Medical advancement has been able to conquer all types of diseases in today's scenario. There are different types of cures and vaccines available in the medicinal world for almost every fatal disease that human beings are vulnerable too. However, there is a long list of diseases still irk human race, some diseases remain feral, and no cure has been developed for them until now. Chikungunya is one such disease.
What is Chikungunya Virus, after all?
The Chikungunya Virus, also popularly known as Chikungunya fever, is a human viral disease that is not transmitted from one person to another. An infected Culex or Aedes mosquito of different types of species causes it. If anyone in your family is infected with the Chikungunya virus, you will notice symptoms like,
- Joint Pain
- Swelling in joints
- Rashes
- Pain in the lower back of the body
- Severe Nausea
- Chill (feeling cold)
- Severe Fever
- Severe Headache
Important Facts related to Chikungunya Virus
- Chikungunya fever is very similar to Dengue fever. However, being a viral disease, it cannot be transmitted from one person to another, like Dengue fever.
- Chikungunya fever is relatively non-fatal as compared to Dengue.
- There are no preventive vaccinations for Chikungunya virus; therefore, one must take prior precautions in order to reduce the risk of being contaminated due to this virus.
- The outbreak of the Chikungunya fever starts showing its symptoms within three to seven days after the mosquito bite.
- Patients suffering from Chikungunya are recovered fully, unlike in most of the Dengue cases.
- Due to same symptoms, there are times when doctors misguide Chikungunya as Dengue fever.
- There is only one best way to protect yourself against Chikungunya, i.e. protecting yourself from mosquito bites.
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For doctors, it is not at all an easy catch to treat dengue patients, but the nonprofessional would think of every possible way through which dengue can be treated. Most commonly, people think that antibiotics can treat dengue, as they do most infections. Many people also feel that dengue is a contagious disease that can be easily transmitted from one person to another. Moreover, some think that they can be vaccinated against dengue.
Therefore, here is a list for you to know what to do and what not to do in Dengue Fever,
What to Do in Dengue Fever
ü The first thing you need to do is visit a doctor immediately, if dengue is suspected.
ü Cases related to Dengue fever/Dengue Haemorrhagic Fever should be observed separately, as they need extra attention of doctor.
ü If you think the high fever can be the result of dengue, try to keep the body temperature lower than 39 C.
ü Give paracetamol to the patient suffering from high fever, but not more than four times in a day.
ü Determine the blood platelet count and haemtocrits count in the patient's body through regular tests, as drop in platelets and rise in haematocrits are important for an early diagnosis of Dengue Fever.
ü Platelet transfusion is advised, if platelets fall consecutively, but as per doctor's advice and your medicinal history. Continuous monitoring of health of the patient is of utmost importance.
ü It is essential to give large amount of fluids like juice, milk, water, and soup to dengue patients along with their normal diet.
ü Keep your surroundings clean and hygienic.
What not to do in Dengue Fever
ü Never give antibiotics to dengue patients.
ü Never give Brufen or Aspirin to patient suffering from high fever.
ü Avoid use of steroids. They do not provide any type of benefit in the treatment of dengue fever.
Dengue Fever is one of the scariest diseases, which is on everyone's list of things that they are afraid of. The reason is that dengue has already cost the lives of many and not even the wealthy are spared of its horror attacks. Dengue Fever is renowned as one of the acute illnesses that happen quite often and among people living in dengue prone or tropical areas. The onset of dengue is treated very normally and many people usually mistake it for an ordinary ailment.
Symptoms of Dengue
The beginning of this disease shows the following symptoms in the body of the patient after four to ten days of the fever,
- Severe Headache - The severe headache is the cause of excessive burden on the brain due to dengue fever.
- Skin Rash - Skin rash appears on whole body of the patient after three to four days on the onset of fever.
- Vomiting – The body of the patient does not respond to any food item given to him/her in the fever, which eventually leads to vomiting. In dengue fever, digestion becomes very slow.
- Severe Nausea – Nausea can be defined as severe cold and cough, which are some of the symptoms of dengue fever and swollen lymph nodes.
- Unbearable Pain Behind the Eyes – The whole body of the dengue patients pains a lot after the onset of fever, especially eyes.
- Sudden, very high Fever – The ranging of the fever in dengue keeps on fluctuating up and down. The fever can go up to 106 F.
- Sometimes, the fever goes down after three days but would resurface again. Therefore, it is indispensable to keep a track of blood platelet count from the first day of dengue fever.
Other important facts
- Mosquitoes, that carry the dengue virus, bites only during the daytime, peak hours are before sunrise and sunset.
- To avoid the attack of virus on your kids, you can use electric vapor mats and mosquito coils.
- For kids, it is essential to use mosquito nets during bedtime to avoid bites.
- The more severe form of dengue is also known as dengue hemorrhagic fever or dengue shock syndrome, which gradually becomes the reason of the death of the patient. Everyone should be vigilant when it comes to dengue cases, as the only way to save lives of kids is the right medication and attention.
- Kids suffering from early stages of dengue yet can be treated at home; they just need plenty of fluids, bed rest, and nutritious foods.
- Actually, no vaccine can treat dengue fever as a virus causes it.
- It is important to destroy the every possible breeding place of the mosquitoes.
- The best precaution is to remove stagnant water from tires, plastic bags, bottles, and cans.
Precaution is the best way to stay away from dengue.
Related links:
Precautions for malaria
Home remedies to cure malaria
Related links:
Precautions for malaria
Home remedies to cure malaria
Dengue is also popularly known as "break-bone fever.” This viral disease spreads through severe mosquito bites. A mosquito known as Aedes Aegypti is the principal transmitter of this disease. Every year anywhere from 50 to 390, million people fall ill with dengue, resulting in more than half a million being hospitalized. The main symptom of Dengue is high fever with rashes everywhere on the body. Most kids suffering from Dengue remain ill for about 10 days. Therefore, one can recover from Dengue, if given right kind of treatment within prescribed time.
For keeping your kids protected from Dengue, follow these steps:
- Citronella Oil-Based Creams - Always ensure that you use citronella oil-based cream, spray, and herbal mosquito repellents to protect your kids from Dengue. Use a repellent that contains 30-50% DEET in it for children over 3 months of age.
- Mosquito Nets - Mosquito nets are essential for kids while they sleep in afternoon. If you do not already have them, install these on their beds. In addition, fix mosquito meshes on windows to avoid mosquitoes enter your house.
- Long-Sleeve Clothes - Protect your kids by making them wear loose, long-sleeved shirts and long pants when they go out for playing.
- Staying in safe places - If you are travelling to a dengue-infected area, try to stay in clean hotels and resorts to avoid contact with mosquitoes. In addition, ensure that your room is air-conditioned and proper measures have been taken to reduce the mosquito population.
- EPA-Registered Repellent - Spray the clothes of your kids with EPA-registered repellent for greater protection. This repellent contains permethrin that helps in keeping mosquitoes away from your kids. Remember, not use permethrin on the skin.
Hope these tips will help you to safeguard yourself and your family from dengue.
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Malaria can easily affect everyone, including young infants too. It generally happens with kids who are living in or travelling to malaria prone areas. The kids staying in such areas are advised to take anti-malarial drugs such as chloroquine or mefloquine. The dosage of this drug depends upon the age and weight of the kid.
There are a number of home remedies as well to cure malaria in kids at home. Some of them are:
- Basil Leaves - It is a good remedy to cure malaria. You need to take out extract of 12-15 leaves of basil and add a tablespoon of black pepper in it then give it to kids. The kids who are in their initial stage of malaria get great relief from this remedy. You may also add honey to the basil extract and consume to reduce effects of malaria.
Basil: Herbal remedy for malaria - Grapefruit - Grapefruit in raw condition or in the form of liquid juice is very helpful in controlling the intensity of infection. It is very useful and effective herbal remedy for curing malaria.
- Lemon Juice - Extract some fresh lemon juice from half-cut lemon, and add it to one-cup lukewarm water. Consuming this water by low sipping will help in controlling the rise in temperature in the first stage of fever.
- Alum - Alum acts as a great recovery agent in curing malaria. It needs to dry roasted and powdered. A teaspoon of this alum powder needs to be consumed four hours before expected fever attack and half a teaspoon after two hours of the malaria attack.
- Cinnamon - Cinnamon is a valuable remedy in healing malaria. One tablespoon of powdered cinnamon needs to be boiled with water. After that, you need to add a pinch of pepper powder and a tablespoon of honey to the water and drink it.
Chances of getting malaria are quite high in monsoon season. It is advisable to take preventive measures for malaria beforehand to keep the disease at bay. In case this disease strikes you, hope these remedies will be helpful to fight malaria and to keep your family healthy.
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For most tourists, Egypt starts and ends with Cairo and the Great Pyramids. This is a real shame, because this beautiful country has so much to offer besides towering ancient monuments of stone. From its interior desert towns to the beautiful resorts along its coast that have enthralled travellers for centuries, Egypt has it all.
Among the most popular tourist spots in Egypt (besides Cairo) is Sharm El Sheikh. Located along the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula, Sharm El Sheikh is a spectacular beach destination that boasts of world-class dive spots and pristine underwater reserves. It also has gorgeous seascapes, stunning desert vistas and some of the finest luxury resorts in the world.
If this charming little town is on your travel itinerary, here are three fabulous resorts you should consider staying in:
1. Maritim Jolie Ville Resort, Naama Bay: Located right in the heart of the popular Naama Bay area of Sharm El Sheikh, Maritim Jolie Ville Resort & Casino is a great place for families to enjoy the charms of the city at a price that won't break your budget. It offers easy access to the Naama Bay beach, has charmingly decorated rooms with beautiful ocean views, and boasts well-equipped rooms with climate control, satellite TV, and wi-fi. A firm favorite among foodies, it has four a-la-carte restaurants serving everything from French to Italian and traditional Egyptian cuisine.
The resort's highlights include an extremely popular Beach BBQ, and ultra-luxurious 'super rooms' located just 50-500 metres from the beach!
2. Hilton Sharks Bay Resort, Sharks Bay Beach: Thanks to its location at the edge of the Shark's Bay Beach, the Hilton Sharks Bay Resort offers some of the most stunning views of the Red Sea in the city. Popular among families as well as young couples, this resort boasts seven different pools, its own private beach, a whopping 13 restaurants and bars, and two separate clubs exclusively for kids. The resort will also be more than happy to arrange dive site trips or whisk you away to a romantic private dinner by the beach. Every room in the resort looks out to either the pools, the beach, or the hotel's vast gardens.
3. Rixos Sharm Elh Sheikh, Nabq Bay: Awarded the Travellers's Choice Award for Luxury by TripAdvisor, the Rixos in Nabq Bay is one of the finest luxury hotels in the city with over 695 rooms and suites spread along a gorgeous stretch of the Nabq Bay beach. Besides world-class international dining options (including options from Chinese, Indian, Japanese, Italian and Egyptian cuisines), it also has several pools, three water slides for children (and adults who act like children!), and gorgeous rooms modelled on traditional Egyptian architecture.
If you plan to travel to Sharm El Sheikh, you can't go wrong with picking from any one of these three luxury family resorts!
Photo by Dominic Sayers via Flickr CC
Malaria is a very serious disease common during rains. It is transmitted by the bite of an infected mosquito. Common symptoms of the disease are drowsiness, low appetite, lack of sleep and irritability followed by high fever, body ache and shivering and sweating as well. If not taken care on time, the disease can be fatal. However, malaria is absolutely preventable.
The best way to prevent Malaria is to take necessary steps to ensure that the mosquito does not bite you. Some of the precautions to safeguard your kids from getting Malaria are,
- Wearing Loose-Fitting Clothes - It is essential step if you are travelling with your kids to a new place or village. Ensure that your kids wear loose-fitting clothes with long sleeves, long trousers. In addition, keep socks handy for your kids if you are out at dusk or night.
- Mosquito Repellent Cream - Apply an insect repellent cream that contains diethyltoluamide (DEET) on the skin and clothes of your kids. Stronger preparation against Malaria will keep your kids safe.
- Mosquito Net - Always ensure that you use mosquito net over the bed of your kids. Always check that it is not impregnated with an insecticide and contain any holes in it.
- Insecticide Spray - Spray your kid’s room with an insecticide before they go to bed to sleep at night.
- Air Conditioning - Ensure that air conditioner of your kids room is working perfectly. Using an air conditioning means lesser mosquitoes as they are less active in cooler temperatures.
Along with these, you need to ensure that your surroundings are clean as mosquitoes thrive in dirty places and in stagnant water. Ensure there is no unused water or stagnant water in coolers, water tanks and other places as these serve as ideal place for breeding of mosquitoes.
Related links:
Dengue precautions
Related links:
Dengue precautions
What better way to winter than gliding over the Alpine snow on a pair of skis? Heading off on a skiing holiday to France or Austria is a yearly ritual for many families and snowsports enthusiasts. This ritual need not burn a tidy hole in your pocket, however and these five tips will show you how to save money on your next skiing holiday:
1. Be flexible with your schedule: Since skiing is a seasonal sport, prices for hotels, resorts, transport, and even food tend to vary a lotdepending on the season. Shift your schedule by a couple of weeks outside peak periods, and you might just end up saving half your money. Most hotels tend to become cheaper late into the season and some resorts high into the Alps in places like the Three Valleys area in France continue their snow seasons until April-May, so take the opportunity for lower rates.
2. DIY or ski package: This is another big question you have to ask before heading out on your ski holiday: do you buy a ski package, or do you book everything on your own? If you're like most families heading out to a popular resort like Val d'Isere, chances are, you'll choose the ski package. After all, you're short on time and most self-catered and catered ski packages include everything from hotel rooms to bus tickets, so you don’t need to fork out once you get there. Conversely, if you choose to assemble your ski holiday yourself, you can mix and match hotels and add on only the extras you want, like childcare, or special family offers.
3. Be mindful of exchange rates: You might be tempted to whip out your credit card to pay for meals and tickets. Don't. The exchange rates through electronic transactions tends to be very unfavorable. Instead, take out the appropriate amount of euros or Swiss francs from the ATM and use cash instead.
4. Take cheaper modes of transport: Flights save you time but also end up being a huge drain on your finances. Trains, buses and even cars are preferable to flying, even if it means spending an extra day or two on the road. If you treat the journey itself as a part of your holiday, you might even come to enjoy the experience as much as the destination!
5. Try some alternative destinations: Last, but not least, remember that France and Switzerland aren't the only countries that receive snow in the winter. Romania, Bulgaria, Slovakia and Slovenia have plenty of ski resorts as well, and these can be cheaper than anything in the French/Swiss Alps. Similarly, ski resorts in the Italian Dolomites and Pyrenees offer great skiing at very affordable rates as well. If you're willing to search thoroughly, you can often get great deals on a skiing holiday.
Saving money on a skiing holiday isn't easy, but it is possible. Be flexible with your schedule, avoid exorbitant exchange rates, book tickets/rooms yourself and try out some alternative destinations to get the most out of your holiday!
Photo by Ridge Tahoe Resort Hotel via Flickr CC
Photo by Ridge Tahoe Resort Hotel via Flickr CC
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