Bird Flu or Avian Influenza

Bird flu or Avian Influenza is a contagious disease of birds ranging from mild to severe form of illness.

The outbreaks affecting some Asian countries caused by influenza A/H5N1 virus may also cause severe infection in humans.

Bird Flu is transmitted to humans through inhalation or contamination with infected discharges or feces of sick chicken.

Signs and Symptoms
Fever
Body weakness or muscle pain
Cough
Sore throat
Sore eyes and/or diarrhea
In severe cases, difficulty of breathing in a week’s time from onset


Treatment
Treatment of Bird Flu in humans is the same as the treatment for other influenza viruses. Antiviral drugs like Oseltamivir halt the progress of the illness if given within the first two days from the onset of fever.

Prevention
Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water before and after handling live and dressed chicken.
Cook chicken thoroughly.
Do not put live chicken, ducks, and pigs together in one cage or pen area.
Do not catch, get near or keep in captivity wild birds.
Do not handle sick or dead birds with bare hands. Use facial masks, goggles, and gloves or plastic material for the hands.
Report to the nearest agricultural or veterinary office any unusual death or illness of chicken and other birds.
Report to the nearest local health centers any case of respiratory illness with history of exposure to sick chickens and other birds.

CM, GMANews.TV

Source: Department of Health

Canker Sores or "Singaw" (Aphthous Stomatitis)

 Canker sores, "Singaw"or Aphthous stomatitis is a benign autoimmune condition that is usually due to nutritional deficiencies arising from lack of Iron, Vitamin B12 or Folic Acid.
Aphthous stomatitis are among the most common oral mucosal lesions physicians and dentists observe. Recurrent aphthous ulcer is a disorder of unknown etiology that can cause clinically significant morbidity. One or several discrete, shallow, painful ulcers are visible on the unattached mucous membranes. Individual ulcers typically last 7-10 days. Larger ulcers may last several weeks to months and can scar when healing.

Management usually begins with good oral hygiene and by avoiding toothpaste containing Sodium Lauryl SO4.Chlorhexidine Gluconate[Orahex] mouhwash preferably alcohol free can also help lessen the severity and course of the discomfort.
Multivitamins with iron are recommended but do not have any clear benefit unless the patient has laboratory-confirmed hematinic deficiency.Vitamin B12 and Folic Acid may also be prescribed if patient shows signs of deficiency or malnutrition.

The easiest home remedy is to apply hydrogen peroxide with a cotton swab on the canker sore (1 part hydrogen peroxide to 1 part water). Then dab a small amount of milk of magnesia on the canker sore 3-4 times a day. This is not only soothing, but it appears to help healing