July. July Newsletter

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1 July 2017 July 2017 World Hepatitis Day 28 th July 2017 Newsletter

2 Editor s desk What is Hepatitis? It is an infection of the liver most often caused by viruses like Hepatitis A & B. The most common forms of Hepatitis are A & B though other viruses like C and E also cause Hepatitis. Hepatitis A This is the common jaundice which is caused by the virus Hepatitis A. It does not cause long term liver disease or death. It spread due to consumption of contaminated food & water. The disease is caused due to contaminated drinking water, food & inadequate personal hygiene. What are the Symptoms? The most common symptoms are: fever, severe loss of appetite, diarrhoea, nausea, abdominal discomfort, dark-coloured urine and jaundice which gives yellow colour to the skin and whites of the eyes. What is the treatment? There is no specific treatment as this is a self-limiting disease and most people recover in 6 to 8 weeks. Only supportive treatment is given. Total bed rest is essential for recovery. How can I protect myself and my family? Always ensure that you drink safe drinking water: Either it should be treated by municipal authorities or you can boil it at home for at least 5 minutes. Packaged mineral water is desirable while traveling Always eat freshly prepared food. Storage of food in any form can get contaminated by various organisms including Hepatitis virus. Hepatitis A vaccine is available. Two doses with a gap of 6 to 12 months are recommended for lifetime protection. The vaccine can be given as part of regular childhood immunizations programmes as well. But it is not mandatory as of today. It can also be given with other vaccines for travellers.

3 Hepatitis B Hepatitis B is a potentially life-threatening liver infection. It can cause chronic liver disease and puts people at high risk of death from cirrhosis of the liver and liver cancer. Worldwide, an estimated two billion people have been infected with the hepatitis B virus and more than 240 million have long-term liver infections. About people die every year due to hepatitis B. Hepatitis B virus is transmitted between people by direct blood-to-blood contact or semen and vaginal fluid of an infected person. Common modes of transmission are: from mother to the baby at birth close interpersonal contact with infected people unsafe injection practices unsafe blood transfusions Unsafe/ unprotected sexual contact What are the Symptoms? Most people have symptoms that last several weeks, including jaundice, dark urine, extreme fatigue, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In a small percentage of people hepatitis B virus can also cause a chronic liver infection that can later develop into cirrhosis of the liver or liver cancer. Blood tests are done to diagnose the disease and differentiate it from Hepatitis A. What is the treatment? There is no specific treatment for acute hepatitis B. Care is aimed at maintaining comfort and adequate nutritional balance, including replacement of fluids that are lost from vomiting and diarrhoea. Sometimes interferon and antiviral antibiotics are used for treatment. How can I protect myself and my family? A vaccine against hepatitis B is available & is 95% effective in preventing infection. The vaccine can be given as three doses. Hepatitis B vaccination is now in the regular schedule of infant vaccination program. If you feel that you may not have received this vaccine, so far, consult your Doctor and get vaccinated if advised.

4 What is Vaccination Advice for India? 1. Hepatitis B vaccination is MANDATORY part of Child Immunization Program. 2. All adults who have not received Hepatitis B vaccine must get vaccinated as people carrying this infection without knowing about it/ suffering from it( called Carriers) are estimated to be 5 ~ 8 % of our population. 3. Persons who travel regularly and are exposed to potentially contaminated food / water should take Hepatitis A vaccine. 4. Persons who have occupational risk for infection like healthcare workers need to take Hepatitis B vaccination. Employers who hire Medical / paramedical staff need to verify their vaccination status before hiring them. 5. Persons who have chronic liver disease should get both Hepatitis A & B Vaccination. 6. Household members and other close personal contacts of patients who have Hepatitis B must get Hepatitis B Vaccination. The vaccines are easily available as Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B vaccine, separately. A combination vaccine of Hepatitis A & B is also available. Hepatitis B Vaccine is the ONLY, SAFE & BEST PROTECTION from the deadly disease like Hepatitis B. Both vaccines are safe and have no side effects. If you have any questions consult your Doctor or call / chat with your Doctor on Health Desk of OrangeRx.

5 The three main species of grapes grown around the world are; European, North American and French hybrids. Some of popular green cultivars are Thompson seedless, sugarone, and calmeria. Red varieties include emperor, red globe, cardinal, and flame seedless. Concord and zinfandel are some of blue-black varieties. Most of these varieties come in seedless form too. Commercially, grapes are grown for different purposes either eaten as table fruit, fresh or dried (raisin, currant, sultana) or in wine production. Health benefits of grapes Grapes Grapes are rich in a compound Resveratrol. Resveratrol is one of the powerful anti-oxidant, which has been found to play a protective role against cancers of colon and prostate, coronary heart disease, degenerative nerve disease, Alzheimer's disease and viral/ fungal infections. Resveratrol reduces stroke risk. Anthocyanins are another class of anti-oxidants present abundantly in the red grapes. These chemicals have been found to have an anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, as well as anti-cancer activity. 100 g fresh grapes just provide 69 calories but contain zero cholesterol. Grapes are rich source of micronutrient minerals like copper, iron and manganese. Copper and manganese are an essential co-factor of antioxidant enzyme, superoxide dismutase. Iron is especially concentrated more in raisins. In addition, 100 g of fresh grapes contain about 191 mg of health benefiting electrolyte, potassium. They are an also good source of vitamin-c, vitamin A, vitamin K, carotenes, B-complex vitamins such as pyridoxine, riboflavin, and thiamine. Orange Slice is Informative news letter gram from Orangeclinik.com powered by Viron Workplace Solutions Pvt. Ltd, Bangalore. The newsletter contains original articles, links to suggested reading materials & health & wellness information from other sources. Please send your feedback to the Editor: ajay@vironsolutions.com