ZIKA VIRUS - HOW WE GET INFECTED

What is the Zika virus? How do you catch it?

Key facts

1. Zika virus disease is caused by a virus transmitted primarily by Aedes mosquitoes, which bite during the day.
2. Symptoms are generally mild and include fever, rash, conjunctivitis, muscle and joint pain, malaise or headache. Symptoms typically last for 2–7 days. Most people with Zika virus infection do not develop symptoms.
3. Zika virus infection during pregnancy can cause infants to be born with microcephaly and other congenital malformations, known as congenital Zika syndrome. Infection with Zika virus is also associated with other complications of pregnancy including preterm birth and miscarriage.
4. An increased risk of neurologic complications is associated with Zika virus infection in adults and children, including Guillain-Barré syndrome, neuropathy and myelitis.

Zika virus, first identified in Uganda in 1947, is transmitted by the same type of mosquito that carries dengue fever, yellow fever, and chikungunya virus. A mosquito bites an infected person and then passes those viruses to other people it bites. Outbreaks did not occur outside of Africa until 2007, when it spread to the South Pacific

There are two lineages of the Zika virus: the African lineage, and the Asian lineage.

it may be spread through sexual contact or blood transfusions. In early February, a case of Zika spreading through sexual contact was reported in Dallas County, TX. There, a person who'd traveled to an area that had cases of the virus infected a partner who had not traveled.

It was reported that Brazilian scientists have found the virus in the saliva and urine of infected people.

What are the symptoms of Zika virus?

The disease can cause fever, rash, joint pain, and conjunctivitis, also called pinkeye. But most people won’t know they have it.

All can cause a variety of flu-like symptoms that range in severity and can last from a few days to more than a week. As with Zika, few people infected with dengue or West Nile will show any symptoms

SEXUAL TRANSMISSION

Zika virus can be transmitted through sexual intercourse. This is of concern due to an association between Zika virus infection and adverse pregnancy and fetal outcomes.

For regions with active transmission of Zika virus, all people with Zika virus infection and their sexual partners (particularly pregnant women) should receive information about the risks of sexual transmission of Zika virus.

WHO recommends that sexually active men and women be correctly counselled and offered a full range of contraceptive methods to be able to make an informed choice about whether and when to become pregnant in order to prevent possible adverse pregnancy and fetal outcomes

How is Zika virus treated?

There’s no treatment, but Adalja says most people with symptoms do well with over-the-counter medications for aches and pains. The disease usually runs its course within a week or so.

What is the connection between Zika, microcephaly, and pregnancy?

Zika has been tied to cases of microcephaly in babies born to infected pregnant women. Microcephaly stunts a baby’s head growth, causing devastating, sometimes-fatal brain damage, and it can result in miscarriage or stillbirth. A cause-and-effect link with the Zika virus hasn’t been definitely established, though.

The virus has caused panic in Brazil since it first appeared there in May. More than 4,000 babies in Brazil have reportedly been born with microcephaly. Brazil and several other nations have advised women to postpone pregnancy.

Reference from WEDMD, WIKIPEDIA AND WHO HEALTH ORGANISATION

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SALT IS A FLAVORFUL YET DANGEROUS INGREDIENT TO MAN

The danger of high levels of sodium in the body.

Staying away from foods with sodium is necessary when it comes to maintaining your health. Salt is the most used seasoning and the most dangerous one as well.

Watching your salt is a challenge because it might seem like you are making a compromise between taste and your health.

Although a necessary nutrient a tiny amount of sodium is all that the body requires. Unfortunately, many people have many servings of it daily.

You can strike a good balance if you explore other seasonings as an alternative to this tasty seasoning.

Sodium/Salt in food

You can't eat anything today that doesn't have salt added to it. Apart from being a major ingredient, it also serves to make food taste delicious.

No one would ever want to eat anything that tastes bland or plain. And this is understandable because if what you eat is not tasty, you will not eat it.

But there is a line that needs to be drawn. Salt is used in excess in most cooking.

This is a problem that affects us all. Many processed food and fast food we buy is loaded with salt.

Its abundance in food is designed to make the product taste good so that people will buy more of it. But if you carefully read the labels of foods with sodium, you will notice that it is used very liberally.

This could be disastrous for your health. The Body is not designed to withstand such a high level of this white nutrient.

Risks to your health

Studies have shown that on average, people consume way more salt than is recommended. And this problem is not going away anytime soon. Salt is responsible for many health conditions that impact a large number of the population.

Effects of excess salt on our body:

High blood pressure/Hypertension

Heart disease

Can cause kidney stones and later kidney failure

Prevents the absorption of other nutrients such as Calcium and can lead to the loss of bone density/osteoporosis

Stomach lining is thinned and can lead to ulcers

Theses are only a some of the risks to your health excess salt in your body may bring.

Prevention

You can take some measures to ensure you have a safe level of salt in your body:

Don't eat fast food or any food that comes premade at restaurants

Read food labels and know the telltale sign of foods with sodium in excess (Very flavorful food)

Choose healthy alternatives to salt such as sea salt and other seasonings to make food taste better

Drink plenty of fluids especially water to flush out excess salt in your body

Exercise regularly to maintain optimal health

If you want to use salt in your meals, use it sparingly or keep it to a minimum

Eat fruit and vegetables as well as other healthy foods to keep your body in good health.

Drink plenty of water to flush out excess salt and offset increased sodium levels within the body.

By A., S. (2014, August 1). Salt Is a Flavorful Yet Dangerous Ingredient. Retrieved August 5, 2014, from http://ezinearticles.com/?Salt-­Is-­a-­Flavorful-­Yet-­Dangerous-­Ingredient&id=8649742

QUICK TIPS TO IMPROVE YOUR EYESIGHT NATURALLY

While you cannot prevent all eye diseases, there are measures you can take to improve your eye health and prevent vision loss. If you are looking to clear your vision without having to undergo surgery or using corrective lenses, here are a few tips that can help you out. 6 quick tips to improve your eye sight naturally.

Eat Right

Protect your peepers with wholesome nutritious diet. Here are a few staples that are a must in your diet.

If recent studies are anything to go by, antioxidant rich food such as beta-carotene and lutein are essential to prevent age-related macular degeneration. Foods such as carrots and sweet potatoes will provide you with the daily dose of required antioxidants.

Make sure your diet is rich with sulfur and lecithin, as they protect the lens of your eyes from cataract formation. Foods such as garlic and onion are other excellent sources of sulfur.

Yet another reason to dig into sweet and juicy berries is the anti-inflammatory properties present in them that help to improve your vision.

Exercise

A nutritious diet is not enough to keep your peepers in their prime shape, as you need extra. Here are a few exercises that will not only improve your eyesight, but also keep those annoying eye floaters at bay.

First thing in the morning, rub your palms together to generate heat and gently place them on your eyes for five seconds. Repeat this exercise 3 times. It will soothe your strained eye muscles.

Rotate your eye clockwise and anticlockwise 10 times. Start slowly and gradually increase your speed. This exercise will help improve blood circulation in the eyes.

If you feel too much strain in your eyes, try massaging your temples using your thumb and knuckles. Start in small circular motions, 20 times in one direction and 20 times on the other. This will take the pressure off your eyes.

Rest Your Eyes

It is not just your body that recuperates during sleep, but also your eyes. Never cut back on your 8 hours sleep, it is during that time that your eyes recuperates, recover and repairs. Besides, not getting enough sleep can weaken your vision.

Give your eyes a break in every few hours from harsh glare of the computer. If your eyes start feeling overly strained, lie down and place cooling cucumber slices over your eyelids.

Even dehydration can cause your vision to blur. Next time you notice your vision starts turning foggy, chug down a glass of water. You'll see improvement almost instantly.

People today go out of their way to dodge sunlight, but did you know, your body actually needs a certain amount of sun light to survive. Not only do you get vitamin D, but also the sunrays force your eyes to contract and dilate, which is a form of eye exercise.

Frequent checkup with your eye doctor can go a long way in keeping your peepers in prime condition.

While you cannot prevent all eye diseases, there are measures you can take to improve your eye health and prevent vision loss. And one of those measures is to get frequent check up done from a reliable eye doctor. 

HEALTH RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH HOME RENOVATION

With the increasing cost of relocation, more and more people are choosing to stay in the same house for longer periods. People are renovating their houses to make it more livable, and this also increases the resale value of these properties. It is the need of the hour that one has to realize that there are numerous health hazards associated with renovating your home. The culprits are usually the toxic materials used in home refurbishing. Though most of them are unavoidable, there could be a possibility that you may be able to build or refurbish in an Eco-friendly and non-hazardous way.

Here are some harmful substances that can cause minor or health problems when you renovate your home:

1. Dust

People tend to think that chemicals, paints, scraped wood, iron bars, lead, etc. cause most health issues. Even the simplest of things like dust can pose serious health risks. Dust can have various other chemicals or harmful particles which can be inhaled, leading to various breathing disorders and lung infections.

2. Asbestos

This is a mineral fiber which is used in flooring, ceiling tiles, roofing, etc. because it acts as an insulation and fire-resistant material. These are microscopic, and can easily be inhaled when the particles becomes airborne. This can cause serious diseases like abdominal & chest cancer, and scarring of lungs commonly called asbestosis.

3. Lead

This is found in dry paints when scraping the walls before a major renovation. It can cause headaches, weight loss, lung infection, fatigue, anemia, constipation, stomach pain, irritation, nausea and many other conditions.

4. Radon

This is said to cause lung cancer if your basic constitution is not radon-resistant.

5. Mercury

This is found in old switches, heating system and regulators. Mercury inside the human body can cause kidney and liver damage, mental retardation, disabilities related to learning and many other debilitating conditions. Fatality is also not uncommon with acute mercury poisoning.

6. Moisture

After renovation your house may be sometimes be filled with moisture, which can attract biological hazards. This can cause allergies, asthma, pneumonia and, in extreme cases, can lead to death.

7. Lack of proper ventilation

In the excitement of renovating your home, you might sometimes make wrong decisions that might seriously affect the natural ventilation inside your home. Good ventilation is always important, as the more oxygen you inhale, the more immune your system becomes and the healthier you become. If ventilation is improper, then all the harmful substances that are disturbed and become airborne during renovation can cause you lung and breathing problems.

8. Formaldehyde

This is a carcinogen found in pressed wood - especially in cabinets, fiber glass insulation, wood paneling, etc. This causes breathing problems, eye and throat irritation and nausea.

9. Volatile organic substances (VOCs)

These are emitted from paints, strippers, plastics, etc., and can cause cardiovascular and respiratory disorders.

10. Air ducts

Leaking air ducts during renovation can cause negative pressure, which leads to radon problems if the ducts are not immediately sealed.

11. PCB (Polychlorinated Biphenyls)

These are commonly used in plastics, paints and electrical equipment. PCBs can cause a wide range of health problems. This chemical can cause cancer, reproductive problems and disorders of the immune, nervous and endocrine systems.

Being aware of these health risks means you can be better prepared to avoid them or deal with them appropriately.

By Robert Fogarty