Tuesday, May 5, 2020

Advice on Lock down by Dr. Emanuel Pieris

Dr, Emmanuel Pieris
Lock down and social distancing are not the perfect time to gather with loved ones sharing stories that ignite laughter and good cheer. I know that engaging in these precious moments with family and friends was not only enjoyable, but it’s also beneficial to our health. When we spend time with family and friends we find healthier ways to cope with stress. Especially older adults with larger social networks have good episodic memory, better cognitive functions.The emotional support provided by social ties enhances our psychological well-being.The sense of discomfort we might face during the COVID-19 response could be grieving the loss of your loved one, job, financial stability, or confinement for a long period of time. When coping with a traumatic experience, it’s important to take care of yourself, your health, and your family. While physical distancing is necessary right now, you can still stay connected socially through video chats, phone calls, emails, and texts. Just as you may need to share your feelings, do your best to listen when others share their concerns. Sleep, exercise, nutrition, and stress management practices are all essential to cope with unavoidable circumstances Cut tasks into smaller pieces to help you manage the day-to-day. Maybe start your day with meditation or go for a walk if possible into nature.Do something where you are putting in productive energy, like gardening. Being outdoors getting up close and personal with mother nature is fun, but even more importantly, it’s good for the brain, body, and soul and for the immune system. immune function. Scientists think that breathing in the chemical phytoncides produced by plants into the air that seem to boost immune function. by increasing, our levels of white blood cells, helping us fight off infections and diseases. In times of lockdown, it is good to read books that will benefit both your physical and mental health, and those benefits can last a lifetime Reading increases your ability to empathize, helps to prevent age-related cognitive decline, and keeps your mind engaged, It reduces stress and helps alleviate depression symptoms. It also prepares you for a good night’s rest and may even help you live longer TV and the internet is not only entertainment.but can also be a wonderful source of information, knowledge, and learning. It helps you with connectivity, communication, and sharing. facilities Collaboration, work from home, and access to a global workforce as well as banking, and shopping. If you enjoy crossword puzzles and Soduku then play Sudoku and Crossword because research now shows that there are mental benefits to fill in the correct numbers and letters in the blocked grids of Sudoku and crossword puzzles and it also keeps you occupied if you feel bored. Stay safe and God bless -Have a nice

Friday, April 24, 2020

Medical Advice from Dr. Emanuel Peiris

Give your body a chance to fight -strengthen your immune system

  Perhaps you’re nursing a cold – loading up on vitamin C and zinc, maybe even sipping some warm chicken noodle soup. Taking time to recover is essential to help your immune system do its work, Healthy immune systems live in healthy bodies. There are  Healthy ways to strengthen your immune system. Get adequate sleep. Sleep and immunity are closely tied. Regular exercise is one of the pillars of healthy living. It improves cardiovascular health, lowers blood pressure, helps control body weight, and protects against a variety of diseases and helps to boost your immune system naturally and keep it healthy. Don't smoke. Smoking impairs our ability to fight off infections.   The old saying, “An apple a day can keep the doctor away,” may have truth behind it after all. Eating nourishing foods rich in certain vitamins can help your immune system fight off illness  Eat more whole plant foods. Eat more healthy fats.Eat a diet high in fruits and vegetables. Limit added sugars.  Eating foods that contain added sugar has been found to have temporary negative effects on your immune system   Engage in moderate exercise and stay hydrated. Manage your stress levels. People with contaminated hands can infect themselves and unleash diseases that attack their immune system by touching their face. They can also pass the infection to other people by shaking hands. When people are infected with respiratory viruses, they emit viral particles whenever they talk, breathe, cough, or sneeze. These particles are encased in globs of mucus, saliva, and water. The virus instead spreads primarily through the close-splashing droplets, which either land directly on people’s faces or are carried to their faces by unwashed, contaminated hand.  Proper handwashing done properly and with soap and water not only reduces the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19), it can prevent the spread of other viral illnesses such as cold and flu.    There's a strong link between your immune health and your mental health. “When you're under chronic stress or anxiety, your body produces stress hormones that suppress your immune system. A moderate daily dose of vitamin D may offer protection if you're already low in the sunshine vitamin. Immunization vaccines are an important way to boost immunity.  Stay safe, and God bless -Have a nice weekend

Thursday, April 23, 2020

Pet cats affected with COVID 19

Two cats in New York are first pets known to have coronavirus in the US

A veterinarian tests an Egyptian cat for the coronavirus, a requirement for travel, at a clinic in Cairo, Egypt on March 29.
(CNN)Two cats in New York have been infected with the novel coronavirus, federal officials announced Wednesday. Both had mild respiratory symptoms and are expected to make a full recovery.
"These are the first pets in the United States to test positive," the US Department of Agriculture said Wednesday in a joint statement with the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The agencies emphasized that there is no evidence pets play a role in spreading coronavirus in the United States. "There is no justification in taking measures against companion animals that may compromise their welfare," they said.

LOCK DOWN- AGGRESSORS INDOORS AND VIRUS OUTSIDE

   LOCK DOWN- AGGRESSORS INDOORS AND VIRUS         OUTSIDE

Women in violent relationships are stuck at home and exposed to their abuser for longer periods of time. The practice of lock down and physical distancing in countries all over the world resulted in changes in national behavioral patterns and shutdowns of usual day-to-day functioning.
it has been reported that cases of domestic violence rose by a third in Europe the week after the lock down was put in place. This Corona crisis seems to cause an increase in depression, anxiety, drug and alcohol abuse which may be linked to an increase in domestic violence, and child abuse. Especially women and children fear there aggressor inside their home and the virus outside. It is unfortunate but unavoidable that there can be family disputes when everyone is stuck in a confined space. National lock downs have heightened the danger for women and school children forced to stay at home with their abusers, cut off from the respite of work or school and less able to call for help undetected. Children, mostly home from school, are now even more exposed to trauma.
COVID-19 cannot cause domestic violence, However, a heightened state of anxiety, stress, maybe alcohol financial burden and unemployment, and also being in such close proximity for such extended periods of time make this a more dangerous time for women and children. The most prevalent type of domestic abuse occurs in relationships. In an abusive relationship.one can be exposed to emotional abuse, threats, and intimidation physical or sexual abuse. Domestic Violence victims need not only help from the social service but also help and kindness from all of us. My wish and hope and prayer is that we all emphasize self-reflection, self-control, empathy, and build resilience, which can allow us to offer each other love concern and tenderness. Have a nice weekend



Courtesy:  Dr. Emanuel Peiris

This article was published by the author Dr, Emmanuel peiris with his consent I have published this in this blog post to avail  a chance for those  who interested in reading the impact of Covid 19.

 A few words about this dedicated doctor Emanuel Peiris :    Born in Negombo in Srilanka qualified as an electrical engineer in the university Of  Peradeniya  Sri Lanka  ,  acquired his medical degree  Dubel specialist in general medicine and industrial health in Karolinska Institute University Stockholm Lives in Nykoping  in Sweden and Practicing in  Sweden , is a Swedish national now.

Monday, April 20, 2020

Questions & Answers on Corona Virus


Stay  home !   Stay Safe! Save lives! Help stop Corana virus!  
 Save the World!

What is the recovery time for the corona virus disease?

Using available preliminary data, the median time from onset to clinical recovery for mild cases is approximately 2 weeks and is 3-6 weeks for patients with severe or critical disease.

What is the treatment for the corona virus disease?
There is no specific treatment for disease caused by a novel corona virus. However, many of the symptoms one treated and therefore treatment based on the patient's clinical condition.

Can antibiotics treat the corona virus disease?
No, antibiotics do not work against viruses. The 2019-COVld  is a virus and, therefore, antibiotics should not be used as a means of prevention  or treatment.

How severe is the corona virus disease?Most people infected with the COVID-19 virus will experience mild to moderate respiratory illness and recover without requiring special treatment. Older people, and those with underlying medical problems like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, and cancer are more likely to develop serious illness.🤣
What are the types of coronavirus?
Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that are known to cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS).
Is coronavirus a disease?
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by a newly discovered coronavirus.
How does the coronavirus disease spread?The new coronavirus is a respiratory virus which spreads primarily through droplets generated when an infected person coughs or sneezes, or through droplets of saliva or discharge from thenose. To protect yourself, clean your hands frequently with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water.
Can you contract the coronavirus disease by touching a surface?
People could catch COVID-19 by touching contaminated surfaces or objects – and then touching their eyes, nose or mouth.
Who is most at risk for the coronavirus disease?
People of all ages can be infected by the new coronavirus (2019-nCoV). Older people, and people with pre-existing medical conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease) appear to be more vulnerable to becoming severely ill with the virus.
WHO advises people of all ages to take steps to protect themselves from the virus, for example by following good hand hygiene and good respiratory hygiene.
Can babies get the coronavirus disease?
We know it is possible for people of any age to be infected with the virus, but so far there are relatively few cases of COVID-19 reported among children.
Can women with the coronavirus disease breastfeed?
Yes. Women with COVID-19 can breastfeed if they wish to do so. They should: Practice respiratory hygiene during feeding, wearing a mask where available; Wash hands before and after touching the baby; Routinely clean and disinfect surfaces they have touched.

Source: Google Search

Sunday, April 19, 2020

Health Tips on Corona Virus

''Prevention is better than cure''

Protect yourself and others around you by knowing the facts and taking appropriate precautions. Follow advice provided by your local public health agency.


To prevent the spread of COVID-19:
Clean your hands often. Use soap and water, or an alcohol-based hand rub.
Maintain a safe distance from anyone who is coughing or sneezing.
Don’t touch your eyes, nose or mouth.
Cover your nose and mouth with your bent elbow or a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
Stay home if you feel unwell.
If you have a fever, a cough, and difficulty breathing, seek medical attention. Call in advance.
Follow the directions of your local health authority.
Avoiding unneeded visits to medical facilities allows healthcare systems to operate more effectively, therefore protecting you and others.

Strictly follow the guidance and by the the WHO   and your local health authorities to keep corona away from your door step.          STAY SAFE!


Symptoms:

COVID-19 affects different people in different ways. Most infected people will develop mild to moderate symptoms.
Common symptoms:
fever.
tiredness.
dry cough.
Some people may experience:
aches and pains.
nasal congestion.
runny nose.
sore throat.
diarrhoea.
On average it takes 5–6 days from when someone is infected with the virus for symptoms to show, however it can take up to 14 days.
People with mild symptoms who are otherwise healthy should self-isolate. Seek medical attention if you have a fever, a cough, and difficulty breathing. Call ahead.


If you least suspect you are going to be affected by Covid  19   do not be negligent, concern yourself , your family, your community, your country and the community of the world at large, and call the  local authorities concerned and they are at your beck and call to assist you.

  Actions:

        
STAY HOME.
SAVE LIVES.
Help stop coronavirus
1
STAYhome as much as you can
2
KEEPa safe distance
3
WASHhands often
4
COVERyour cough
5
SICK?Call ahead


TREATMENT:

To date, there are no specific vaccines or medicines for COVID-19.
Treatments are under investigation, and will be tested through clinical trials.
Self care
If you feel sick you should rest, drink plenty of fluid, and eat nutritious food. Stay in a separate room from other family members, and use a dedicated bathroom if possible. Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces.
Everyone should keep a healthy lifestyle at home. Maintain a healthy diet, sleep, stay active, and make social contact with loved ones through the phone or internet. Children need extra love and attention from adults during difficult times. Keep to regular routines and schedules as much as possible.
It is normal to feel sad, stressed, or confused during a crisis. Talking to people you trust, such as friends and family, can help. If you feel overwhelmed, talk to a health worker or counsellor.

Courtesy: Google.com
         

Saturday, April 18, 2020

A novel corona virus outbreak of global health concern ( Emergence Of Covid -19)


In December, 2019, Wuhan, Hubei province, China, became the centre of an outbreak of pneumonia of unknown cause, which raised intense attention not only within China but internationally. Chinese health authorities did an immediate investigation to characterise and control the disease, including isolation of people suspected to have the disease, close monitoring of contacts, epidemiological and clinical data collection from patients, and development of diagnostic and treatment procedures. By Jan 7, 2020, Chinese scientists had isolated a novel coronavirus (CoV) from patients in Wuhan. The genetic sequence of the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) enabled the rapid development of point-of-care real-time RT-PCR diagnostic tests specific for 2019-nCoV (based on full genome sequence data on the Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data [GISAID] platform). Cases of 2019-nCoV are no longer limited to Wuhan. Nine exported cases of 2019-nCoV infection have been reported in Thailand, Japan, Korea, the USA, Vietnam, and Singapore to date, and further dissemination through air travel is likely.

 
As of Jan 23, 2020, confirmed cases were consecutively reported in 32 provinces, municipalities, and special administrative regions in China, including Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan.
 These cases detected outside Wuhan, together with the detection of infection in at least one household cluster—reported by Jasper Fuk-Woo Chan and colleagues
 in The Lancet—and the recently documented infections in health-care workers caring for patients with 2019-nCoV indicate human-to-human transmission and thus the risk of much wider spread of the disease. As of Jan 23, 2020, a total of 835 cases with laboratory-confirmed 2019-nCoV infection have been detected in China, of whom 25 have died and 93% remain in hospital.

Figure thumbnail gr1



In The Lancet, Chaolin Huang and colleagues
 report clinical features of the first 41 patients admitted to the designated hospital in Wuhan who were confirmed to be infected with 2019-nCoV by Jan 2, 2020. The study findings provide first-hand data about severity of the emerging 2019-nCoV infection. Symptoms resulting from 2019-nCoV infection at the prodromal phase, including fever, dry cough, and malaise, are non-specific. Unlike human coronavirus infections, upper respiratory symptoms are notably infrequent. Intestinal presentations observed with SARS also appear to be uncommon, although two of six cases reported by Chan and colleagues had diarrhoea.
 Common laboratory findings on admission to hospital include lymphopenia and bilateral ground-glass opacity or consolidation in chest CT scans. These clinical presentations confounded early detection of infected cases, especially against a background of ongoing influenza and circulation of other respiratory viruses. Exposure history to the Huanan Seafood Wholesale market served as an important clue at the early stage, yet its value has decreased as more secondary and tertiary cases have appeared.


Of the 41 patients in this cohort, 22 (55%) developed severe dyspnoea and 13 (32%) required admission to an intensive care unit, and six died.
 Hence, the case-fatality proportion in this cohort is approximately 14·6%, and the overall case fatality proportion appears to be closer to 3% (table). However, both of these estimates should be treated with great caution because not all patients have concluded their illness (ie, recovered or died) and the true number of infections and full disease spectrum are unknown. Importantly, in emerging viral infection outbreaks the case-fatality ratio is often overestimated in the early stages because case detection is highly biased towards the more severe cases. As further data on the spectrum of mild or asymptomatic infection becomes available, one case of which was documented by Chan and colleagues,
 the case-fatality ratio is likely to decrease. Nevertheless, the 1918 influenza pandemic is estimated to have had a case-fatality ratio of less than 5%
 but had an enormous impact due to widespread transmission, so there is no room for complacency.
TableCharacteristics of patients who have been infected with 2019-nCoV, MERS-CoV, and SARS-CoV
 
     
2019-nCoV
MERS-CoVSARS-CoV
Demographic
DateDecember, 2019June, 2012November, 2002
Location of first detectionWuhan, ChinaJeddah, Saudi ArabiaGuangdong, China
Age, years (range)49 (21–76)56 (14–94)39·9 (1–91)
Male:female sex ratio2·7:13·3:11:1·25
Confirmed cases835
24948096
Mortality25
 (2·9%)
858 (37%)744 (10%)
Health-care workers16
9·8%23·1%
Symptoms
Fever40 (98%)98%99–100%
Dry cough31 (76%)47%29–75%
Dyspnoea22 (55%)72%40–42%
Diarrhoea1 (3%)26%20–25%
Sore throat021%13–25%
Ventilatory support9·8%80%14–20%
Data are n, age (range), or n (%) unless otherwise stated. 2019-nCoV=2019 novel coronavirus. MERS-CoV=Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus. SARS-CoV=severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus.
Demographics and symptoms for 2019-nCoV infection are based on data from the first 41 patients reported by Chaolin Huang and colleagues (admitted before Jan 2, 2020).
 Case numbers and mortalities are updated up to Jan 21, 2020) as disclosed by the Chinese Health Commission.
† Data as of Jan 23, 2020.
‡ Data as of Jan 21, 2020.
As an RNA virus, 2019-nCoV still has the inherent feature of a high mutation rate, although like other coronaviruses the mutation rate might be somewhat lower than other RNA viruses because of its genome-encoded exonuclease. This aspect provides the possibility for this newly introduced zoonotic viral pathogen to adapt to become more efficiently transmitted from person to person and possibly become more virulent.
Two previous coronavirus outbreaks had been reported in the 21st century. The clinical features of 2019-nCoV, in comparison with SARS-CoV and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS)-CoV, are summarised in the table. The ongoing 2019-nCoV outbreak has undoubtedly caused the memories of the SARS-CoV outbreak starting 17 years ago to resurface in many people. In November, 2002, clusters of pneumonia of unknown cause were reported in Guangdong province, China, now known as the SARS-CoV outbreak. The number of cases of SARS increased substantially in the next year in China and later spread globally,
 infecting at least 8096 people and causing 774 deaths.
 The international spread of SARS-CoV in 2003 was attributed to its strong transmission ability under specific circumstances and the insufficient preparedness and implementation of infection control practices. Chinese public health and scientific capabilities have been greatly transformed since 2003. An efficient system is ready for monitoring and responding to infectious disease outbreaks and the 2019-nCoV pneumonia has been quickly added to the Notifiable Communicable Disease List and given the highest priority by Chinese health authorities.
The increasing number of cases and widening geographical spread of the disease raise grave concerns about the future trajectory of the outbreak, especially with the Chinese Lunar New Year quickly approaching. Under normal circumstances, an estimated 3 billion trips would be made in the Spring Festival travel rush this year, with 15 million trips happening in Wuhan. The virus might further spread to other places during this festival period and cause epidemics, especially if it has acquired the ability to efficiently transmit from person to person.
Consequently, the 2019-nCoV outbreak has led to implementation of extraordinary public health measures to reduce further spread of the virus within China and elsewhere. Although WHO has not recommended any international travelling restrictions so far,
 the local government in Wuhan announced on Jan 23, 2020, the suspension of public transportation, with closure of airports, railway stations, and highways in the city, to prevent further disease transmission.
 Further efforts in travel restriction might follow. Active surveillance for new cases and close monitoring of their contacts are being implemented. To improve detection efficiency, front-line clinics, apart from local centres for disease control and prevention, should be armed with validated point-of-care diagnostic kits.
Rapid information disclosure is a top priority for disease control and prevention. A daily press release system has been established in China to ensure effective and efficient disclosure of epidemic information. Education campaigns should be launched to promote precautions for travellers, including frequent hand-washing, cough etiquette, and use of personal protection equipment (eg, masks) when visiting public places. Also, the general public should be motivated to report fever and other risk factors for coronavirus infection, including travel history to affected area and close contacts with confirmed or suspected cases.
Considering that substantial numbers of patients with SARS and MERS were infected in health-care settings, precautions need to be taken to prevent nosocomial spread of the virus. Unfortunately, 16 health-care workers, some of whom were working in the same ward, have been confirmed to be infected with 2019-nCoV to date, although the routes of transmission and the possible role of so-called super-spreaders remain to be clarified.
 Epidemiological studies need to be done to assess risk factors for infection in health-care personnel and quantify potential subclinical or asymptomatic infections. Notably, the transmission of SARS-CoV was eventually halted by public health measures including elimination of nosocomial infections. We need to be wary of the current outbreak turning into a sustained epidemic or even a pandemic.
The availability of the virus' genetic sequence and initial data on the epidemiology and clinical consequences of the 2019-nCoV infections are only the first steps to understanding the threat posed by this pathogen. Many important questions remain unanswered, including its origin, extent, and duration of transmission in humans, ability to infect other animal hosts, and the spectrum and pathogenesis of human infections. Characterising viral isolates from successive generations of human infections will be key to updating diagnostics and assessing viral evolution. Beyond supportive care,
 no specific coronavirus antivirals or vaccines of proven efficacy in humans exist, although clinical trials of both are ongoing for MERS-CoV and one controlled trial of ritonavir-boosted lopinavir monotherapy has been launched for 2019-nCoV (ChiCTR2000029308). Future animal model and clinical studies should focus on assessing the effectiveness and safety of promising antiviral drugs, monoclonal and polyclonal neutralising antibody products, and therapeutics directed against immunopathologic host responses.
We have to be aware of the challenge and concerns brought by 2019-nCoV to our community. Every effort should be given to understand and control the disease, and the time to act is now.
Source:   Lancelet.com