NURSES CHALLENGE

One of so many high risk job in the world is a nurse. They work in the front line as a health care provider. They have direct contact with infected people such as HIV, TBC, bird flu and many others.

Unfortunately most of people have different point of view about nurse job. They think that nurse not more than some body who help the doctor, taking care of elderly people, or even like a domestic helper with uniform. They dont know that to become a nurse, some one have to complete years of course and training.They have to take more and more years training to get specialization skill.

In modern country, nurse have an equal role with other health provider such as doctor or pharmacist. Patient need a nurse as well as they need doctor.
In poor or develop country, we will see different role of nurse in the comunity. Their role even more like doctor's service. They treat people as well as doctor treat the patient. They keep in touch with patient more than any one else even their family.

They put their self safety in order to save lives. They dedicate their skill to help other, no matter the risk will take. They put their live on the front line........

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HOTEL or HOSPITAL??

Where do you want to go? Hotel or hospital? Every body will 100% choose hotel to go if you ask them.

But now there is good news for people those don't have other choise than to go to hospital.

There are so many travel agents that offering dream holiday packages with treatment programs for the patient as well.

The patient can do their treatment program without missed their holiday. Because the hotel has all facility that patient need. Just like hospital with number one hotal service. They have specialist doctors and nurses that stay ready for 24 hours. They have all diagnostic aquipment such as X- Ray machine, laboratory and even operating theatre. Their services include: cosmetic surgery, general surgery, physiotheraphy, chemotheraphy, radiotheraphy, and even alternative treatment like acupunktur and herbal medicine.

The patient don't need to go to other place to get their treatment programs. They will cure their physical illness as well as their mind. That seems good for the family also. Because almost all of holiday destinations have that kind of "hotel hospital" now. From europe, mediterranian, far east and even in the USA. They can stay with their beloved one during the treatment, with very competitive price.

So, hospitals image with all scary picture will be gone. There will be new image for the hospital, people will smile while entering hospital.

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BIRD FLU OUT BREAK IN JAPAN

Officials in Japan have confirmed a third outbreak of bird flu - although they are still determining if it is the H5N1 strain dangerous to humans.

About 40 chickens have died on a farm in Takahashi, in Okayama prefecture.

Officials have ordered all poultry there to be culled, and the movement of people and goods restricted.

Two bird flu outbreaks earlier this month in the southern prefecture of Miyazaki have already been confirmed as the H5N1 strain of the disease.

The Japanese authorities have already determined that the new case of bird flu belongs to the virulent H5 family of the virus, but further tests are needed to find out if it is H5N1, the strain potentially deadly to humans.

Officials, however, are taking no chances. They are due to start culling all 12,000 birds at the affected Takahashi farm as early as Tuesday.

Other farms in a 10 km (six-mile) radius have been banned from transporting chickens and eggs, a ministry official told reporters.

Thousands of chickens have already been killed in Japan's main chicken-producing region of Miyazaki, following two H5N1 outbreaks in two separate towns there earlier this month.

The second case, at a farm in Hyuga, was only confirmed over the weekend.

Growing concern

There have been a number of H5N1 outbreaks in Japan since early 2004, but there have been no human deaths from the virus.

Health officials across Asia are on alert as a growing number of countries have reported cases in both birds and humans in recent weeks.

Since the H5N1 virus emerged in South East Asia in late 2003, it has claimed more than 150 lives around the world.

There are fears the virus could mutate to a form which could be easily passed from human to human, triggering a pandemic and potentially putting millions of lives at risk.
source: bbc news

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LASIX FOR EYE?

Considering LASIK eye surgery? Find out how the procedure is done, what you can expect after surgery and whether the risks are acceptable to you.

LASIK eye surgery — short for laser-assisted in-situ keratomileusis — has resulted in making clear vision a reality for millions of people who used to rely on glasses or contact lenses. With increasing experience and advances in technology, outcomes and predictability of LASIK eye surgery have greatly improved in recent years. But complications associated with LASIK eye surgery still exist. Before you schedule LASIK eye surgery, find out what it entails and what could go wrong.

How does LASIK eye surgery work?

LASIK eye surgery changes the shape of your cornea — the transparent membrane that arcs over your pupil and the colored part of your eye (iris). After the procedure, your cornea should bend (refract) light rays to focus more precisely on your retina rather than at some point beyond or short of your retina.

LASIK eye surgery may be an option for you if you have nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia) or astigmatism. Nearsightedness occurs when the eyeball is slightly longer than normal or when the cornea curves too sharply, causing light rays to focus in front of the retina and blurring distant vision. Farsightedness is the opposite, in a way: A shorter-than-average eyeball or too-flat cornea focuses light behind the retina instead of on it, making near vision and sometimes distant vision blurry. When the cornea curves or flattens unevenly, the result is astigmatism, which disrupts focus of near and distant vision.
Your eye doctor will likely recommend that you try other ways of correcting your vision before you turn to LASIK eye surgery or another similar procedure. Glasses or contact lenses are your first option. Unlike sight-threatening eye diseases, refractive errors aren't progressive in themselves, and they may actually improve in middle age. Some doctors are reluctant to endorse LASIK eye surgery, reasoning your eyes are basically healthy even if you have nearsightedness or farsightedness. A good surgical outcome depends on careful evaluation of your eye before the surgery.
What might disqualify you from having LASIK eye surgery?

LASIK eye surgery poses particular risks for some people. You should definitely not have this surgery if you have:

1. An immune system disease. Diseases that affect your immune system may impair your ability to heal after surgery. The risks of incomplete healing, infection and other complications are increased whether you have an autoimmune disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis, or an immunodeficiency disease, such as HIV. Taking an immunosuppressive drug also disqualifies you from having this surgery.
2. Persistent dry eyes. Any condition that causes dry eyes, including the autoimmune disease Sjogren's syndrome, is likely to impair healing.
3.Eye characteristics. An extremely uneven corneal surface or an otherwise abnormally shaped cornea may make surgery more difficult to perform.
4. The stability of your vision. If the quality of your vision is fluctuating or progressively worsening, you may not be eligible for LASIK eye surgery.
5. Other factors. Your eye doctor will take into account additional factors. For example, deep-set eyes may make the surgery more difficult and risky.

Can someone with presbyopia get LASIK eye surgery?

Certain people with presbyopia may benefit from LASIK eye surgery, although there are limitations. Most people in their 40s have some signs of presbyopia — a refractive error that develops as you age — such as difficulty reading or performing other close-up tasks. The condition is usually well managed with the use of reading glasses.

If you have presbyopia, LASIK eye surgery may give you clear distance vision, but it might make it even more difficult for you to see objects close up. To avoid this, you might choose to have your vision corrected for monovision. With monovision, one eye is corrected for distant vision and the other for near vision. Not everyone is able to adjust to or tolerate monovision, so it's wise to undergo a trial with contact lenses before opting for a permanent surgical procedure.

How do you prepare for LASIK eye surgery?

Before surgery, your eye doctor takes a detailed medical history and uses specialized equipment to carefully measure your cornea, noting the shape and any irregularities.

If you wear contact lenses, you'll need to switch to glasses full time a few weeks before this exam. Contact lenses can distort the shape of your cornea, which could lead to inaccurate measurements and a poor surgical outcome.

Skip your eye makeup and eye cream on the day before and the day of your surgery. Your doctor may also instruct you to clean your eyelashes daily or more often in the days leading up to surgery, to remove debris and minimize your risk of infection.

You'll need to have someone drive you to and from your surgery. Immediately after surgery, you might still feel the affects of medicine given to you before surgery and your vision may be blurry.

Refractive surgery is usually considered elective surgery — which means it isn't vital to your health and well-being. For this reason, Medicare and most insurance companies won't cover the cost of the surgery. So be prepared to pay out-of-pocket for your expenses.

How is LASIK eye surgery done?

LASIK is performed using a laser programmed to remove a defined amount of tissue from your cornea. With each pulse of the laser beam, a tiny amount of corneal tissue is removed. The laser allows your eye surgeon to flatten the curve of your cornea or make it steeper. Often, LASIK is performed on both eyes on the same day.

During surgery

You will receive anesthetic eyedrops that numb your eye during the LASIK procedure, which helps ensure you'll experience little pain. You may also be given medicine to help you relax. Your eye surgeon uses a special blade or cutting laser to cut a hinged flap about the size of a contact lens away from the front of your eye. Folding back the flap allows your doctor to access that part of your cornea that needs reshaping. Using a laser, your eye surgeon then adjusts specific parts of your cornea. After reshaping is complete, the flap is folded back into place and usually heals without stitches.

During your presurgical eye exam, your eye doctor uses highly specialized instruments to determine which specific areas of your cornea need to be flattened or curved. This allows your eye doctor to chart your eye and remove tissue from your cornea very precisely. Wavefront-guided LASIK, a new type of LASIK procedure, uses a special device called a wavefront scanner that allows your doctor to create a highly detailed chart — like a topographical map — of your eye. Theoretically, the more detailed the measurements, the more accurate your eye doctor can be in removing corneal tissue. Wavefront-guided LASIK technology continues to evolve.

After surgery

Immediately after surgery, your eye may burn or itch and be watery. You'll probably have blurred vision. You may be given pain medication or eyedrops to keep you comfortable for several hours after the procedure. Your eye doctor might also ask you to wear a shield over your eye at night until your eye heals.

Typically you're able to see the day of your surgery, but your vision won't necessarily be better right away. Expect your vision to improve over the next two to three months. Most people who have refractive surgery eventually attain 20/25 or better vision. Your chances for improved vision are based, in part, on how good your vision was before surgery.

Other types of refractive surgery

Your eye doctor may recommend another type of refractive surgery if you're not a good candidate for LASIK eye surgery. These include:

1. Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK). PRK is sometimes used if you have a low to moderate degree of nearsightedness or farsightedness, or if you have nearsightedness with astigmatism. PRK removes the thin surface layer of your cornea (epithelium). Your eye surgeon then uses a laser to flatten your cornea or make its curve steeper.

The exposed surface of your cornea repairs itself, assisted by a contact lens you wear as a bandage over your eye for three or four days after surgery. You might have eye pain for a few days until your cornea heals. It generally takes up to a week for your eye to regenerate the surface tissue that was removed. During this time you'll notice variations in your vision. It may take three to six months before your vision improves completely. Most people undergoing PRK have both eyes done on the same day.

PRK has become less common in recent years because more eye surgeons prefer the LASIK procedure. Healing after LASIK is more predictable and usually involves less discomfort and scarring.

2. Laser epithelial keratomileusis (LASEK). LASEK is similar to LASIK eye surgery and migT be an option if you aren't eligible for LASIK. During a LASEK procedure, a much thinner layer — the surface layer (epithelium) — of your cornea is folded back to allow the laser to focus on parts of your cornea that need reshaping. The epithelial flap is then replaced.

If you have very thin corneas, you might be a better candidate for LASEK because the procedure allows your doctor to remove less of your cornea. People who play sports or have jobs that carry a high risk of eye injuries might also prefer LASEK because a thinner flap means less damage to your vision should the flap be torn before it can heal. As with LASIK, the LASEK procedure can be done on both eyes on the same day.

What can you expect during LASIK eye surgery?

The surgery usually takes less than 30 minutes. During the procedure, you'll lie on your back in a reclining chair. After numbing drops are placed in your eye, your doctor uses a special instrument to hold your eyelids open. A suction ring placed on your eye just before cutting the corneal flap may cause a feeling of pressure, and your vision may dim a little.

During the procedure, you'll be asked to focus on a point of light. Staring at this light helps you keep your eye fixed while the laser reshapes your cornea. You may detect a distinct odor as the laser removes your corneal tissue; some people describe smelling an odor similar to burning hair.
Results

Refractive surgery often can offer you improved vision without the hassle of glasses or contact lenses. In general, you have a very good chance of achieving 20/25 vision or better after refractive surgery. More than 90 percent of people who've undergone refractive surgery no longer need to use their glasses or contact lenses most of the time.

Your results will depend on your specific refractive error and other factors. People with a low grade of nearsightedness tend to have the most success with refractive surgery. People with a high degree of farsightedness along with astigmatism have less predictable results.

Risks
As with any surgery, refractive surgery carries risks, including:

1. Undercorrections. If the laser removes too little tissue from your eye, you won't get the vision results you were hoping for. Undercorrections are more common for people who are nearsighted. You may need another refractive surgery (enhancement surgery) within a year to remove more tissue.
2. Overcorrections. It's also possible that the laser will remove too much tissue from your eye. Overcorrections may be more difficult to fix than undercorrections.
3. Astigmatism. Astigmatism can be caused by uneven tissue removal. This sometimes occurs if your eye moves too much during surgery. It may require additional surgery.
4. Glare, halos and double vision. After surgery you may have difficulty seeing at night. You might notice glare, halos around bright lights or double vision. Sometimes these signs and symptoms can be treated with eyedrops that contain a type of corticosteroid, but sometimes a second surgery is required.
5. Dry eyes. For the first six months or so after your surgery, as your eyes heal they might feel unusually dry. Your eye doctor might recommend that you use eyedrops during this time. If you experience severe dry eye, you could opt for another procedure to get special plugs put in your tear ducts to prevent your tears from draining away from the surface of your eyes.
6. Flap problems. Folding back or removing the flap from the front of your eye during surgery can cause complications, including infection, tearing and swelling. The flap removed during PRK may grow back abnormally.

If you're considering LASIK eye surgery, talk to your doctor about your questions and concerns. He or she can explain how the surgery might benefit you and help put the risks in perspective.

source : mayo clinic

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The UV Card

What is the UV Card?
A simple, reusable, credit card size device that indicates the ultraviolet light intensity. Excessive levels of UV light can cause sunburn, premature aging of the skin, and skin cancer.

How does it work?
The UV Card measures the strength of UV light (in about 20 seconds), to help you determine the optimum level of sunscreen SPF to use.

Test Sunscreen
With our optional clear plastic card jacket* you may also test suncreen. Apply sunscreen over the protected indicator strip - if it works on the card, it's working on you. Also indicates when to reapply sunscreen. You'll be surprised at how much UV light exposure you receive even on cloudy days, or through windows.

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EYE OPENING FACTS

Your eyes can get sunburn. Protect your eyes from harmful UV rays.
What exactly are UV rays?

UV rays, short for ultraviolet electromagnetic radiation, are invisible waves emitted by the sun. UV rays are component of sunlight, just as light and heat. The UV spectrum is devided into 3 catagories of UV-A, UV-B, and UV-C, accoording to their wave lenghts.

UV-A rays have the longest wave lenght. It is responsible for tanning and causes premature skin aging.
UV-B rays have the second longest wave lenght. 90% of the UV-B rays are absorbed by the atmosphere. Though only a small UV-B component reaches the earthsurface, researches showed that it causes sunburn and it often associated with skin cancer and vision problems such as cataract.
UV-C rays is the shortest and most dangerous one. Luckily, all UV-C rays are absorbed by the atmosphere.

Tips:
1. Sun exposure can damage your eyes as well as your skin.
2. Anyone who apends a day at the beach, goes sailing or skiing or walks out side is
vulnerable to eye damage from the UV rays.
3. Cloudy weather does not mean you don't need to protect your self from UV radiation, as up to 80% of UV rays can penetrate throught light cloud cover.
4. Remember, the sun does not need to feel hot to damage your skin as well as your eyes. The damage is done by the UV radiation, which is not seen or felt, so don't be deceived by mild temperatures.

Going to summer vacation? Make sure to pack tour wide-brimmed had, sunglasses and sunscream. If you are using contact lenses, ask your eye care professional for the ones that have UV-Blocking. Remember, if your sunglasses era not wrap-arround style, UV rays can leak from the side into your eyes and can damage them.

source: eye zone

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BIRD FLU

Avian influenza in birds

Avian influenza is an infection caused by avian (bird) influenza (flu) viruses. These influenza viruses occur naturally among birds. Wild birds worldwide carry the viruses in their intestines, but usually do not get sick from them. However, avian influenza is very contagious among birds and can make some domesticated birds, including chickens, ducks, and turkeys, very sick and kill them.


There are many different subtypes of type A influenza viruses. These subtypes differ because of changes in certain proteins on the surface of the influenza A virus (hemagglutinin [HA] and neuraminidase [NA] proteins). There are 16 known HA subtypes and 9 known NA subtypes of influenza A viruses. Many different combinations of HA and NA proteins are possible. Each combination represents a different subtype. All known subtypes of influenza A viruses can be found in birds.

Influenza A (H5N1) virus – also called “H5N1 virus” – is an influenza A virus subtype that occurs mainly in birds, is highly contagious among birds, and can be deadly to them. H5N1 virus does not usually infect people, but infections with these viruses have occurred in humans. Most of these cases have resulted from people having direct or close contact with H5N1-infected poultry or H5N1-contaminated surfaces.

Infection in human

Although avian influenza A viruses usually do not infect humans, rare cases of human infection with avian influenza viruses have been reported since 1997. More recently, more than 200 confirmed cases of human infection with avian influenza A (H5N1) viruses have been reported since 2004. The World Health Organization (WHO) maintains situation updates and cumulative reports of human cases of avian influenza A (H5N1). Most cases of avian influenza infection in humans are thought to have resulted from direct contact with infected poultry or contaminated surfaces. However, there is still a lot to learn about how different subtypes and strains of avian influenza virus might affect humans. For example, it is not known how the distinction between low pathogenic and highly pathogenic strains might impact the health risk to humans.

Preventing the Flu

There are many actions you can take to protect yourself and others from the flu:

1.Vaccination

The single best way to prevent the flu is to get vaccinated each year.

2.Good Health Habits

Simple steps you can take in your day-to-day life can help you stay healthy.

3.Antiviral Drugs

Four antiviral drugs (amantadine, rimantadine, zanamavir,and oseltamivir) are approved

Influenza Symptoms, Protection, and What to Do If You Get Sick

Influenza (commonly called the “flu”) is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. The information below describes common flu symptoms, how to protect yourself and those close to you from getting the flu, and what to do if you get sick with flu-like symptoms.

Influenza usually starts suddenly and may include the following symptoms:

1. Fever (usually high)

2. Headache

3. Tiredness (can be extreme)

4. Cough

5. Sore throat

6. Runny or stuffy nose

7. Body aches

8. Diarrhea and vomiting (more common among children than adults)

Having these symptoms does not always mean that you have the flu. Many different illnesses, including the common cold, can have similar symptoms.

Protection against the Flu

The single best way to protect yourself and others against influenza is to get a flu vaccination each year. Two kinds of flu vaccine are available in the United States:

a. The "flu shot" —an inactivated vaccine (containing killed virus) that is given with a needle, usually in the arm. The flu shot is approved for use in people older than 6 months, including healthy people and people with chronic medical conditions.

b. The nasal-spray flu vaccine —a vaccine made with live, weakened flu viruses that do not cause the flu (sometimes called LAIV for “live attenuated influenza vaccine”). LAIV is approved for use in healthy people 5 years to 49 years of age who are not pregnant.

October or November is the best time to get vaccinated, but you can still get vaccinated in December and later. Flu season can begin as early as October and last as late as springtime.


The following additional measures can help protect against the flu.

Habits for Good Health

These steps may help prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses such as the flu:

-Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze—throw the tissue away after you use it.

- Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. If you are not near water, use an alcohol-based hand cleaner.

- Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too.

- If you get the flu, stay home from work, school, and social gatherings. In this way you will help prevent others from catching your illness.

- Try not to touch your eyes, nose, or mouth. Germs often spread this way.

Antiviral Medications

Three antiviral drugs (amantadine, rimantadine, and oseltamivir) are approved for use in preventing the flu..

These are prescription medications, and a doctor should be consulted before the drugs are used. Antiviral treatment lasts for 5 days and must be started within 2 days of illness. Therefore, if you get flu-like symptoms, seek medical care early.


Other Ways to Respond to the Flu

If you get the flu, get plenty of rest, drink a lot of liquids, and avoid using alcohol and tobacco. Also, you can take medications such as acetaminophen (e.g., Tylenol®) to relieve the fever and muscle aches associated with the flu. Never give aspirin to children or teenagers who have flu-like symptoms, particularly fever.

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