Dengue

There is an outbreak of Dengue Fever throughout Malaysia and there is increasing number of reported cases in Penang Bayan Baru, Sungai Ara, Relau, Air Itam, Bukit Mertajam and etc.

What is Dengue Fever? 

Dengue fever is  caused by the  Dengue  Virus  through the bite of the Aedes mosquito . No specific medication is available  in the treatment of  the disease. Therefore, prevention is of utmost importance.

What are the signs and symptoms:

·        Sudden high fever (39-40c)

·        Severe pain in the bones, muscles, joints, eyeballs

·        Headache

·        Hemorrhage (bleeding) in the nose, mouth and body

·        Red spots on the skin

·        Loss of appetite, Fatigue

·        Vomiting/Nausea

·        Stomachache

However serious problems can develop. These include dengue hemorrhagic fever, a complication with HIGH FEVER, damage to lymph and blood vessels, bleeding from the nose and gums, enlargement of the liver.

The symptoms may progress to massive bleeding, shock and death. People with weakened immune systems as well as those with a second or subsequent dengue infection are believed to be at greater risk for developing dengue hemorrhagic fever.

If you developed signs and symptoms as mentioned, kindly proceed to the nearest GOVERNMENT CLINIC (KLINIK KESIHATAN) for Dengue rapid test, the result will be ready in 10 minutes time.

 Where does the mosquito breed?

·        Dengue mosquitoes breed in stored, exposed, water collections.

·        The favored breeding places are  barrels, drums, jars, pots, buckets, flower vases, plant saucers, tanks, discarded bottles/tins, tyres, water coolers, etc where rainwater collects or is stored.  

  What can we do?

  1) Destroy  the  breeding grounds:

·       Cover all water storage vessels or add  Abate into the water to kill the larva.

·       Change the water in flower vases  frequently, at least once every week

·       Empty Water collection from  the following:

     - flower pot  sauces ,

     -rain water gutters   

    - containers such as cans and bottles, plastic bags,

   2) Destroy the adult Aedes mosquito:

·          Spraying aerosol  (it can kill the adult Aedes mosquitoes  ) 

·          Fogging.  ( for effective fogging, occupants are advised to allow fogging inside the house.This is carried out by designated Health officials)    

  3) Minimize exposure to mosquitoes:

·         Sleeping under a mosquito net.

·        Avoid outdoor night time activities.

·        Avoid dark colored clothing, perfume, cologne and after-shave.

·        Wear clothing  that cover arms and legs. (The mosquito usually                                  attacks  between 6-8am and 6-8pm.)

·        Use  the following  insecticides:

 - aerosol  spray  in the room to kill mosquitoes before sleeping.  Allow 30mins to       lapse after spraying room.   

 - mosquito coils or vaporizing mats containing a pyrethrin. 

 -  mosquito repellents. 

Zika Virus Disease.

What is Zika virus disease (Zika)?

Zika is a disease caused by Zika virus that is spread to people primarily through the bite of an infected Aedes species mosquito.

What are the symptoms of Zika?

Many people might not realize they have been infected.    Symptoms typically begin 2 to 7 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito.

The most common symptoms of Zika virus disease are fever, rash, joint pain, or conjunctivitis (red eyes).

How is Zika transmitted?

Zika is primarily transmitted through the bite of infected Aedes mosquitoes, the same mosquitoes that spread Chikungunya and dengue.

Mosquitoes become infected when they bite a person already infected with the virus. Infected mosquitoes can then spread the virus to other people through bites.

Who is at risk of being infected?

Anyone who is living in or traveling to an area where Zika virus is found like South America.

It can also be transmitted from a pregnant mother to her baby during pregnancy or around the time of birth.

What can people do to prevent becoming infected with Zika?

There is no vaccine to prevent Zika.

The best way to prevent diseases spread by mosquitoes is to avoid being bitten. Here’s how:

·         Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants.

·         Stay in places with air conditioning or that use window and door screens to keep mosquitoes outside.

·         Use insect repellents.

·         If you have a baby or child:

o    Do not use insect repellent on babies younger than 2 months of age.

o    Dress your child in clothing that covers arms and legs, or

o    Cover crib, stroller, and baby carrier with mosquito netting.

o    Do not apply insect repellent onto a child’s hands, eyes, mouth, and cut or irritated skin.

·         Sleep under a mosquito bed net if you are outside and are not able to protect yourself from mosquito bites.

·         Pregnancy mother avoid travel to affected countries like South America

What should I do if I have Zika?

There is no vaccine or specific medicine to treat Zika virus infections. 

Treat the symptoms:

• Get plenty of rest

·         Drink fluids to prevent dehydration

·         Take medicine such as Paracetamol to reduce fever and pain

First Killer in Malaysia.

In Malaysia, the number 1 killer in terms of diseases and health-related problems is coronary heart disease.

It occurs as a result of the accumulation of fat tissue fibers in the arterial wall. This stack can cause coronary arteries become narrow and blocked.

Types of Heart Disease

1.      Congenital heart disease (since pre-birth)

(i)                  Holes in the heart

(ii)                Heart valves defect

2.      Non Congenital Heart Disease ( due to unhealthy lifestyle or infection)

(i)                  Rheumatic heart disease

(ii)                Infective heart disease

(iii)               Coronary heart disease

Heart Attack Symptoms

1.       Difficulty in breathing

2.       Squeezing chest pain in the center or left side of the chest and spread over to left hand and neck.

3.       Crushing chest pain that may cause patient to faint

4.       Breaking out in a cold sweat

5.       Feeling cold despite of the hot ambient temperatures

6.       Dizziness and nausea

Risk Factors

1.       Age

2.       Gender : Research has shown that man have a greater risk than women do

3.       Heredity

Prevention

1.       Perform variety exercises such as walking, jogging, aerobic and sports.

2.       Practice healthy eating

·         Balanced the food intake

·         Eat rice and other cereal products sufficiently especially wholegrain products.

·         Eat more vegetables and fruits

·         Choose low fat and low cholesterol food

·         Choose less sugar and less salt food

3.       Monitor your weight by achieve the ideal body mass index (BMI)

4.       Control your stress

5.       Control your Diabetes

6.       Do periodic health examination

How to Calculate BMI?

Please do not become next victim of first killer! 

Hypertension

What is Hypertension?

Hypertension also known as high blood pressure or arterial hypertension in which the blood pressure in the arteries is persistently elevated.

Blood pressure is expressed by two measurements, the systolic and diastolic pressures, which are the maximum and minimum pressures.

The systolic pressure occurs when the left ventricle is most contracted;

The diastolic pressure occurs when the left ventricle is most relaxed prior to the next contraction.

Normal blood pressure at rest is within the range of 100–140 millimeters mercury (mmHg) systolic and 60–90 mmHg diastolic.

Hypertension is present if the blood pressure is persistently at or above 140/90 mmHg for most adults;

Causes of Hypertension

Ways of Prevention

• Maintain normal body weight for adults (e.g. body mass index 20–25 kg/m²)
• Reduce dietary sodium intake (<6 g of sodium chloride or <2.4 g of sodium per day)
• Engage in regular aerobic physical activity such as brisk walking (≥30 min per day, most days of the week)
• Limit alcohol consumption to no more than 3 units/day in men and no more than 2 units/day in women
• Consume a diet rich in fruit and vegetables (e.g. at least five portions per day);
• Drinking less coffee & other high caffeine drinks such as cola
• Relaxation therapies such as meditation and stress management
• Quit smoking

Everyone kindly take good care of your HEALTH because HEALTH IS WEALTH.