ZIKA Virus – Get your facts right

Did you know…?

India has had a history of ZIKA virus attacks as early as in the 1950s.

ZIKA Virus is transmitted via the Aedes Aegypti mosquito which also carries dengue and chikungunya viruses. Since May 2015, the ZIKA infection has reportedly spread in 24 countries and territories of America.

ZIKA virus commands attention because it is known to trigger birth defects and neurological problems in newborns. Although in India, there have been no cases or medical emergencies caused by the ZIKA virus so far, we also cannot deny the fact that our fertile climate & environment is conducive for the growth and multiplication of the Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. Rising temperatures across India could work in the favor of this mosquito breed, making it easier for them to reproduce & spread the virus. As of now, there is no vaccine or medication to prevent or cure the ZIKA infection and considering the number of dengue cases in India, there is certainly a cause for concern because the mosquito that carries this virus actually thrives in our country.

Here are a few essential facts about the ZIKA virus/infection

ZIKA virus is most commonly transmitted when an Aedes mosquito bites an infected person and then spreads the virus by biting others. It can also be transferred sexually as the virus is known to remain active within an infected person’s semen for a long time

If a person is infected with the ZIKA virus, he/she may have mild fever, headache, skin rash, muscle, joint pain, malaise and conjunctivitis that could last for 2 to 7 days. 80% of those infected never know they have the disease because of delayed detection & treatment owing to its resemblance with flu-like symptoms. Screening is thus important.

Getting plenty of rest with sufficient intake of fluid to prevent dehydration is known to be highly effective in treating this illness

Infected people shouldn’t consume Aspirin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

Pregnant women fall under the high-risk group as the ZIKA virus is known to cause brain defects in unborn babies

With no treatment or vaccine available, the only protection against the ZIKA infection is through awareness. Here are a few precautionary measures to prevent the spread of this virus:

Surprising as it may sound, Aedes aegypti mosquitoes that carry the ZIKA virus do not breed in stale water but use fresh water stored in flowerpot, cooler, water puddle etc. as their breeding grounds. Do not let clean water accumulate at any place in the house. These mosquitoes are highly active during the day therefore necessary measures should be taken to keep them away. Keeping your environment clean & hygienic is the most effective way to prevent this disease.

Use bed nets and mosquito repellents to protect yourself from mosquito bites. Cover the exposed areas of your skin with adequate clothing before venturing outdoors as Aedes Aegypti is a day-biting mosquito

Grow plants such as citronella, basil, lemon grass, lavender, mint, rosemary etc. in your home in order to repel mosquitoes

It would be favorable for people especially for pregnant women and women who are planning to bear a child in the near future to avoid travelling to affected areas such as Latin American countries like Brazil, and the Caribbean for some time until the situation is brought under control

Travelers suffering from of high/mild fever within two weeks of return from an affected country should report to the nearest health facility

The ZIKA virus is constantly progressing and with World Health Organization (WHO) announcing it as an international public health emergency, India needs to be extremely cognizant about the spread of this disease.

Reference material

• https://daily.bhaskar.com/news-ht/TOP-tips-and-guidelines-to-be-safe-from-zika-virus-in-india-5242958-PHO.html?seq=1
• https://www.vox.com/2016/2/2/10893526/zika-virus-disease-spread-history-cases
• https://zeenews.india.com/news/health/diseases-conditions/zika-virus-a-global-emergency-heres-all-that-you-should-know_1853028.html
• https://blogs.wsj.com/indiarealtime/2016/02/02/will-the-zika-virus-come-to-india/
• https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/new-year-new-public-health-threat/article8058917.ece
• https://indianexpress.com/article/lifestyle/health/the-zika-virus-disease-and-india-health-guidelines-and-facts-you-should-know/
• https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/should-india-fear-zika-here-s-what-you-should-know/story-tDwq8F0s3NIKQTAyQLx1vI.html

Did you know..?

More than 3.5 lakh people die of cancer each year and the estimated number of new cancers in India per year is about 7 lakhs. Cancer is the 2nd leading cause of death in India, which is mounting at an alarming rate of 11 % each year

Experts believe that almost 70% of known causes of cancers are related to lifestyle and can be prevented. Although this unexpected, life-threatening disease cannot be predicted in most cases, it can certainly be avoided to a large extent with a few simple changes in your daily life.

Taking place under the tagline ‘We can. I can., World Cancer Day 2016 will explore the ways in which people can contribute in reducing the global burden of cancer. With that intention, let’s work towards spreading cancer awareness and encourage its prevention, detection and treatment

Here are a few Everyday tips for Cancer Prevention

Make smart food choices – Cancer risk can be drastically reduced by consuming a diet that includes more of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and legumes. Cut down the consumption of salty, fatty and processed food items. Non-vegetarians should strictly limit the intake of red meat

Reduce your sugar intake – Without Sugar, your body can survive heartily but Cancer can starve to death

Experts believe that sugar is a major cancer fuel. Cancer cells derive their power from sugar hence the risk of this deadly disease can be minimized drastically by cutting down your sugar intake.

Stay hydrated – Drinking plenty of water and other liquids helps in diluting the concentration of cancer-causing agents in urine and flushing them out through the bladder thus reducing the risk of bladder cancer

Steer clear of Tobacco – Tobacco when consumed in any form, doubles risk of developing cancer. While chewing tobacco causes oral and pancreatic cancer, smoking has been associated with cancer of the lungs, bladder, cervix and kidneys

Limit alcohol consumption – Evidence links alcohol consumption to mouth & throat cancer (larynx and pharynx), oesophageal cancer, bowel cancer (colon and rectum), liver cancer and female breast cancer.

Protect yourself from harsh sun rays – There is no such thing as a safe tan. Any amount of exposure to the sun can subject the skin to harmful ultraviolet rays, thereby increasing the risk of skin cancer. Prevent skin cancer by shielding the sun-exposed areas of the body with proper clothing. When it’s sunny outside, wear long sleeved outfits, wide-brimmed cap/hat and sunglasses.

Exercise regularly – Research indicates that approximately 30 minutes of physical activity on a daily basis can decrease your cancer risk. What’s more…it also helps in maintaining an ideal body weight which could in turn lower your risk of developing breast cancer, colon cancer, lung cancer, prostate cancer and kidney cancer.

Limit the use of Mobile phones – Studies have indicated a direct link between cell phone use and cancers of the brain, nerves and other tissues of the head/neck. This is because mobile phones communicate with base stations that make extensive use of RF radiation and if the intensity of this radiation is high, it can easily increase the body temperature, thereby giving rise to a wide range of health issues.

Limit the intake of Tea and Coffee – Tea is ph value 6, while coffee is ph value 5, both of which are known to trigger acidic reactions. It can also cause major illnesses like cancer, ulcers etc. Drinking a glass of water before tea and coffee will minimize the damage.

Go for periodic health-checkups – Do not let your health take a backseat. Go for your periodic health check-ups as it can provide a better understanding of your current health status. Getting tested regularly will also help in early detection and successful treatment of many kinds of cancer.

Winter is a fantastic time to enjoy the weather outside. Dry and frosty climate instigates a plethora of health issues like cough, cold, pneumonia and acute bronchitis. What’s more… as the temperature drops, the possibility of our appetites spinning out of control increases. You may not have noticed but certain behavioral changes are triggered during this season.

In addition to lazy mornings and blanket hideouts, winter also brings with it an array of bad habits that have to be avoided in order to stay healthy.

Swear off these bad habits and promote winter health

• Not drinking enough water – Since people tend to sweat less during winter, they feel less thirsty thus resulting in reduced consumption of water. Experts believe that regardless of seasonal changes, the human body requires atleast 2 litres of water a day in order to stay hydrated. That being said, it is equally important to reduce the intake of caffeinated beverages during winter as it tends to extract water from the body. You may enjoy sipping a hot cup of tea or coffee when its cold outside but less water & more caffeine could prove to be a recipe for disaster during winter.
• Avoiding exercise – Getting out of bed during winter often seems to be a challenging task, not to mention the mere thought of exercising, going for a morning walk/jog or hitting the gym when it’s freezing outside could give you the creeps. It is important to note that any form of workout releases happy hormones that helps you stay active for most part of the day. Your winters will not be gloomy if you include some or the other form of physical activity in your daily schedule.
• Satisfying untimely hunger pangs – Untimely hunger pangs suddenly seem to spike up during winter and unfortunately most people fail to resist the temptation for fat/fried/junk food. It is essential to be more watchful about your weight during this season as most people turn to comfort food in an attempt to beat the winter chill. Having more of starchy sweets could give you momentary pleasure but this indulgence spikes the blood sugar levels, leaving your body struggling with the stress to handle the excess glucose. One way to stay healthy during winters is to eat more fresh/seasonal produce, fruits and vegetables
• Staying indoors – Frosty weather often compels people to spend most of their time indoors. People rarely feel the urge to leave their home and go outside for a stroll when the best thing they could do to warm up the body is soak up some winter sun
• Sleeping in excess – Sleep is actually the best way to recharge the batteries of your body but as experts say, excess of anything is bad for health. The cold weather naturally makes you lethargic which is why people end up spending more time in bed. It is important to note that sleeping too much during winter disrupts the normal sleep-wake cycle which is why it is detrimental to your overall well being
• Having long hot showers – Long hot showers are soothing and could give the desired effect of warming up the body during winter but it is important to know that hot water dries and damages the skin leaving it dry, scaly and itchy at times. Switch to lukewarm water instead and do not forget to apply a good quality moisturizer after every shower, while your skin is still semi-wet. This will help in keeping the moisture intact.
• Over consumption of alcoholic beverages – Most people believe that enjoying a drink or two is the perfect way to beat the winter chill but as per recent findings, excess consumption of alcoholic beverages lowers the core body temperature hence is bad for the overall health. This isn’t the only bad thing about drinking alcohol when it’s cold outside.  Another study indicates that drinking alcohol in cold weather also reduces the body’s ability and tendency to shiver, taking away yet another method your body uses to help keep warm when it is cold.
• Omitting sunscreen – 80% of women’s wrinkles is caused by excessive sun exposure. As compared to any other season, UVA rays during wintertime are almost equally intense during daylight hours.  Apply a generous portion of sunscreen and cover up the exposed areas of your skin before stepping out in the sun.
• Practicing Self-medication too often – The habit of popping cough & cold medicines like dietary supplements isn’t good for the overall health. Although these drugs may give you temporary relief from your symptoms, they harm the immune system to a large extent.