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Emerging #SARS-CoV-2 Variants

 Multiple SARS-CoV-2 variants are circulating globally. Several new variants emerged in the fall of 2020, most notably: In the United Kingdom (UK) , a new variant of SARS-CoV-2 (known as 20I/501Y.V1, VOC 202012/01, or B.1.1.7) emerged with a large number of mutations. This variant has since been detected in numerous countries around the world, including the United States (US). In January 2021, scientists from UK reported evidence that suggests the B.1.1.7 variant may be associated with an increased risk of death compared with other variants. More studies are needed to confirm this finding. This variant was reported in the US at the end of December 2020. In South Africa, another variant of SARS-CoV-2 (known as 20H/501Y.V2 or B.1.351) emerged independently of B.1.1.7. This variant shares some mutations with B.1.1.7. Cases attributed to this variant have been detected in multiple countries outside of South Africa. This variant was reported in the US at the end of January 2021. In Brazil

#Salmonella - Questions and Answers

What are Salmonella? Salmonella are bacteria that make people sick. They were first discovered by an American scientist named Dr. Daniel E. Salmon in 1885.  What illness do people get from Salmonella infection? Most types of Salmonella cause an illness called salmonellosis, which is the focus of this website. Some other types of Salmonella cause typhoid fever or paratyphoid fever. What are the symptoms of infection? Most people with Salmonella infection have diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps. Symptoms usually begin six hours to six days after infection and last four to seven days. However, some people do not develop symptoms for several weeks after infection and others experience symptoms for several weeks. Salmonella strains sometimes cause infection in urine, blood, bones, joints, or the nervous system (spinal fluid and brain), and can cause severe disease. Salmonella are a diverse group of bacteria. Scientists classify Salmonella into serotypes (types) by identifying structures on

#Syphilis - Questions answered

  FACTS • Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease (STD). • Anyone can get syphilis. • Many people who have syphilis don’t know it. You can have syphilis even if you don’t notice any symptoms. • The first symptom is a painless, round, and red sore that can appear anywhere you’ve had sex. • You can pass syphilis to others without knowing it. • Washing the genitals, urinating, or douching after sex will not prevent syphilis. • Syphilis is easy to treat and cure. • If you do not treat syphilis, it can lead to serious health problems. HOW DOES SOMEONE GET SYPHILIS? • You can get syphilis by having sex with someone who has it. “Having sex” means having oral, anal, or vaginal contact. • You can get syphilis when your mouth, genitals, or another part of your body touches a syphilis sore on a person who has the disease. • If you are pregnant, you can pass syphilis on to your baby even if you don’t know you are infected. Can I get syphilis by having oral sex? Yes. Syphilis sores can be in the

Learn more about #ADHD - Attention-Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder

ADHD is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders of childhood. It is usually first diagnosed in childhood and often lasts into adulthood. Children with ADHD may have trouble paying attention, controlling impulsive behaviors (may act without thinking about what the result will be), or be overly active. Signs and Symptoms It is normal for children to have trouble focusing and behaving at one time or another. However, children with ADHD do not just grow out of these behaviors. The symptoms continue, can be severe, and can cause difficulty at school, at home, or with friends. A child with ADHD might: - daydream a lot - forget or lose things a lot - squirm or fidget - talk too much - make careless mistakes or take unnecessary risks - have a hard time resisting temptation - have trouble taking turns - have difficulty getting along with others Learn more about signs and symptoms Types There are three different types of ADHD, depending on which types of symptoms are strongest in the

#COVID-19 #coronavirus FACT: Drinking #alcohol does not #protect you against #COVID-19 and can be dangerous

#Ingredients included in #COVID-19 vaccines.

The following is a list of #ingredients for the #Pfizer-BioNTech , #Moderna, and #Janssen #COVID-19 vaccines. Source: CDC

#COVID-19 #coronavirus FACT: People of all ages can be #infected by the #COVID-19 virus

Older people and younger people can be infected by the COVID-19 virus. Older people, and people with pre-existing medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes, and heart disease appear to be more vulnerable to becoming severely ill with the virus.  WHO advises people of all ages to take steps to protect themselves from the virus, for example by following good hand hygiene and good respiratory hygiene. Source: World Health Organisation (www.who.int) Share this trusted information.

#COVID-19 #coronavirus FACT: #Antibiotics CANNOT prevent or treat #COVID-19

Antibiotics work only against bacteria, not viruses. COVID-19 is caused by a virus, and therefore antibiotics should not be used for prevention or treatment. However, if you are hospitalized for COVID-19, you may receive antibiotics because bacterial co-infection is possible. Source: World Health Organisation (www.who.int) Share this trusted information.

#COVID-19 #coronavirus FACT: #Thermal #scanners CANNOT detect #COVID-19

Thermal scanners are effective in detecting people who have a fever (i.e. have a higher than normal body temperature). They cannot detect people who are infected with COVID-19. There are many causes of fever. Call your healthcare provider if you need assistance or seek immediate medical care if you have fever and live in an area with malaria or dengue. Source: World Health Organisation (www.who.int) Share this trusted information.

#COVID-19 #coronavirus FACT: Most people who get #COVID-19 #recover from it

Most people who get COVID-19 have mild or moderate symptoms and can recover thanks to supportive care. If you have a cough, fever and difficulty breathing seek medical care early - call your health facility by telephone first. If you have fever and live in an area with malaria or dengue seek medical care immediately. Source: World Health Organisation (www.who.int) Share this trusted information.

#COVID-19 #coronavirus FACT: The prolonged use of #medical masks* when properly worn, DOES NOT cause CO2 #intoxication nor #oxygen deficiency

 The prolonged use of medical masks can be uncomfortable. However, it does not lead to CO2 intoxication nor oxygen deficiency. While wearing a medical mask, make sure it fits properly and that it is tight enough to allow you to breathe normally. Do not re-use a disposable mask and always change it as soon as it gets damp. * Medical masks (also known as surgical masks) are flat or pleated; they are affixed to the head with straps or have ear loops. Source: World Health Organisation (www.who.int) Share this trusted information.

#COVID-19 #coronavirus FACT: The coronavirus disease (#COVID-19) is caused by a #virus, NOT by #bacteria

 The virus that causes COVID-19 is in a family of viruses called Coronaviridae. Antibiotics do not work against viruses. Some people who become ill with COVID-19 can also develop a bacterial infection as a complication. In this case, antibiotics may be recommended by a health care provider. There is currently no licensed medication to cure COVID-19. If you have symptoms, call your health care provider or COVID-19 hotline for assistance. Source: World Health Organisation (www.who.int) Share this trusted information.

#COVID-19 #coronavirus FACT: The likelihood of #shoes spreading #COVID-19 is very low

The likelihood of COVID-19 being spread on shoes and infecting individuals is very low. As a precautionary measure, particularly in homes where infants and small children crawl or play on floors, consider leaving your shoes at the entrance of your home. This will help prevent contact with dirt or any waste  that could be carried on the soles of shoes. Source: World Health Organisation (www.who.int) Share this trusted information.

#COVID-19 #coronavirus FACT: People should #NOT #wear #masks while #exercising

 People should NOT wear masks when exercising, as masks may reduce the ability to breathe comfortably. Sweat can make the mask become wet more quickly which makes it difficult to breathe and promotes the growth of microorganisms. The important preventive measure during exercise is to maintain physical distance of at least one meter from others. Source: World Health Organisation (www.who.int) Share this trusted information.