The Wildfire That Is H1N1

I mean seriously, H1N1 after its declaration as a pandemic by the WHO, has spread through the whole world like an uncontrollable wildfire. Many cases have been recorded in Malaysia, and you see everyday now in the news that colleges and schools were closed due to the increasing cases of swine flu infection among the students. The symptoms which are somewhat similar to the typical flu and fever makes people even more paranoid. Even I am! I am now feeling slightly unwell, with feverish feeling and I can't help but thinking 'Gosh could it be that I caught a H1Ni virus?' Seriously I hoped that I'm not. I'm too freaked out to go and see a doctor, but so far after a few doses of Paracetamol and a good night sleep (I slept for 12 hours last night! wowww), I think everything is under control (fingers crossed).

Anyway, here is some Q&A about H1N1, courtesy of article by BBC News:

Swine flu is a respiratory disease, caused by a strain of the influenza type A virus known as H1N1.

H1N1 is the same strain which causes seasonal outbreaks of flu in humans on a regular basis.

But this latest version of H1N1 is different: it contains genetic material that is typically found in strains of the virus that affect humans, birds and swine.

Although the strain may have originated in pigs, it is now a wholly human disease.

It can be spread from person to person by coughing and sneezing.

Symptoms of swine flu in humans appear to be similar to those produced by standard, seasonal flu.

A fever - which is a temperature of 38ºC (100.4ºF) - is the key symptom, combined with other complaints which may include a cough, sore throat, body aches, chills and aching limbs. Some people with the virus have also reported nausea and diarrhoea.

As with normal flu, the severity of symptoms will depend on treatment and the individual. Many people have only suffered mildly and have begun to recover within a week.

People are most infectious soon after they develop symptoms, but they cease to be a risk once those symptoms have disappeared. The incubation period may be as little as two days.

We haven't seen a pandemic of this magnitude since 1968 (according to the records, how should I know, I wasn't even born yet). Apparently the the most devastating outbreaks in human history was the Spanish Flu in 1918. 40% of the world were infected and more than 50million died! That is just some scary shit. But then, according to a statement by WHO, the H1N1; now affecting over 160 countries is still in it s early stage and could continue to spread now, perhaps could infect up to 2 billion people in the next two years! I suggest all of us to limit our outdoor activities, because reading all this is just frightening to the core.

Here's a website which I think is very useful to instill awareness and knowledge about the swine flu. Take good care of yourself...

HSE Tips: Post No 4

Today's HSE post is about what causes liver damage. Article is courtesy of our weekly HSE bulletin.

The main causes of liver damage are:

1. Sleeping too late and waking up too late are main cause.
2. Not urinating in the morning.
3. Too much eating.
4. Skipping breakfast.
5. Consuming too much medication.
6. Consuming too much preservatives, additives, food coloring, and artificial sweetener.
7. Consuming unhealthy cooking oil. As much as possible reduce cooking oil use when frying, which includes even the best cooking oils like olive oil. Do not consume fried foods when you are tired, except if the body is very fit.
8. Consuming raw (overly done) foods also add to the burden of liver.

Veggies should be eaten raw or cooked 3-5 parts. Fried veggies should be finished in one sitting, do not store.

We should prevent this without necessarily spending more. We just have to adopt a good daily lifestyle and eating habits. Maintaining good eating habits and time condition are very important for our bodies to absorb and get rid of unnecessary chemicals according to 'schedule.'

HSE Tips: Post No.3

One staff came with complain of chest pain and breathless during exertion. ECG test was performed on him and the result is abnormal. He has been referred to cardiologist for heart assessment.
A heart attack usually occurs when a blood clot blocks the flow of blood through a coronary.
Interrupted blood flow to your heart can damage or destroy part of the heart muscle.


SYMPTOMS





Pressure, fullness or a squeezing pain in the center of your chest that lasts for more than a few minutes.
Pain extending beyond your chest to your shoulder, arm, back, or even to your teeth and jaw.
Increasing episodes of chest pain.
Prolonged pain in the upper abdomen.
Shortness of breath and sweating.
Impending sense of doom.
Fainting.
Nausea and vomiting.


Normal ECG with symptoms above needs to be further evaluated by Physician.


CAUSES
One or more of the arteries supplying your heart with oxygen-rich blood become blocked.
During a heart attack, one of these plaques can rupture and a blood clot forms on the site of the rupture.
If the clot is large enough, it can block the flow of blood through the artery.
The lack of blood flow to the heart also may trigger irregular heart rhythms that can be fatal.
A coronary artery can become narrowed from the buildup of cholesterol. This buildup collectively known as plaques.
An uncommon cause of a heart attack is a spasm of a coronary artery that shuts down blood flow to part of the heart muscle. Example drugs effect, such as cocaine.


COMPLICATIONS

Abnormal heart rhythms.
Heart rupture.
Heart failure



TREATMENT

MEDICINES FOR HEART ATTACKS such as aspirin, cholesterol lowering medicine and etc.
SURGERY – coronary bypass. Other procedures such as stenting and etc.



PREVENTION
Don't smoke.
Check your cholesterol.
Get regular medical checkups.
Control your blood pressure and manage stress.
Exercise regularly and maintain a healthy weight.
Eat healthy diet.

HSE Tips: Post No.2

Here's an awareness advert of safe driving. Simple but effective; it focuses on the usual distractions we tend to make when driving (I know this because I happened to do one of them quite frequently). Enjoy, and drive safely:)

HSE Tips: Post No.1

For the place I'm working at, safety is the pinnacle in our day to day operations. There is a saying in our practice, 'No work is so urgent that we cannot take time to do it safely'. For that, I think it's good to have some safety and health tips to be shared to all of you; courtesy of the Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) department. To be honest, I'm not entirely sure of the relevancy of these tips, so I'm open to comments!

Health - Important Tips

Answer the phone by LEFT ear

Do not drink coffee TWICE a day

Do not take pills with COOL water

Do not have HUGE meals after 5pm

Reduce the amount of TEA you consume

Reduce the amount of OILY food you consume

Drink more WATER in the morning, less at night

Keep your distance from hand phone CHARGERS

Do not use headphones/earphone for LONG period of time

Best sleeping time is from 10pm at night to 6am in the morning

Do not lie down immediately after taking medicine before sleeping

When battery is down to the LAST grid/bar, do not answer the phone as the radiation is 1000 times