Pinoy Buzz: Health

Young girl dies of Japanese encephalitis (JE) within 24 hours of onset of symptoms

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">MANILA, Philippines - The life of a three-year-old girl from Mexico, Pampanga was tragically cut short by a deadly mosquito-borne disease.<br /><br />In a viral Facebook post, Vallerie Ann Balagtas revealed that her young cousin, Alexine T. Canda, died of Japanese encephalitis (JE) on Friday, September 1. According to Valerie, Alexine showed various symptoms like high fever, diarrhea, vomiting, stomach ache, difficulty in speaking, weakness, convulsions and seizures.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr7I2JgZ3dfUk3xbAWjpvayZYCdXfQ1D9HTGwti47w0Fd47yscicRij6Z_tJD53K_5HBmoFq6Q_2UtCrbmMDvkVz99lulh4Ng0HOTlkdFpc-OD9_nkAvB49QjMJ59EXOLGTsXC-kggmsxw/s1600/girl-died-japanese-encephalitis-viral.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="nofollow" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Young girl dies of Japanese encephalitis (JE)" border="0" class="img" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr7I2JgZ3dfUk3xbAWjpvayZYCdXfQ1D9HTGwti47w0Fd47yscicRij6Z_tJD53K_5HBmoFq6Q_2UtCrbmMDvkVz99lulh4Ng0HOTlkdFpc-OD9_nkAvB49QjMJ59EXOLGTsXC-kggmsxw/s1600/girl-died-japanese-encephalitis-viral.jpg" title="Young girl dies of Japanese encephalitis (JE)" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PHOTO CREDIT: Facebook/Vallerie Ann Balagtas</td></tr></tbody></table>Balagtas said Alexine died within 24 hours since symptoms manifested.<br /><br /><i>“WALA PONG LUNAS ANG SAKIT NA ITO MALIBAN SA VACCINE NGUNIT PAHIRAPAN PO SA PAG PAPARESERVE  😭 Namatay po ang pinsan namin ng 24 HOURS LAMANG. Agad po siyang BRAIN DEAD DAHIL NALASON PO ANG DUGO AT UTAK NYA,” </i>Balagtas wrote in her post.<br /><br /><center><iframe allowtransparency="“true" frameborder="0" height="759" scrolling="no" src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FMatsuraaa%2Fposts%2F1478164232291114&width=500" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" width="500"></iframe></center><br />From January to August 5 this year, 57 cases of Japanese encephalitis were recorded in the country of which five cases led to fatality. More than half of the cases, 29, were documented in Pampanga.<br /><div id="unruly-unit"></div><br />Carried by the mosquito Culex tritaeniorhynchus, Japanese encephalitis disease is present in all regions in the Philippines.<br /><br />Like dengue, another mosquitos-related disease, there is no known cure for Japanese encephalitis but can be prevented by vaccines. Although vaccines are already available in the Philippines, it is expensive at P3,500 to P5,000 each.<br /><br />According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Japanese encephalitis has an average fatality of three out of 10 patients who exhibit severe symptoms. Almost all survivors may experience permanent effects. About 30 to 50% of survivors are left with permanent disabilities, while 20% experience cognitive and language problems as well as convulsions. On the other hand, 30% may suffer from motor deficiencies. <br /><br />Other survivors may experience less severe behavioral problems or learning disabilities.<br /><br /><b>-- Mini, The Summit Express</b></div>

Young girl dies of Japanese encephalitis (JE) within 24 hours of onset of symptoms

MANILA, Philippines - The life of a three-year-old girl from Mexico, Pampanga was tragically cut short by a deadly mosquito-borne disease. I...

Instagram posts can diagnose depression better than doctors

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Your Instagram posts speaks a lot about you, including your mental health state.<br /><br />That’s according to a study published in the journal EPJ Data Science. A pair of researchers from the University of Vermont and Harvard University discovered that an algorithm tagging a few signs of depression in users' Instagram post can diagnose depression better than doctors. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHlAtekf2frVYnr_ipLNY0O5dczRpWZQB_ysCJmTbq0KENn1KyUZkCIqWWoG0A7uC7lKmI0R-mS_siDWCtQhG_TE7H8qADqU0bkFwr6YJf_NbXc1YxBFZvyrKPVfQ23SC3mmhlRRtd_LmQ/s1600/instagram-depression.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="nofollow" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Instagram posts can diagnose depression" border="0" class="img" data-original-height="423" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHlAtekf2frVYnr_ipLNY0O5dczRpWZQB_ysCJmTbq0KENn1KyUZkCIqWWoG0A7uC7lKmI0R-mS_siDWCtQhG_TE7H8qADqU0bkFwr6YJf_NbXc1YxBFZvyrKPVfQ23SC3mmhlRRtd_LmQ/s1600/instagram-depression.jpg" title="Instagram posts can diagnose depression" /></a></div><br />To arrive at this conclusion, Chris Danforth and Andrew Reece observed almost 44,000 images posted by 166 study participants. Of the 166 individuals, 71 had previously been diagnosed with depression.<br /><br />Through markers such as the tendency of depressed people to show less evidence of social activity as well as preference for grayer and darker colors, the research team came up with a tool that analyzed the posts and identified depression.<br /><div id="unruly-unit"></div><br />Results showed that depressed people before and after diagnosis tend to post blue, gray or dark tones compared to healthy people. They also discovered that people with depression are actually more likely to post photos with faces contrary to previous assumptions by researchers. However, these images with faces have less people in it compared to posts by healthy people. It was not revealed whether depressed people post more selfies.<br /><br />In terms of use of filter, people with depression were less likely to use filters in their posts. But when they choose to use one, they tend to pick Inkwell, a filter that turns photos into black and white. Interestingly, healthy people prefer the Valencia filter, which gives photos a sun-kissed look. <br /><br />Compared to doctors who accurately identified depression only 42% of the time, the tool could accurately diagnose depression 70% of the time. <br /><br />Researchers are hoping that their study would pave way in diagnosing mental conditions and spotting mental illnesses through artificial intelligence.<br /><br /><b>-- Mini, The Summit Express</b></div>

Instagram posts can diagnose depression better than doctors

Your Instagram posts speaks a lot about you, including your mental health state. That’s according to a study published in the journal EPJ Da...

Direk Quark Henares blames “horrible working conditions” for recent deaths of directors

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">MANILA, Philippines - Film director Quark Henares has expressed his view about the untimely deaths of film and television directors recently.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsTLfLQSmRd_yRVkikojxiuCrvBSar5Qg44VpzF8ngIvw6KJ2yH128RGWHLhtc59wToLrsR-Il7HjCFa1rTJ0cuqgjEIsqsO66Czco30_PfucYYh_ZSx_VUPmTceKNg0b-5S0AA7c6nyn2/s1600/quark-henares.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="nofollow" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Direk Quark Henares" border="0" height="590" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsTLfLQSmRd_yRVkikojxiuCrvBSar5Qg44VpzF8ngIvw6KJ2yH128RGWHLhtc59wToLrsR-Il7HjCFa1rTJ0cuqgjEIsqsO66Czco30_PfucYYh_ZSx_VUPmTceKNg0b-5S0AA7c6nyn2/s640/quark-henares.jpg" title="Direk Quark Henares" width="560" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption">Director Quark Henares belives that the horrible working conditions in TV has caused the untimely death of directors Wenn Deramas and Francis Pasion. PHOTO CREDIT: Facebook/Quark Henares</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Henares, the son of Dr. Vicky Belo, has blamed the “horrible working hours and conditions in televisions” for the deaths of directors Francis Pasion, Wenn Deramas, and Gilbert Perez. <br /><br />Through a Facebook post on Sunday, March 6, Henares paid tribute to the “On the Wings of Love” (OTWOL) director who was found dead by his parents in the bathroom of his condominium unit in Quezon City over the weekend at the age of 38. Pasion was Henares’s former professor and the founder of his college org.<br /><br />Henares wrote: “I think the reason a lot of TV directors like Wenn Deramas and Gilbert Perez, and now Francis Pasion are getting cardiac arrests, is because of the horrible working hours and conditions in Television. And it's not just directors: stuntmen, Ads [assistant directors], crew people and cameramen all go through similar situations.”<br /><br />He added: “This should really change. And I don't know how it will, considering that this entails losses for the networks. But it really is time.”<br /><br />Deramas, the director behind the blockbuster movies  “Ang Tanging Ina” series, “Petrang Kabayo”, the “Praybeyt Benjamin” series, and “Beauty and the Bestie” died on February 29 due to cardiac arrest.<br /><br />Meanwhile, Perez, who directed movies such as “Dreamboy”, “Trip” and “Jologs”, passed away in July 2008 due to heart attack. <br /><br />Pasion, a communication arts graduate of the Ateneo de Manila University, is behind the 2008 movie “Jay” which bagged the Best Film, Best Editing, and the Balanghai Trophy in the Cinemalaya Film Festival as well as other awards in international film festivals in Busan, Venice, and Berlin. His 2014 film “Bwaya" took home the Best Film award in the New Breed Category of the 10th Cinemalaya Film Festival. <b>-Mini/The Summit Express</b></div>

Direk Quark Henares blames “horrible working conditions” for recent deaths of directors

MANILA, Philippines - Film director Quark Henares has expressed his view about the untimely deaths of film and television directors recently...

LOOK: “Tree man” needs 15 operations to get rid of his massive warts

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">A 26-year-old Bangladeshi man with massive bark-like warts on his hands and feet may need to undergo a dozen more operations.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijdHO4ieysx0em9CVk06xgQ0vlJzAmvLxlfXCHSxsghVTOSn_sIrigtBjioQMRcm6Kgc9X-Wx6jG1TJd08ImzkOmMMnY39ZLk7qf8VPavZgxxRFDoQ4B_6yLaEhhoUdDJIoROc3WdH6qkt/s1600/tree-man1.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="nofollow" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Tree man Bangladesh" border="0" height="560" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijdHO4ieysx0em9CVk06xgQ0vlJzAmvLxlfXCHSxsghVTOSn_sIrigtBjioQMRcm6Kgc9X-Wx6jG1TJd08ImzkOmMMnY39ZLk7qf8VPavZgxxRFDoQ4B_6yLaEhhoUdDJIoROc3WdH6qkt/s640/tree-man1.jpg" title="Tree man Bangladesh" width="560" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption">Abul Bajandar has become a celebrity over the years because of his odd condition. <br />PHOTO CREDIT: The Daily Mail UK</td></tr></tbody></table>Abul Bajandar, also know as the “tree man” from the southern district of Khulna, suffers from a rare condition called epidermodysplasia verruciformis or tree man disease. Individuals with this rare genetic condition develop massive bark-like wart growths on their hands and feet. To date, there are only three known cases of this condition in the world.<br /><br />Bajandar, a former bicycle rickshaw puller, started noticing the symptoms 10 years. Initially, he ignored the warts thinking they were harmless. But as the abnormal growth started covering his hands and feet, Bajandar had no choice but to give up his job. <br /><br />In February 2016, a team of doctors from Dhaka Medical College Hospital successfully removed some of the growth weighing at least 11 pounds from five fingers on his left hand.<br /><br />In an interview with AFP hospital facility director Samantha Lal Sen revealed: ”We removed some small warts from his palm. We also did dressing of his fingers, which were operated on last week. He's now better.”<br /><br />Despite the success of his surgery, Bajander needs to undergo up to 15 operations to totally get rid of the warth growths. Determined to live a normal life again, Bajandar said he will continue the treatment no matter how long it took.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5v_dMCWM80MgmIVZVTvUmuBaHGA2Db1dzgx8QspRXNyABOAv_KazqqinmMfg7lsYQDemVoK7xG25At_jwLICLy7vYR47uSCsEHMBkzr2bt9OjOHHRhTTGUTC2hVcVdKOC5xalI2r_sx-_/s1600/tree-man3.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="nofollow" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Tree man Bangladesh operations" border="0" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5v_dMCWM80MgmIVZVTvUmuBaHGA2Db1dzgx8QspRXNyABOAv_KazqqinmMfg7lsYQDemVoK7xG25At_jwLICLy7vYR47uSCsEHMBkzr2bt9OjOHHRhTTGUTC2hVcVdKOC5xalI2r_sx-_/s640/tree-man3.jpg" title="Tree man Bangladesh operations" width="560" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption">The “tree man” is willing to undergo more operations so he could live a normal life again.<br />PHOTO CREDIT: The Daily Mail UK</td></tr></tbody></table>Bajandar told CNN: “I have fought for 10 years and endured the pain. I want to live like a normal person. I just want to be able to hold my daughter properly and hug her. “ <br /><br />The Bangladesh government took care of the expenses for Bajander’s medical treatment.<br /><br /><b>-Mini/The Summit Express</b></div>

LOOK: “Tree man” needs 15 operations to get rid of his massive warts

A 26-year-old Bangladeshi man with massive bark-like warts on his hands and feet may need to undergo a dozen more operations. Abul Bajandar ...

Ricky Reyes camp says former employee with HIV “distorted truth” in discrimination case

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">MANILA, Philippines - Days after celebrity hairstylist and salon chain owner Ricky Reyes was found guilty of “discrimination and unlawful termination” of Renato Nocos, a former employee who tested positive for HIV, his camp has decided to break their silence about the issue.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzvDNrvzLs6FxvqtrlehQyCxIWd4GtBQwpbnkoziCkN3m1fQDE28EXKfTekJE5Neow75hu3XTvDs12LJJuo0vQ5btDX7tHvDudnfCjESZZazW4itDuwejEtpxAtW2xvBQdKtNq_h7m1oXD/s1600/ricky-reyes.PNG" imageanchor="1" rel="nofollow" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Ricky Reyes loses in discrimination case filed by an HIV positive former employee. " border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzvDNrvzLs6FxvqtrlehQyCxIWd4GtBQwpbnkoziCkN3m1fQDE28EXKfTekJE5Neow75hu3XTvDs12LJJuo0vQ5btDX7tHvDudnfCjESZZazW4itDuwejEtpxAtW2xvBQdKtNq_h7m1oXD/s400/ricky-reyes.PNG" title="Ricky Reyes loses in discrimination case filed by an HIV positive former employee. " width="347" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption">Ricky Reyes loses in discrimination case filed by an HIV positive former employee. <br />Photo Credit: Gandang Ricky Reyes TODO Na.</td></tr></tbody></table>In a decision made by the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC) on Saturday, February 6, Reyes’s company Ricky Reyes Corporation was ordered to reinstate Nocos and pay him back salary, benefits, differentials, emergency cost of living allowances, 13th month pay, separation pay and attorney’s fees amounting to P615,313.06.<br /><br />“HIV illness is not highly contagious and it is not transmitted through touching, hugging, sneezing, coughing, eating or drinking common utensils or being around an infected person. Thus, the means by which they (Reyes et al) tried to protect their other employees and customers unduly trampled upon the rights of the complainant,” the decision of the NLRC said as quoted by Associated Labor Unions-Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (ALU-TUCP).<br /><br />But according to the counsel of Ricky Reyes Corp., Marcos Estrada, Reyes appealed the ruling handed down by the NLRC. The Reyes camp insisted that Nocos “distorted the truth”. <br /><br />Estrada stressed that the company had actually shouldered Nocos’ treatment for pulmonary tuberculosis in 2013 based on the diagnosis he presented to the company at that time. Nocos was asked to go on sick leave with pay and obtain a medical certificate showing that he was still fit to work.<br /><br />When Nocos returned for work with the medical certificate, he was reassigned to a salon branch on España, Manila. However, Reyes’s  business partner Tonneth Moreno noticed Nocos was still coughing prompting him to ask how the employee was able to get a medical certificate declaring him fit.<br /><br />“It was then that he admitted he also had HIV and that he didn’t tell his doctor he had HIV,” Estrada explained.<br /><br />As a result, Nocos was asked to take a paid leave and obtain another medical clearance indicating he was fit to work. But according to Reyes’s camp, Nocos didn’t return and went directly to the NLRC to file the complaint.<br /><br />Estrada added that there’s no reason for Nocos to be dismissed if he was able to come up with a medical clearance saying he was HIV positive since the disease isn’t as contagious as tuberculosis.<br /><br />Reyes’s lawyer also accused ALU-TUCP of politicking and using Nocos to “boost their candidacy” in the upcoming elections this May. The Reyes camp, according to Estrada, is considering a damage suit against the labor group running in the party-list elections. <b><i>-Mini/The Summit Express</i></b></div>

Ricky Reyes camp says former employee with HIV “distorted truth” in discrimination case

MANILA, Philippines - Days after celebrity hairstylist and salon chain owner Ricky Reyes was found guilty of “discrimination and unlawful te...

Cardiologist confirms Filipino in Honduras infected with Zika Virus

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">MANILA, Philippines - An unidentified Filipino living in Honduras has contracted the mosquito-borne Zika virus, the world’s latest health scare.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiofO5mkEE8C34b38UuqcTtIW_vd_NwZQC5cEjpq9TN9jxKjcXyT85_iXkZ6R713TeEm_LKaAdYZ4oB8G1mJFzsYBZNzgPiK1aGtBfVXrQxfz_vkVNuLoGV8hn4qLhMCUvJkMSy4W_Git_o/s1600/zika+virus.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="nofollow" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Zika virus" border="0" height="370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiofO5mkEE8C34b38UuqcTtIW_vd_NwZQC5cEjpq9TN9jxKjcXyT85_iXkZ6R713TeEm_LKaAdYZ4oB8G1mJFzsYBZNzgPiK1aGtBfVXrQxfz_vkVNuLoGV8hn4qLhMCUvJkMSy4W_Git_o/s640/zika+virus.jpg" title="Zika virus" width="560" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption">Carried by Aedes aegypti, the same mosquito that transmits dengue, Chikungunya and yellow fever, Zika virus is the world’s latest health scare. PHOTO CREDIT: Facebook/National Institutes of Health</td></tr></tbody></table>Dr. Willie T. Ong, a cardiologist, has validated a report that a Filipino has been infected with the virus that has swept Latin America including Honduras.<br /><br />“Na-confirm nga na positive for Zika itong pasyente at sa mismong ospital ay gumaling naman. Ngayon ay nasa bahay na ang pasyente,” Dr. Ong told ABS-CBN News.<br /><br />(The patient tested positive for Zika and has recovered in the hospital. Currently, the patient is home.)<br /><br />Dr. Ong added that he is concerned since the relatives who took care of the patient will be returning to the Philippines.<br /><br />Although the Philippines is still free from the Zika virus according to the Department of Health (DOH), the government agency doesn’t have the capacity to test passengers coming from countries with Zika virus. Currently, the DOH has only 1,000 testing kits since supplies are limited all over the world.<br /><br />“Most important is hindi ka makagat ng lamok para walang kakayahan na masalin o lumipat yung sakit na Zika,”said DOH spokesperson Dr. Lyndon Lee Suy.<br /><br />(What’s important is you won’t be bitten by the mosquito so that there’s no possibility that the disease will transmitted.)<br /><br />Zika virus, which is carried by Aedes aegypti mosquito, causes symptoms such as fever, rashes, body pain and conjunctivitis. It has been linked to the rise of babies born with microcephaly, a congenital condition in which the brain of the baby does not become fully developed.<br /><br />Health experts suggest the following measures:<br /><br />1. Observe yourself.<br />2. Wear long sleeves and pants.<br />3. Put anti-mosquito lotion. <br />4. Avoid having sexual intercourse or use condom<br /><br />Watch the video report.<br /><br /><center><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/EtINtQQpMGA" width="560"></iframe></center><br /><b>RELATED STORY</b><br /><a href="http://pinoybuzz.blogkorner.com/2016/01/5-things-you-need-to-know-about-zika-virus.html" rel="nofollow">5 things you need to know about 'latest health scare' Zika virus</a><b><i><br /></i></b><b><i><br /></i></b><br /><b><i>-Mini/The Summit Express</i></b></div>

Cardiologist confirms Filipino in Honduras infected with Zika Virus

MANILA, Philippines - An unidentified Filipino living in Honduras has contracted the mosquito-borne Zika virus, the world’s latest health sc...

5 things you need to know about 'latest health scare' Zika virus

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Deemed as a wolf in sheep’s clothing, Zika virus is the world’s latest health scare. Resembling a light case of flu, Zika is a mosquito-borne virus that usually lasts less than a week. Although it causes mild illness that most people often don’t recognize, it is now suspected to cause unusual birth defect, neurological problems and other health issues.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyouFpOp2aQCoBxqx1n0WobfwPXQFAMLsQMHkz92ggBL6dPg1zDz4jX79CTXbvUnLlUW8vkwSFF425jD0GhKUmPdXi3MrdXFOqS-dHrdRr-qb4zZix5j_Gj7EfDq-xy8OmN7QI6RQqb7xY/s1600/zika-virus.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="nofollow" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Zika virus" border="0" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyouFpOp2aQCoBxqx1n0WobfwPXQFAMLsQMHkz92ggBL6dPg1zDz4jX79CTXbvUnLlUW8vkwSFF425jD0GhKUmPdXi3MrdXFOqS-dHrdRr-qb4zZix5j_Gj7EfDq-xy8OmN7QI6RQqb7xY/s640/zika-virus.jpg" title="Zika virus" width="560" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The same kind of mosquito that carries dengue and chikungunya viruses carries Zika virus. <br />PHOTO CREDIT: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/nih.gov/photos/br.AbrEUMwr7qvYB5z1R_3weZY0JRj_daraSlrPLFoFgrBt0uxIBMxDgubnGV-uJ0Xbf2t4h6ikJhQwPQ1yiKVeMDRZL7Js1xK6iRSO-KWZ06i3gAhYfQR-VPOMCbRvYQ1VdwLYN-YQ9sgpdhkyfhYVO1Lk/10153761734716830/?type=1&opaqueCursor=Abo2P3qUwASJCpdzmjHRajEd_gPIIeviM8SvfJWK2OkfYly9SbCHsOs2DVV93vNA9GWBpQFaCHUG2eW-DPzLnmfBCywG1cPkp-wtqFQO4YHnJJT7rYdwHmXhjvkItqzwD3hEhwI-EBiRFCneT-3zLMDp3C3K0A2X1Fc6iBbl3P8l1SSmbabhdZs6zvJv0Bt29jh50vufV9ghQiZNWQ_NBY8_MtoNcaqr0jfjPy4fYPRwbrPADMzL9sjfuhnh5XN5pPBHHjeN9Emm9bGjUGuLyqssiMPIJu0YfGYhjwfBTO-EWeNvpnQIpGIjU0vya9c77hPRGEfSCJ9uRm4EVhtuVBQnNlvClJLkZWhFTqeAPTdekw&theater" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Facebook/National Institutes of Health</a></td></tr></tbody></table>This rare tropical disease is spreading in parts of the Caribbean and Latin America. <br /><br />Here are some facts you need to know about the virus:<br /><br /><b>1. It is named after a forest in Uganda</b><br /><b><br /></b>The name Zika comes from the name of a forest in Uganda where a monkey infected by the virus was first discovered in 1947. Although it is native to tropical Africa, with outbreaks in the Pacific Islands and Southeast Asia, it emerged in Brazil last year and is already present in 21 out of 55 countries and territories across the Americas.<br /><br /><b>2. The same kind of mosquito that carries dengue and chikungunya viruses carries Zika virus.</b><br /><b><br /></b>Zika virus is transmitted through the bites of Aedes aegypti mosquito, a type of mosquito that carries other tropical diseases such as dengue, yellow and chikungunya. It is not established if it is passed from person to person yet investigators are looking at the possibility that it can be transferred via sexual intercourse.<br /><br /><b>3. Most infected people don’t get sick.</b><br /><b><br /></b>According to experts, most people infected with Zika virus don’t get sick. However, some infected people show symptoms such as fever, joint pain, rash, and red eyes, which are common symptoms of mild flu. <br /><br /><b>4. Zira infection has been linked to microcephaly.</b><br /><b><br /></b>In October last year, Brazilian health officials observed a rise in cases of microcephaly, a rare birth defect in which a newborn’s head is smaller than normal and the brain may not have properly developed, in tandem with outbreak of the virus. There are many causes of microcephaly so its link with Zika is still being investigated. Guillain-Barre, a nerve condition that can cause paralysis has also been linked to Zika virus.<br /><br /><b>5. You can protect yourself from Zika virus.</b><br /><b><br /></b>There is no vaccine or medication that will prevent or treat the virus but  people can protect themselves by using insect repellents and wearing protective clothing like long sleeves and long pants. Authorities are also urging couples not to get pregnant. <br /><br /><b>-Mini/TheSummitExpress</b></div>

5 things you need to know about 'latest health scare' Zika virus

Deemed as a wolf in sheep’s clothing, Zika virus is the world’s latest health scare. Resembling a light case of flu, Zika is a mosquito-born...

DOH: Piccolo is still the top cause of fireworks injuries, 67 percent

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Health (DOH) today reiterated its call not to let children play with fireworks during the holiday season as latest data revealed that 67 percent of all fireworks injuries from December 21-29, 2014 were caused by piccolo.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUs0so-nqqyxCS6iIHfRUwXMNAybGJeZ9BnfxCovXaNOX_LlhEhmvcUDNSJUCn__KkzoUUekXiHUr_YLT_vqzGBSb3mkM30w9Mi7tusKiF5QcZ4Flb45G-fNNcoiTzRBTwVVgDKXQ1ivc4/s1600/piccolo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Piccolo is still the top cause of injuries, 67 percent" border="0" height="560" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUs0so-nqqyxCS6iIHfRUwXMNAybGJeZ9BnfxCovXaNOX_LlhEhmvcUDNSJUCn__KkzoUUekXiHUr_YLT_vqzGBSb3mkM30w9Mi7tusKiF5QcZ4Flb45G-fNNcoiTzRBTwVVgDKXQ1ivc4/s1600/piccolo.jpg" title="Piccolo is still the top cause of injuries, 67 percent" width="560" /></a></div><br /><br />Piccolo, a small firecracker that comes in attractive packaging is very poisonous because it contains yellow phosporous substance.<br /><br />From December 21-29 this year, there were 139 cases of fireworks-related injuries and one case of fireworks ingestion. This figure is 39% lower than the five-year average and 45% lower compared to the same period last year. No death was reported.<br /><br />Most (51) of the cases came from the National Capital Region, followed by Northern Mindanao (12), Davao Region (11), and Cagayan Valley (10). At the National Capital Region, Manila has the most number of cases (22), followed by Pasig (10). Las Piñas, Mandaluyong, and Pasay had three cases each.<br /><br />Of the 139 cases of fireworks injuries, 87% were males whose age ranged from 3-68 years. There were 51 cases (37%) children less than 10 years old and 102 (73%) were active users.<br /><br />The top causes of injuries were piccolo (67%), unknown firecrackers (6%), and five star, camara, and boga with 4% each.<br /><br />“We can celebrate the holiday season without fireworks. Let us greet the New Year without injuries,” Health Acting Secretary Janette Loreto-Garin said, adding that firecracker injury can be treated and eventually get healed but not the damage on our children’s future brought about by a few minutes of merry-making.<br /><br />DOH urged the public to celebrate the holidays with utmost caution as it launched this year’s anti-firecrackers campaign dubbed “Mahalaga ang Buhay, Iwasan ang Paputok.”<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEaFgLAa4nzFH_oWWrPjhjA2mHx-nJUy7rtZZnxNaHWhVJW36kMVHU7aYyAo4VZhV8-X_m1SbYovuQuTc3cvkgnAM5Sqpx_LJQtb-LN8aVZag5l7xGOzIHoLbcSzQNVIEMRcrPRzMEdRgl/s1600/DOH-iwas-paputok.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="DOH “Mahalaga ang Buhay, Iwasan ang Paputok”" border="0" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEaFgLAa4nzFH_oWWrPjhjA2mHx-nJUy7rtZZnxNaHWhVJW36kMVHU7aYyAo4VZhV8-X_m1SbYovuQuTc3cvkgnAM5Sqpx_LJQtb-LN8aVZag5l7xGOzIHoLbcSzQNVIEMRcrPRzMEdRgl/s1600/DOH-iwas-paputok.jpg" title="DOH “Mahalaga ang Buhay, Iwasan ang Paputok”" width="560" /></a></div><br /><br />“There are other means to celebrate than exploding firecrackers and lighting fireworks. Mahalaga ang buhay. It is not worth risking losing lives and limbs,” Loreto-Garin said, noting that DOH recorded 1,018 fireworks-related injuries during the 2013 holiday season.</div>

DOH: Piccolo is still the top cause of fireworks injuries, 67 percent

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Health (DOH) today reiterated its call not to let children play with fireworks during the holiday se...