Gozzylous Blog

O N the heels of the outbreak of the Ebola Haemorrhagic fever in Guinea, the Federal Ministry of Health has issued an alert urging persons with high fever, headache, severe abdominal pain, diarrhea and bleeding and especially with a history of travel to Guinea, Sierra Leone or Liberia, to report to the health authorities at once. Already, an alert has been issued to all 36 State Commissioners of Health to mobilise against the disease, while the Federal Ministry of Health is working closely with the West African Health Organization, WAHO, and the World Health Organization, WHO, to deploy experts to Guinea on request to strengthen its response capacity. Disclosing this in Abuja in a statement, Special Assistant on Media and Communication to the Minister of Health, Mr. Dan Nwome, said theapex Ministry admonished the general public to take measures to avert the outbreak or spread of the disease. Noting that Nigeria has capacity to diagnose the disease if it appears here, Nwome said th...

Following the increase in child mortality in the country, health professionals have said that breast milk remains the best way to ensure child’s healthy life and reduce child mortalities. According to them, exclusive breast milk during the first six months of a child’s life and for as long as possible in combination with nourishing complementary foods. When breast mike is not possible, infant formula is a healthier alternative to choices such as cows’ milk or rice water. They also said that infantile colic is a self-limited condition that deserves treatment because it could represent an early traumatic insult for the intestine and could be the early expression of atopic disease, gastrointestinal disorder and psychological problems later in child’s life. They informed infantile colic is characterised by inconsolable crying in an otherwise healthy infant, accompanied by painful expression, flushing, distended abdomen and flatulence. Colic usually starts in the first few weeks of life a...

EVERYONE knows that mushrooms are a nutritious and low-calorie addition to a meal but now new research suggests they could also combat cancer. An extract from a Japanese mushroom kills the sexually transmitted virus HPV that can cause cervical cancer. Human papilloma virus (HPV) is a common, and highly contagious, infection that affects skin and the moist membrane linings of the body, for example, in the cervix, mouth and throat. More than three quarters of all women acquire the virus during their lives and some strains can cause cervical cancer. But American research found the extract active hexose correlated compound (AHCC)- which is found in shiitake mushrooms- may play a role in preventing HPV-related cancers. In a study using mice, AHCC led to the eradication of HPV within 90 days. It also decreased the rate of cervical tumour growth. Associate professor, Dr. Judith Smith, of the University of Texas Health Science Center Medical School, said, “the result...

UNICEF has announced that an Ebola Outbreak has killed at least 59 People in Guinea. The epidemic has hit the capital city Conakry. “At least 59 out of 80 who contracted Ebola across the West African country have died so far” said UNICEF in a statement to Agence France-Presse (AFP). Ebola is spreading FAST to other West African countries. There are currently no known treatments or vaccines for Ebola, a viral hemorrhagic fever that kills up to 90 percent of those who become infected. The virus spread through direct contact with blood, faeces or sweat, sexual contact and unprotected handing of contaminated corpses. “This outbreak is particularly devastating because medical staff are among the first victims … hindering the response and threatening normal care in a country already lacking in medical personnel,” revealed UNICEF. Ebola hemorrhagic fever is a severe and often deadly illness that can occur in humans and primates (e.g. monkeys, gorillas). Ebola hemorrhagic...