlight.
- Maintaining a healthy lifestyle- nutrient rich diet, regular exercise.
- Management of stress
- By quitting smoking as smoking increases the risk of lupus.
- Take preventive medicines in case of emergency.
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What are Ovaries?
Ovaries are reproductive glands found only in females (women). They produce eggs (ova) for reproduction.
What is Ovarian Cancer?
Ovarian cancer is one of the most difficult cancers to treat worldwide. Studies show that the quality of treatment greatly affects the diagnosis. Ovarian cancers were previously believed to begin only in the ovaries but recent evidence shows that many ovarian cancers may actually start in the cells in the far (distal) end of the fallopian tubes. Cancer starts when cells in the ovary begin to grow out of control (metastasis).
Causes of Ovarian Cancer- It is caused by a variety of factors such as:
(i) Endometriosis
(ii) Diabetes.
(iii) Smoking
(iv) Early menstruation and menopause.
(v) Those who have inherited a faulty gene called BRCA gene.
(vi) Obesity and overweight
(vii) People with a history of breast or bowel cancer.
(viii) People who had radiotherapy for previous cancer treatment.
(ix) Risk of developing ovarian cancer increases with age, mainly over 60 years.
Types of Ovarian Cancer-
The ovaries are mainly made up of 3 kinds of cells. Each type of cell can develop into a different type of tumor. These tumors can be benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous).
- Epithelial ovarian tumors: these start from the cells that cover the outer surface of the ovary. Most of the ovarian tumors are epithelial cell tumors.
- Germ cell tumors: these start from the cells that produce the eggs (ova)
- Stromal tumors:   start from structural tissue cells that hold the ovary together and produce the female hormones estrogen and progesterone.
Symptoms-
- Sudden weight loss or weight gain.
- Changes in bowel habits such as constipation and indigestion.
- Fatigue
- Abdominal or lower tummy pain
- Loss of appetite
- Frequent urination
- Abdominal bloating or increased abdomen size.
Diagnosis and Treatment-
- Physical examination:  this includes the recto-vaginal examination with the empty bladder to evaluate for pelvic and abdominal masses. ÂÂ
- Transvaginal ultrasonography: In case of any abnormal pelvic mass, women should undergo ultrasonography.
- Surgeries:  Primary treatment for ovarian cancer. It is used for cytoreduction (debulking).
- Other tests: These include colonoscopy, laparoscopy, biopsy etc.
- Medicines/ Chemotherapy:  Postsurgical adjuvant chemotherapy is recommended for late-stage disease and stage II cases.
Prevention and Control-
- Maintaining proper hygiene and cleanliness.
- Routine gynecologist checkups.
- Women who have a high-risk family history should be referred for genetic testing.
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Thalassemia is a genetic blood disorder in which the body makes inadequate or abnormal form of hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is a protein present in red blood cells responsible for carrying oxygen to all the other cells in the body. When there’s less hemoglobin (anemia), red blood cells do not function properly and eventually results in disruption of the red blood cells. Inheriting a faulty thalassemia gene from both the parents, creates the trait for thalassemia and in major cases there’s a need for blood transfusion.
Causes- It is caused by a variety of factors such as:
(i) Caused by the mutations in the gene responsible for the production of hemoglobin.
(ii) People with a family history of thalassemia.
(ii) Ethnicity of the people, most common in African Americans and in Southeast Asians.
Types of Thalassemia- Hemoglobin, a protein which is made of two subunits- Alpha globin and Beta globin.
- Alpha thalassemia- it occurs when the gene related to the alpha globin is mutated.
- Beta thalassemia- when gene associated with beta globin is mutated.
There are two forms of thalassemia-
- Thalassemia minor- When the person inherits the faulty gene from only one parent. They are the carriers of thalassemia and do not show any symptoms.
- Thalassemia major- It is developed when the person inherits the faulty gene from both the parents. Beta thalassemia major is also known as the Cooley anemia.
Symptoms-
- Pale skin
- Dark urine
- Constant fatigue and weakness
- Enlarged Spleen
- Abdominal pain and swelling
- Bone deformities
- Delayed growth and development
- Heart problems such as abnormal heart rhythm (arrhythmia) associated with severe thalassemia.
Diagnosis and Treatment-
- Blood examination
- Careful blood transfusions in case of thalassemia major.
- Undergo thalassemia screening test (Blood HPLC/thalassemia test) to check the chance of being a thalassemia carrier.
- Medications and health supplements.
- Bone marrow transplantation in major cases.
Prevention and Control-
- Routine blood tests.
- Periodic consultation with the doctor.
- Maintain healthy lifestyle and proper balanced diet.
- Regular exercise
- Consult a genetic counselor to determine the risk of passing thalassemia to your children.
- Take prescribed medicines.
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