SWINE FLU VACCINE

MYTHS & FACTS ABOUT THE

SWINE FLU VACCINE

When will we have the Swine flu (H1 Ni) Vaccine available in India ?
It is expected that imported vaccine may be available by February, 2010. and will be used predominantly for high risk group of  health care workers. Indigenous vaccine is in the process of being produced but is not expected until April, 2010.

How  effective is the vaccination ?

Seasonal flu vaccines, which have been available for several years, help provide around 70-80% protection against flu virus strains. Swine Flu vaccines are produced to match the exact H1 N1 strain and are likely have similar effectiveness against the disease.

Who is at high risk for Seasonal flu ?

In addition to health care workers, all patients with long standing lung, heart, liver or kidney problems and also those with diabetes or any underlying problem that could suppress their immunity are at risk. It is recommended that this high-risk population take the Seasonal Flu Vaccine every ye4ar usually around October/November.

And for Swine Flu ?

All patients who are at high risk for seasonal flu are also at risk for Swine Flu. In addition, young children, pregnant women and those with diseases that compromise their immune system )Cancer or AIDS) , are at risk.

Is it safe to take the vaccine when available ?

Vaccine would not be licensed if they rare considered unsafe. However, some rare side effects cannot be excluded until the vaccine has been used in larger populations.

The writer is the Director of Critical Care Service, Apollo Hospitals, and the Director of city-based Nithra Institute of Sleep Sciences.

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CHALLENGES

Breaking dawn

As the sun rises.......

Adding a new day to my life,

Turning some moments into memories,

Some sweet as sugar, some sour as lime.....

My eyes filled with desires,
Heart full of hopes,
To meet a new change, maybe a new beginning....


But no ! I fear the breaking dawn taking me away from the past.
There is a fear in my mind. I fear tomorrow.


Memories discourage me....
I want to go back to the past yesterday.
Those beautiful moments....
More as sugar rather than lime
More lively desires
More fulfilled hopes
Easy changes, conquered challenges,
Loving life.

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LOVE

Thirst for love

I know not the day, month or year

Nor did the cuckoo's song I hear

I saw not the spring and winter go past

I felt not any hunger nor thirs.

I am shy for reasons unknown,

And heart is heavy with desire unknown.

Mind is in despair and feels a pain

As if life is hollow and living in vain.

If love is so tough, cruel and mad,

Why do all long for love, when sad ?

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MODE OF TRANSMISSION

Efficiency of different routes of HIV transmission and their contribution to total number of cases in India

Exposure Route                              Per cent            Percentage
                                                       Efficiency              of cases
                                                     (World over)            (India)*
 Blood transfusion                            90-95                       3.33
 Perinatal                                          20-40                       2.13
 Sexual Intercourse                        0.1to 1                     84.34
 Male-to-female,unprotected
                vaginal sex                      0.1-0.2                        3.50
 Female-to-male,unprotected 
                vaginal sex(b)                0.033-0.1
 Male to -male, unprotected
                      anal sex                        0.5-3.0
 Injecting drugs use                          0.5-1.0
 Needle stick exposure                       <0.5
 **


(Source* NACO, Monthly report November 2001**
                 

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EPIDEMIOLOGY OF HIV/AIDS

HIV/AIDS

HIV is still incurable disease in the world. it affects all the aspects of the society. it affects during the bread  winning years of the life so, not only the patient, the family and the country also suffers. The  disease has spread across the world. But, the developing countries are worst affected. Ever since the disease was discovered the incidence and prevalence are increasing.

EPIDEMIOLOGICAL FACTORS:

AGENT:  It is a single stranded RNA virus  of LentiVirinea family.  It has two types  HIV 1 and HIV2.

It has unique enzyme reverse transcriptase, which makes copies of viral ribonucleic acid and integrates in the host chromosome. It is easily inactivated by available disinfectants and sunlight.  The source of infection is contaminated blood and body fluids.

 HOST: The economically productive age group that is 15 to 44 is the most vulnerable age of this disease. In India sexual transmission is the most common route of transmission. The presence of STD, increase the 

frequency of sexual exposure, the mixing of population forms the risk factors for HIV infection.

ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS:

The Socio cultural factors, which are responsible for HIV transmission, are:

1.Low literacy

2.Urbanization

3. Imprisonment

4.High mobility

5.Migration and separation from family

6.Drug use & Alcohol use

MODE OF TRANSMISSION

               The sexual mode of transmission is the most common mode of transmission in India.

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PREJUDICES

STORY OF HANDICAP

Continue................

                       His father said calmly , "You should be more careful, Sekhar. Don't be upset, " and went into his room. But Sekhar's mother seemed very agitated. "Mom," said Sekhar, "i have spoken to the groundsman, and if he finds the ring he will bring it tomorrow. " Sekhar did not want to tell his mother that his ring could have fallen in Muthu's bowl, because she might misunderstand Muthu.

"If the groundsman finds it, do you think he'll bring it ? Are the poor so virtuous ? If so, why would they be so poof ? They would be quite well off, " said Parimalam, But Sekhar replied, "No, Mom, it is because they are virtuous, they are poor. " "You don't understand the ways of the world. go and study, "said his mother in a huff.

Sekhar's mind was not on his lessons. "What prejudiced ideas my mother has about the poor ! Don't the poor have any self-esteem ? aren't there good people among the poor ? Don't they have virtues ?" He was very upset and dropped off to sleep.

The next morning when sekhar was reading the sports page in the newspaper, somebody at the gate called him. He ran to the gate and was surprised to see Muthu standing there with his son, Sundaram. He did not come there to get his eyes tested but to return the gold ring that he found in the bowl.

Continue..........

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