World AIDS Day- 01/12/2014

World AIDS Day

World AIDS Day, observed on 01 December in every year, is one of the official public health campaigns, initiated by World Health Organization. All over the world including government organizations, educational institutions and non-governmental organizations observe the day, giving importance to raise the awareness against prevention and control of AIDS pandemic, which is caused by HIV virus.

The facts of HIV

Human Immunodeficiency Virus attacks the body's immune system and higher the chance of getting secondary infection. This virus is transmitted mainly through sexual contact without a condom and by sharing infected needles or equipment. This is the fact that 90% of people are getting infected through the unprotected sexual contact. No one could develop vaccine yet, thus, no cure for HIV.

The main aim of observing World AIDS Day is to create awareness regarding route of transmission, prevention and control measures including use of condoms and disposable syringes.

The theme of World AIDS Day 2014 is closing the gap between prevention and treatment. To achieve 'Zero HIV case' in 2030, we have to close the gap between the people who have access to HIV prevention and treatment and who haven't.

Thrombophlebitis

(Image by User:Mattes (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons)

Thrombophlebitis or phlebitis is the inflammation of vein. It may occur due to thrombus (blood clot). These blood clots are formed because of injury or prolonged immobility. Here, I am going to write about the phlebitis related to improper insertion of IV cannula, its mechanism, treatment and preventive measures.

Inflammation of superficial veins is might be due to injury, for example, when one does not insert the IV cannula properly or attempts to insert the IV cannula 2-3 times, it may irritate the vein wall.  It causes profuse bleeding. Immediately after endothelial cell  injury, platelets are activated.This response initiates leukocyte rolling and forms blood clots, which stick into the wall of the vein. The formation of blood clots in the dermis layer called as thrombosis. It leads to inflammatory reaction. The combination of inflammation and thrombosis leads to thrombophlebitis. Signs are swelling, redness, warm and pain in touch.

About the resolution of inflammation,  a number of pro-inflammatory factors including IL-1Beta and Tumor Necrosis Factor and monocytes influx into the thrombus. It is denatured by the circulating enzymes and absorbed into the blood circulation. This phenomena is called as thrombolysis.The thrombophlebitis will be resolved within 2-7 days.

Treatment

• Elevate the affected area
• Apply warm moist pack for 15-20 minutes
• Apply Glycerin Magnesium Sulfate paste for relieving inflammation and pain
• Analgesics and anti inflammatory medications can be prescribed

Preventive measures

• Must change the IV cannula after 72 hours(3 days)
• While inserting IV line, if swelling appears, withdraw it immediately and compress the area with cotton for 5 minutes.
• After infusion of medication, flush the IV cannula with normal saline or Hep Flush (Heparin lock Flush Injection).
• Inspect the area for any signs of infection such as swelling, redness, warm and pain in touch. If there are any signs of infection, remove the IV cannula and opt another site for insertion.

Ebola Virus Disease

(Image by See Source [CC-BY-2.5 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5)], via Wikimedia Commons)

Ebola Virus Disease

Since the past two decades, the world has been experiencing the outbreaks of viral diseases such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, Bird flu and Swine flu. Now, we are experiencing the outbreak of Ebola virus.

The Ebola virus disease or Ebola, is a disease caused by Ebola virus in humans and other primates. It was firstly identified in 1976 in two different outbreaks- one in Sudan and the other in Zaire.The main factors contributing for an outbreak is, human activities like changes in land use, urbanization, high density population in cities, climate change and under utilization of health care systems.

The incubation period is 2-20 days.The Ebola infection shows a sudden onset of the disease resulting fever, chills and malaise. Later it progresses to vomiting, diarrhea and hemorrhagic conditions at its peak.Finally, it results in uncontrolled bleeding, shock, convulsions and severe metabolic disorders. The death of the victim usually occurs within about two weeks.

The African Fruit Bat is considered to be the natural host for the Ebola viruses as well as the major sources of human infection.It can be spread through direct contact with body fluids of an infected person which includes blood, urine, saliva, semen and indirect contact with environment contaminated with fluids. It does not spread through air.

Currently no drug or vaccine can cure this disease. So, it is very important to focus on reduce the risk of wildlife to human transmission and human to human transmission. The outbreak containment measures are safe burial of infected people,quarantine measures for 21 days, maintain clean environment and practice hygienic measures.

Sure, this outbreak will subside one day, though only after consuming many lives.  At the same time, when it reappears, the world will be ready with high tech weapons to fight it...hopefully...

World Diabetes Day- 14 November

(Image by International Diabetes Foundation [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons)

World Diabetes Day- 14 November 2014

It is a primary global awareness campaign for diabetes mellitus and is held on 14 November of each year. It was introduced by the International Diabetes Federation and the World Health Organization in 1991. The day marks the birthday of Frederick Banting who discovered insulin in 1922.

Each year, it focuses on a theme related to diabetes mellitus. Themes in the past were diabetes and human rights, diabetes and lifestyle and the cost of diabetes. Recent themes include 

• 2007-2008: Diabetes in children and adolescents
• 2009-2013: Diabetes education and prevention
• 2014-2016: Healthy living and diabetes

The World Diabetes Day Logo

The circle symbolizes life and health. The color 'blue' represents sky that unites all nations. The blue circle signifies the unity of the diabetes community world wide in response to the diabetic pandemic.

Activities

Activities include health camp, free screening, public information meeting, poster presentation, workshop, newspaper article, walk, run, cycle race, quiz program, debate session, diabetic diet exhibition, public health education program, puppet show, radio and television programs.

To conclude,

World Diabetes Day 2014

Maternal Near Miss(MNO)

Maternal Near Miss/ Obstetric Near Miss

A ' near miss' is an unplanned event that didnot result in injury or damage, but had the potential. This is a fortunate break in the events prevented an injury or death. This term actually represents safety.

A maternal near miss case is defined as 'women who nearly die but survived from complications that occurred during pregnancy, child birth or with in 42 days of termination of pregnancy. In practical terms, those who survived from life threatening situations during those minutes.

The concept has been coined by WHO, to focus on the health system failures in relation to obstetric care.

The CBH criteria( Cairns Base Hospital, Far North Queensland) for potential cases of ONM are

• any admission to ICU
• APH/PPH requiring operative interventions
• severe pre-eclampsia
• pulmonary embolism
• ruptured ectopic pregnancy
• shock

The proposed WHO Near Miss Criteria

Near Miss Criteria(WHO)

The near miss audits in hospitals based on WHO criteria, will help to analyse the ill women, identify the deficiencies in the care and able to do comparisons between or within the countries. This will, ultimately, help to reduce the maternal morbidity and mortality worldwide.