Health Issues

3 Pinoys Quarantined in Hong Kong

I learned from this article that the 1st H1N1 case in Asia, a Mexican citizen was checked in first at the Metropark Hotel in Wanchai and was later brought to the Ruttonjee Hospital after experiencing coughs, sore throat, and other flu-like symptoms. After the patient result turned out positive for H1N1 virus, the 200 hotel guests were quarantined including 3 filipinos who are temporary visitors of Hong Kong. A filipina with her Australian husband, their son and a Cebuana. The quarantine will be finish by Friday.

The Hong Kong Government will shoulder all the hotel and airline tickets/rebooking charges. There no reports of additional case of the deadly virus in Hongkong. Just a thought… are these filipinos will be quarantine again when they come back home?

First H1N1 Swine Flu Case in Asia

It is confirmed that the dreaded disease is already had reached Asia. Hongkong Health Department and University of Hong Kong experts said that a Mexican citizen arrived in Thursday via Shanghai have fever. They’ve rushed him to the hospital and underwent series of test.

The patient is in isolated room in a hospital and in stable condition. I’m worried to OFW (Overseas Filipino Workers) working in Hongkong.

Update: Swine Flu Outbreak On Phase 5

Everybody in the whole world are now careful to go to public places since World Health Organization (WHO) had increased the warning to phase 5, swine flu is now proven to be a deadly disease that many got affected in matter of days. Please see this link. The figures I saw in the google map are very alarming.

The Swine influenza phase 5 warning should make every country in the whole world make preparedness plans on avoiding the spread of the deadly disease. Philippines is among other countries that are using thermal scanners since the outbreak of SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) in 2003. I believe that thermal scanners are not enough, since a person with flu and took medicine could lower the body’s temperature. I already saw some people wearing face masks in crowded places. I heard some people had stopped eating pork.

Until now, there is no available vaccine for the said disease, human influenza or flu vaccine is different. I hope the swine flu vaccine will be ready by May as stated here.

Advocacy For Cervical Cancer

In celebration of International Women Month, I attended an invitation of a friend to a seminar tagged as “Lakas Laban Sa HIV at AIDS Advocacy” in Paranaque City yesterday. Actually, its about women health.

The seminar was given by Parañaque City Health Department and Social Hygiene Clinic headed by Dra. Olga Virtucio. The two hour seminar was very informative, representatives from Glaxo SmithKline, Saved The Children and Johnson & Johnson tell us more about gynecological cancer, prevention and vaccines. In cooperation of Rotary Club of Makati San Lorenzo, Rotary Club of Taipei Capital, Department of Health, Philippine Cancer Society and cancer Institute of the Philippines. Thank you so much!

Have you seen the latest commercial of the singer Joey Albert? She’s a two time cancer survivor. Thanks to science that gynecological cancer vaccine is already available. Glaxo SmithKline offered HepaB and cancer vaccine at a lower price. HepaB is only Php 400 per shot for 3 consecutive months. Cervical cancer vaccine is only Php 2000 per shot, two consecutive months and the third shot will be given after six months. I heard from a morning news that such vaccine will cost around Php 3,000 to Php 5,000 when you avail it to other private doctors. Ms. Lanie of GSK told us that we cannot avail the discounted price when we call directly to GSK. For those who are not Parañaquenos, you could inquire at your City Health Department.

Did you know that 8 out of 10 women will be infected of HPV or Human Papillomavirus in their lifetime that will lead to genital cancer? I don’t want to be one of those 8, better have the vaccine and live life to the fullest.

DZMM Takbo Para Sa Kalikasan 2009

Takbo para sa kalikasan project of DZMM is on their 10th year. I remember Pia Cayetano’s interview (or commercial?) about the event for the rehabilitation of La Mesa Watershed. FYI, La Mesa Watershed supplies water to 12 million Metro Manila residents. I’m sure there are other known personalities in the event. I haven’t tried joining a fun run like this, I want to join but I think I’m not in good condition to finish the race… no practice and stopped working out last year. I’ll ask my friend if he could join me. Its a good start to drive the stress away and to stay healthy.

You can download the registration here or to any of the following venues:

• DZMM Aksyon Center,
• Eugenio Lopez Drive (inside PBB concert hall)
• Vasquez Madrigal Building, Anapolis Street, Greenhills

Registration is from Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm with Php 150 only registration fee. There are 3 categories: 3K (6-12 yrs. old), 5K (13 yrs. old & up) and 10K (13 yrs. old & up).

Mark your calendar, 10th annual DZMM Takbo Para sa Kalikasan at Quirino Grandstand, Luneta on March 8, 2009 at 4am. I really want to have a finisher shirt.