family care

:Virgin coconut oil:

2006-10-27T09:22:00.000-07:00

The Coconut oil ; virgin coconut is rich in lauric acid, which is known for being antiviral and antibacterial, its effectiveness in lowering the viral load of HIV/AIDS patients. Coconut oil is also being used by thyroid sufferers to increase body metabolism, and to lose weight. Virgin coconut oil is also used for making natural soaps and other health products, as it is one of the healthiest things we can put on our skin.Virgin Coconut Oil can only be achieved by using fresh coconut meat or what is called non-copra ..
Benefit Coconut Oil :
Reduces risk of atherosclerosis and related illnesses.
Reduces risk of cancer and other degenerative conditions.
Helps prevent bacterial, viral, and fungal (including yeast) infections.
Supports immune system function.
Helps control diabetes.
Provides an immediate source of energy.
Supports healthy metabolic function.
Improves digestion and nutrient absorption.
Supplies important nutrients necessary for good health.
Supplies fewer calories than other fats.
Promotes weight loss.
Helps prevent osteoporosis.
Has a mild delicate flavor.
Is highly resistant to spoilage (long shelf life).
Is heat resistant (the healthiest oil for cooking).
Helps keep skin soft and smooth.
Helps prevent premature aging and wrinkling of the skin.
Helps protect against skin cancer and other blemishes.
Functions as a protective antioxidant."
links : Virgin Coconut Oil Coconut Oil

Child's Diet

2006-05-31T10:39:00.000-07:00

Serve more fruits and vegetables. Foods that come from plants, including fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains, are the only sources of dietary fiber. Experts recommend aiming for at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables a day. All produce isn't equally rich in fiber, though. Some of the standouts are artichokes, avocados, dried fruits, okra (not exactly a favorite of most kids), baked potatoes with the skin, pears, and carrots. Concentrate on the ones your child likes.
Serve vegetables raw. If you want to boost his enthusiasm about vegetables in general, make it a family project to cultivate a veggie garden. He'll be excited to see the snow peas he grew arrayed on his dinner plate.
Choose whole grain cereals and breads.
Whole grains contain significantly more fiber than do processed grains. They're also good sources of vitamin E, B vitamins including folic acid, and other important nutrients. One of the most quick and healthful breakfasts you can fix for your child is whole grain cereal with reduced-fat milk; read labels to find a brand that delivers at least 5 grams of fiber per serving and isn't loaded with sugar. For even more fiber, vitamins, and minerals, top it off with raisins or sliced strawberries. When shopping for bread, don't rely on appearance: You may think that the more brown the bread looks, the more whole grain it contains. But some brown loaves simply have added food coloring. Furthermore, a stamp reading "wheat bread" doesn't mean whole wheat and even a loaf labeled "whole wheat" may mix in more refined flour than you want.
Pull a pasta switcheroo. Whole grain pastas, available at most natural foods stores, have a lot more fiber than the standard supermarket versions, so it's worth seeing if your child will eat them. When the spaghetti is swimming in his favorite tomato sauce, he may not even notice that you've substituted whole wheat for white. Whole wheat or spelt lasagna noodles are even harder to detect amidst the cheese, veggies, meat, and sauce.
Add beans to the menu. Beans and lentils are terrific sources of fiber (not to mention protein, B vitamins, iron, and other crucial nutrients). Even a quarter cup of kidney beans, for instance, provides a hefty dose of fiber. Dried lentils cook up quickly, but dried beans usually require soaking followed by an hour or so of simmering. If you're too busy for that, just buy canned beans, opting for low-sodium versions when available or else emptying the can into a strainer and rinsing the beans off. Try black bean chili or three-bean salad.
Choose high-fiber snacks. Keep carrot sticks, celery sticks, fresh fruit, dried fruit, and popcorn handy for when your child gets hungry between meals. When he has to have a cookie, offer a fig bar, a raisin biscuit, or an oatmeal cookie.

Widespread Itching

2006-05-12T11:01:00.000-07:00

Widespread Itching baby or kids
Widespread Itching: Unknown Cause
Cause :
The possible causes are many, such as: Chickenpox ,Dry Skin ,Eczema, Heat Rash , Hives ,Insect and Spider Bites,
Home Care
The following measures may help to relieve itching regardless of the cause:
+ Wash the skin once with soap to remove irritants.
+ Give your child cool baths every 3 to 4 hours unless your child has dry skin.
+ Follow with calamine lotion (nonprescription) or a baking soda solution (1 teaspoon in 4 ounces of water).
+ For very itchy spots, apply 1-percent hydrocortisone cream (no prescription needed) unless your child has chickenpox.
+ Encourage your child not to scratch; cut your child's fingernails short.
+ Your child should not wear itchy or tight clothes and should temporarily avoid excessive heat, sweating, soaps, and swimming pools.

gift mothers day

Toddler Diaper Rash

2006-05-08T06:51:00.000-07:00

What is diaper rash?
By the time your child reaches the toddler years, you've probably already seen your share of diaper rashes: red, inflamed skin hiding under the diaper or training pants. The rash -- usually found in the genital area, the inner thighs, or the buttocks -- can be either dry or moist. Sometimes the rash looks pimply, making the expression "smooth as a baby's bottom" seem like a misnomer.
Even if the diaper rash doesn't leave your toddler uncomfortable, you should take it seriously. If the rash isn't treated, it can grow with the help of bacteria or a fungus into something worse, such as a bacterial or yeast infection. Bacterial infections can be accompanied by fever and may develop into oozing yellow patches or pus-filled pimples. Yeast infections, which often occur when your child is on antibiotics, typically begin as tiny red spots that multiply and form a solid red blotch. A diaper rash caused by yeast is often located in the skin folds -- moist areas where yeast likes to grow.
What causes it?
The main culprit is wetness. Even the most absorbent diaper or training pants are apt to leave some moisture on a toddler's skin. If your child stays in a dirty diaper too long, he's more likely to develop diaper rash. However, it can strike even kids whose parents are diligent diaper changers, often because the children are having an allergic reaction to diaper wipes, a disposable diaper, a laundry detergent that was used to wash cloth diapers, or a new food in their diet. Toddlers who are sick or taking antibiotics may get diarrhea (a side effect of the medication), which can also lead to diaper rash.
What's the best way to treat it?
The best remedy is to keep your child clean and dry by changing his diaper frequently. If he can play in a room with an easy-to-clean floor, leave his diaper or training pants off for as long as possible to let the air keep him dry and speed healing. If fresh air isn't enough, try an over-the-counter lotion containing zinc oxide. You might also want to switch your brands diapers and detergents to ones that are free of fragrance and additives -- that should clear up the problem if the diaper rash stems from allergies.
A normal diaper rash clears up after three or four days of treatment at home. If your child's rash persists, spreads, or worsens, call your pediatrician. He or she can prescribe topical medication to treat the rash and help you determine what's causing the inflammation -- bacteria, food allergies, or a yeast infection.
How can I help prevent diaper rash?
The best defense against diaper rash is a dry bottom. For maximum dryness, follow these four easy steps:
+ Change your child's diaper as soon as possible after it becomes wet or soiled.
+ Clean your child's genital area thoroughly after each bowel movement and allow it to dry.
+ Coat his bottom with a thin layer of protective ointment, but skip the powder or corn starch (both can get into your child's lungs).
+ Don't secure diapers so tight that there's no room for air to circulate. Plastic pants, diapers, and clothing must fit somewhat loosely to let your child's bottom breathe.

Deafness and hearing impairment

2006-04-28T12:50:00.000-07:00

WHAT ARE DEAFNESS AND HEARING IMPAIRMENT?
Hearing impairment is a broad term used to describe the loss of hearing in one or both ears.

There are different levels of hearing impairment:
+ Hearing impairment refers to complete or partial loss of the ability to hear from one or both ears. The level of impairment can be mild, moderate, severe or profound;
+ Deafness refers to the complete loss of ability to hear from one or both ears.

There are two types of hearing impairment, defined according to where the problem occurs:
+ Conductive hearing impairment, which is a problem in the outer or middle ear. This type of hearing problem is often medically or surgically treatable, if there is access to the necessary services; childhood middle ear infection is the most common example;
+ Sensorineural hearing impairment, which is usually due to a problem with the inner ear, and occasionally with the hearing nerve going from there to the brain. This type of hearing problem is usually permanent and requires rehabilitation, such as with a hearing aid. Common causes are excessive noise and ageing.

CAUSES OF HEARING IMPAIRMENT AND DEAFNESS
Deafness can be inherited: if one or both parents or a relative is born deaf, there is a higher risk that a child will be born deaf.
+ Hearing impairment may also be caused before or during birth for several reasons.

These include:
+ Premature birth;
+ Conditions during birth in which a baby lacks enough oxygen to breathe;
+ Rubella, syphilis or certain other infections in a woman during pregnancy;
+ The use of ototoxic drugs - a group of more than 130 drugs (such as the antibiotic gentamicin) that can cause damage to the inner ear if incorrectly given - during pregnancy;
+ Jaundice, which can damage the hearing nerve in a newborn baby.

+ Infectious diseases such as meningitis, measles, mumps and chronic ear infections can lead to hearing impairment, mostly in childhood, but also later in life.
+ The use of ototoxic drugs at any age, including some antibiotic and anti-malarial drugs, can cause damage to the cochlea (the hearing organ in the inner ear).
+ Head injury or injury to the ear can cause hearing impairment.
+ Wax or foreign bodies blocking the ear canal can cause hearing loss at any age.
+ Excessive noise, including working with noisy machinery, exposure to loud music or other loud noises, such as gunfire or explosions, can damage the inner ear and weaken hearing ability.
+ As people age, accumulated exposure to noise and other factors may lead to hearing impairment or deafness.

sleep Without drug

2006-04-21T11:13:00.000-07:00

A Good Night’s Sleep: Without Drugs

If you awoke this morning feeling drained and exhausted after a poor night's sleep, read on!
What we're about to explore just might make a major difference in the quality of your life if you’re having difficulty sleeping on a regular basis.
While issues of sleep apnea (breathing cessation) due to a host of respiratory and central nervous system causes has been discussed in a prior column, we’re about to focus on insomnia from a rather different perspective.
Rather than dwelling on well-established causes such as medication side effects, exercise, eating/drinking/smoking prior to sleep, noise, jet lag, or extreme temperatures, let's take a closer look at an issue that is far more commonplace.
It's a fact many people in our society simply suffer from insomnia for no apparent cause. This is especially apparent for seniors, yet individuals of all ages experience this as well. While the issue of daytime fatigue associated with disordered sleep is well recognized, many other symptoms remain relatively obscure. Some of these include headaches, muscle tension, irritability, frustration and diminished mental/physical performance. The list is rather extensive when one considers the fact that adequate sleep is necessary for appropriate neurological, endocrine and immune function.
It is not surprising that the most common treatment for insomnia unassociated with sleep apnea (even in the absence of a bona fide cause) is a prescription for sleeping pills. Unfortunately, side effects vary considerably and effectiveness tends to diminish over time. Most people do not even consider another approach.
A recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA, April 11, 2001) is shedding new light on insomnia from a rather unique treatment perspective. It has nothing to do with the latest pharmaceutical breakthrough, the most commonly touted supplement, or counting sheep.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center studied 75 men and women (average age 55.3 years) with sleep maintenance insomnia, a condition characterized by more than 30 minutes of awake time in the middle of the night. These people did not experience transient sleep problemsæ subjects on average noted 13.6 years of insomnia. Participants were randomly divided into 3 6-week interventions which included cognitive behavioral therapy including sleep education, stimulus control, and time-in-bed restrictions, relaxation training or placebo therapy.
The investigators used polysomnography (sleep studies) to determine outcomes. The most favorable effects were found in cognitive behavioral group participants who manifested a 54% reduction in wake time after sleep onset even through 6 months of follow-up. Those in the relaxation group and the placebo group averaged 16% and 12% reductions respectively. Sleep efficiency (the amount of time asleep compared to the total time in bed) was 85% for the cognitive behavioral group compared with 78.8% in the relaxation group.
The Duke researchers also identified 2 common misconceptions about sleep. The first belief is that everyone needs 8 hours of sleep a night in order to remain healthy. The second is that the elderly can and should sleep as much as much as they want even if it means remaining in bed in the morning to catch up on a poor night's sleep. Both of these assumptions are clearly erroneous. The bottom line - reestablishing a healthy sleep-wake cycle requires a 3-fold strategy:
+ Eliminate excessive naps during the day as well as the triggering causes noted previously.
+ Follow a consistent schedule for going to bed and getting out of bed in the morning.
+ Develop appropriate expectations for the amount of sleep time your body needs. Healthy sleep time varies considerably - learn to listen to your body.
While these suggestions seem elementary on the surface, they have been scientifically shown to substantially improve sleep. As a physician, I believe it is much more sensible to offer these insights to anyone in need rather than simply prescribing sleeping pills.
On a final note (this is no time for yawning), here’s a personal suggestion I'd like to add. Consider avoiding our planet's greatest recount of violence (the World News) prior to sleep. A healthy dose of laughter instead just might create the stuff pleasant dreams are made of - Mind Over Matter!

Barry Bittman, MD

Asthma

2006-03-11T13:32:00.000-08:00

Definition :
Asthma attacks all age groups but often starts in childhood. It is a disease characterized by recurrent attacks of breathlessness and wheezing, which vary in severity and frequency from person to person. In an individual, they may occur from hour to hour and day to day.
This condition is due to inflammation of the air passages in the lungs and affects the sensitivity of the nerve endings in the airways so they become easily irritated. In an attack, the lining of the passages swell causing the airways to narrow and reducing the flow of air in and out of the lungs.

Asthma cannot be cured, but could be controlled. The strongest risk factors for developing asthma are exposure, especially in infancy, to indoor allergens (such as domestic mites in bedding, carpets and stuffed furniture, cats and cockroaches) and a family history of asthma or allergy. A study in the South Atlantic Island of Tristan da Cunha, where one in three of the 300 inhabitants has asthma, found children with asthmatic parents were much more likely to develop the condition.
Exposure to tobacco smoke and exposure to chemical irritants in the workplace are additional risk factors. Other risk factors include certain drugs (aspirin and other non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs), low birth weight and respiratory infection. The weather (cold air), extreme emotional expression and physical exercise can exacerbate asthma.
Urbanization appears to be correlated with an increase in asthma. The nature of the risk is unclear because studies have not taken into account indoor allergens although these have been identified as significant risk factors.
Experts are struggling to understand why rates world-wide are, on average, rising by 50% every decade. And they are baffled by isolated incidents involving hundreds of people in a city, who suffer from allergies such as hay fever but who had never had asthma, suddenly being struck down by asthma attacks so severe they needed emergency hospital treatment.

kids got cought

2006-03-07T08:18:00.000-08:00

When to Call Your Child's Doctor if your child got caught

Most childhood coughs are nothing to be concerned about. However, consult a doctor if your child:
+ has trouble breathing or is working hard to breathe
+ is breathing more quickly than usual
+ has a blue or dusky color to the lips, face, or tongue
+ has a high fever (particularly in a young infant or in the absence of congestion or a runny nose; contact your child's doctor for any fever in an infant younger than 3 months)
is an infant (3 months old or younger) who has been coughing for more than a few hours
+ makes a "whooping" sound when she breathes after coughing
+ is coughing up blood
+ has stridor when inhaling
+ has wheezing when exhaling (unless you already have home asthma management instructions from your child's doctor)
+ is listless or cranky

Home Treatment

Home treatments should never take the place of consulting your child's doctor for any of the conditions listed above, but there are several things you can do at home to make your child more comfortable.
+ If your child has asthma, make sure you have received asthma-management instructions from your child's doctor. Monitor your child's progress carefully during a flare-up and give asthma medicines according to the doctor's instructions.
+ If your child wakes up with a "barky" or "croupy" cough in the middle of the night, take him or her into the bathroom, close the door, and let the shower run on hot for several minutes. After the room steams up, sit in the bathroom with your child for about 20 minutes. The steam should help your child breathe more easily. Try reading a book together to keep your child occupied.
+ A cool-mist humidifier in your child's room might help him or her sleep through the night.
Cool beverages like juice can be soothing; avoid carbonated or citrus drinks, however, because carbonation and citric acid can be painful on raw areas.
+ You should not give your child (especially a baby or toddler) OTC cough medicine without specific instructions to do so from your child's doctor.
+ Cough drops, which are fine for older children, are a choking hazard for young children. It's best to avoid them unless your child's doctor says that they are safe to provide to your child.

Avian influenza spread of the virus to new countries

2006-03-04T11:30:00.000-08:00

Rapid geographical spread of the virus
The occurrence of the disease in India, reported on 18 February, is part of a recent pattern of rapid geographical spread of the virus in wild and domestic birds. India is one of 13 countries that have reported their first cases of H5N1 infection in birds since the beginning of February. (The 13 countries, listed in order of reporting, are Iraq, Nigeria, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Greece, Italy, Slovenia, Iran, Austria, Germany, Egypt, India and France.)
On 20 February, Malaysia reported a fresh outbreak in poultry after having been considered free of the disease for more than a year.
The situation in these recently affected countries varies greatly. Most European countries with good veterinary surveillance have detected the virus in a small number of wild birds only, with no evidence to date of spread to domestic birds.
In Azerbaijan, detection of the virus has coincided with die-offs of domestic birds. In Egypt, outbreaks in domestic poultry have now been confirmed in 10 governorates; deaths have also been reported in exotic zoo birds. In Iraq, presence of the virus in birds was found only after the country confirmed its first human case.
In Nigeria, as in India, the first cases were detected in large commercial farms, where the disease is highly visible and outbreaks are difficult to miss.
Apart from Iraq, none of the countries newly affected during February has reported human cases. Iraq has reported two human cases, both of which were fatal; samples from several other patients are currently undergoing tests.
For human health, experience elsewhere over the past two years has shown that the greatest risk of cases arises when the virus becomes established in small backyard flocks, which allow continuing opportunities for close human contact, exposures, and infections to occur.
All available evidence indicates that the virus does not spread easily from poultry to humans. To date, very few cases have been detected in poultry workers, cullers, or veterinarians. Almost all cases have been linked to close contact to diseased household flocks, often during slaughtering, defeathering, butchering, and preparation of poultry for consumption.
No cases have been linked to the consumption of properly cooked poultry meat or eggs, even in households where disease was known to be present in flocks.who

Diabetes mellitus

2006-03-01T15:02:00.000-08:00

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease caused by inherited and/or acquired deficiency in production of insulin by the pancreas, or by the ineffectiveness of the insulin produced. Such a deficiency results in increased concentrations of glucose in the blood, which in turn damage many of the body's systems, in particular the blood vessels and nerves.
There are two principle forms of diabetes:
Type 1 diabetes (formerly known as insulin-dependent) in which the pancreas fails to produce the insulin which is essential for survival. This form develops most frequently in children and adolescents, but is being increasingly noted later in life.
Type 2 diabetes (formerly named non-insulin-dependent) which results from the body's inability to respond properly to the action of insulin produced by the pancreas. Type 2 diabetes is much more common and accounts for around 90% of all diabetes cases worldwide. It occurs most frequently in adults, but is being noted increasingly in adolescents as well.

Certain genetic markers have been shown to increase the risk of developing Type 1 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is strongly familial, but it is only recently that some genes have been consistently associated with increased risk for Type 2 diabetes in certain populations. Both types of diabetes are complex diseases caused by mutations in more than one gene, as well as by environmental factors.
Diabetes in pregnancy may give rise to several adverse outcomes, including congenital malformations, increased birth weight and an elevated risk of perinatal mortality. Strict metabolic control may reduce these risks to the level of those of non-diabetic expectant mothers.
Impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and impaired fasting glycaemia (IFG) refer to levels of blood glucose concentration above the normal range, but below those which are diagnostic for diabetes. Subjects with IGT and/or IFG are at substantially higher risk of developing diabetes and cardiovascular disease than those with normal glucose tolerance. The benefits of clinical intervention in subjects with moderate glucose intolerance is a topic of much current interest.

Symptoms
The symptoms of diabetes may be pronounced, subdued, or even absent.
In Type 1 diabetes, the classic symptoms are excessive secretion of urine (polyuria), thirst (polydipsia), weight loss and tiredness.
These symptoms may be less marked in Type 2 diabetes. In this form, it can also happen that no early symptoms appear and the disease is only diagnosed several years after its onset, when complications are already present.

Prevalence
Recently compiled data show that approximately 150 million people have diabetes mellitus worldwide, and that this number may well double by the year 2025. Much of this increase will occur in developing countries and will be due to population growth, ageing, unhealthy diets, obesity and sedentary lifestyles.
By 2025, while most people with diabetes in developed countries will be aged 65 years or more, in developing countries most will be in the 45-64 year age bracket and affected in their most productive years.

Diagnosis
WHO has published recommendations on diagnostic values for blood glucose concentration. The diagnostic level of fasting blood glucose concentration was last modified in 1999.

Treatment
The mainstay of non-pharmacological diabetes treatment is diet and physical activity.
About 40% of diabetes sufferers require oral agents for satisfactory blood glucose control, and some 40% need insulin injections. This hormone was isolated by Frederic Banting and Charles Best in 1921 in Canada. It revolutionized the treatment of diabetes and prevention of its complications, transforming Type 1 diabetes from a fatal disease to one in which long-term survival became achievable.
People with Type 1 diabetes are usually totally dependent on insulin injections for survival. Such people require daily administration of insulin. The majority of people suffering from diabetes have the Type 2 form. Although they do not depend on insulin for survival, about one third of sufferers needs insulin for reducing their blood glucose levels.
Insulin is unavailable and unaffordable in many poor countries, despite being listed by WHO as an essential drug. Access to insulin by those who require it is a subject of special concern to international health agencies and national health authorities.

Complications associated with diabetes mellitus
+Diabetic retinopathy is a leading cause of blindness and visual disability. Diabetes mellitus is associated with damage to the small blood vessels in the retina, resulting in loss of vision. Findings, consistent from study to study, make it possible to suggest that, after 15 years of diabetes, approximately 2% of people become blind, while about 10% develop severe visual handicap. Loss of vision due to certain types of glaucoma and cataract may also be more common in people with diabetes than in those without the disease.
+Good metabolic control can delay the onset and progression of diabetic retinopathy. Loss of vision and blindness in persons with diabetes can be prevented by early detection and treatment of vision-threatening retinopathy: regular eye examinations and timely intervention with laser treatment, or through surgery in cases of advanced retinopathy. There is evidence that, even in developed countries, a large proportion of those in need is not receiving such care due to lack of public and professional awareness, as well as an absence of treatment facilities. In developing countries, in many of which diabetes is now common, such care is inaccessible to the majority of the population.
+Diabetes is among the leading causes of kidney failure, but its frequency varies between populations and is also related to the severity and duration of the disease. Several measures to slow down the progress of renal damage have been identified. They include control of high blood glucose, control of high blood pressure, intervention with medication in the early stage of kidney damage, and restriction of dietary protein. Screening and early detection of diabetic kidney disease are an important means of prevention.
+Heart disease accounts for approximately 50% of all deaths among people with diabetes in industrialized countries. Risk factors for heart disease in people with diabetes include smoking, high blood pressure, high serum cholesterol and obesity. Diabetes negates the protection from heart disease which pre-menopausal women without diabetes experience. Recognition and management of these conditions may delay or prevent heart disease in people with diabetes.
+Diabetic neuropathy is probably the most common complication of diabetes. Studies suggest that up to 50% of people with diabetes are affected to some degree. Major risk factors of this condition are the level and duration of elevated blood glucose. Neuropathy can lead to sensory loss and damage to the limbs. It is also a major cause of impotence in diabetic men.
+ Diabetic foot disease, due to changes in blood vessels and nerves, often leads to ulceration and subsequent limb amputation. It is one of the most costly complications of diabetes, especially in communities with inadequate footwear. It results from both vascular and neurological disease processes. Diabetes is the most common cause of non-traumatic amputation of the lower limb, which may be prevented by regular inspection and good care of the foot.

Prevention
Large, population-based studies in China, Finland and USA have recently demonstrated the feasibility of preventing, or delaying, the onset of diabetes in overweight subjects with mild glucose intolerance (IGT). The studies suggest that even moderate reduction in weight and only half an hour of walking each day reduced the incidence of diabetes by more than one half.
Diabetes is a serious and costly disease which is becoming increasingly common, especially in developing countries and disadvantaged minorities. However, there are ways of preventing it and/or controlling its progress. Public and professional awareness of the risk factors for, and symptoms of diabetes are an important step towards its prevention and control.

condom

2006-01-05T20:14:00.000-08:00

come to safe sex, i got article maybe this one help us to understand to better life

The male condom
Effectiveness of Condoms in Preventing Sexually Transmitted Infections Including HIV
Prevention is the first line of defence against HIV/AIDS and condoms have long been a mainstay of HIV prevention programmes. Recently, however, questions have been raised about the effectiveness of condoms as a means to prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV. An extensive review of all available studies was conducted by a panel convened by US National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in June 2000 in the United States, with the participation of WHO. The review concluded that condoms, when used correctly and consistently, are effective for preventing HIV infection in women and men and gonorrhoea in men. For other STIs, however, the available data are less complete.
In news items following the release, there appear to have been misunderstandings about the difference between "lack of evidence of effectiveness" and a "lack of effectiveness." Many reasons exist for the current lack of evidence: studies to establish reliably the effectiveness of condoms against specific STIs can be very difficult to conduct in a scientifically valid and ethical manner. Nonetheless, additional studies are already under way and more are planned. Until these or other studies providing additional reliable evidence can be completed, the effectiveness of condoms against some specific STIs will remain a matter of debate.
WHO and UNAIDS Secretariat have been following this debate closely and find the recent NIH/CDC report comprehensive and balanced in addressing this delicate issue.

The female condom

The polyurethane female condom (FC1) was developed in the 1990s by the Female Health Company and provides a barrier method for women to use, particularly in situations where they are unable to insist on male condom use by their partner. The product was marketed worldwide and introduced into national STI and HIV prevention and family planning programmes in the late 1990s. Although shown to be effective in prevention of pregnancy and acceptable to users, the product never achieved its full potential in national programmes due to the high cost compared with male condoms.
The Female Health Company has developed a new version of the female condom which has similar physical characteristics but is made of synthetic latex in a considerably less expensive manufacturing process. The new device (FC2) has the potential for wider acceptability and utilization since it is expected to be more affordable for individuals and programmes. If high utilization rates of the new device can be achieved, it is hoped that it will make a substantial contribution to prevention of unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections, including HIV.

In contrast to latex male condoms, there are currently no agreed technical specifications for female condoms. The Female Health Company has accordingly submitted technical information about the new device which is being evaluated by the World Health Organization (WHO). If this review is favourable, the product could be included within the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) condom procurement programme and would be expected to replace the polyurethane device. The public sector price of the product is currently under discussion with the Female Health Company, and will depend in part on the volume of public sector sales

flu & avian flu

2005-09-28T12:04:00.000-07:00

FLU

Flu Definitions :
Influenza or "flu" is an infection of the respiratory tract that can affect millions of people every year. It is highly contagious and occurs mainly in the late fall, winter, or early spring. Influenza is spread from person-to-person through mists or sprays of infectious respiratory secretions caused by coughing and sneezing. Influenza affects all age groups and causes moderate to severe illness, loss of school and work, and complications such as pneumonia, hospitalization, and death

Specific about The Virus Influenza
Influenza is caused by a virus called the influenza virus. Viruses are the smallest form of life and, unlike bacteria, can only reproduce in the living cells which they infect. There are three types of influenza viruses, influenza A, B and C. Influenza A can infect humans and other animals while influenza B and C infect humans. Influenza C virus causes a very mild illness and does not cause epidemics.
When viewed through special microscopes called electron microscopes, influenza viruses are shaped like spheres or filaments.

TYPES OF FLU VIRUSEST

he first flu virus was identified in the 1930s. Since then, scientists have classified flu viruses into types A, B, and C.
Type A is the most common and usually causes the most serious epidemics
Type B outbreaks also can cause epidemics, but the disease it produces generally is milder than that caused by type A
Type C viruses, on the other hand, never have been connected with a large epidemic

Diagnosis

There are a number of laboratory tests available which will confirm the diagnosis of influenza. The virus may be cultured from swabs of your deep nasal passages or throat, or blood tests may confirm a rise in your antibody to the virus, indicating a recent infection. These tests require specialized laboratory services and may not be readily available nor practical in your physician's office practice setting. So called "rapid diagnostic tests" have been or are being developed which may eventually combine accurate diagnosis of influenza with the simplicity of office testing.
Usually your physician will make the diagnosis of influenza based on your symptoms and physical examination findings. During epidemics of influenza, this presumptive diagnosis will be very accurate. However, if there is concern about the diagnosis, your physician may wish to perform other tests, for example, a blood count or a chest x-ray

Protect Yourself from Influenza
The best way to protect yourself from influenza is to receive an annual influenza immunization. The influenza vaccine is an inactivated (killed) viral vaccine.
To manufacture the vaccine, influenza viruses are grown in chicken eggs, harvested, and then killed through chemical means. The vaccine is then purified and tested for purity, safety, and its ability to stimulate protective antibody in humans.

Effectiveness of Influenza Vaccine
No vaccine is 100% protective and influenza vaccine is no exception. To a certain extent, the effectiveness of the vaccine in a particular year depends on how well the strains used to make the vaccine "match" the strains that are causing illness. When the match is a good one, the effectiveness can be expected to be higher. Influenza vaccine can prevent symptoms of influenza in 70% to 90% of healthy young adults. However, the vaccine’s effectiveness in preventing influenza may be as low as 30% to 40% in very frail elderly persons. This is because elderly persons have less ability to make protective antibodies. However, even in these elderly and frail people, influenza vaccine has been shown to significantly protect against the severe complications of influenza: hospitalizations and death. So even if the vaccine cannot protect these persons from influenza illness, it may protect them from severe illness and death.

TREATMENT

Many people treat their flu infections by simply
Resting in bed
Drinking plenty of fluids
Taking over-the-counter medicine such as aspirin or acetaminophen (Tylenol, for example)
Do not give aspirin to children and adolescents who have the flu.
Do not take antibiotics to treat the flu because they do not work on viruses. Antibiotics only work against some infections caused by bacteria.

Medicine for Prevention
Although the flu vaccine is the best way to prevent getting the flu, three antiviral medicines also are available by prescription that will help prevent flu infection.
. Tamiflu (oseltamivir)
. Flumadine (rimantadine)
. Symmetrel (amantadine)
Tamiflu is for use in adults and teenagers 13 years and older. Rimantadine and amantadine may be used by adults and children who are 1 year of age and older.
These medicines help prevent the flu if you take them for at least 2 weeks during the outbreak of flu in your community
You may use these medicines if you are in close contact with family members or others who have the flu
You may use them if you are in close contact with people who have been vaccinated but whom you want to give added protection from getting the flu
You may use either medicine immediately following flu vaccination during a flu epidemic to protect you during the 2- to 4-week period before antibodies (proteins from your immune system that protect you from the flu virus) develop or when a flu epidemic is caused by virus strains other than those covered by the vaccine
Flumadine and Symmetrel have unpleasant side effects. Your health care provider can help you decide which medicine is best for you. You should discuss the flu vaccine and medicines with your health care provider before the flu season begins.

Preventing the Flu, prevention is key.

Follow these 10 tips for all families to stay healthy:
1. Avoid taking babies or young children into large crowds when the flu is in your area.
2. Avoid close contact, such as kissing and holding, between infants and anyone who has a cold or the flu.
3. Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
4. Wash your hands or use alcohol-based hand sanitizers after being in public or around anyone with a cold or

the flu.
5. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze; use a tissue only once and then throw

it away. If no tissue is available, cough or sneeze into the inside of your elbow.
6. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
7. Do not share things that go into the mouth, such as drinking cups, straws, spoons, etc.
8. Clean common surfaces, such as doorknobs, refrigerator handles and phones, frequently if someone in

your house has a cold or the flu.
9. Keep your child home or stay home yourself if you have the flu (fever, muscle aches, cough).
10. Don't smoke around children, and avoid secondhand smoke.
Warning SignsIf your child experiences any of these symptoms, take the child to your pediatrician or to the emergency department right away.

German scientists offer flu hope
The flu virus adapts quickly to vaccines
By BBC News Online's Ivan Noble
German scientists have discovered a way of targeting the flu virus, which kills thousands of people every year.
A chemical that blocks the way the virus spreads in the body could lead to new ways of treating the illness.
It's very difficult to target influenza because it changes so quickly
Dr Stephan LudwigWürzburg University
Existing anti-flu treatments become ineffective as time goes by because the flu virus is able to mutate rapidly into new strains.
The substance, known as U0126, acts against the influenza A virus, which is responsible for around 65% of flu cases worldwide.
Scientists believe the key to the chemical's effectiveness is the way it deals with flu after the virus has invaded the body's cells.
Dr Stephan Ludwig of the MSZ institute at Würzburg University told BBC News Online: "It's very difficult to target influenza with anti-viral agents or vaccines because it changes so quickly.
"We decided to look at the processes going on within the cell."

Flubird

Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) and Avian Influenza A (H5N1) Virus

What is avian influenza (bird flu)?
Bird flu is an infection caused by avian (bird) influenza (flu) viruses. These flu viruses occur naturally among birds. Wild birds worldwide carry the viruses in their intestines, but usually do not get sick from them. However, bird flu is very contagious among birds and can make some domesticated birds, including chickens, ducks, and turkeys, very sick and kill them.

Do bird flu viruses infect humans?
Bird flu viruses do not usually infect humans, but several cases of human infection with bird flu viruses have occurred since 1997.

How are bird flu viruses different from human flu viruses?
There are many different subtypes of type A flu viruses. These subtypes differ because of certain proteins on the surface of the flu A virus (hemagglutinin [HA] and neuraminidase [NA] proteins). There are 16 different HA subtypes and 9 different NA subtypes of flu A viruses. Many different combinations of HA and NA proteins are possible. Each combination is a different subtype. All subtypes of flu A viruses can be found in birds. However, when we talk about “bird flu” viruses, we are referring to those flu A subtypes that continue to occur mainly in birds. They do not usually infect humans, even though we know they can do so. When we talk about “human flu viruses” we are referring to those subtypes that occur widely in humans. There are only three known subtypes of human flu viruses (H1N1, H1N2, and H3N2); it is likely that some genetic parts of current human flu A viruses came from birds originally. Flu A viruses are constantly changing, and they might adapt over time to infect and spread among humans.

What are the symptoms of bird flu in humans?
Symptoms of bird flu in humans have ranged from typical flu-like symptoms (fever, cough, sore throat and muscle aches) to eye infections, pneumonia, severe respiratory diseases (such as acute respiratory distress), and other severe and life-threatening complications. The symptoms of bird flu may depend on which virus caused the infection.

How does bird flu spread?
Infected birds shed flu virus in their saliva, nasal secretions, and feces. Susceptible birds become infected when they have contact with contaminated excretions or surfaces that are contaminated with excretions. It is believed that most cases of bird flu infection in humans have resulted from contact with infected poultry or contaminated surfaces.

How is bird flu in humans treated?
Studies suggest that the prescription medicines approved for human flu viruses would work in preventing bird flu infection in humans. However, flu viruses can become resistant to these drugs, so these medications may not always work.

What is the risk to humans from bird flu?
The risk from bird flu is generally low to most people because the viruses occur mainly among birds and do not usually infect humans. However, during an outbreak of bird flu among poultry (domesticated chicken, ducks, turkeys), there is a possible risk to people who have contact with infected birds or surfaces that have been contaminated with excretions from infected birds. The current outbreak of avian influenza A (H5N1) among poultry in Asia (see below) is an example of a bird flu outbreak that has caused human infections and deaths. In such situations, people should avoid contact with infected birds or contaminated surfaces, and should be careful when handling and cooking poultry. For more information about avian influenza and food safety issues, visit the World Health Organization website.

What is an avian influenza A (H5N1) virus?
Influenza A (H5N1) virus – also called “H5N1 virus” – is an influenza A virus subtype that occurs mainly in birds. It was first isolated from birds (terns) in South Africa in 1961. Like all bird flu viruses, H5N1 virus circulates among birds worldwide, is very contagious among birds, and can be deadly.

What is the risk to humans from the H5N1 virus in Asia? Updated May 24
The H5N1 virus does not usually infect humans. In 1997, however, the first case of spread from a bird to a human was seen during an outbreak of bird flu in poultry in Hong Kong. The virus caused severe respiratory illness in 18 people, 6 of whom died. Since that time, there have been other cases of H5N1 infection among humans. Most recently, human cases of H5N1 infection have occurred in Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia during large H5N1 outbreaks in poultry. The death rate for these reported cases has been about 50 percent. Most of these cases occurred from contact with infected poultry or contaminated surfaces; however, it is thought that a few cases of human-to-human spread of H5N1 have occurred.
So far, spread of H5N1 virus from person to person has been rare and spread has not continued beyond one person. However, because all influenza viruses have the ability to change, scientists are concerned that the H5N1 virus could one day be able to infect humans and spread easily from one person to another. Because these viruses do not commonly infect humans, there is little or no immune protection against them in the human population. If the H5N1 virus were able to infect people and spread easily from person to person, an “influenza pandemic” (worldwide outbreak of disease) could begin. No one can predict when a pandemic might occur. However, experts from around the world are watching the H5N1 situation in Asia very closely and are preparing for the possibility that the virus may begin to spread more easily and widely from person to person.

How is infection with H5N1 virus in humans treated?
The H5N1 virus currently infecting birds in Asia that has caused human illness and death is resistant to amantadine and rimantadine, two antiviral medications commonly used for influenza. Two other antiviral medications, oseltamavir and zanamavir, would probably work to treat flu caused by the H5N1 virus, though studies still need to be done to prove that they work.

Is there a vaccine to protect humans from H5N1 virus? Updated May 09
There currently is no vaccine to protect humans against the H5N1 virus that is being seen in Asia. However, vaccine development efforts are under way. Research studies to test a vaccine to protect humans against H5N1 virus began in April 2005. (Researchers are also working on a vaccine against H9N2, another bird flu virus subtype.) For more information about the H5N1 vaccine development process, visit the National Institutes of Health website.