rupert grint recovering from swine flu

Rupert Grint is recovering from a mild case of swine flu according to E! Online. Grint's doctor confirmed that he's no longer contagious. The actor who plays Harry's best friend is now working again on the set of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. The 6th installment of the Harry Potter will be shown on July 15. To Rupert, get well soon!

byers to my molar

Early last month when I finally had my annoying left lower molar removed. It's been bothering me for almost a month before I decided to have a go and visit a local dentist here in Hong Kong. I had my wisdom tooth beside that molar extracted when I went home for vacation last year and was told by my dentist in the Philippines that I must prepare myself because the molar beside my 'late' wisdom tooth will give me trouble soon. I'm not very keen in having my tooth removal here because of work hazzards and I was told that they do things differently here...that you can actually feel the first injection of anesthesia...waaaaaaaa!!!!! But the tooth ache won over my fear (and my regular intake of pain reliever that I despised so much) so I called the nearby local dentist, Dr. Yeung Chi Ho, for an appointment. After two x-rays, the able doctor did perform things just like my dentist in the Philippines and I haven't even felt any pain or discomfort during the operation but just the usual pressure especially because he was having hard time that moment due to my 'firm' molar. The operation lasted for nearly one hour and I paid HK$890 (around Php5,000) including the two x-rays. After two days I'm back to my usual self but less of an annoying once sturdy molar, hehehe!

size comparison of my molar and thumb's nail

human swine influenza (A/H1N1)

As of this time, Philippines has 39 confirmed human cases of A/H1N1 that originated from Mexico and spread to many countries world wide. Originally known to circulate among pig populations, the swine flu viruses do occasionally infect human beings.

• SYMPTOMS

Usually similar to those of human seasonal influenza and include:

1. fever
2. lethargy
3. loss of appetite
4. coughing

Some people may also have:

1. runny nose
2. sore throat
3. nausea
4. vomiting
5. diarrhea

• MODE OF TRANSMISSION

Human to human transmission is thought to occur in the same way as seasonal flu mainly through coughing or sneezing. People may also become infected by touching objects soiled with flu viruses and then touching their nose or mouth.

Swine flu has not been shown to be transmissible to people through eating properly handled and cooked pork or pork products. Cooking pork to an internal temperature of 70 deg C (160 deg F) kills the swine flu virus.

• MANAGEMENT

People who develop flu symptoms should put on a mask and consult a doctor as soon as possible. Those who have been to affected places or been exposed to sick persons should tell the doctor the travel and contact history. Antiviral agents can reduce the severity and duration of illness but must be used under doctor's prescription. It is important for people not to self medicate.

• PREVENTION

Since human seasonal flu is different from human H1N1 flu, vaccines for human seasonal flu viruses will not provide protection against swine flu viruses.

People should observe the following precautionary measures:

1. Keep hands clean and wash hands properly. Alcohol-based handrub is also effective when hands are not visibly soiled.
2. Avoid touching mouth, nose or eyes.
3. Wash hands with liquid soap promptly if they are dirtied by respiratory secretions, e.g. after sneezing or coughing.
4. Cover nose and mouth when sneezing or coughing.
5. Do not spit. Always wrap nasal and mouth discharges with tissue paper, and dispose of the tissue paper properly in a rubbish bin with a lid.
6. Wear mask when respiratory symptoms of fever develop. See a doctor right away.
7. Do not go to work or school if you develop influenza-like symptoms.

Avoid travelling to affected places unless it is absolutely needed. If such a visit is unavoidable:

1. During the trip: put on a mask and do not have contact with sick people.
2. After returning: pay close attention to your health and wear masks for 7 days. Seek medical consultation from public clinics or hospitals right away if fever or influenza-like symptoms appear.

shopaholic? it's all in the hormones!

While having my routine coffee break late this afternoon I happened to be reading the article of one my faves, Mr. Vittachi of The Standard. Well, he never ceases to amaze me with his extra-ordinary way of writing and this time it's about the relationship between being a shopaholic and the monthly period of women. I can't help but to laugh out loud as always everytime I read his column. To read this very enlightening article please visit HERE!

fight hepatitis...protect yourself!

Finally! I'm fully protected against Hepatitis A & B. Last Sunday, I had the third and the last shot of my vaccine at Kinetics Medical Clinic. Since I love eating street-foods, like tokneneng (the quail egg wrapped in orange-thingy) and deep-fried octopus tentacles, I decided that I must have this protection. Now, I only need to remember to have my booster after five years, jeje! To do some public service here I did an extensive research (...err, reading from the clinic's leaftlets) about Hepa A & B. May these basic infos will be somehow helpful...

HEPATITIS A

*MODE OF TRANSMISSION: intake of contaminated food or water; person-to-person direct transmission

*SYMPTOMS: severity varies with the individual: include fever, loss of appetite, weight loss, physical weakness, vomiting, headache, muscle aches. in severe cases: jaundice, tea-coloured urine, etc.

*LONG-TERM IMPACT: children and young patients can recover automatically without any long-term impact. the convalescent period takes months and some patients can suffer from relapses. in severe cases, patients may be hospitalized for weeks.

*VACCINATION SCHEDULE: first shot-on any designated day; second shot-six to twelve months after the first shot



HEPATITIS B

*MODE OF TRANSMISSION: mother-to-infant transmission at or around the time of delivery; blood contact; sexual contact

*SYMPTOMS: similar to hepatitis A

*LONG-TERM IMPACT: five percent of people infected with hepatitis B will become chronic carriers, of which one-fourth will finally die of liver cancer or cirrhosis.

* VACCINATION SCHEDULE: first shot-on any designated day; second shot-one month after the first shot, third shot-six months after the first shot