GCB Health

Archive for September, 2009

Malaria is an infectious blood disease caused by the bite of the female Anopheles mosquito that injects parasites into the bloodstream. This disease is reported to afflict 350-500 million people each year and causes over one million deaths. Malaria causes a high fever, joint pain, shivering, vomiting and anemia. If left untreated, it can result in severe medical complications or even death. Unfortunately, there are no vaccines against malaria though they are being researched and developed for testing.

The best treatment for malaria is to prevent it. Some countries have a higher risk of infection than others. There is no risk of malaria in North America and Western Europe. All other areas have varying degrees of risk. If traveling to a high risk area, it is advisable to seek consultation with a physician for preventative medications. It is also recommended that insect repellants and mosquito netting be used to reduce exposure risk. Because the mosquito has a high rate of reproduction and can become immune to medications quickly, seek a physician’s advice before using any oral medications.

Treating malaria is much more effective when diagnosis occurs early. Treatment in the early stages is much less invasive and generally has milder reactions. If caught early, treatment can generally be accomplished at home under the supervision of a physician. Only in severe cases or cases where diagnosis did not occur fast enough will hospitalization be required. If traveling to a high risk country, be aware of the warning signs and get examined immediately.

Minor cases of malaria are generally treated with oral medications. It is also very important to ensure continual fluid intake so the body does not get dehydrated. Quinine sulphate, along with doxycycline, is taken orally for one week. There can be short term uncomfortable effects of this drug but its proven effectiveness in treating malaria is worth the temporary discomfort. Malarone is a combination drug that is effective but very expensive and there have been reported cases of resistance to this treatment.

More severe cases of malaria will require hospitalization for treatment. Constant supervision by a physician is needed to ensure correct dosage and to monitor body responses. Quinine is typically the medication provided for treatment. Medications are administered intravenously in small doses because quinine taken in too large a dose can cause complications or death.

Malaria is a very serious disease that is often mistaken for the flu. If travelling to high risk areas or if you have recently returned from travelling, please seek medical attention immediately if you have flu-like symptoms. Inform the physician that you have a risk of exposure to malaria. Prevention and early detection are the keys to making certain malaria is treated and cured.

The colors of nation’s flag usually have special meaning and often invoke strong emotions in people that see their flag. An American seeing red white and blue will have different emotions related to the colors and the flag itself. There are 24 countries with red white and blue flags and using these three colors in your website design can bring out a feeling that you may, or may not, want with your client.

Here is a partial list of what the colors represent for some of those 24 countries.

Secretary of the United States Continental Congress, Charles Thompson, said in his book “Our Flag,” that the colors on the American flag represent: Red – hardiness and valor; White – purity and innocence; Blue – vigilance, perseverance, and justice.

In Cuba the red triangle stands for the blood shed to free the nation, the white stripes symbolize the purity of the patriotic cause and the three blue stripes, represent the sea that surrounds Cuba.

Panama believes that the red star represents the authority and law in the country; the white was intended to stand for peace and purity; and the blue star stands for the purity and honesty of the life of the country.

Chile views these colors as red standing for the blood spilled to achieve independence; white is for the snow-covered Andes; and blue symbolizing the sky.

The same red white and blue of the French flag represent the three main functions of the Ancient Regime society: red – nobility; white – clergy; blue – producers

The national flag of Iceland has a fiery-red cross inside the white cross with the blue sky.

The flags of Russia and Slovenia have colors of red, white and blue that appears in the flags of Slavic countries.

On the flag of Norway the red symbolizes volcanic lava, the white represents the snow and glaciers and the blue represents the sea.

On the Liberian flag red and white symbolize courage and moral excellence. The blue represents the African mainland.

In Burma, the red symbolizes courage; the white color symbolizes purity; and the blue symbolizes peace and integrity.

Nepal uses white, but does not give significance to the color. The blue border denotes peace and harmony that has been prevalent in the country since the age of Gautama Buddha, and the crimson color is Nepal’s national color, and it indicates the brave spirit of the Nepalese people.

Taiwan, the Republic of China commonly refers the flag in Chinese as Blue Sky, White Sun, and a Wholly Red Earth.

For your website done properly you will control how people are seeing red white and blue. You will target the different emotions related to the colors flags themselves. The 24 countries with red white and blue flags are not the only future clients that you will have.

Use the right colors in your website design to help you get international clients.

CPR stands for cardiopulmonary resuscitation. The term cardio refers to the heart, and pulmonary refers to the lungs. CPR is the same as Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS). CPR is a combination of breathing and chest compressions. CPR increases a cardiac arrest casualty’s chances of survival by keeping the brain supplied with oxygen until the person receives advanced medical care. CPR alone is not enough to help someone survive cardiac arrest. Advanced medical care is needed immediately, and includes the use of medications or a defibrillator.

Courses offered at SoStechnologies are affiliated to American Red Cross First Aid Courses which are the benchmarks for CPR first aid training. Red Cross Preparedness programs in first aid, CPR and AED are available for any age and can be tailored to the needs of specific groups and individuals. Whether you work with children, want training for employees, are a professional rescuer, or simply want to know how to help someone in an emergency, the American Red Cross has a program for you. Find out more about the American Red Cross Advantage.

For more than 35 years, SOS Technologies has provided the business community with Emergency Safety Products and Life Saving Training. SOS Technologies is an organization dedicated to providing effective continuing education programs which will increase the level of safety and quality of care provided at the workplace. SOS technologies is a single-source provider for Emergency Oxygen Equipment , Automatic External Defibrillators (AED), CPR, CPR/AED, BBP (Bloodborne Pathogens) and First Aid Training. Also SOS Technologies provides consultation in all Workplace Regulatory Compliance Issues, including OSHA, DOT and EPA.