VOLUME 10 • ISSUE 4 • APRIL 2016
Refreshing Your Health
THE BUZZ ON THE NEW BUGS • Zika virus • Chikungunya virus • Must-knows about Dengue vaccine
The buzz on the new bugs MOVE OVER, DENGUE AND MALARIA. THERE ARE NEW BUGS FROM MOSQUITO BITES. You may be surprised to know that the animal that has caused the most number
Like us on Facebook facebook.com/BenefitsMadeBetter
of human deaths is not the snake, the lion, or the shark. It is the lowly mosquito. Mosquitoes transmit dangerous diseases to 700 million people every year, of whom 3 million people die yearly.
A SLICE OF ORANGE
VOLUME 10 • ISSUE 4 • APRIL 2016
You may be relatively familiar with mosquito-borne infections, such as dengue and malaria. However, in the recent years, two other mosquito-borne infections have been making the rounds: the Zika virus infection and the Chikungunya virus infection.
Zika virus
Complications of Zika virus infection There is a low risk of death from Zika virus infection. However, there have been reports that Zika virus infection may cause:
• Microcephaly in utero (the fetus of an infected pregnant woman could have a small head). • Guillain-Barre Syndrome (muscle weakness and paralysis secondary to a viral infection).
Symptoms of Zika virus infection
The connection between these conditions and Zika have not been confirmed, but remains high. It is best to avoid Zika infection altogether especially if you are pregnant, or there is a possibility of becoming pregnant anytime soon.
Must-knows about Dengue vaccine Early in 2016, the first dengue vaccine was introduced in the Philippines. It is a vaccine given to people aged 9 to 45 years old to prevent infection from all 4 strains of dengue virus. How is the vaccine given? It is given as three injections given 6 months apart (Months 0, 6, and 12). How effective is the vaccine? A person aged 9 years and older given three doses is protected by a vaccine efficacy of around 65%.
Is it safe? The dengue vaccine is generally safe. Its side effects are similar to those of other vaccines, such as injection site pain, redness, swelling, fever, headache, muscle pain and weakness. You should also remember that the vaccine is not 100% effective, and there remains a small chance to catch dengue from mosquito bites. Also, it does not protect against other infections from mosquito bites, such as Zika, Chikungunya or malaria. Therefore, even if
vaccinated, you should still practice mosquito-bite avoidance: • Removing stagnant water in the environment • Proper trash disposal • Use of window screens, mosquito nets, long-sleeved clothes, and insect repellants
A SLICE OF ORANGE
Areas with active Zika virus transmission:
VOLUME 10 • ISSUE 4 • APRIL 2016
How is Zika virus infection treated: • Get plenty of rest. • Drink fluids to prevent dehydration. • Take medicine such as paracetamol to reduce fever and pain. • Do not take aspirin and other non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) until dengue can be ruled out to reduce the risk of bleeding. • Continue mosquito-bite prevention strategies.
The countries in dark blue are areas where Zika virus has been detected but not active viral transmission
Aruba Barbados Bolivia Brazil Colombia Costa Rica Cuba Curacao Dominican Republic Ecuador El Salvador French Guiana Guatemala Guyana Haiti Honduras Jamaica Martinique
Mexico Nicaragua Puerto Rico Panama Paraguay Saint Martin Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Suriname Trinidad and Tobago U.S. Virgin Islands Venezuela American Samoa Marshall Islands New Caledonia Samoa Tonga
Chikungunya virus The chikungunya virus is another infection transmitted by mosquito bite. Most people infected will have symptoms after 3 to 7 days of the bite. The symptoms are similar to the symptoms of dengue: Fever, joint pain, headache, muscle pain, joint swelling, or rash. Chikungunya disease is not usually fatal. However, the symptoms can be severe and debilitating.
Newborns, the elderly, and people with diabetes or heart disease are more prone to severe/debilitating disease. Areas with active transmission: • Southeast Asia (including Philippines) • Indian subcontinent • China • Saudi Arabia and Yemen • North America except Canada • Most of South America • Parts of Central and South Africa • Italy and France Treatment for chikungunya disease: • Get plenty of rest. • Drink fluids to prevent dehydration. • Take medicines, such as paracetamol, to relieve fever and pain. • See a doctor to confirm that the disease is not dengue, which is more deadly.
Helping Your People in the Path to Progress Benefits Made Better Email us at inquiries@activelinkbenefits.com or call us at 8174606, and let us know when we can share our strategy. Let us help you make your benefits better!
Looking to enhance your corporate healthcare benefits? E-mail us at benefits@activelinkbenefits.com. The information in this newsletter is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Consult a doctor for all matters relating to your health, particularly for symptoms that may require diagnosis or medical attention. © 2015 ActiveLink
Benefits Made Better
ActiveLink 7/F Electra House Building 115-117 Esteban St., Legaspi Village, Makati City www.activelinkbenefits.com
A Slice of Orange
is a newsletter designed to help clarify basic health information and offer juicy tips on uplifting your health.
Editorial team Alvin Delfin Christine Llenes-Delfin Ivan Olegario, MD