Women can now take a simple, cheap visual test to determine if they are at risk of cervical cancer.
Hospitals in western Kenya are conducting free tests on women in reproductive age to detect and treat signs of the life threatening disease. Read more…
A healthy vagina is never dry. It has natural secretions that keep it clean, moist and lubricated. The cervix, the lower end of the uterus that opens into the vaginal cavity has mucus-secreting glands which secrete a clear mucus secretion that drains downward into the vagina and mixes with bacteria, discarded vaginal cells and Bartholin’s gland secretions, and this is what constitutes the normal vaginal discharge. Read more…
‘Thrush’ or ‘yeast’ is the layman’s term for vaginal candidiasis. It is caused by a yeast type of fungus called Candida Albicans that resides in the vagina, mouth and large intestines as a harmless non-paying long-term guest. Read more…
There is growing evidence that nutrition therapy can make a big difference to children with autism.
Autism is a condition involving abnormalities of brain development and behaviour, which manifests itself before a child is three years old.
It is characterised by impairments in social interaction and communication, and restricted and repetitive behaviour.
Many autistic children have severely disrupted digestion, so restoring balance is a major focus.
Many parents have reported that their child received repeated or prolonged courses of antibiotic drugs for ear or other respiratory infections during their first year, before diagnosis of autism. Broad-spectrum antibiotics kill good and bad bacteria in the gut, weakening the intestinal membranes. This can lead to leaky gut syndrome, in which large molecules that should not be absorbed through the gut membrane get through.
If your child has autism, restoring a healthy gut is vital. You can start simply, by supplementing digestive enzymes, and giving probiotics. The measures heal the digestive tract and promote normal absorption.
There is much overlap between hyperactivity and autism, so for autistic children who show signs of hyperactivity, improving blood sugar balance is crucial.
When a child regularly snacks on refined carbohydrates, sweets, chocolate, fizzy drinks, juices and little or no fibre , the levels of glucose in their blood will seesaw continually and trigger wild fluctuations in their levels of activity, concentration, focus and behaviour and affect brain function.
Deficiencies in essential fats are common and an autistic child is likely to need a higher intake of essential fats. It has been found that supplementing EPA, which can slow the activity of the defective enzyme and improve behaviour. Vitamins B6, C and magnesium supplements significantly improve symptoms. Keep a food diary and note your child’s behaviours and symptoms alongside all the foods they’re eating. This can help to identify which of the usual suspects they are sensitive.
Kenya is among the top 10 countries with the highest proportion of childhood pneumonia in the world.
Other African countries in this group are Ethiopia, Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The rest are in Asia.
These countries, says the World Health Organisation, account for 66 per cent of pneumonia cases worldwide.
The WHO study, published this week in The Lancet, a medical journal, attributes the high incidence of pneumonia to lack of vaccines, a high prevalence of HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) infection and poor access to medical care.
However, this may change after the national head of immunisation, Dr Tatu Kamau, promised that by next year a vaccine will be available in all public hospitals at no cost.
Currently, the pneumonia vaccine is available in the private sector for Sh12,000.
The disease is estimated to kill 30,000 children annually. In areas where malaria is not endemic, pneumonia is the leading killer of children under five, while it comes second in malaria endemic areas.
The other contributory factor for the high incidence of pneumonia is the many cases of undiagnosed and untreated cases of sickle cell anaemia.
A study carried out in Kilifi by the Kenya Medical Research Centre and the Wellcome Trust Programme, established that children with sickle cell anaemia were at greater risk of getting pneumonia.
In what has been described as the biggest study of its kind in Africa, the researchers screened 40,000 admissions at Kilifi district hospital between 1998 and 2008.
They estimated that in Kilifi alone, up to a quarter of all child deaths may be attributable to sickle cell anaemia because of susceptibility to bacterial infections such as pneumonia and meningitis.
“After getting diagnosed for different ailments like typhoid and brucellosis, they finally told me I needed to have my appendix removed, and even that turned out to be wrong”, says Mr S. Mbatia.
Only after one year and numerous financially-draining visits to doctors and herbalists was the problem — colon cancer — finally correctly identified.
Doctors in Kenya are reporting a worrying three-fold increase in colon cancer, an affliction previously associated with elderly individuals in developed countries.
The experts say unlike other cancers, colon cancer patients invariably seek medical attention when it is too late mainly because the condition’s symptoms, such as abnormal bowel movement practices or bloody stool are ‘too embarrassing to discuss’.
According to a pathologist Dr Ahmed Kalebi, an even more worrying trend is that the condition is being seen among younger men than is the norm in developed countries. While on average the disease affects especially men in their fifties, Kenyan men between 41 and 50 years are most affected.
Low fibre
Experts say drinking too much alcohol, smoking, excess ‘nyama choma’ and a low-fibre diet are the main risk factors.
In a special edition featuring colorectal cancer, Dr Hassan Saidi and colleagues at the Aga Khan Hospital reported in the East African Medical Journal that patients had a tendency for prolonged delays from the onset of symptoms to the time they presented themselves for medical attention.
“Young men would rather discuss the number of beers they consumed instead of the number of bowel movements they had”, says Dr Kalebi.
Apart from constipation, one of the major indicators of colon trouble is blood in the stool, an occurrence that many want to ignore. The prospects of a rectal examination, a standard colon cancer screening method, can also be daunting.
Colon cancer is cancer of the large intestine (colon), the lower part of the digestive system. Rectal cancer is cancer of the last several inches of the colon. Together, they’re often referred to as colorectal cancers.
To help prevent colon cancer by identifying polyps before they become cancerous, some developed countries carry out routine screening for men over 60 years old.
Fatigue
In the absence of regular screening, Dr Kalebi says constipation, blood in your stool, persistent abdominal discomfort, fatigue and unexplained weight loss should raise a red flag.
The diagnostic challenges of detecting colorectal cancer are expected to ease somewhat with the opening of Lancet Kenya, a referral pathology laboratory affiliated to Lancet South Africa.
The facility, which opens in Nairobi in the last week of this month, will place Kenya at par with the world-class laboratories. Hospitals in the country will no longer need to send samples abroad, saving on costs and the time it takes to place patients on treatment.
Dr Ahmed, who heads Lancet Kenya, says that good laboratory services are the foundation of evidenced-based medical practice and essential for improvement of health industry standards.
The facility has fibre-optic link to Lancet Laboratories in Johannesburg, which will facilitate high-speed connectivity.
By BERNARD MUTHAKA Daily nation Wednesday, September 16 2009
When Tyra Smith’s boyfriend, Chris Lewis, first suggested they be guinea pigs in a H1N1 vaccination study in August, she wasn’t so crazy about the idea. But then she warmed to it: While she doesn’t like needles, she thought she’d help out because she knew H1N1 was a serious virus.
To cut your risk of catching a bug, doctors say wash your hands and avoid touching your mouth, nose and eyes.
“I heard people might die from it,” Smith said. “So I think it’s a good idea to help people, by being involved.”
Lewis and Smith, both from Baltimore, Maryland, were among the first Americans to receive H1N1 flu shots.
As part of a trial of 2,400 people, they gave blood samples and kept diaries of their symptoms, all in an effort to get an H1N1 vaccine ready for the fall.
Now that the results from this and other trials are in, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced that the FDA has approved applications from four manufacturers to make H1N1 flu vaccine, which should be ready for high-risk patients by October 15. She said there will be enough vaccine available for everyone eventually.
And that’s just in time. With fall in the air and old man winter right around the corner, seasonal flu and the common cold are sure to follow — and H1N1 is here; in its most recent H1N1 update, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said 21 states are reporting widespread flu activity.
This cold and flu season could star a cornucopia of viruses. Doctors say they worry the two flu strains (H1N1 and seasonal) could combine, further complicating the situation. Mix in colds, which are prevalent this time of year, and the immune system of Americans could be dealt a one-two punch.
So, how can someone tell if those sniffles they’re having is something to be concerned about?
Infectious disease experts say people need to be aware of the symptoms. Dr. Shmuel Shoham, an infectious-disease specialist at Washington Hospital Center, says the common cold, seasonal flu and H1N1 are all respiratory illnesses, but they’re caused by different viruses.
Symptoms of the cold are more common, and can make the patient miserable for three to five days. A patient usually has a stuffy nose, congestion, some body aches and a growing cough.
According to the CDC seasonal flu and H1N1 symptoms consist of fever, more painful body aches, dry cough, diarrhea and severe fatigue. It’s hard, without testing, to tell apart the seasonal strain of flu from the H1N1 variety.
“People need to take notice when they begin to feel bad. If they start to have respiratory problems, or are dehydrated because of a bug, they should go to the doctor. It could be H1N1 or seasonal influenza,” says Shoham. “Some people with influenza can get very sick and could end up in the hospital if it’s not taken care of.”
People at greatest risk for catching H1N1 include young people ages 6 months to 25 years, pregnant women, and people with chronic health conditions like asthma, diabetes or heart and lung disease. The CDC recommends that these groups — as well as health care workers — get vaccinated first.
The seasonal influenza vaccination is especially important for people at high risk of serious flu complications, according to the CDC, including children ages 6 months to 18 years, people with immune system problems, women who plan on being pregnant during the flu season, those 50 years and older and health care workers.
But if someone doesn’t fall into these categories, it doesn’t mean he or she should skip vaccinations altogether. Experts say everyone should get both flu shots. “It’s the best way to protect yourself,” Shoham says.
Other than flu shots, are there other ways to stay healthy and avoid all of these bugs? Doctors say wash your hands and keep your fingers away from your mouth, nose and eyes. If you sneeze, sneeze into your elbow so as not to transfer your germs to your hands — and everything else around you.
As for the myth about avoiding cold drafts — forget it. “It doesn’t seem to play out that sleeping with the window open, going out with your hair wet in the cold affects your immune system,” Shoham says.
Also, keep your immune system healthy. That translates to eating well, getting enough sleep and staying active.
If you become ill and experience severe symptoms, see your doctor. Your physician may recommend antiviral drugs that can treat the flu. Antiviral drugs are prescription medicines (pills, liquid or an inhaled powder) that fight the flu by keeping the virus from reproducing in your body.
Above all, stay away from others. If you have the flu, the CDC recommends you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone. It’s the best way to keep others from getting infected.
CNN - September 21, 2009
HIV is a virus that damages a person’s immune system, the body’s defence against disease. This factsheet explains how the virus is transmitted, the treatment options and how you can protect yourself against infection.
What is HIV? HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus. A person infected with HIV is infected for life - there’s no cure.
Over time, as the immune system weakens, a person with HIV may develop rare infections or cancers. When these are particularly serious, the person is said to have AIDS.
How’s it transmitted? HIV can only be passed on if infected blood, semen, vaginal fluids or breast milk get inside another person’s body.
The two main ways in which a person can become infected are:
Vaginal or anal sexual intercourse (without a condom) with an infected person
Using a needle or syringe that’s already been used by someone who’s infected
An infected pregnant woman can also pass the virus to her unborn baby, before or during the birth, or through breastfeeding. Improved treatment and care for women with HIV means far fewer children are now born with HIV.
Other potential routes of transmission include:
Giving and receiving first aid, although transmission will only occur if significant amounts of HIV-infected blood pass from one person to another
Contact with used needles and syringes, if infected blood is transferred
Giving and receiving oral sex, although there are very few proven instances of this, and usually transmission will only occur if a person has cuts or sores in their mouth
Seeing a dentist, doctor or nurse, although it’s extremely rare for HIV to be passed from a healthcare professional to a patient, as all medical instruments are sterilised or used only once
In extremely rare cases, through fighting or biting
Kissing, although generally this won’t pass on HIV as saliva doesn’t contain a high enough concentration of HIV, and the only risk would be if both people had noticeably bleeding cuts and sores in their mouths
Sport, if HIV-infected blood gets into a wound or cut
The risk of transmission through any of the above is small, but it exists so care should always be taken.
Although blood transfusions and use of blood products are a potential route of transmission, all blood and organ donors in the in Kenya are screened for. Other countries may not have the same standards as Kenya, so always check if you’re travelling outside the Kenya.
You can’t get HIV… from hugging, kissing, sneezes, coughs, sharing baths or towels, swimming pools, toilet seats or from sharing cups, plates or cutlery, and you can’t get HIV from any animal or insect, including mosquitoes
What are the symptoms? There are no immediate signs or symptoms after infection. Research has shown that after a few weeks some people experience flu-like symptoms, but these usually go undiagnosed. The only way to know if you have HIV is to be tested.
Getting tested If you’re worried you could have caught HIV, it’s important to get tested. The test is free and available from VCT clinics in Kenya or from hospital near you, these services are completely confidential.
The test looks for HIV antibodies in the blood. It takes three months for antibodies to develop, so if you test soon after possible infection the result may be inaccurate. A second test at 12 weeks after possible risk to the virus will give you a conclusive result.
A trained counsellor will explain the test procedure and discuss possible results. You normally have to wait one week for a result.
Myth: Now better treatments are available, HIV isn’t a very serious problem.
Fact: If you’re diagnosed with HIV it is almost certain that you’ll eventually need to take anti-HIV drugs every day for the rest of your life. Unpleasant side-effects range from diarrhoea to changes in body shape. HIV can become resistant to the treatment, which means you have to switch drugs and, eventually, some people are left with no alternative drugs. AIDS still kills thousands of people in western countries.
What’s the treatment? There’s no cure for HIV, but there are drugs called antiretrovirals that can help prevent someone infected with HIV from becoming ill. These drugs can significantly increase the life expectancy of someone with HIV. The drugs must be taken every day for life, otherwise the treatment will stop being effective and the person affected may become ill.
Treatment consists of taking several drugs together, which is known as combination therapy. Typical combinations include two drugs from the NRTI group (nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors, also known as ‘nukes’) plus an NNRTI (’non-nuke’) or a protease inhibitor.
Newer types of antiretrovirals such as entry inhibitors are usually reserved for people who have to switch treatments because of side-effects, or because the first drug combination stops working.
Research continues around the world to develop a HIV vaccine. Progress is being made, although it’s likely to be a number of years before such a treatment is widely available.
Advice and support Go to your doctor, a genitourinary medicine clinic or a sexual health clinic. All services are confidential.
Myth: If you’re taking antiretroviral drugs then you can’t transmit HIV to other people.
Fact: Antiretroviral drugs affect parts of the body in different ways, so even if you have very low levels of HIV in your blood your sexual fluids may be much more infectious. If you have HIV, you must always avoid unprotected sex.