US Govt Announces Theme for World AIDS Day 2015

The United States Government has announced the theme for this year’s World AIDS Day 2015. The theme, The Time to Act Is Now, was announced on Friday through the official white house website by Douglas M. Brooks, MSW, the Director of the Office of National AIDS Policy and Ambassador Deborah L. Birx, MD, the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator and Special Representative for Global Health Diplomacy.

Read the official statement below as published on the White House Blog;

We are pleased to announce the theme for World AIDS Day 2015: The Time to Act Is Now.

There is no better time than World AIDS Day to recommit ourselves to achieving an AIDS-free generation. This year, we will celebrate the tremendous progress we have made together in expanding access to HIV prevention, treatment, and care services, and focus on the potential to achieve sustainable epidemic control and end AIDS as a public health threat.

FG Bars Medical Graduates From NYSC

The federal government in a surprise move has barred graduates of medicine from participating in the mandatory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), unless... 

The federal government on Monday took drastic action to stamp out quackery and sub-standard practices in medical practice in the country as it has announced a ban on all graduates of medicine from participating in the mandatory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) until they have qualified as medical doctors and have secured practice licence from the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN).

 

This decision was made public through the Registrar/Chief Executive of MDCN, Dr. Abdulmumini Ibrahim during a press briefing on Monday in Abuja.

WHO presents President Buhari with certificate delisting Nigeria from Polio endemic countries

WHO presents President Buhari with certificate delisting Nigeria from Polio endemic countries
 
It has been 15 consecutive months without any case of polio virus infection recorded in Nigeria. Consequently, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has formally presented President Muhamnadu Buhari with a certificate delisting Nigeria from the list of polio-endemic countries and will completely delist Nigeria from among polio infected countries of the world if the current efforts were sustained till 2017. This was the condition attached prior to presentation of the certificate.

The WHO Regional Director in Nigeria, Matshidiso Rebecca Moeti, presented the certificate to Buhari on behalf of the Director-General, Margaret Chan, at the State House Abuja yesterday reported Guardian News.

FOCAL SEGMENTAL GLOMERULOSCLEROSIS

Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) is a disease in which scar tissue develops on the glomeruli of the kidney.

To allow for better understanding, it is best to breakdown these words:

Focal: means that only some of the kidneys’ glomeruli have been damaged, while some are still normal.

Glomerulo: A structure in the kidney. The glomeruli refers to the clusters of tiny blood vessels in the kidneys that filter waste and harmful substances from the blood. Each kidney has thousands of glomeruli.

Sclerosis: refers to scarring.

FSGS is most often idiopathic (of unknown cause), but can be caused by a variety of conditions such as the use of heroin or other drugs, HIV infection, obesity, sickle cell disease, atheroembolic disease, nephron loss, inherited genetic problems, and some medicines.

WHAT HEALTH RISK(S) AM I EXPOSED TO, BEING BITTEN BY BED BUGS?

Bed bugs can cause a number of health effects including skin rashes, psychological effects, and allergic symptoms. We already discussed that in our  previous post.

They are able to be infected by more than 28 human pathogens (including viruses, bacteria, protozoa,

and parasitic worms), such as those causing anthrax, plague, hepatitis, HIV, the virus that causes AIDS and typhus, and have been found naturally infected with many of these disease agents (especially hepatitis B virus).

COMMON HEALTH QUESTIONS PEOPLE ASK CONCERNING BED BUGS

In the course of doing the "Bed bugs Post Series", we got a lot of questions. Some "sounded" really funny, but as a matter of fact, they aren't funny.

These questions are questions regarding the health risk(s) one could be exposed to through bed bug bites. And I tell you, they're questions that need clarification.

It's good to be very conscious and proactive when it comes to issues regarding one's health, and this is what we preach.

Bed bug bites, called CIMICOSIS, may lead to a range of health effects including skin rashes, psychological effects and allergic symptoms.

Here we have high lighted a few most commonly asked questions regarding bed bug bites.

DEALING WITH BEDBUGS {Post Series} - POST 5

GOOD RIDDANCE TO BUG RUBBISH

By now, everyone will agree that bed bugs are very stubborn creatures to deal with.

From the previous post  ORGANOPHOSPHATES DO LITTLE, we have clearly established the fact that not all insecticides work on bed bugs. They have become so resistant to insecticides, and these insecticides are not at all good for our health.

THE SECRET TO BED BUG DEFEAT

Since these invaders are very tough enemies, they require stringent measures to eradicate.

The secret to lasting victory over bed bugs is OBSERVING CONSTANT ENVIRONMENTAL SANITATION and MAINTAINING PROPER HYGIENE.

SUGAR CAUSES BACK PAIN; MYTH OR FACT?

This is another widely debated topic as regarding health.

For the fact that we would not like beat about the bush on this, we'd like to go straight to business. Here we have provided a comprehensive review from the medical view point.

In order to clear doubts, it is important to know what back pain really is. Back pain is pain felt in the back that usually originates from the muscles, nerves, bones, joints or other structures in the spine.

Back pain can be caused by so many things e.g accidents, injuries, obesity, poor posture, etc, but most back pain syndromes are due to inflammation.

Fortunately or unfortunately to let you know, the answer is positive. It is a FACT that sugar causes back pain, not a myth.

DEALING WITH BED BUGS - POST 4

ORGANOPHOSPHATES DO LITTLE

Most of us are probably tired of the discordant sounds from the megaphones of the insecticide vendors; "e dey kill mosquito, dey kill cockroach, and spider. Don't allow mosquito to override you in your house o, ehen!"

You get to your workplace early in the morning, and instead of the captivating smell of Chanel No 5, all that oozes out from you is the smell of insecticides (different portions you've mixed like an herbalist).

I don't still seem to know how people easily detect the real thing smelling. Probably they're secretly in your shoes too (me just pondering).

We've tried various 'species' of insecticides on just one specie of insect, yet, nothing seems to be working. There is God o, all these people that are selling us fake products. They should continue, God will see us.

DEALING WITH BEDBUGS - Post 3

CATCH THEM YOUNG, BEFORE THEY CATCH YOU

That awkward moment when you're in the middle of an important meeting or a social gathering, and something creepily walks out of your shirt and decides to take a stroll round the great wall of China around your neck. I mean your collar.

If you followed our first post, you'd know by now that bedbugs aren't besties with light. So what is it looking for at that time of the day, around your shirt?

Catch them before they embarrass you. . .BY THEIR EGGS

Catching bedbugs by their eggs is one of the easiest and healthy way to stop them from dominating your home. Bed bugs sometimes don't navigate, but their eggs do (and they do this with your help, while moving things around).

CHARITIES FEAR EBOLA RESURGENCE AFTER SPIKE IN CASES

Ebola cases have increased in Sierra Leone and Guinea, with charities afraid they are ‘back to square one’. Photograph: Michael Duff/AP
More people diagnosed with deadly virus in Sierra Leone and Guinea weeks after WHO reports 10-month low in new infections

A rise in Ebola cases on the border of Sierra Leone and Guinea has sparked fears that efforts to rid the countries of the deadly virus are “back to square one”.

The spike in infections comes weeks after the World Health Organisation reported a 10-month low, with just nine cases in both countries in the week ending 10 May.

But, since then, the WHO has said: “Both the intensity and the geographical area of Ebola virus disease transmission have increased.”

In its latest situation report, it said 31 confirmed cases of the virus had been reported in the week ending 7 June -16 cases in Guinea and 15 in Sierra Leone.

“This is the second consecutive weekly increase in case incidence, and the highest weekly total number of cases reported from Sierra Leone since late March,” it said.

Health benefits of eating placenta 'unproven'

After giving birth, many women opt to consume their placentas for multiple health benefits. A new review of studies investigating placenta consumption, however, has failed to uncover any scientific evidence for these benefits, or that the practice is risk-free.

The study, published in Archives of Women's Mental Health involved a review of 10 published research studies on placentophagy - the practice of consuming placentas after childbirth. Four of these were human studies and six were animal studies deemed relevant to human practice.

During pregnancy, the placenta develops within the uterus to provide oxygen and nutrients for the baby and to remove waste products from its blood. When the child is born, the placenta is usually delivered shortly afterward.

SELF CPR TO SURVIVE HEART ATTACK WHEN ALONE

 

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is a lifesaving technique useful in many emergencies, including heart attack or near drowning, in which someone's breathing or heartbeat has stopped.

It is recommended that everyone — untrained bystanders and medical personnel alike — should learn how to do CPR.

It's far better to know something, at least, than know nothing at all if you're fearful that your knowledge or abilities won't be 100 percent complete.

Remember, the difference between your doing something and doing nothing could be someone's life.

What if it becomes the case where you are the victim, then what happens? How will you save yourself?

Let’s say it’s about 7.25pm and you’re going home (alone of course) after an unusually hard day on the job. You’re really tired, upset and frustrated. Suddenly you start experiencing severe pain in your chest that starts to drag out into your arm and up in to your jaw. You are only about five km from the hospital nearest your home.

HOW TO SPOT BEDBUGS IN THE HOUSE {SECOND POST}

The question in the first place here should be, "how did I get bedbugs?".

Bedbugs use an operational mode which I term, "While Men Slept". This is not as the case of an enemy coming in the middle of the night to sow tares among seeds. It is the case of enemies coming in when you're awake, fully conscious, right before your eyes, but there's very little you can do, and they pass right under your nose, and you'll even say welcome.

Bedbugs may be found in all types of housing, but are more common in short-term accommodation such as hotels or hostels. Bedbugs comes mostly hidden or stuck to luggages, probably from friends or relatives on visiting.

EBOLA; NOT OVER UNTIL WE WIN

What should have been poured into this writing is a congratulatory note, to us. Yes, it is true that the human race (and affected countries) is gaining triumph in the fight against the epidemic, Ebola, that suddenly struck our space. Yet, more is still to be done.

With the help of world's giant health bodies like the WHO, CDC, International Red Cross Society, UNMEER, Medecins Sans Frontieres, and so on, we have been able to attain substantial level of success. Yet, this is not the time to relax and fold our arms people.

Something surprising (at the same time, baffling) should strike our minds. Despite this disease already being kicked out of major affected countries (DR Congo, Senegal, and Nigeria), the death toll and reported cases are still on the rise. This is a real need for us to be more careful. It's a cause for cautious alarm.

PILL SWALLOWING AND CHILDREN

If you’re a parent, you know how difficult it can be to get a child to swallow a pill or capsule. Age, fear, anxiety and taste often stand in the way of doctor’s orders. Now, a new study looks at various interventions aimed at helping that medicine go down.

The researchers analyzed findings from 5 studies that looked at barriers to medication administration in kids up to 21 years old. They looked at the use of behavioral therapy, flavored throat spray, specialized pill cups, simple verbal instruction and head posture training. The results showed that all of the interventions helped children swallow pills easier…and at least one of the published articles found that younger kids, 4 to 5 years old, actually needed less training than older kids. 

Blood Test Could Give Early Breast Cancer Warning

Scientists say they’ve created a blood test that can predict whether a woman will get breast cancer several years before the disease shows up.

The technique, which involves measuring compounds in the blood, is still in its early stages. But in the long run it could help people with the disease get treated sooner, and help doctors show women at risk how to lower their odds of getting it.

Researchers at the University of Copenhagen in Denmark say the new test can predict breast cancer’s onset 2 to 5 years in advance with 80% accuracy. That’s compared to mammograms, which can spot the disease itself with 75% accuracy.

PAPER AND PHONES COULD SOON DIAGNOSE EBOLA AND HIV FOR$1

Diseases such as HIV and Ebola are on the verge of being diagnosed almost instantly using paper-based technology costing less than $1.

The devices, known as biosensing platforms, are made from cheap materials including plastic film and cellulose paper. Results are captured using a smartphone camera and sent back to hospitals or clinics for immediate diagnosis.

Current HIV diagnosis can cost up $48 (45) for a negative test and $64 (60) for a positive test. Checks for Ebola cost some $100 (95), take up to six hours to produce a result and require sophisticated diagnostic equipment, the type of which is often unavailable in western Africa where the disease is especially prevalent.

LUTH disclaims suspected case of Ebola

Lagos – The Management of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi- Araba, on Monday refuted claims that two Chinese nationals allegedly infected with the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) died in the hospital.

Prof. Chris Bode, the acting Chief Medical Director of the hospital, debunked the rumour at a news conference in Lagos.

Bode, therefore, urged Nigerians to disregard what he called ‘the mischievous rumour’ as no such incident happened in the hospital.

Experimental Ebola Shot Shows Good Response

An experimental Ebola vaccine appears to safely protect people against infection and without causing feared side-effects such as arthritis, researchers reported Wednesday. 

The vaccine, which has already been shipped to West Africa for more testing, uses an animal virus called vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) to carry tiny pieces of the Ebola virus to help train the immune system to recognize it. 

"The most common side effects were injection site pain and transient fever that appeared and resolved within 12 to 36 hours after vaccination," the National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Diseases, which helped test the vaccine, said in a statement.