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COVID 19 Q & A.

1) Dok, ano po ba ang COVID 19?

Ang COVID 19 ay isang corona virus na nanggaling at na diskubre sa Wuhan, China nung 2019 at lubhang nakaka- hawa at nagdudulot ng infection.


2) Ano ang mga sintomas ng COVID 19?

Ang mga taong na expose sa  Covid pagkatapos ng 2-14 araw ay maaring makaramdam ng
a)Ubo
b)Hirap ng paghinga o pag ka hapo.
c)Lagnat
d) Panga-ngatog o chills
e)Sakit ng lalamunan o sorethroat
f)Sakit ng kalamnan o muscle pain.
g)Pagkawala ng panlasa at pang amoy
Maari din makaramdam ng ibang sintomas tulad ng pagsusuka, sakit ng tiyan, pag ta-tae o diarrhea, mga sintomas sa balat tulad ng rashes at iba pa.

3)Kailan po ba dapat emergency o agaran mag pa-konsulta o pumunta sa ospital?

Magpunta sa lalong madaling panahon sa ospital o sa kina-uukulan sa kalusugan kung meron ng mga sumusunod:
a) Sobrang hirap sa paghinga
b)Pagka hingal
c)Matinding pananakit o mabigat ng dibdib na hindi nawawala
d)Pagkalito o malalang pagkabalisa
e)Nahihirapang manatiling gising o sobrang pag ka antok
f)Nangi-ngitim na ang labi pati ang mukha( kulang na sa Oxygen!)

4) Dok, ano po dapat gawin para maiwasan o protektahan ang sarili laban sa Covid?

Makakabuti para sa lahat ang gawin ang mga sumusunod:
a)Isagawa ang Physical Distancing!
Iwasan ang madaming tao at pag dikit-dikit .Dapat may isang metrong distansya
Stay home o manatili sa bahay ang pinaka mabuti.
b)Mag hugas ng kamay!
Dapat tumagal ng at least 20 segundo (sing Happy Birthday 2X ).maari ring gumamit ng alcohol at disinfectant para sa kamay
c)Iwasan hawakan ang Bibig ,Ilong at Mata.
Ito kasi ang paraan para makapasok ang virus sa ating katawan.
d)Gawin ang tamang pag ubo at pag bahin(sneeze).
Gumamit ng tissue para takpan ang bibig at ilong o gamitin ang braso.(wag kalimutan itapon ang gamit na tissue, ang braso re-usable!)
e) Ang face mask ay nakaka-tulong para di kumalat ang droplets galing sa ilong at bibig.
Pwede rin gumamint ng mga re-usable masks gawa sa tela, bandana pati panyo.

What is EVD, Ebola Virus Disease ?

Image from TIME

What is the Ebola Virus Disease ( EVD ) ? #Ebola #EVD

 Ebola virus disease ( EVD ) was formerly known as hemorrhagic fever and one of at least 30 known viruses that is capable of causing hemorrhagic fever syndrome much like the viruses that cause Dengue Hemorrhagic fever spread by mosquitoes (Aedes aegypti).

Ebola virus of the Filovirus family was first discovered in 1976 in the Democratic Republic of Congo near the Ebola River and since then was found in Nigeria, Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia. The disease is spread by close contact of body fluids, infected blood, body tissue and possibly air borne. Transmission maybe by primary exposure  which usually is travel or stay at Ebola endemic area or by secondary exposure  like human to human contact like family caregivers and  medical caregivers .

 Early sign and symptoms of the disease may include fever and chills, headache, muscle pain, abdominal pain, pharyngitis, maculopapular rash, bilateral conjunctival injection.  Later findings may include myocarditis and pulmonary edema, bleeding from mucous membrane, hypotension, tachypnea, anuria and coma. Incubation period in human infections with African-derived Ebolavirus species is typically 3-8 days and slightly longer in some cases.

    At present there is no known specific therapy available that is proven effective for the treatment of Ebola hemorrhagic fever and also no commercially available vaccine. Management is mainly supportive but may include replacement of coagulation factors and heparin if disseminated intravascular coagulation appears.

Prognosis for the disease list mortality rates ranging from 50 to 90 percent that usually arises from disseminated intravascular coagulation.

    It is interesting to note among us Filipinos that the fourth Ebola virus species, the Reston ebolavirus was first isolated in 1989( Reston, Virginia) in macaque monkeys imported from a single Philippine exporter and in 1992 in Siena Italy, a virtually identical isolate came from the same Philippine exporter. Up to this date, this species has not been documented to cause human disease and that's good news.

Palawan monkey

Disclaimer:
 Articles on this blog should be taken for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace actual medical advice and consultation with a physician and other health practitioners.

What is Tigdas, Measles or Rubeola ?

Tigdas, Measles, Rubeola  is an infectious disease considered  as one of the most contagious conditions affecting 9 out of 10 people in susceptible domestic contacts. Rubeola (Measles) is one of the Viral Exanthems that also includes, Rubella (German Measles or 3 day measles, "tigdas hangin"), Roseola Infantum and Erythema  Infectiosum (Human Parvovirus). It mostly involve the young ones but people off all ages can be also be affected.
The Morbillivirus is the responsible  etiologic agent and transmission is by droplets of nasophayngeal secretions thru coughing, sneezing and physical contact. Incubation period usually ranges from 7-18 days with the usual average of  10 days after exposure to the virus. The first usual sign is high grade fever, often above 39 degree Centigrade and lasting for 4-7 days. The prodromal phase is marked by the classic triad of Cough, Conjunctivitis and Coryza ( 3 C"s) with accompanying anorexia, photophobia, irritability and body malaise.

The rash usually spreads from forehead to trunk in about 1-2 days duration which on the average develops about 14 days after exposure to the virus. The rash may be slightly elevated and mild pruritus may also occur.

The treatment of measles is  generally supportive care  which means control of body temperature by antipyretics (Paracetamol), good hydration and replacement of fluids lost thru moisture evaporation in skin, emesis and diarrhea (Oral Rehydrating Salts "ORS"). Pruritus may be controlled with antihistamines (Cetirizine, Diphenhydramine etc.). It is also noteworthy to mention that Vitamin A supplements have been associated with a marked reduction (about  50%) in morbidity and mortality and regarded essential in preventing blindness and eye damage.

The usual complication of measles is Pneumonia, occuring about 3-10% of affected patients followed by Ear Infection (Otitis Media), severe dehydration, Pneumonitis and in severe cases, Encephalitis occuring in 1 out of 1000 measles cases and causing death in 1-2 % of affected patients.

Vaginal Itching or Burning "Makati at Mahapdi" : Candida Vulvovaginitis

A 28 -year old mother of two, consulted for persistent itching and burning sensation " makati at mahapdi " at the genital area of one week duration with associated thick 
whitish vaginal discharge. Patient also complains of pain during urination and sexual intercourse.

On physical examination, there is edema and erythema of the vestibule, the labia majora and the labia minora. Some of the rash extended to the inner thighs and perineum. A white, thick, curd like, non foul-smelling  vaginal discharge is also present .The medical history and thorough physical examination convinced me that the patient is suffering from. Vaginitis, most probably Candida Vulvovaginitis . Patient 
was prescribed a single  oral dose of Fluconazole 150mg tablet and  to use Povidone-Iodine Feminine wash  2-3x a day until symptoms subsides.

Patient was also advised to wear loose-fitting clothes and use cotton underwear and if possible refrain from wearing underwear during bedtime to avoid the warm and moist climate which is conducive to the growth of Candida. Clinic follow-up after one week was also advised.

Infection of the vagina or vaginitis is considered the most common gynecological condition seen in the clinic and it is usually diagnosed based on the presence vaginal discomfort , abnormal discharge or both. To maintain a normal healthy environment in the area, a daily vaginal discharge flows that is normally clear and odorless. Variance in the color , smell, amount, consistency of the discharge and additional burning or itching sensation could mean an imbalance of healthy bacteria in the vagina thus causing vaginitis.

Bacterial vaginosis accounts for 40-45%  while vaginal vulvovaginitis is second with 20-25% and lastly trichomoniasis at 15-20% for all cases of symptomatic vaginitis. A lot of cases are also mixed infections.

In vulvovaginal candidiasis, the causative agent belongs to the genus Candida, which is found in most  humans and many animals. Conditions can be acute , chronic, and recurrent and may prove to be a challenge to some practitioners. There are some factors that predisposes to the growth of Candida  and pregnancy is the most common condition. High doses of estrogens in some contraceptives also increase  vaginal colonization by Candida. Use of antibiotics, more so the prolonged use,  and also decreased or altered immune response and diabetes mellitus predisposes  one to Candida vulvovaginitis.

The prominent symptom in acute vulvovaginitis  is pruritus and burning sensation in the vulvar area and is aggravated during urination and after sexual intercourse. 
Management and treatment involves the use  of anti-fungals, both vaginal suppositories and oral tablets. Feminine wash are also prescribed to maintain the ideal vaginal ph.


Images from A.D.A.M., Google Images.

Disclaimer:
Articles on this blog should be taken for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace actual medical advice and consultation with a physician and other health practitioners.