[Trust Family Bulletin] IMPORTANT HEALTH NOTICE

[Trust family Bulletin]

  JUNE 2007

****** IMPORTANT HEALTH NOTICE!*****
THERE ARE CASES OF CHICKUNGUNYA FEVER NEAR MEHERABAD.
We want to AVOID HAVING AN EPIDEMIC IN OUR COMMUNITY.

It is transmitted by the bite of a mosquito called a TIGER
MOSQUITO. The mosquito gets infected when it bites a person with
Chickungunya during the fever. Then, MANY PERSONS CAN GET INFECTED
FROM THAT MOSQUITO BITING THEM. THEREFORE, ANYONE WITH A FEVER SHOULD
BE CHECKED BY A DOCTOR AT MEHERABAD, THEN PUT UNDER A MOSQUITO NET IF
THEY HAVE CHICKUNGUNYA.

MOST COMMON SYMPTOMS ARE: FEVER, HEADACHE, NAUSEA, RASH AND
JOINT PAIN WITH SWELLING (hands, feet, wrists, elbows, and knees.)
Chickungunya IS NOT FATAL, but can RELAPSE FOR THREE MONTHS—POSSIBLY
UP TO A YEAR. JOINT PAIN MAY PREVENT MOVEMENT, ESPECIALLY WALKING AND
USE OF HANDS.

THERE IS NO PREVENTATIVE TREATMENT OR CURE. Therefore, guard
against mosquito bites. Use repellant or protective clothing at dawn,
dusk and during daylight hours. Use mosquito coils, screens and mosquito
nets when possible. Neem oil is a good, cheap repellant. It can be
applied to the skin or burned in kerosene lamps along with kerosene for
indoor and outdoor use. Sleep or sit close to the lamp. 'Prill" brand
liquid detergent with lime/lemon and vinegar (6 drops in water) in a
small white or stainless steel bowl on the windowsill attracts and
drowns mosquitoes.

TREATMENT OF CHICKUNGUNYA IS FOR SYMPTOMS ONLY: Paracetamol
(Crocin, Tylenol) FOR FEVER. Brufen (Advil, Aspirin) FOR PAIN, SOME
HOMEOPATHY CAN WORK. ANTIBIOTICS DO NOT HELP WITH CHICKUNGUNYA
BECAUSE IT IS CAUSED BY A VIRUS. The worst symptoms usually subside in 
3-6 days.
SEE A DOCTOR FOR DIAGNOSIS AND MEDICINES.

Any questions? Call Caron at 9881-480298.