The Informatics 6a

Sixth Issue/ Edition

THE T H E

S C I T A M R O F N I

N A L N A T I O I N T E R

S H E N G L I

A G E L A N G U

Y O N T H L T R I - M

I N E M A G A Z

YEAR 1 VOL. 1 NO. 6

PUBLISHER International Students' Union Chongqing Medical University

ADDRESS Overseas Students' Office Chongqing Medical University No. 1 Yixueyuan Road, Yuzhong District,Chongqing 400016, The P. R. China

SPECIAL ISSUE Sixth Issue/ Edition

S C I T A M R O F N I E H T RNA THE INTE

TIONAL

NT E TRI-MO LANGUAG ENGLISH

AZIN HLY MAG

E

YEAR 1 VOL. 1 NO. 6 1

MAY– JULY, 2009

IN THIS ISSUE Educational Tour to Haifu

1

Info about HIFU/ Haifu System

2

Interview with Haifu Inventor

3

Invention of Haifu Technology

4

Basic Facts about Haifu

5

Basic Facts about Haifu

6

Aerodynamics on Land

7

Swine Flu (H1N1)

8

Swine Flu (H1N1)

9

Message from the Editors

10

Dr. Wang with Foreign Students in front of Haifu Company Limited

CHIEF EDITOR Mr. Keshav Bhattarai (Nepal) EDITORS 1. Contemporary Language : Ms. El'skina Joyosubagio (Indonesia) 2. Health & Medicine: Mr. Aabesh Koirala (Nepal) & Mr. Shambhu Kumar Sah (Nepal) 3. Science & Technology: Mr. Prannoy Rana (Nepal) 4. Art & Culture: Mr. Mukul Sharma (India) 5. Sports & Events: Mr. Sagun Shrestha (Nepal) 6. Fun & Entertainment: Mr. Boniface F. Masau (Tanzania) 7. Comments & Compositions: Mr. Thomas Hii Chung Ee (Malaysia) 8. China & The World: Ms.Eunice Kissiwaah Ansong (Ghana) 9. Music & Band: Mr. Dil Kumar Limbu (Nepal) 10. Human Diseases (News & Research): Ms. Shristi Dahal (Nepal)

COMPUTER LAYOUT Mr. Keshav Bhattarai (Nepal) PHOTOGRAPHER Mr. K. V. M. Vinod (India) CHIEF ADVISORS 1. Mrs. Yang Hong (China) 2. Mr. Wang Dong; Victor (China)

CO-ADVISORS 1. Ms. Faith Birnstein (America) 2. Mrs. Chen Min (China)

WRITERS 1. 2. 3. 4.

Mr. Tejaswi Sathuluri (India) Mr. Rakesh Babu (India) Mr. K. V. M. Vinod (India) Mr. Kudzai Muchegwa (Zimbabwe)

PUBLISHER International Students' Union Email: [email protected] Web: www.esnips.com/web/theinformatics

The educational tour to Haifu Company organized by the Director of Foreign Students’ Office of Chongqing medical University (Mr. Wang Dong; Victor) for Foreign Students is the first educational tour for foreign undergraduate medical students in the history of Chongqing Medical University. The tour organized in 2009-5-24 was very exciting for the Foreign Students. The Foreign Students were very excited to see the famous Chinese scientist and the inventor of Haifu, Dr. Wang Zhibiao. The students were very excited to hear the non-invasive clinical applications of Haifu from its inventor. Dr. Wang was also very happy to share the history and clinical applications of Haifu in his busiest time. He says, “Any emerging technology is not privileged for developed countries. It belongs to whole world.” He believes his noninvasive focused ultrasound therapeutic system will be available in countries slowly and gradually. He says, “Because of the historical reason we are just developing (less developed) compared to developed countries.” This statement was so much encouraging to the foreign undergraduate medical students who belong to developing countries.

Dr. Wang introducing Haifu to Foreign Students At last the inventor of Haifu was interviewed in his conference hall among all the foreign undergraduate medical students which was interpreted by Mr. Peng Xiang; Director of International Department, Haifu, Chongqing, China. Overall, the educational tour was so much beneficial for all the foreign undergraduate medical students. The foreign undergraduate medical students expect to have some more educational tour of such type in coming days.

Chief Editor Mr. Keshav Bhattarai

SPECIAL ISSUE 2

THE INFORMATICS

HIFU (High Intensity Focused Ultrasound) that focuses very high frequency (0.8MHz to 2.4MHz) of sound waves on a focal region of about 1.1mm×3.3mm— 1.4mm×5.6 mm for about 1 to 4 seconds by elevating tissue temperature up to 70° C to 90 °C to ablate tumors or cancers is a highly precise non-invasive therapeutic technology which can treat almost all kinds of tumors both benign and malignant except visceral tumors, mediastinal tumors and spinal tumors. HIFU works as the light rays of sun burns a leaf after entering a magnifying lens. If a magnifying lens is held above a leaf on a sunny day the light rays intersect below the lens at a focal point and burns the leaf at the point of intersection or at the focal point. However, if you insert your hand into the path of sunrays in front of focal point or away from focal point, there is no significant heat felt or harm caused. Alternatively, if you place your hand at the point of intersection you will be burned. The basic scientific principles of HIFU are similar to this example but HIFU uses sound waves instead of light waves and transducer instead of magnifying lens. Just as the individual sunray is harmless to the hand, and individual sound wave is harmless to the healthy tissue it travels through. During HIFU, the physician uses continuously updated real-time images with MRI or Ultrasound inbuilt in HIFU System to map out and execute the entire treatment plan. These images show treatment progression and permit the physician to customize treatment for maximum safety and effectiveness. HIFU is absolutely safe and different from the radiation therapy that damages the intervening healthy tissues with the radiation. Because of no side effects and no worry of surgery mark and radiation danger, HIFU is getting very popular in developed countries at present. HIFU is currently used in the UK, Italy, Spain, Japan, Korea, Russia, Malaysia, Hongkong China, Mainland China, etc. Although potential applications of HIFU were completed in 1942, practical and technological limitations hampered their progress and use. However, Dr. Wang Zhibiao, a well known Chinese scientist started a research on biological effects of Ultrasound in 1989. In 1996, Dr. Wang Zhibiao was able to treat a first human patient with bone tumor in Institute of Ultrasound Engineering in Medicine of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China. Then Dr. Wang Zhibiao and his team worked continuously in their Chongqing Haifu Technology Company Ltd. after its establishment in 1999 and discovered new applications of focused ultrasound to treat gynecological diseases and allergic rhinitis in 1999. Since then Chongqing Haifu has three major products of focused ultrasound therapeutic system: 1. Model JC focused ultrasound therapeutic system (Haifu System or Chongqing Haifu Knife) to treat benign or malignant tumors 2. Model CZF (Seapostar) to treat gynecological diseases 3. Model CZB (Seapopinna) to treat allergic rhinitis Among these three products, Model JC focused ultrasound therapeutic system has two types of products: 1. Ultrasound - Guided HIFU System 2. MRI - Guided HIFU System In these 2 products of Model JC focused ultrasound therapeutic System, Ultrasound and MRI inbuilt in it are used for real time imaging to identify the tumors before destroying by focused ultrasound and to monitor the therapy procedure. All these products have completely independent intellectual property rights in Chongqing Haifu, Chongqing, China. Chongqing Haifu has completed clinical trials at the Churchill Hospital, Oxford, the UK. The data obtained there enabled Chongqing Haifu; Chongqing China to obtain the CE Mark from TUV Rhineland for Model JC focused ultrasound therapeutic system in 2005. Model JC (Chongqing Haifu Knife) has already treated more than 10,000 patients with benign and malignant tumors all over Europe and Asia. Model CZF and CZB are also recognized and approved by Ukraine, Russia and China and are used in Russia and China. Chongqing Haifu’s leading position was confirmed when Chongqing Haifu completed successful clinical trials, obtained CE Mark for its Model JC focused ultrasound therapeutic system and got Chongqing Haifu Technology Company Ltd. allocated as the headquarters by the International Society for Therapeutic Ultrasound. Written and Edited By: Mr. Keshav Bhattarai Source: http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/view/117740

SPECIAL ISSUE MAY– JULY, 2009

3

Most of us over the years have known ultrasound in one way or the other. Perhaps it had helped you out to diagnose or obtain images when you had some diseases. Focused ultrasound and high intensity focused ultrasound was still unknown among many of us which I have described in American Chronicle precisely. But, do you know the leading scientist in the world who invented the large-scale medical technology (Haifu System) that uses HIFU? Well today, I will let you know my close encounter with him and a precisely short interview with him captured in his busiest time with the help of Mr. Wang Dong (Victor), Chief of Overseas Students’ Office of Chongqing Medical University. 2009-5-24 Q: Mr. Keshav Bhattarai (Nepali Citizen)

A: Dr. Wang Zhibiao (Chinese Citizen)

(Interpreter: Mr. Peng Xiang; Director of International Department, Haifu, Chongqing, China)

Q: Good Afternoon Sir; First, I would like to thank you so much for your time. Well known name Dr. Wang Zhibiao but known very less about your ground breaking non-invasive cancer treatment technology in the developing countries of Asia and Africa. What do you say about that? Alternatively, how are you planning to access your technology in such areas? A: First, I would like to say, any emerging technology is not privileged for developed countries. It belongs to whole world. We should be focusing on the diseases and its effective treatment. We also need help from you to push such new technology to such areas. We know in such areas need health care service is very big. For developing countries, we should think such topics on our own and should do more ourselves. Actually all students come here are from developing countries. We are highly thankful. If you have any new idea, you can directly talk to me. We are not only for money; we work for diseases and patients. You are very lucky that you got chance to know the latest medical technology in the world. We really hope s/he can become pioneer HIFU doctor in his/her country or in the world if s/he gets training or education here. We have capability to train and teach students. We think this is big contribution from Chongqing Medical University and from Mr. Wang Dong to arrange you a trip to see our technology in our Haifu Company. Q: I have read a lot about you and your HIFU technology. Could you please tell me what made you think about its invention? A: First, it is very interesting topic. In 1989, our professor/doctor gave us a topic to find out whether a beam of Focused Ultrasound (FU) affects an embryo or not. We found out that the beam of Focused Ultrasound (FU) affects the embryo and can even terminate the pregnancy if the intensity is increased. However, no effects were seen on the surrounding tissue (mother’s tissue). Therefore, we thought if it could show any influence or effect to cancer or tumor, which might help to ablate and treat cancer. Since then this topic started and we continued our research. High Intensity Focused Ultrasound is non-invasive and can do a lot inside a human body without affecting the intervening tissues. Q: I guess Haifu is the name of HIFU system or technology. What is really the difference between Haifu and HIFU? Alternatively, what is the mystery behind the name Haifu? A: Haifu is infact the name of our company that produces HIFU system or technology. Although, Haifu and HIFU sound similar, they have a little bit different pronunciation. Haifu is infect a Chinese word composed of two characters hai and fu of which hai means sea and fu means relieve whereas, HIFU stands for High Intensity Focussed Ultrasound. It is co-incidence that they are written and spoken a little bit similarly. However, the overall literal meaning is finally connected with the treatment. Therefore, whatever it is, the name Haifu is suitable for our HIFU system or technology company. Q: I know a lot about the Model JC (the Haifu System or the Haifu Knife), the Model CZF (the Seapostar) and the Model CZB (the Seapopinna). Could you please tell me what are you planning to invent next? A: Since our company is National Engineering Research Center and Chongqing Key Laboratory of Medical Ultrasound Engineering, our aim is to develop 2 to 3 new innovative products or technology every year besides treating different kinds of benign tumors, malignant tumors, gynecological diseases and allergic rhinitis. May be we will work on skin diseases, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), etc for our next invention. Q: You are a great scientist. China and Chinese people must feel very proud of you. What is your opinion towards China and Chinese people? A: First, China is a developing country like your country. Second, we have same nature like working, diligent, etc. Because of the historical reason we are just developing (less developed) compared to developed countries. However, we believe we have chance to become better than developed countries. We the people of developing countries can convert our poverty into power and overpass the developed countries. One of my friends from France once said to me that the young generations in France are too lazy as they are too developed and left nothing to develop. Therefore, you will know what will happen in future. Q: I have read a lot about the Haifu (HIFU) system but found no information about its side effects. Is there any side effect of the Haifu (HIFU) system? A: It is believed that the Haifu (HIFU) system has no side effects. To tell you the truth, it absolutely has some side effects. If it has no side effects means, it is not a therapy. However, the side effects of the Haifu (HIFU) system are of negligible amount compared to radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and surgery. Therefore, you cannot generally find information about the side effects of the Haifu (HIFU) system in books and internet. Moreover, we are still working on it to minimize the side effects of the Haifu (HIFU) system. Written and Edited By: Mr. Keshav Bhattarai Source: http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/view/117644

SPECIAL ISSUE 4

THE INFORMATICS

1940s was the year when pioneers like Lynn et al and team their first research of HIFU for non-invasive removal of material from the surface of an object by vaporization processes. Later on it was developed in the 1950s and 1960s by W. Fry, F.fry Carl Townsend, Howard white and George Gardner. Clinical applications were few in those days, perhaps due to its difficulty and treatment. Targeting the beam noninvasively was difficult. As years passed and world leaped into new cutting edge technology so did the fields of medical science also. Advances in the medical imaging and ultrasound technology have led to advances in HIFU also. HIFU machines came to the vast public in the year 1994 after receiving CE approval which was launched in Europe my American company. Then came the MRgFUS (Magnetic Resonance Guided Focused Ultrasound), developed by Harvey Cline, Ronald Watkins and Kullervo Hynynen. Tumors or fibroids are identified by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and then destroyed by the ultrasound. Along the MRgFUS there came USgFUS (Ultrasound guided Focused Ultrasound). These two technologies are use in many developed and developing countries. Treatment covers, breast, liver, bone, prostate, renal cancer and soft tissue sarcoma, pancreatic cancer as well Ultrasound beams are focused on diseased tissue. There is a significant energy deposition at the focus. Tissue temperature is around 65° to 85°C. By Coagulation necrosis it destroys the diseased tissue. Anesthesia is not required, but should be recommended Similarly under the leadership of Dr. Wang ZhiBiao, Institute of Ultrasound Engineering in Medicine of Chongqing Medical University China started a research on biological effects of Ultrasound. The institute was established in 1997. Later on Chongqing Haifu (HIFU) Technology Co. Ltd. was founded in 1999. Dr. Wang Zhibiao has been successful in treating the first human patient with bone tumor. Application of Dr. Wang technology focuses on treatment of gynecological diseases, allergic rhinitis and treatment of benign and malignant tumors. Chongqing Haifu Technology Company Ltd has established three machines namely Model JC, Model CZF and Model CZB specializing in treatment of ultrasound therapeutic system, gynecological diseases and allergic rhinitis respectively. As more and more advances are made in this 21st century, HIFU technology also progresses pushing further its limits in ultrasound therapy. Many developers and scientist competing for their latest technologies throughout the world helps them crack the cutting edge technology for tomorrow’s better world.

Written and Edited By: Mr. Prannoy Rana ID: 2006510133

SPECIAL ISSUE MAY– JULY, 2009

5

INTRODUCTION: HIFU (high intensity focused ultrasound) is a highly precise medical procedure using high-intensity focused ultrasound to heat and to destroy pathogenic tissue rapidly. Chongqing Haifu (HIFU) Technology Co. Ltd. is a manufacturer of medical devices that specialize in developing Therapeutic. Dr. Wang Zhibiao, professor, doctoral tutor and the General Manager of Chongqing Haifu Technology Co., Ltd, invented the first Haifu High Intensity Focused Ultrasound Tumor Therapeutic System. The system has been clinically applicable in treating tumour noninvasively and extracorporeally.The Clinical Center for Tumor Therapy, subjected to the 2nd Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing University of Medical Sciences, is the first cancer center in the world using HIFU technology to treat patients with oncological diseases. The center is the first in the world to have successfully treated a patient with breast cancer and a patient with a bone tumor using HIFU. We have subsequently accumulated valuable experience through the treatment of hundreds of solid malignancies such as liver cancer, breast cancer, osteosarcoma and soft tissue sarcoma. METHODS OF USE: In HIFU therapy, ultrasound beams are focused on diseased tissue, and due to the significant energy deposition at the focus, temperature within the tissue rises, destroying the diseased tissue by coagulation necrosis. It works by an acoustic wave propagating through the tissue; part of it is absorbed and converted to heat. With focused beams, a very small focus can be achieved deep in tissues. When hot enough, the tissue is thermally coagulated. By focusing at more than one place or by scanning the focus, a volume can be thermally ablated. At high enough acoustic intensity, cavitation can occur. Microbubbles produced in the field oscillate and grow, and eventually implode and mechanically damage tissues. USES: HIFU is used as treatment of uterine fibroids, cancers, atrial fibrillation and in delivering drugs to the brain (by breaking up the blood brain barrier). ADVANTAGES: High Intensity Focused Ultrasound is often considered a promising technology within the non-invasive or minimally invasive therapy segments of medical technology. HIFU’s capacity to generate in-depth precise tissue necrosis using an external applicator, with no effect on the surrounding structures, is unique. An important difference between HIFU and many other forms of focused energy, such as radiation therapy or radio surgery, is that the passage of ultrasound energy through intervening tissue has no apparent cumulative effect on that tissue. CONCLUSION: HIFU is a relatively new treatment modality for cancer. As further developments in both the software and hardware of the HIFU devices emerge, it is likely that the cancer cure rates will improve and side effects decrease. This technique is of increasing interest and currently under ongoing investigation in several centres. In carefully selected patients, HIFU offers the potential to eradicate the cancer, with a minimal side effect profile, short hospital stay and an early return to everyday activities. BY: SWECHHA MASKEY ID: 40550047 BATCH: 2005

SPECIAL ISSUE 6

THE INFORMATICS

HIFU is a noninvasive surgical procedure requiring no incisions. For a prostate cancer therapy to be successful, it needs to be able to destroy the whole prostate (men have prostate cancers rather than prostate cancer) and at the same time preserve the vital structures around the gland that are involved in normal bladder emptying, preservation of continence and preservation of erectile and orgasmic function.

HIFU has the potential to achieve this by virtue of the size of the target lesion that it creates. HIFU works by focusing a pulse of high-energy ultrasound waves onto single location about the size of a grain of rice. The delivery of this energy to such a small area results in an increase in temperature to a point where the lipids (fats) in the cell membrane melt and the proteins denature. A reproducible but small volume of tissue destruction occurs. The distribution of these target lesions is under the control of the physician. During the planning phase of the treatment, ultrasound is used to delineate the prostate in two dimensions. Targeting can be planned in order to avoid the urinary sphincter, rectum, and possibly the neurovascular bundles (as preservation of these may preserve erectile function). Once the treatment plan is established, the treatment is both driven and monitored by a computer program within the HIFU delivery system. Treatment time is usually 3-4 hours. Usually patients will be discharged the same day, or next day at the doctors discretion. An important difference between HIFU and many other forms of focused energy, such as radiation therapy or radio surgery, is that the passage of ultrasound energy through intervening tissue has no apparent cumulative effect on that tissue. In contrast, radiation therapy has a cumulative, damaging effect on healthy tissues, even when they are distant from the focal target. This often limits the ability to use this modality more than once for a specific treatment. The advantages of HIFU treatments are:

1. HIFU can elevate tissue temperature in the focal zone up to 70° to 90° Centigrade in a very short duration (1-4 seconds) to ablate selected cancer tissue while leaving the surrounding tissue safe. 2. HIFU can be applied externally and contact free to targeted cancer tissue. 3. HIFU can produce sharp and predictable lesions. 4. HIFU energy is non-ionizing and can be applied repeatedly. Written and Edited By: Shambhu Kumar Sah ID: 2006510142

SPECIAL ISSUE MAY– JULY, 2009

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BUILT FOR SPEED The North American Eagle on a 2007 test run in the desert at Black Rock, Nev., where next year Ed Shadle and his team will try to set a land speed record of about 800 miles/ hour. Mr. Shadle, a retired IBM field engineer. He is 67 now, and he is still racing, and next year on july4, intend to take the North American Eagle to the hardpan desert at Black Rock, Nev., and run it through a measured mile to set a new land speed record of about 800 miles per hour, 45 miles per hour faster than the speed of sound. Mr. Shadle is the driver. Angels have contributed vitally important hardware and expertise to Eagle. From nose to tail, it is 56 feet long, weighs 13,000 pounds and is powered by a single General Electric LM1500 gas turbine, better known as a J79 when it flew in F-104s. The engine is a loaner from S&S Turbine Services, a Canadian firm that rebuilds J79s for re-pressurizing natural gas wells. The current engine has been designed up to generate 42,500 horsepower, but the one Eagle will get from S&S for the record run will top out near 50,000 horsepower.

The rules are simple. Clock the racer through a measured mile, turn around and do it again, then average the two speeds. Mr. Shadle said Eagle would need 11 miles for each run: a mile to warm up to 250 miles per hour; four miles to light off the afterburner and get up to record speed; a mile in the speed trap; and five miles to stop. But consider the challenges. Rubber tires turn to molten licorice at above 350 miles per hour, so the Eagle uses custom-built, single-billet aluminum alloy wheels, grooved for traction on soft surfaces. They will not work on asphalt or concrete.

The brakes are special alloy magnets that generate 4,700 brake horsepower as the magnetized drum approaches the moving aluminum wheel, slowing it gradually without ever locking up. The big imponderable is the sound barrier. In the sky, the shock wave simply dissipates. On land, it bounces off the ground and can flip a racer into the air. Since each car is unique, the problem has to be solved differently every time. Computer modeling is important — but only up to a point. “What we want,” Mr. Shadle said, with a slow drawl and a near-grin straight from central casting, “is to go fast.”

By: K. Srinadh Varma Batch: 2006

SPECIAL ISSUE 8

THE INFORMATICS

Introduction: ● ● ●

Swine Influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza that regularly cause outbreaks of influenza among pigs Most commonly, human cases of swine flu happen in people who are around pigs Swine flu viruses do not normally infect humans, however, human infections with swine flu do occur, and cases of human-to-human spread of swine flu viruses have been documented

Transmission to Humans: ●

Through contact with infected pigs or environments contaminated with swine flu viruses

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Through contact with a person with swine flu

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Human-to-human spread of swine flu has been documented also and is thought to occur in the same way as seasonal flu, through coughing or sneezing of infected people

Signs and Symptoms: ●

Influenza-like-illness (ILI) ●

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Fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, headache, muscle aches. In some cases vomiting and diarrhea.

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Complications like viral pnemonia and later on secondary bacterial infections leading to respiratory failure and sepsis and then death have been seen.

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The potential for exacerbation of underlying chronic medical conditions like asthma, heart disease should be considered.

Non-hospitalized mildly ill persons who are a confirmed or suspected case of swine influenza A (H1N1) virus infection are recommended to stay at home (voluntary isolation) for at least the first 7 days after illness onset except to seek medical care

Treatment: ●

Vaccine is recently under trial, yet to see its RESULT

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Antivirals for the treatment and/or prevention of infection: ●

Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) or

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Zanamivir (Relenza)

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Use of anti-virals can make illness milder and recovery faster

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They may also prevent serious flu complications

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For treatment, antiviral drugs work best if started soon after getting sick (within 2 days of symptoms)

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Warning! DO NOT GIVE ASPIRIN (acetylsalicylic acid) or aspirin-containing products (e.g. bismuth subsalicylate – Pepto Bismol) to children or teenagers (up to 18 years old) who are confirmed or suspected ill case of swine influenza A (H1N1) virus infection; this can cause a rare but serious illness called Reye’s syndrome.

Preventive Measures: ●

Covering nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing ●

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Dispose the tissue in the trash after use.

Hand washing with soap and water ●

Especially after coughing or sneezing.

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Cleaning hands with alcohol-based hand cleaners

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Avoiding close contact with sick people

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Avoiding touching eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands

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If sick with influenza, staying home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them

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Isolation: Refers only to the sequestration of symptomatic patients either in the home or hospital so that they will not infect others

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Quarantine: Defined as the separation from circulation in the community of asymptomatic persons that may have been exposed to infection

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Social-Distancing: Has been used to refer to a range of non-quarantine measures that might serve to reduce contact between persons, such as, closing of schools or prohibiting large gatherings Written By: Dr. Mohan Khadka (MBBS, TU, Nepal; MD Resident, CQMU, China; ECFMG certified USA)

SPECIAL ISSUE MAY– JULY, 2009

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A respiratory illness of pigs caused by infection with swine influenza A virus (SIV). While swine flu viruses normally do not infect humans, occasional infections of humans do occur. Many human cases of swine influenza A virus infection occur in individuals who have had a history of close contact with pigs . Swine flu infections have also occurred in individuals with no history of exposure to pigs. The current "swine flu" outbreak is different. It's caused by a new swine flu virus that has changed in ways that allow it to spread from person to person -- and it's happening among people who haven't had any contact with pigs. That makes it a human flu virus. Symptoms of swine flu are like regular flu symptoms and include fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, body aches, headache, chills, and fatigue. Many people with swine flu have had diarrhea and vomiting. Nearly everyone with flu has at least two of these symptoms. But these symptoms can also be caused by many other conditions. That means that you and your doctor can't know, just based on your symptoms, if you've got swine flu. Health care professionals may offer a rapid flu test, although a negative result doesn't necessarily mean you don't have the flu. Only lab tests can definitively show whether you've got swine flu. If you have only mild flu symptoms, you do not need medical attention unless your illness gets worse. But if you are in one of the groups at high risk of severe disease, contact your doctor at the first sign of flu-like illness. Adults should seek urgent medical attention if they have: ●

Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath

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Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen

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Sudden dizziness

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Confusion

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Severe or persistent vomiting

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Flu-like symptoms that improve, but then come back with worsening fever or cough

The new swine flu virus is sensitive to the antiviral drugs Tamiflu and Relenza. The CDC recommends those drugs to prevent or treat swine flu; the drugs are most effective when taken within 48 hours of the start of flu symptoms. Wash your hands regularly with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing. Or, use an alcoholbased hand cleaner if soap and water are not available. If you have flu-like symptoms -- fever plus at least cough or sore throat or other flu symptoms -- stay home for seven days after symptoms begin or until you've been symptom-free for 24 hours -- whichever is longer.people at increased risk of severe flu illness may consider wearing a N-95 respirator or face mask in crowded settings in communities where swine flu is circulating or when taking care of a person with flu-like illness. New swine flu virus apparently spreads just like regular flu. You could pick up germs directly from droplets from the cough or sneeze of an infected person, or by touching an object they recently touched, and then touching your eyes, mouth, or nose, delivering their germs for your own infection. That's why you should make washing your hands a habit, even when you're not ill. Infected people can start spreading flu germs up to a day before symptoms start, and for up to seven days after getting sick.

BY: DIVYA GHIMIRE

SPECIAL ISSUE 10

THE INFORMATICS

Dear readers, We are delighted that we, the promoters of THE INFORMATICS, have nourished our magazine and took to next phase of our magazine by making it a tri-monthly magazine. With our active efforts we have let our magazine survive till today. With the help of our good team work we are now able to control the publication of pirated articles in our magazine and also able to improve the quality. As a matter of fact writing makes someone creative, and creativity makes someone innovative, and innovation leads to the welfare of people and society. A good student may not be a good doctor or a good teacher or may not serve too many people but a good creative mind can lead to an innovation which can serve billions of people around the globe. Neither, Dr. Albert Einstein was a good student nor Bill Gates but their inventions served billions of people. There are thousands of such examples. Some of our friends were laughing when our American friends shared the medical education and scholarship stuffs with us during their Chongqing America Cultural Exchange Program Summer – 2009. The funny scholarships made them laugh as the scholarships were given to a guy for writing an essay and to a guy for using his left hand to write where it is very difficult to get scholarship. We know you might laugh either. But, do you know the reason to give them scholarships? Writing an essay is a creative work and activates the right brain hemisphere which might help him to become more innovative due to which the guy might do some inventions in future. However, his essay was excellent either and the teachers were impressed. And the other guy was using his left hand means his left hand is connected with the right brain hemisphere as a matter of fact. That means he will be innovative either. So, scholarship is not always given to the student who is good in his/ her study but also to those who are creative in other works. This is the reason we want you to get involve in creative works like writing articles and essays. And, we all know that recently Chongqing Medical University has also changed its ways to give scholarship. We hope you will be a candidate for that wonderful scholarship one day. We would like to remind you that you are not wasting your time by writing rather watering your creativity. In THE INFORMATICS, you will have the advantage of getting helpful information in a friendly atmosphere. We promise to provide you ultimate satisfaction by offering you many opportunities to read, write and participate. Welcome once again to THE INFORMATICS. Editors THE INFORMATICS (the international English language tri-monthly magazine)

THE INFORMATICS, MAY– JULY, 2009

The magazine is exhibited free of cost to all the readers. . All the opinions and articles published herein are those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher. While every effort has been made to check the accuracy of the information contained herein, we accept no responsibility for any inconvenience that may be caused. The contents may not be produced in any form without the prior written consent of the publisher. All rights reserved. Copyright 2008 by International Students' Union, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China. PUBLISHER International Students' Union Chongqing Medical University

YEAR 1 VOL. 1 NO. 6, Overseas Students' Office, Chongqing Medical University

ADDRESS Overseas Students' Office Chongqing Medical University No. 1 Yixueyuan Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing 400016, The P. R. China Email: [email protected] Web: http://www.esnips.com/web/theinformatics