World Leprosy Eradication Day
30th January 2015 World leprosy day is celebrated to promote awareness about this epidemic disease, and educate people suffering from its pain that it is a curable disease.Key Facts:• Leprosy is curable.• Untreated, leprosy can cause progressive and permanent damage to the skin, nerves, limbs and eyes.• Although not highly infectious, it is transmitted via droplets, from the nose and mouth, during close and frequent contacts with untreated cases.• Official figures from 115 countries show the global registered prevalence of leprosy at 189,018 at the end of 2012 and during the same year 232,857 new cases were reported
Thursday, January 29, 2015
Wednesday, January 28, 2015
Swine Flu Preventive Measures In Tamilnadu
Following reports of swine flu cases in near by states, the Tamilnadu State health department set up 24-hour helplines for public to clarify their doubts on the flu from Saturday.
You can contact the helpline at 044-24350496, 044-24334811, 94443 40496 and 93614 82899 and also 104 for any queries regarding the flu.
A statement from the government, issued after a ministerial review meeting to monitor the preparedness and prevention measures taken up in the State on Saturday, said all measures have been taken to control swine flu in the State.
There are over 1.50 lakh Tamiflu tablets in stock. Six special laboratories, including at Kings Institute in Guindy and Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education & Research (JIPMER) in Puducherry, besides 13 others in private institutes can be accessed to test the flu.
The State government has also set up special wards to treat the infected at communicable disease hospital in Tondiarpet, and in all the taluk and government medical college hospitals, with adequate doctors and nurses to attend the patients, the statement said.
People were advised to follow cough etiquette - covering the mouth while coughing, wash hands frequently etc. Those having fever, cold and cough along with throat pain should immediately approach the right doctor instead of taking over-the-counter drugs. There is no cause cause for panic over the flu, as the State health department is well equipped to provide medical care.
Even the World Health Organisation has now brought down the classification of swine flu - H1N1 - to seasonal influenza from pandemic in 2009-2010, the press release added.
Health Minister Dr C Vijaya Baskar chaired the review meeting at the Secretariat. Health Secretary J Radhakrishnan, Director of Public Health Dr K Kolandaswamy and Director of Medical Education, Dr S Geethalaksmi and others participated.
Swine Flu Frequently Asked Questions
What is H1N1 flu (swine flu)?
H1N1 flu is a new influenza virus that was first detected in April 2009 in people in Illinois and elsewhere in the United States. This virus is spreading from person-to-person worldwide, probably in much the same way regular seasonal influenza viruses spread. On June 11, 2009, the World Health Organization signaled that a pandemic of H1N1 flu was underway.
Why is H1N1 flu sometimes called “swine flu?”
This virus was originally referred to as “swine flu” because laboratory testing showed many of the genes in this new virus were very similar to influenza viruses that normally occur in pigs (swine) in North America. But further study has shown that this new virus is very different from what normally circulates in North American pigs. It has two genes from flu viruses that normally circulate in pigs in Europe and Asia and bird (avian) genes and human genes.
How does H1N1 virus spread?
Spread of H1N1 virus is thought to occur in the same way that seasonal flu spreads. Flu viruses are spread mainly from person-to-person through coughing or sneezing by people with influenza. Sometimes people may become infected by touching something – such as a surface or object – with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.
What are the signs and symptoms of this virus in people?
The symptoms of H1N1 flu in people include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people may have vomiting and diarrhea. People may be infected with the flu, including H1N1 and have respiratory symptoms without a fever. Severe illnesses and death has occurred as a result of illness associated with this virus.
How severe is illness associated with H1N1 flu?
Illness with the new H1N1 virus has ranged from mild to severe. While most people who have been sick have recovered without needing medical treatment, hospitalizations and deaths from infection with this virus have occurred.
About 70 percent of people who have been hospitalized with H1N1 virus have had one or more medical conditions previously recognized as placing people at “high risk” of serious seasonal flu-related complications. This includes pregnancy, diabetes, heart disease, asthma and kidney disease.
One thing that appears to be different from seasonal influenza is that adults older than 64 years do not yet appear to be at increased risk of H1N1-related complications. Laboratory studies have shown that no children and very few adults younger than 60 years old have existing antibodies to H1N1 flu virus; however, about one-third of adults older than 60 may have antibodies against this virus. It is unknown how much, if any, protection may be afforded against H1N1 flu by any existing antibody.
How does H1N1 flu compare to seasonal flu in terms of its severity and infection rates?
With seasonal flu, we know that seasons vary in terms of timing, duration and severity. Seasonal influenza can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. Each year, in the United States, on average 36,000 people die from flu-related complications and more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu-related causes. Of those hospitalized, 20,000 are children younger than 5 years old. More than 90 percent of deaths and about 60 percent of hospitalization occur in people older than 65.
H1N1 flu has caused greater disease burden in people younger than 25 years of age than older people. At this time, there are few cases and few deaths reported in people older than 64 years old, which is unusual when compared with seasonal flu. However, pregnancy and other previously recognized high risk medical conditions from seasonal influenza appear to be associated with increased risk of complications from H1N1 flu. These underlying conditions include asthma, diabetes, suppressed immune systems, heart disease, kidney disease, neurocognitive and neuromuscular disorders, and pregnancy.
How long can an infected person spread this virus to others?
People infected with seasonal and H1N1 flu shed virus and may be able to infect others from one day before getting sick to five to seven days after. This can be longer in some people, especially children and people with weakened immune systems.
Prevention and Treatment
What can I do to protect myself from getting sick?
First and most important: wash your hands. Try to stay in good general health. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids and eat nutritious food. Try not touch surfaces that may be contaminated with the flu virus. Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
When is it expected that the 2009 H1N1 vaccine will be available?
The 2009 H1N1 vaccine is first expected to be available in October in limited supplies.
Will the seasonal flu vaccine also protect against H1N1 flu?
No. The seasonal flu vaccine does not protect against H1N1 flu.
Can the seasonal vaccine and the H1N1 vaccine be given at the same time?
Yes, with the exception of the seasonal nasal spray vaccine and the H1N1 nasal spray vaccines. Administering the seasonal nasal spray and H1N1 nasal spray at the same visit is NOT recommended because of concerns about competition between the two vaccine viruses. Doses of these two vaccines should be separated by four weeks.
How can I find out where I can get the H1N1 vaccine for myself and my family members?
Call your local health department or health care provider.
Where will the H1N1 vaccine be available?
Vaccine will be available in a combination of settings, such as vaccination clinics organized by local health departments, health care provider offices, schools, and other private settings, such as pharmacies and workplaces.
Will two doses of H1N1 vaccine be required?
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the use of one dose of H1N1 flu vaccine for persons 10 years of age and older, and two doses for children 6 months to 9 years of age. As with seasonal vaccine, children ages 6 months through 35 months will receive two doses of H1N1 flu vaccine that contains one-half the dose used for older children and adults.
What will be the recommended interval between the first and second dose for children 9 years of age and under?
An interval of 21 to 28 days between the first and second vaccination is currently recommended.
Who will be recommended to receive the 2009 H1N1 vaccine?
CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has recommended that certain groups of the population receive the H1N1 vaccine when it first becomes available. These target groups include pregnant women, people who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age, health care and emergency medical services personnel, persons between the ages of 6 months and 24 years, and people 25 through 64 years of age who are at higher risk for H1N1 because of chronic health disorders or compromised immune systems.
The committee recommended that once the demand for vaccine for these target groups has been met at the local level, programs and providers should begin vaccinating everyone from ages 25 through 64 years. Current studies indicate the risk for infection among persons age 65 or older is less than the risk for younger age groups. Therefore, as vaccine supply and demand for vaccine among younger age groups is being met, programs and providers should offer vaccination to people over the age of 65.
Do those that have been previously vaccinated against the 1976 swine influenza need to get vaccinated against H1N1 influenza?
The 1976 swine flu virus and the H1N1 virus are different enough that it’s unlikely a person vaccinated in 1976 will have full protection from H1N1 flu. People vaccinated in 1976 should still be given the H1N1 vaccine.
Will this vaccine be made differently than the seasonal influenza vaccine?
No. This vaccine will be made using the same processes and facilities that are used to make the currently licensed seasonal influenza vaccines.
What can I do to prevent the spread of H1N1 flu?
Take the following everyday steps to help prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses like influenza and protect your health:
Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.*
Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
If you are sick with flu-like illness, stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. (Your fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.) Keep away from others as much as possible to keep from making others sick.
Other important actions that you can take are:
Follow public health advice regarding school closures, avoiding crowds and other social distancing measures.
Be prepared in case you get sick and need to stay home for a week or so; a supply of over-the-counter medicines, alcohol-based hand rubs (for when soap and water are not available), tissues and other related items could help you to avoid the need to make trips out in public while you are sick and contagious.
What is the best way to keep from spreading the virus through coughing or sneezing?
Keep away from others as much as possible. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. Put your used tissue in the waste basket. Then, clean your hands, and do so every time you cough or sneeze.
If I have a family member at home who is sick with H1N1 flu, should I go to work?
Employees who are well but who have an ill family member at home with H1N1 flu can go to work as usual. These employees should monitor their health every day and take precautions, including washing their hands often with soap and water, especially after they cough or sneeze. If soap and water are not available, they should use an alcohol-based hand rub. If they become ill, they should notify their supervisor and stay home. Employees who have an underlying medical condition or who are pregnant should call their health care provider for advice, because they might need to receive influenza antiviral drugs to prevent illness.
What is the best technique for washing my hands to avoid getting the flu?
Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs. When you wash your hands -- with soap and warm water -- wash for 15 to 20 seconds. When soap and water are not available, alcohol-based disposable hand wipes or gel sanitizers may be used. If using gel, rub your hands until the gel is dry. The gel doesn't need water to work; the alcohol in it kills the germs on your hands.
What should I do if I get sick?
If you live in areas where people have been identified with H1N1 flu and become ill with influenza-like symptoms, including fever, body aches, runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, nausea, or vomiting or diarrhea, you should stay home and avoid contact with other people. Stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. Your fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine. If you are a health care worker, you need to stay home longer.
Stay away from others as much as possible to keep from making others sick. Staying at home means that you should not leave your home except to seek medical care. This means avoiding normal activities, including work, school, travel, shopping, social events and public gatherings.
If you have severe illness or you are at high risk for flu complications, contact your health care provider or seek medical care. Your health care provider will determine whether flu testing or treatment is needed.
If you become ill and experience any of the following warning signs, seek emergency medical care.
In children, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:
Fast breathing or trouble breathing
Bluish or gray skin color
Not drinking enough fluids
Severe or persistent vomiting
Not waking up or not interacting
Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
Flu-like symptoms improve, but then return with fever and worse cough
In adults, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:
Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
Sudden dizziness
Confusion
Severe or persistent vomiting
Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
Are there medicines to treat H1N1 infection?
Yes, the FDA approved drugs for treatment of H1N1 infection are oseltamivir (trade name Tamiflu®) and zanamivir (trade name Relenza®)
Most people ill with influenza will recover without complications. Some people are at highest risk of influenza-related complications and are recommended for treatment with influenza antiviral drugs this season. They include:
People with more severe illness, such as those hospitalized with suspected or confirmed influenza
People with suspected or confirmed influenza who are at higher risk for complications
Children younger than 2 years old
Adults 65 years and older
Pregnant women
People with certain chronic medical or immunosuppressive conditions
People younger than 19 years of age who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy
Children 2 years to 4 years old are more likely to require hospitalization or urgent medical evaluation for influenza compared with older children, although the risk is much lower than for children younger than 2 years old. Children aged 2 years to 4 years without high-risk conditions and who are not severely ill do not necessarily require antiviral treatment.
Children and adults with suspected influenza who have evidence of serious illness should also receive prompt antiviral therapy, regardless of previous health or age.
Who is lower priority for treatment with influenza antiviral drugs?
Treatment with influenza antiviral drugs is generally not needed for people who are not at higher risk for complications or do not have severe influenza, such as those requiring hospitalization. However, any suspected influenza patient who presents with emergency warning signs (e.g., difficulty breathing or shortness of breath) or signs of lower respiratory tract illness or worsening illness should seek medical care promptly receive antiviral therapy when indicated.
Doctors may treat some people who are not in a high-risk group based on their clinical judgment. In addition, doctors also may decide that treatment is not needed for some who are in a high risk group based on their clinical judgment.
Contamination and Cleaning
How long can influenza virus remain viable on objects (such as books and doorknobs)?
Studies have shown that influenza virus can survive on environmental surfaces and can infect a person for two to eight hours after being deposited on the surface.
What kills influenza virus?
Influenza virus is destroyed by heat (167-212°F [75-100°C]). In addition, several chemical germicides, including chlorine, hydrogen peroxide, detergents (soap), iodophors (iodine-based antiseptics), and alcohols are effective against human influenza viruses if used in proper concentration for a sufficient length of time.
What if soap and water are not available and alcohol-based products are not allowed in my facility?
If soap and water are not available and alcohol-based products are not allowed, other hand sanitizers that do not contain alcohol may be useful.
What surfaces are most likely to be sources of contamination?
Germs can be spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose or mouth. Droplets from a cough or sneeze of an infected person move through the air. Germs can be spread when a person touches respiratory droplets from another person on a surface like a desk, for example, and then touches their own eyes, mouth or nose before wash
How should waste disposal be handled to prevent the spread of influenza virus?
To prevent the spread of influenza virus, it is recommended that tissues and other disposable items used by an infected person be thrown in the trash. Additionally, persons should wash their hands with soap and water after touching used tissues and similar waste.
What household cleaning should be done to prevent the spread of influenza virus?
To prevent the spread of influenza virus it is important to keep surfaces (especially bedside tables, surfaces in the bathroom, kitchen counters and toys for children) clean by wiping them down with a household disinfectant according to directions on the product label.
How should linens, eating utensils and dishes of persons infected with influenza virus be handled?
Linens, eating utensils and dishes belonging to those who are sick do not need to be cleaned separately, but importantly these items should not be shared without washing thoroughly first.
Linens (such as bed sheets and towels) should be washed by using household laundry soap and tumbled dry on a hot setting. Individuals should avoid "hugging" laundry prior to washing it to prevent contaminating themselves. Individuals should wash their hands with soap and water or alcohol-based hand rub immediately after handling dirty laundry.
Eating utensils should be washed either in a dishwasher or by hand with water and soap.
Exposures Not Thought to Spread H1N1 Flu
Can I get infected with 2009 H1N1 virus from eating or preparing pork?
No. H1N1 viruses are not spread by food. You cannot get infected with HIN1 virus from eating pork or pork products. Eating properly handled and cooked pork products is safe.
Is there a risk from drinking water?
Tap water treated by conventional disinfection processes does not likely pose a risk for transmission of influenza viruses. Current drinking water treatment regulations provide a high degree of protection from viruses. No research has been completed on the susceptibility of H1N1 flu virus to conventional drinking water treatment processes. However, recent studies have demonstrated that free chlorine levels typically used in drinking water treatment are adequate to inactivate highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza. It is likely that other influenza viruses, such as H1N1, would also be similarly inactivated by chlorination. To date, there have been no documented human cases of influenza caused by exposure to influenza-contaminated drinking water.
Can H1N1 flu virus be spread through water in swimming pools, spas, water parks, interactive fountains and other treated recreational water venues?
Influenza viruses infect the human upper respiratory tract. There has never been a documented case of influenza virus infection associated with water exposure. Recreational water that has been treated at CDC recommended disinfectant levels does not likely pose a risk for transmission of influenza viruses. No research has been completed on the susceptibility of H1N1 influenza virus to chlorine and other disinfectants used in swimming pools, spas, water parks, interactive fountains and other treated recreational venues. However, recent studies have demonstrated that free chlorine levels recommended by CDC (1–3 parts per million [ppm or mg/L] for pools and 2–5 ppm for spas) are adequate to disinfect avian influenza A (H5N1) virus. It is likely that other influenza viruses such as H1N1 virus would also be similarly disinfected by chlorine.
Can 2009 H1N1 influenza virus be spread at recreational water venues outside of the water?
Yes. Recreational water venues are no different than any other group setting. The spread of this 2009 H1N1 flu is thought to be happening in the same way that seasonal flu spreads. Flu viruses are spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing of people with influenza. Sometimes people may become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.
Friday, January 23, 2015
Advice on weight control is a must.Aleem M A BMJ 2015;350:g6845
Practice
What your patient is thinking
Why there’s no point telling me to lose weight
BMJ 2015; 350 doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmj.g6845 (Published 20 January 2015)
Cite this as: BMJ 2015;350:g6845
Rapid response
Advice on weight control is a must
There are many points to stress the importance of body weight control in health and diseases. It's our duty to give advice on weight control in all patients whether they are willing or not. So it is a must to discuss low and overweight problems in all whose who are coming for a medical consultation.
Competing interests: No competing interests
23 January 2015
M A Aleem
Neurologist
ABC hospital
Annamalai Nagar Trichy 620018 Tamilnadu India
What your patient is thinking
Why there’s no point telling me to lose weight
BMJ 2015; 350 doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmj.g6845 (Published 20 January 2015)
Cite this as: BMJ 2015;350:g6845
Rapid response
Advice on weight control is a must
There are many points to stress the importance of body weight control in health and diseases. It's our duty to give advice on weight control in all patients whether they are willing or not. So it is a must to discuss low and overweight problems in all whose who are coming for a medical consultation.
Competing interests: No competing interests
23 January 2015
M A Aleem
Neurologist
ABC hospital
Annamalai Nagar Trichy 620018 Tamilnadu India
Advice on weight control is a must.Aleem M A BMJ 2015;350:g6845
Practice
What your patient is thinking
Why there’s no point telling me to lose weight
BMJ 2015; 350 doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmj.g6845 (Published 20 January 2015)
Cite this as: BMJ 2015;350:g6845
Rapid response
Advice on weight control is a must
There are many points to stress the importance of body weight control in health and diseases. It's our duty to give advice on weight control in all patients whether they are willing or not. So it is a must to discuss low and overweight problems in all whose who are coming for a medical consultation.
Competing interests: No competing interests
23 January 2015
M A Aleem
Neurologist
ABC hospital
Annamalai Nagar Trichy 620018 Tamilnadu India
What your patient is thinking
Why there’s no point telling me to lose weight
BMJ 2015; 350 doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmj.g6845 (Published 20 January 2015)
Cite this as: BMJ 2015;350:g6845
Rapid response
Advice on weight control is a must
There are many points to stress the importance of body weight control in health and diseases. It's our duty to give advice on weight control in all patients whether they are willing or not. So it is a must to discuss low and overweight problems in all whose who are coming for a medical consultation.
Competing interests: No competing interests
23 January 2015
M A Aleem
Neurologist
ABC hospital
Annamalai Nagar Trichy 620018 Tamilnadu India
Padma Awards 2015 Probables
Padma Awards 2015 Probables
CHENNAI: Pro-BJP and self-proclaimed godmen, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and Baba Ramdev and film industry icons Amitabh Bachchan and Rajinikanth are among the names who will be coffered the Padma awards at this Republic Day.
According to a national newspaper, Advani and Badal are the only two politicians who find place in the list of 148 recipients. Actor Dilip Kumar, filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali, lyricist and ad guru Prasoon Joshi, who worked on the BJP’s advertisement campaign for the Lok Sabha elections, and scriptwriter Salim Khan, father of actor Salman Khan, also feature in the list.
Saina Nehwal, who recently was in news for protesting against not nominating her, ends on the losing side as her as the sports ministry chooses PV Sindhu over the Olympic medalist. Other sportspersons who will be honored this Jan 26 are hockey team captain Sardara Singh, chess grandmaster Sasikiran Krishnan, wrestler Sushil Kumar, his coach Satpal and Arunima Sinha, the first women amputee mountaineer to climb Mount Everest.
Economist Bibek Debroy, now a member of NITI Aayog, mediapersons Rajat Sharma, Swapan Dasgupta, Hari Shankar Vyas, late actor Pran have also been nominated for the award.
Former bureaucrats who figure in the list are former chief election commissioner N Gopalaswami, K S Bajpai, P V Rajaraman. Agriculture economist Ashok Gulati, senior lawyers Harish Salve, K K Venugopal and constitutional expert Subhash Kashyap too will be conferred the country’s highest civilian awards.
Following the recent succesful space missions, two scientists from ISRO, S Arunan of MOM, and S K Shivkumar of Chandrayaan, will be felicitated. Chewang Norphel, popularly known as iceman who built artificial glaciers in Ladakh, Jadav Molai Peyang (tribal environmentalist), Neil Herbert Nonkynrih of the famous Shillong Choir, Manoj Das (Oriya writer) also figure in the list.
Here is the entire list of the Padma awards:
Padma Vibhushan
1. Shri K G Subramanyan Art-Painting & Sculpture West Bengal 2. Late Shri Mario De Miranda Art-Cartoonist Goa3. Late (Dr.)Bhupen Hazarika Art- Vocal Music Assam4. Dr. Kantilal Hastimal Sancheti Medicine - Orthopedics Maharashtra5. Shri T V Rajeswar Civil Service Delhi
Padma Bhushan
Smt. Shabana Azmi , Shri Khaled Choudhury, Shri Jatin Das Pandit Buddhadev Das Gupta, Shri Dharmendra Singh Deol alias Dharmendra, Dr. Trippunithwra Viswanathan Gopalkrishnan, Ms. Mira Nair, Shri M.S. Gopalakrishnan, Shri Anish Kapoor, Shri Satya Narayan Goenka, Dr. (Judge) Patibandla Chandrasekhar Rao, Shri George Yong-Boon Yeo,Prof. Shashikumar Chitre, Dr. M S Raghunathan, Shri Subbiah Murugappa Vellayan, Shri Balasubramanian Muthuraman, Dr. Suresh H. Advani, Dr. Noshir H Wadia, Dr. Devi Prasad Shetty, Prof. (Dr.) Shantaram Balwant Mujumdar, Prof. Vidya Dehejia, Prof. Arvind Panagariya, Dr. Jose Pereira, Dr. Homi K. Bhabha, L Shri N Vittal, Shri Mata Prasad, Shri Ronen Sen
Padma Shri
Shri Vanraj Bhatia, Shri Zia Fariduddin Dagar, Smt. Nameirakpam Ibemni Devi, Shri Ramachandra Subraya Hegde , Shri Moti Lal Kemmu, Shri Shahid Parvez Khan, Shri Mohan Lal Kumhar, Shri Sakar Khan Manganiar, Smt. Joy Michael, Dr. Minati Mishra, Shri Natesan Muthuswamy, Smt. R. Nagarathnamma, Shri Kalamandalm Sivan Nambootiri, Smt. Yamunabai Waikar, Shri Satish Alekar, Pandit Gopal Prasad Dubey, Shri Ramakant Gundecha, Shri Umakant Gundecha, Shri Anup Jalota, Shri Soman Nair Priyadarsan, Shri Sunil Janah, Ms. Laila Tyebji, Shri Vijay Sharma, Smt. Shamshad Begum, Smt. Reeta Devi,i Dr. P.K. Gopal, Smt. Phoolbasan Bai Yadav, Dr. G. Muniratnam, Shri Niranjan Pranshankar Pandya, Dr. Uma Tuli, Shri Sat Paul Varma, Smt.Binny Yanga, Shri Yezdi Hirji Malegam, Shri Pravin H. Parekh, Dr. V. Adimurthy, Dr. Krishna Lal hadha, , Prof. Virander Singh Chauhan, , Prof. Rameshwar Nath Koul Bamezai, , Dr. Vijaypal Singh, , Dr. Lokesh Kumar Singhal , Dr. Yagnaswami Sundara Rajan, , Prof. Jagadish Shukla, S,* Ms. Priya Paul,, Shri Shoji Shiba,Shri Gopinath Pillai, , Shri Arun Hastimal Firodia, , Dr. Swati A. Piramal, Tr, Prof. Mahdi Hasan, , Dr. Viswanathan Mohan, , Dr. J. Hareendran Nair, Dr. Vallalarpuram Sennimalai Natarajan,, Dr. Jitendra Kumar Singh, , Dr. Shrinivas S. Vaishya, , Dr. Nitya Anand, , Late Dr. Jugal Kishore, , Dr. Mukesh Batra, Dr. Eberhard Fischer , Shri Kedar Gurung, , Shri Surjit Singh Patar, Shri Vijay Dutt Shridhar, Shri Irwin Allan Sealy, Ms. Geeta Dharmarajan,, Prof. Sachchidanand Sahai, , Smt. Pepita Seth, ,Dr. Ralte L. Thanmawia,Shri Ajeet Bajaj, Smt. Jhulan Goswami, Shri Zafar Iqbal,, Shri Devendra Jhajrija,, Shri Limba Ram, , Shri Syed Mohammed Arif, ,Prof. Ravi Chaturvedi,, Shri Prabhakar Vaidya, Shri T. Venkatapathi Reddiar, O, Dr. K. (Kota) Ullas Karanth, Shri K Paddayya, Shri Swapan Guha, Dr. Kartikeya V. Sarabhai.
The Ministry of Home Affairs said "Govt has not yet announced Padma Awards for 2015. These awards are announced on 25th of Jan every year, on the eve of the Republic Day, The names appearing in the media are speculative and there is no official confirmation for the same,"
- Indian express 23.1.2015
CHENNAI: Pro-BJP and self-proclaimed godmen, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and Baba Ramdev and film industry icons Amitabh Bachchan and Rajinikanth are among the names who will be coffered the Padma awards at this Republic Day.
According to a national newspaper, Advani and Badal are the only two politicians who find place in the list of 148 recipients. Actor Dilip Kumar, filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali, lyricist and ad guru Prasoon Joshi, who worked on the BJP’s advertisement campaign for the Lok Sabha elections, and scriptwriter Salim Khan, father of actor Salman Khan, also feature in the list.
Saina Nehwal, who recently was in news for protesting against not nominating her, ends on the losing side as her as the sports ministry chooses PV Sindhu over the Olympic medalist. Other sportspersons who will be honored this Jan 26 are hockey team captain Sardara Singh, chess grandmaster Sasikiran Krishnan, wrestler Sushil Kumar, his coach Satpal and Arunima Sinha, the first women amputee mountaineer to climb Mount Everest.
Economist Bibek Debroy, now a member of NITI Aayog, mediapersons Rajat Sharma, Swapan Dasgupta, Hari Shankar Vyas, late actor Pran have also been nominated for the award.
Former bureaucrats who figure in the list are former chief election commissioner N Gopalaswami, K S Bajpai, P V Rajaraman. Agriculture economist Ashok Gulati, senior lawyers Harish Salve, K K Venugopal and constitutional expert Subhash Kashyap too will be conferred the country’s highest civilian awards.
Following the recent succesful space missions, two scientists from ISRO, S Arunan of MOM, and S K Shivkumar of Chandrayaan, will be felicitated. Chewang Norphel, popularly known as iceman who built artificial glaciers in Ladakh, Jadav Molai Peyang (tribal environmentalist), Neil Herbert Nonkynrih of the famous Shillong Choir, Manoj Das (Oriya writer) also figure in the list.
Here is the entire list of the Padma awards:
Padma Vibhushan
1. Shri K G Subramanyan Art-Painting & Sculpture West Bengal 2. Late Shri Mario De Miranda Art-Cartoonist Goa3. Late (Dr.)Bhupen Hazarika Art- Vocal Music Assam4. Dr. Kantilal Hastimal Sancheti Medicine - Orthopedics Maharashtra5. Shri T V Rajeswar Civil Service Delhi
Padma Bhushan
Smt. Shabana Azmi , Shri Khaled Choudhury, Shri Jatin Das Pandit Buddhadev Das Gupta, Shri Dharmendra Singh Deol alias Dharmendra, Dr. Trippunithwra Viswanathan Gopalkrishnan, Ms. Mira Nair, Shri M.S. Gopalakrishnan, Shri Anish Kapoor, Shri Satya Narayan Goenka, Dr. (Judge) Patibandla Chandrasekhar Rao, Shri George Yong-Boon Yeo,Prof. Shashikumar Chitre, Dr. M S Raghunathan, Shri Subbiah Murugappa Vellayan, Shri Balasubramanian Muthuraman, Dr. Suresh H. Advani, Dr. Noshir H Wadia, Dr. Devi Prasad Shetty, Prof. (Dr.) Shantaram Balwant Mujumdar, Prof. Vidya Dehejia, Prof. Arvind Panagariya, Dr. Jose Pereira, Dr. Homi K. Bhabha, L Shri N Vittal, Shri Mata Prasad, Shri Ronen Sen
Padma Shri
Shri Vanraj Bhatia, Shri Zia Fariduddin Dagar, Smt. Nameirakpam Ibemni Devi, Shri Ramachandra Subraya Hegde , Shri Moti Lal Kemmu, Shri Shahid Parvez Khan, Shri Mohan Lal Kumhar, Shri Sakar Khan Manganiar, Smt. Joy Michael, Dr. Minati Mishra, Shri Natesan Muthuswamy, Smt. R. Nagarathnamma, Shri Kalamandalm Sivan Nambootiri, Smt. Yamunabai Waikar, Shri Satish Alekar, Pandit Gopal Prasad Dubey, Shri Ramakant Gundecha, Shri Umakant Gundecha, Shri Anup Jalota, Shri Soman Nair Priyadarsan, Shri Sunil Janah, Ms. Laila Tyebji, Shri Vijay Sharma, Smt. Shamshad Begum, Smt. Reeta Devi,i Dr. P.K. Gopal, Smt. Phoolbasan Bai Yadav, Dr. G. Muniratnam, Shri Niranjan Pranshankar Pandya, Dr. Uma Tuli, Shri Sat Paul Varma, Smt.Binny Yanga, Shri Yezdi Hirji Malegam, Shri Pravin H. Parekh, Dr. V. Adimurthy, Dr. Krishna Lal hadha, , Prof. Virander Singh Chauhan, , Prof. Rameshwar Nath Koul Bamezai, , Dr. Vijaypal Singh, , Dr. Lokesh Kumar Singhal , Dr. Yagnaswami Sundara Rajan, , Prof. Jagadish Shukla, S,* Ms. Priya Paul,, Shri Shoji Shiba,Shri Gopinath Pillai, , Shri Arun Hastimal Firodia, , Dr. Swati A. Piramal, Tr, Prof. Mahdi Hasan, , Dr. Viswanathan Mohan, , Dr. J. Hareendran Nair, Dr. Vallalarpuram Sennimalai Natarajan,, Dr. Jitendra Kumar Singh, , Dr. Shrinivas S. Vaishya, , Dr. Nitya Anand, , Late Dr. Jugal Kishore, , Dr. Mukesh Batra, Dr. Eberhard Fischer , Shri Kedar Gurung, , Shri Surjit Singh Patar, Shri Vijay Dutt Shridhar, Shri Irwin Allan Sealy, Ms. Geeta Dharmarajan,, Prof. Sachchidanand Sahai, , Smt. Pepita Seth, ,Dr. Ralte L. Thanmawia,Shri Ajeet Bajaj, Smt. Jhulan Goswami, Shri Zafar Iqbal,, Shri Devendra Jhajrija,, Shri Limba Ram, , Shri Syed Mohammed Arif, ,Prof. Ravi Chaturvedi,, Shri Prabhakar Vaidya, Shri T. Venkatapathi Reddiar, O, Dr. K. (Kota) Ullas Karanth, Shri K Paddayya, Shri Swapan Guha, Dr. Kartikeya V. Sarabhai.
The Ministry of Home Affairs said "Govt has not yet announced Padma Awards for 2015. These awards are announced on 25th of Jan every year, on the eve of the Republic Day, The names appearing in the media are speculative and there is no official confirmation for the same,"
- Indian express 23.1.2015
Thursday, January 22, 2015
Rajinikanth in list for Padma Awards 2015 with PadmaBushan?
Baba Ramdev and Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and LK Advani are among those to be conferred the Padma awards this Republic Day.
Written by Liz Mathew | New Delhi | Posted: January 23, 2015 4:09 am | Updated: January 23, 2015 10:05 am Indian Express
Spiritual gurus and BJP sympathisers Baba Ramdev and Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, actors Amitabh Bachchan and Rajinikanth, BJP veteran L K Advani and Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and more than two dozen doctors are among those to be conferred the Padma awards this Republic Day.
Advani and Badal are the only two politicians who find place in the list of 148 recipients. Actor Dilip Kumar, filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali, lyricist and ad guru Prasoon Joshi, who worked on the BJP’s advertisement campaign for the Lok Sabha elections, and scriptwriter Salim Khan, father of actor Salman Khan, also figure in the list.
Sports personalities chosen for the awards are hockey team captain Sardara Singh, badminton player P V Sindhu, chess grandmaster Sasikiran Krishnan, wrestler Sushil Kumar, his coach Satpal and Arunima Sinha, the first women amputee mountaineer to climb Mount Everest.
Economist Bibek Debroy, now a member of NITI Aayog, mediapersons Rajat Sharma, Swapan Dasgupta, Hari Shankar Vyas, late actor Pran have also been nominated for the award.
Former bureaucrats who figure in the list are former chief election commissioner N Gopalaswami, K S Bajpai, P V Rajaraman. Agriculture economist Ashok Gulati, senior lawyers Harish Salve, K K Venugopal and constitutional expert Subhash Kashyap too will be conferred the country’s highest civilian awards.
Business persons Shiv Nadar (HCL), Cipla’s Y K Hamid and T V Mohandas Pai (formerly of Infosys) have made it to the list.
From art and culture, the recipients include A Kanyakumari (Carnatic violinist), Girija Devi (Hindustani vocalist), L Subramaniam (musician), Malini Awasthi (folk singer), Smriti Biswas (actor), Sudha Raghunathan (Carnatic vocalist), music directors Anu Malik and Ravindra Jain and Assamese film director Jahnu Barua.
Following the recent space mission successes, two scientists from ISRO, S Arunan of MOM, and S K Shivkumar of Chandrayaan, will be felicitated. Chewang Norphel, popularly known as iceman who built artificial glaciers in Ladakh, Jadav Molai Peyang (tribal environmentalist), Neil Herbert Nonkynrih of the famous Shillong Choir, Manoj Das (Oriya writer) also figure in the list.
A large number of religious leaders too are there: Late Syedna Mohd Burhanuddin (Dawoodi Bohra community), Theg Tse Rinpoche (Tawang monastery), Shivakumara Swami (head of Shree Siddaganga Mutt, Tumkur), Jagatguru Ramanandacharya Swami Rambhadracharya (Tulsi Peeth) and Swami Satyamitranand Giri (Samanvaya Kutir at Haridwar)
Rajinikanth in list for Padma
Baba Ramdev and Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and LK Advani are among those to be conferred the Padma awards this Republic Day.
Written by Liz Mathew | New Delhi | Posted: January 23, 2015 4:09 am | Updated: January 23, 2015 10:05 am Indian Express
Spiritual gurus and BJP sympathisers Baba Ramdev and Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, actors Amitabh Bachchan and Rajinikanth, BJP veteran L K Advani and Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and more than two dozen doctors are among those to be conferred the Padma awards this Republic Day.
Advani and Badal are the only two politicians who find place in the list of 148 recipients. Actor Dilip Kumar, filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali, lyricist and ad guru Prasoon Joshi, who worked on the BJP’s advertisement campaign for the Lok Sabha elections, and scriptwriter Salim Khan, father of actor Salman Khan, also figure in the list.
Sports personalities chosen for the awards are hockey team captain Sardara Singh, badminton player P V Sindhu, chess grandmaster Sasikiran Krishnan, wrestler Sushil Kumar, his coach Satpal and Arunima Sinha, the first women amputee mountaineer to climb Mount Everest.
Economist Bibek Debroy, now a member of NITI Aayog, mediapersons Rajat Sharma, Swapan Dasgupta, Hari Shankar Vyas, late actor Pran have also been nominated for the award.
Former bureaucrats who figure in the list are former chief election commissioner N Gopalaswami, K S Bajpai, P V Rajaraman. Agriculture economist Ashok Gulati, senior lawyers Harish Salve, K K Venugopal and constitutional expert Subhash Kashyap too will be conferred the country’s highest civilian awards.
Business persons Shiv Nadar (HCL), Cipla’s Y K Hamid and T V Mohandas Pai (formerly of Infosys) have made it to the list.
From art and culture, the recipients include A Kanyakumari (Carnatic violinist), Girija Devi (Hindustani vocalist), L Subramaniam (musician), Malini Awasthi (folk singer), Smriti Biswas (actor), Sudha Raghunathan (Carnatic vocalist), music directors Anu Malik and Ravindra Jain and Assamese film director Jahnu Barua.
Following the recent space mission successes, two scientists from ISRO, S Arunan of MOM, and S K Shivkumar of Chandrayaan, will be felicitated. Chewang Norphel, popularly known as iceman who built artificial glaciers in Ladakh, Jadav Molai Peyang (tribal environmentalist), Neil Herbert Nonkynrih of the famous Shillong Choir, Manoj Das (Oriya writer) also figure in the list.
A large number of religious leaders too are there: Late Syedna Mohd Burhanuddin (Dawoodi Bohra community), Theg Tse Rinpoche (Tawang monastery), Shivakumara Swami (head of Shree Siddaganga Mutt, Tumkur), Jagatguru Ramanandacharya Swami Rambhadracharya (Tulsi Peeth) and Swami Satyamitranand Giri (Samanvaya Kutir at Haridwar)
Thursday, January 15, 2015
Snake bites
Snake bites
Worldwide, up to five million people are bitten by snakes every year. Of these, poisonous (envenoming) snakes cause considerable morbidity and mortality. There are an estimated 2.4 million envenomations (poisonings from snake bites) and 94 000–125 000 deaths annually, with an additional 400 000 amputations and other severe health consequences, such as infection, tetanus, scarring, contractures, and psychological sequelae. Poor access to health care and scarcity of antivenom increases the severity of the injuries and their outcomes.
Who is most at risk?
The majority of snake bites occur in Africa and South-East Asia. Snake bites are most common among people living in rural, resource-poor settings, who subsist on low-cost, non-mechanical farming and other field occupations. Agricultural workers, women and children are the groups most frequently bitten by snakes. Adding to the burden of these injuries is their socioeconomic impact on families and communities. Adult victims are often the wage earners or care providers of the family unit; and child victims can suffer lifelong disability intensifying demands on families and communities
Treatment
Approximately 600 species of snake are venomous and approximately 50-70% of bites by these cause envenomation. At the time of a bite, the cornerstone of care is complete immobilization of the affected body part and prompt transfer to a medical facility. Tourniquets and cutting wounds can worsen the effects of the venom and should not be used as first aid.
Frequently, victims of snake bites will require treatment with antivenom. It is important that the antivenom is appropriate for snakes endemic to the region. Additional measures include wound cleansing to decrease infection risk, supportive therapy such as airway support, and administration of tetanus vaccine upon discharge if the person has been inadequately vaccinated against tetanus.
Prevention of snake bites and their serious health consequences
Prevention of snake bites involves informing communities about snake bite risks and prevention techniques, such as to:
avoid tall grassy areas;
wear protective shoes/boots;
keep storage areas clear of rodents;
remove rubbish, woodpiles and low brush from around the home;
store food in rodent-proof containers, raise beds above floor level and tuck mosquito nets securely under sleeping mats within the home.
To prevent or limit the serious health consequences of snake bites, health-care providers should be educated on snake-bite management, including the proper use and administration of antivenom. Public health authorities and policy-makers should ensure appropriate supplies of safe and effective antivenoms to communities, countries and regions where they are most needed, and prioritize research initiatives that will further determine the burden of these injuries.
Worldwide, up to five million people are bitten by snakes every year. Of these, poisonous (envenoming) snakes cause considerable morbidity and mortality. There are an estimated 2.4 million envenomations (poisonings from snake bites) and 94 000–125 000 deaths annually, with an additional 400 000 amputations and other severe health consequences, such as infection, tetanus, scarring, contractures, and psychological sequelae. Poor access to health care and scarcity of antivenom increases the severity of the injuries and their outcomes.
Who is most at risk?
The majority of snake bites occur in Africa and South-East Asia. Snake bites are most common among people living in rural, resource-poor settings, who subsist on low-cost, non-mechanical farming and other field occupations. Agricultural workers, women and children are the groups most frequently bitten by snakes. Adding to the burden of these injuries is their socioeconomic impact on families and communities. Adult victims are often the wage earners or care providers of the family unit; and child victims can suffer lifelong disability intensifying demands on families and communities
Treatment
Approximately 600 species of snake are venomous and approximately 50-70% of bites by these cause envenomation. At the time of a bite, the cornerstone of care is complete immobilization of the affected body part and prompt transfer to a medical facility. Tourniquets and cutting wounds can worsen the effects of the venom and should not be used as first aid.
Frequently, victims of snake bites will require treatment with antivenom. It is important that the antivenom is appropriate for snakes endemic to the region. Additional measures include wound cleansing to decrease infection risk, supportive therapy such as airway support, and administration of tetanus vaccine upon discharge if the person has been inadequately vaccinated against tetanus.
Prevention of snake bites and their serious health consequences
Prevention of snake bites involves informing communities about snake bite risks and prevention techniques, such as to:
avoid tall grassy areas;
wear protective shoes/boots;
keep storage areas clear of rodents;
remove rubbish, woodpiles and low brush from around the home;
store food in rodent-proof containers, raise beds above floor level and tuck mosquito nets securely under sleeping mats within the home.
To prevent or limit the serious health consequences of snake bites, health-care providers should be educated on snake-bite management, including the proper use and administration of antivenom. Public health authorities and policy-makers should ensure appropriate supplies of safe and effective antivenoms to communities, countries and regions where they are most needed, and prioritize research initiatives that will further determine the burden of these injuries.
Sunday, January 11, 2015
Patients Right to Record Consultations BMJ 2015;350:g7645
Head To Head
Should doctors encourage patients to record consultations?
BMJ 2015; 350 doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmj.g7645 (Published 08 January 2015)
Cite this as: BMJ 2015;350:g7645
Re: Should doctors encourage patients to record consultations?
Patients Right to Record Consultations
Patients whether they paid or not for a consultation with a doctor are having every right to record the consultation. In doctor patient relationship if patient insist to record the consultation it can be allowed to prevent any misunderstanding between the doctor patient and their attendants relatives and caregivers.
Competing interests: No competing interests
11 January 2015
M A Aleem
Neurologist
ABC Hospital
Annamalai Nagar Trichy 620018 Tamilnadu Indi
Should doctors encourage patients to record consultations?
BMJ 2015; 350 doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmj.g7645 (Published 08 January 2015)
Cite this as: BMJ 2015;350:g7645
Re: Should doctors encourage patients to record consultations?
Patients Right to Record Consultations
Patients whether they paid or not for a consultation with a doctor are having every right to record the consultation. In doctor patient relationship if patient insist to record the consultation it can be allowed to prevent any misunderstanding between the doctor patient and their attendants relatives and caregivers.
Competing interests: No competing interests
11 January 2015
M A Aleem
Neurologist
ABC Hospital
Annamalai Nagar Trichy 620018 Tamilnadu Indi
Patients Right to Record Consultations
Head To Head
Should doctors encourage patients to record consultations?
BMJ 2015; 350 doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmj.g7645 (Published 08 January 2015)
Cite this as: BMJ 2015;350:g7645
Re: Should doctors encourage patients to record consultations?
Patients Right to Record Consultations
Patients whether they paid or not for a consultation with a doctor are having every right to record the consultation. In doctor patient relationship if patient insist to record the consultation it can be allowed to prevent any misunderstanding between the doctor patient and their attendants relatives and caregivers.
Competing interests: No competing interests
11 January 2015
M A Aleem
Neurologist
ABC Hospital
Annamalai Nagar Trichy 620018 Tamilnadu Indi
Should doctors encourage patients to record consultations?
BMJ 2015; 350 doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmj.g7645 (Published 08 January 2015)
Cite this as: BMJ 2015;350:g7645
Re: Should doctors encourage patients to record consultations?
Patients Right to Record Consultations
Patients whether they paid or not for a consultation with a doctor are having every right to record the consultation. In doctor patient relationship if patient insist to record the consultation it can be allowed to prevent any misunderstanding between the doctor patient and their attendants relatives and caregivers.
Competing interests: No competing interests
11 January 2015
M A Aleem
Neurologist
ABC Hospital
Annamalai Nagar Trichy 620018 Tamilnadu Indi
Saturday, January 10, 2015
Monkey bite
Monkey bites
Monkey bites account for 2–21% of animal bite injuries. In India for example, two studies found monkeys to be second to dogs as the most common source of animal bite injuries.
Who is most at risk?
Monkey bites are an important risk among travelers, being the second most common animal bite risk to travellers after dog bites.
Treatment
Treatment depends on the health status of the patient, the location of the bite and whether or not there is a suspicion of rabies in the monkey. The main principles of care include:
early medical management including wound cleansing;
prophylactic antibiotics to decrease infection risk;
rabies post-exposure treatment depending on the animal vaccination status;
administration of tetanus vaccine if the person has not been adequately vaccinated.
Prevention of monkey bites and their serious health consequences
Communities and travellers should be informed about risks of monkey bites and prevention techniques.
Health-care providers should be educated on the appropriate management of these injuries. Health authorities and policy-makers should ensure rabies control within monkey populations, and appropriate supplies of post-exposure rabies treatment and antibiotic prophylaxis for bitten people. They should also support research initiatives directed at providing more information on the burden of monkey bites
Monkey bites account for 2–21% of animal bite injuries. In India for example, two studies found monkeys to be second to dogs as the most common source of animal bite injuries.
Who is most at risk?
Monkey bites are an important risk among travelers, being the second most common animal bite risk to travellers after dog bites.
Treatment
Treatment depends on the health status of the patient, the location of the bite and whether or not there is a suspicion of rabies in the monkey. The main principles of care include:
early medical management including wound cleansing;
prophylactic antibiotics to decrease infection risk;
rabies post-exposure treatment depending on the animal vaccination status;
administration of tetanus vaccine if the person has not been adequately vaccinated.
Prevention of monkey bites and their serious health consequences
Communities and travellers should be informed about risks of monkey bites and prevention techniques.
Health-care providers should be educated on the appropriate management of these injuries. Health authorities and policy-makers should ensure rabies control within monkey populations, and appropriate supplies of post-exposure rabies treatment and antibiotic prophylaxis for bitten people. They should also support research initiatives directed at providing more information on the burden of monkey bites
Sunday, January 4, 2015
Cat bite
Cat bite
Worldwide, cat bites account for 2–50% of injuries related to animal-bites. They are commonly second to dog bites in terms of incidence. In Italy for example, the incidence of cat-related injuries is 18 per 100 000 population, while in the United States of America, there are an estimated 400 000 cat bites and 66 000 visits to hospital emergency departments every year.
Who is most at risk?
Female adults have the highest rate of cat bites.
Treatment
Treatment depends on the location of the bite and the rabies vaccination status of animal species inflicting the bite. The main principles of care include:
early medical management including wound cleansing;
prophylactic antibiotics to decrease infection risk;
rabies post-exposure treatment depending on the animal vaccination status;
administration of tetanus vaccine if the person has not been adequately vaccinated.
Prevention of cat bites and their serious health consequences
Communities should be informed about the risks of cat bites and prevention techniques for cat bites including vaccinating cats against rabies.
Health-care providers should be educated on the appropriate management of these injuries. Health authorities and policy-makers should ensure rabies control within animal populations, and appropriate supplies of post-exposure rabies treatment and antibiotic prophylaxis for bitten people. They should also support research initiatives directed at providing more information on the burden of cat bites.
Worldwide, cat bites account for 2–50% of injuries related to animal-bites. They are commonly second to dog bites in terms of incidence. In Italy for example, the incidence of cat-related injuries is 18 per 100 000 population, while in the United States of America, there are an estimated 400 000 cat bites and 66 000 visits to hospital emergency departments every year.
Who is most at risk?
Female adults have the highest rate of cat bites.
Treatment
Treatment depends on the location of the bite and the rabies vaccination status of animal species inflicting the bite. The main principles of care include:
early medical management including wound cleansing;
prophylactic antibiotics to decrease infection risk;
rabies post-exposure treatment depending on the animal vaccination status;
administration of tetanus vaccine if the person has not been adequately vaccinated.
Prevention of cat bites and their serious health consequences
Communities should be informed about the risks of cat bites and prevention techniques for cat bites including vaccinating cats against rabies.
Health-care providers should be educated on the appropriate management of these injuries. Health authorities and policy-makers should ensure rabies control within animal populations, and appropriate supplies of post-exposure rabies treatment and antibiotic prophylaxis for bitten people. They should also support research initiatives directed at providing more information on the burden of cat bites.
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