H7N9, New Bird Flu Virus in China

WHO says it now has not found evidence if the virus spreads between people per person. 

New bird flu virus threatens China, currently has nine people contracted the virus and four of them declared dead.
Two people are citizens of Shanghai.

The virus is endemic this time a new strain is H7N9, H5N1 is different from some time ago was shocking and claimed many victims from all over the world.
The H7N9 virus has not been known to cause disease in humans because it generally only threaten birds.

Recent study published by the Journal of Virology revealed that a family H7 strain of the flu virus that has caused more than 100 cases of human infections over the past decade.
In 2003, outbreaks of H7N7 had haunted the Netherlands and led to 89 people were infected and one person died.

The letter "H" and "N" are stamped on the name refers to the hemagglutinin danneuraminidase virus, a protein on the surface of the virus.
Furthermore, Richard Webby, a bird flu expert and infectious disease researcher at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, explains, there are 16 types of hemagglutinin and nine neuraminidase type.

The symptoms are caused when a person infected with the H7 virus respiratory tract infection progressed to pneumonia.
In the past, H7 viruses can also cause conjunctivitis or eye infection, but is not contagious between people per person.

This is also corroborated by the statement of UN health agency (WHO) that there is no evidence if the H7N9 virus spreads between people.
Webby added, the experts will identify the source of the virus and examine more deeply about the bird flu cases.

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Bird Flu's Mutated can Transmitted Between Humans

Puzzle presence of avian influenza virus (H5N1) is contagious between humans revealed.
A scientist reveals the first time about how to create a hybrid of bird flu virus.
The virus is easily spread through coughing and sneezing.
The work of these scientists are considered too dangerous to be published.

In a presentation that was broadcast live to the public, scientist Yoshihiro Kawaoka explains in detail how his team created a variant of the deadly bird flu virus.
Professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, United States, describes experiments that demonstrate the four genetic mutations.
The mutation allows the virus to spread between adjacent-ferret in the cage.

"Weasel-weasel is the best model of how the bird flu virus infection can spread among humans," Kawaoka said as quoted by the Guardian.

December last year, the United States Advisory Council biosecurity or U.S. National Science Advisory Board for Biosecurity (NSABB) asked the research Kawaoka removed from the British science journal, Nature.
They worry that countries or rogue elements will use the information to create biological weapons.

NSABB voiced similar concerns on the work of Ron Fouchier of Erasmus Medical Centre in Rotterdam, Netherlands.
Fouchier study, which describes the presence of a mutant strain of bird flu virus that can be spread through the air inter-weasel, being considered entered in the journal Science, USA.

Controversy over studies that assessed the bird flu virus has triggered a crisis in the radical science.
Many researchers argue Kawaoka and Fouchier research should be opened fully to the public interest that the information available to other experts in the field.
But some other researchers say the study should not have been done, at least sensitive part of the research should be shared only with the experts agreed.

Bird flu is considered very threatening humans because more than half the 600 people affected by the virus have died from the infection.
Many scientists fear the bird flu virus transmission between humans trigger a pandemic if it develops into a form that spreads quickly.

Kawaoka and Fouchier research is designed to answer the question whether the bird flu virus could undergo a genetic mutation in the wild.
The mutation does allow rapid adaptation to human and spreads like seasonal flu.

Speaking in a Royal Society conference on bird flu, Kawaoka and Fouchier claimed their research highlights the bird flu virus easily mutates into a form transmissible between humans potential.
But their findings suggest a mutant strain of bird flu virus does not spread as fast as seasonal flu and not deadly to animals exposed to infection of animals in adjacent cages.
"The world does not need to be too concerned because the virus can still be controlled with antivirals, such as Tamiflu and bird flu vaccines," says Kawaoka.

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4 Types of Vaccines for Adults

As with immunization in children, immunization in adults also aims to prevent disease transmission.
But many people do not realize the importance of vaccination.

Although not a mandatory program like vaccines in children, adults also need to actually immunized.
With vaccination, the body will be protected up to 80 percent.
"Although they may be suffering from the disease, but the disease progression is not as bad as people who have not been vaccinated," said Dr.Iris Rengganis, Adult Immunization Task Force members Sp.PD Medicine Specialist Association of Indonesia.

In general there are four types of vaccines that should be adults (aged over 18 years).

1. Hepatitis A Vaccine 

Hepatitis A is caused by a virus that attacks the liver and spread through oral contact and clean environment.
Hepatitis A vaccine helps the body produce antibodies to survive the onslaught of the disease.

Injections made 2 times the distance of 6 months in the body endurance vaccine about 20 years.
"For those who work in the food industry are advised to use special gloves, so as not to transmit or spread of hepatitis A in the consumer," said Iris.

2. Hepatitis B Vaccine

This disease is similar to hepatitis A.
However, the disease is transmitted through blood transfusions, sexual relations, and the use of personal items together.
This disease can also be transmitted from pregnant women to the fetus.
In fetuses born to mothers with hepatitis B, the vaccine will be injected in the body so that antibodies can be quickly formed.
The vaccine is given three times the distance of 1 and 6 months.

"Although it has been injected as a child it never hurts to repeat, because the vaccine resistance around 20 years," said Iris.

3. Pneumonia Vaccine

Pneumonia or pneumococcal disease caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria that fester in the nose and throat.
This disease attacks the lower respiratory tract and spread through coughing, sneezing, and when talking.
More susceptible to pneumonia attack in people aged over 60 years or those with a low immune system.

There are several types of vaccines with different bacterial serotypes.
According to Iris both equally well.
Vaccine should be repeated every 5 years.

4. Influenza Vaccine

To 94 percent of influenza deaths in over 45 years of age.
Dominated the early symptoms of the disease cough, fever, and muscle aches.
"Do not underestimate this disease. Ferocity we've seen how in China," said Iris.

The vaccine is given once a year.
Because it is always different disease-causing strains, the vaccine is given every year is different according to the WHO guidance on the most infecting strains.

Several other types of vaccines that can also be taken is the HPV vaccine to prevent cervical cancer.
The vaccine is recommended for girls who are not married.
Also available is a meningitis vaccine, typhoid, tetanus, and many more.

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Marijuana, Diabetes Drugs of the Future?

Scientists continue to explore the ability of cannabis, aka marijuana plants in treatment.
New study says, marijuana contains components that can help control blood sugar.

Cannabis also has a strong association with body weight.
In addition to increasing appetite, cannabis could actually help a person to stay slim.

Three recent studies indicate the risk for obesity marijuana users is smaller, other than that they also have a lower risk of diabetes and body mass index values ​​are smaller.
The third benefit is obtained even though the marijuana users drink more calories.

How does that happen?
One reason is because marijuana users have a better carbohydrate metabolism.

"Their fasting insulin levels were also lower, and they also have a lower risk of insulin resistance (a condition that triggers diabetes) due to their body's ability to maintain normal blood sugar levels," said Murray Mittleman, of Harvard Medical School researchers.

Research conducted Mittleman it includes 4,600 men and women who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey between 2005-2010.

Of these respondents, 48 ​​percent had smoked marijuana at least once in their lives, and 12 percent are still sucking up now.

The researchers controlled for other risk factors that affect the risk of diabetes such as age, gender, akohol use, smoking habits, and physical activity.

Although the risk factors taken into account, the marijuana users until now have fasting insulin levels 16 percent lower than those who had never smoked or had not smoked again.
The marijuana users also get a decrease in insulin resistance levels of around 17 percent.

Fasting insulin levels and insulin resistance levels are also closely associated with the occurrence of type two diabetes and obesity.

The marijuana users also turned out to have higher levels of good cholesterol, which can protect the body from heart disease.
In general, they also have a smaller waist circumference.

Researchers do not yet fully understand the connection because this research is not case-control studies.
Also not known whether marijuana or other lifestyle factors that of the respondents who cause they got a number of health benefits.

One of the allegations is the influence of marijuana at specific receptors in the brain related to appetite and metabolism.

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7 Ways to Maintain Ideal Weight

The phrase "reach easier than maintaining" may apply to the affairs of weight loss.
If people have a target to reach a certain weight, they tend to be eager to achieve it.
But when it reach it, sometimes they even forget myself so the weight back skyrocket.

Well, in order to avoid weight gain after successfully lowered, we need some way.
Here are 7 ways that can help maintain the ideal weight has been achieved.

1. Plan ahead

Keeping weight also need a good meal plan, even when it comes to the party.
Yummy food was plentiful at the party may be able to attract interest, but remember that weight loss has been achieved.
The solution, do not go to the party with an empty stomach.
Eat little and do not linger on the food table.

2. Give awards

Small award is important to keep yourself motivated after achieving the target.
But instead of giving rewards such as food, better give new clothes in smaller size or body treatment.
Reward yourself instead of having to drain your wallet anyway, a hot bath, watch TV, or the streets also have a form of respect.

3. Keep food fresh and fun

During weight loss, may be saturated with the type of food eaten.
To make eating it fresh and fun, then try to be more creative in creating a variety of healthy foods.
Combination with a healthy diet another country of origin could also be an option.

4. Do not forget about healthy habits

Healthy habits that have been built during the weight loss program should still be done even though it was successful.
For example, a healthy breakfast or exercise.

5. Just three bite

Serving delicious food, especially diicip as never before, is inviting taste.
But if the food is high in calories, so try it with just three bites and stop eating.

6. Monitor food

Record diasup food every day.
So, when the weight gain it back, you can easily find out what food is to blame and should be avoided.

7. Increase exercise intensity

Studies show people who successfully maintain weight is one who is able to keep exercising in the middle of busy. In order not to get bored, try a new aerobics class or a new sport.

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Sunlight Reduce Asthma Symptoms

Asthma is an allergic disease which is the number of infected continues to rise.

One way to reduce the symptoms of asthma is to spend some time basking in the sun.

Asthma attacks can make the sufferer asphyxiation because their airways inflamed, swollen, and narrowed.

Although steroid drugs can control the symptoms, but not everyone fits.
Because it could not hurt to try new ways recommended by the experts from Kings College London.

In their latest research mentioned, the body's vitamin D is made from sunlight, would improve asthma symptoms.
Vitamin D is known to calm part of an overactive immune system in asthma.

However, so far this has not been tested asthmatic patients treated with vitamin D.

"People with adequate levels of vitamin D is better in controlling their asthma. Linkage between the two is quite strong," said researcher Prof.Catherine Hawrylowicz.

In the study they lead, they investigated the effects of vitamin D on chemical compounds in the body, namely interleukin-17.
This is an important part of the immune system and fight infection in charge.

But interleukin-17 could be a problem if the levels are too high and the impact on asthma attacks.
Well, it turns out vitamin D can lower interlekuin-17 when tested with added in blood samples taken from 28 patients with asthma.

The researchers are now conducting a clinical trial to determine whether exposure to the sun can reduce the symptoms of asthma.
Patients who became the subject are those who do not fit steroid asthma drugs.
As a result, they produce interleukin-17 seven times more than other patients.

Responding to the results of this study, Malayka Rahman, of the charity Asthma UK welcomed.
"The majority of patients actually fit with existing drugs, but some are not susceptible to the drug. Therefore this study is very important," he said.

He also added that many patients are actually worried about the side effects of asthma medications.
"Therefore, if vitamin D is indeed effective against asthma symptoms, quality of life can be improved," he said.

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Separate sleeping Can Avoid Infant Death Risk

Recent research in the open access journal British Medical Journal revealed, still sleeping with new born babies, can increase the risk of death by five-fold.

Of approximately 22 percent of the hundreds of cases in the UK are examined, the baby in her crib deaths caused by kebiasaanco-sleeping with infants, especially babies who are still under the age of three months.

The academics from London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine this confirms that the results they are 88 percent of infant deaths are very likely avoided if the father and / or mother does not sleep in the same bed with young babies.

During the British health department authorities are recommended to clear, both parents should not sleep with the baby if you smoke, consume alcohol or illegal drugs.
It turns out though parents do not smoke and consume alcohol or drugs, the risk of sudden death in healthy infants sleep quite large.

Bob Carpenter, a professor and also one of the researchers involved in this research, says that - the calculation - not sleeping together in one bed could save 120 babies from the data 300 cases in the UK per year.

Proximity of parents and babies while in bed with a comfortable stay can be done while the baby is breastfeeding or indulgent, but not during sleep, so Carpenter explains.
"This does not mean the baby banned from parental bed. Yet at the time was asleep, the baby should be in bed alone or apart," he said.

He also suggested, sharing room space better for safety and comfort for parent and baby.

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