Abhishek Arora

How the Flu Virus Invades Your Body! Flu Attack!

2009-10-25T14:44:00.000-07:00

This is an awesome video of how a swine flu virus attacks your body and enters it, followed by reproduction and massive duplication. Worth watching!

Related Posts:

* Tracking Swine Flu

* Littman Stethoscopes

* Doctors Bag Chic or Boring What do you prefer?

Doctors Bag: Chic or Boring - Which do you prefer?

2009-10-25T10:42:00.000-07:00

I was looking for a doctors bag (for a GP friend of mine) and I found that all the bags on the market are so predictably subfusc.

If you are looking to buy a traditional doctors bag, you can buy one from this shop. Though it is nothing like the one in the picture, but it will do.

I was looking for something like the one which Paul Smith had in his collection many moons ago, see the picture above. Featuring a long shape with slightly rounded edges, the doctor’s bag was made popular by Prada when it introduced its nylon and leather version. These so called “Doctors Bag” can also be used as a purse or an overnight bag.

A doctor’s bag is named for its functionality. Doctor’s emergency bag has to be big, able to carry instruments, stethoscope and emergency drugs. It should also have a washable lining, lots of inner pockets, with variable compartment divisions. Doctors bag should also have separate compartments for carrying emergency drugs etc. See the list below.

Ideally, a doctors bag should be made of real leather or polyester for the cheap variety.

GP’s, use these voluminous bags depending on their needs. Some prefer to wear a jacket or coat with capacious pockets rather than carry a bag. But, in my opinion, that does not replace a doctors bag.

Doctors need a voluminous bag which will carry all the emergency equipment like:-

* Stethoscope
* Emergency drugs,
* torch,
* blood pressure instruments,
* nebulizers,
* BNF (British National Formulary)
* Gloves
* Sterets or Alcohol wipes
* Knee Hammer
* Face Mask
* Glucometer
* Pulse Oximeter
* Tape Measure
* Lubricating Jelly
* Pens and stationary Items
* Last, but not the least, prescription pads to write prescriptions on

So which one do you prefer a Chic Doctors bag or dull and boring ones?

Related Posts:

* Littman Stethoscopes

* iStraw

Stethoscope: Doctors prefer Littmann Stethoscopes!

2009-10-25T07:38:00.000-07:00

Stethoscope: Doctors prefer Littmann Stethoscopes!

Stethoscope, the ubiquitous medical instrument that says you are a doctor is used by us, health care professionals, everyday. Yet I am asked this question by medical students time and again. Doctor, which stethoscope do you use? Why Littmann Stethoscope?

I have used numerous stethoscopes all through out my career and the only one which I prefer is a Littmann Stethoscope.

There are a plethora of choices when it comes to stethoscopes from the cheap NHS issue to the advanced cardiology ones by Littmann.

If you were to go around any hospital, the most trusted brand of stethoscopes, is hung around the doctors shoulders or in their coat pockets.

Why do Doctors prefer Littmann Stethoscopes?

Simply because they are the best!

You don’t necessarily have to take my word for it. Go ahead and test the various ones listening to the heart sounds of patients and come to your own conclusion.

I have found that, by trial and error that Littman Stethoscopes offer the best quality of sound. I am better able to differentiate cardiac murmurs, crackles and fine crepitations, when I am using my trusted Littman stethoscope.

I find Littmann stethoscopes also offer superior quality of sound transmission, when listening to a hairy man’s chest! Other stethoscopes transmit the ambient noise when the chest moves causing the hair to rub against the stethoscope diaphragm, while the Littmann’s do not!

Acoustic or Electronic Stethoscopes?

I have been trained using the acoustic stethoscope and I stand by it. Although the more advanced electronic stethoscopes offer ambient noise reduction, I have rarely needed those.

With the introduction of iPhone, we now have the iStethoscope as well!

If you are using some other brand of stethoscope, please feel fee to voice your opinion in the comments section.

Related Posts:

* 6 tips to Increase Online Productivity for Doctors

* Target Heart Rate

* Google Patients

* Doctors Bag Chic or Boring What do you prefer?

Happy Gandhi Jayanti - Google style!

2009-10-02T10:54:00.000-07:00

Wishing all my blog readers a Happy Gandhi Jayanti! Today, you might have noticed that Google has adorned its homepage with Mahatma Gandhi's Profile.

Gandi Ji's face profile is being used in place of the initial letter "G" of the Google's onscreen name, making him one of a small number of people who have been given such prominence on the site's search page.

Gandhi's birthday, October 2, is marked as a national holiday in India, called as Gandi Jayanti.

Born in 1869, Bapu insisted that non-violent civil disobedience was the best way to achieve change in India, and led nationwide campaigns in India - then under British rule - to achieve independence. He was assassinated at the age of 78 by a Hindu extremist, called Nathuram Godse.

Every year, we all celebrate Bapu's Birthday on 2nd October. When I was attending school, we had another day of holiday and used to thank Bapu for making India independent.

For once, I can thank Google, though of late it has been a headache to get my adwords account sorted?

Blonde Girl on the Beach! You will love this one!

2009-10-01T12:53:00.000-07:00

Image from Wikipedia

Dedicated to the e-mail addicts

An ambitious Software Engineer finally decided to take a vacation. He
booked himself on a Caribbean cruise and proceeded to have the time of
his life. At least for a while.

A hurricane came up unexpectedly. The ship went down and was lost instantly.
The man found himself swept up on the shores of an island with no other people, no supplies, nothing. Only bananas and coconuts.

Used to five-star hotels, this guy had no idea what to do. So, for the next four months he ate bananas, drank coconut juice, longed for his old life, and fixed his gaze on the sea, hoping to spot a rescue ship.

One day, as he was lying on the beach, he spotted movement out of the corner of his eye. It was a rowboat, and in it was the most gorgeous woman he had ever seen. She rowed up to him. In disbelief, he asked her: "Where did you come from, and how did you get here?"

"I rowed from the other side of the island," she said. "I landed here when my cruise ship sank."
"Amazing," the software engineer said, "I didn't know anyone else had survived. How many of you are there? You were really lucky to have a rowboat wash up with you."

"It's only me," she said, "and the rowboat didn't wash up: nothing did."

He was confused, "Then how did you get the rowboat?"

"Oh, simple," replied the woman. "I made it out of raw material that I found on the island.. The oars were whittled from gum-tree branches, I wove the bottom from palm branches, and the sides and stern came from
a eucalyptus tree."

"But, but, that's impossible," stuttered the man. "You had no tools or hardware - how did you manage?"
"Oh, that was no problem," the woman said. "On the south side of the island, there is a very unusual strata of exposed alluvial rock. I found that if I fired it to a certain temperature, it melted into forgeable ductile iron. I used that to make tools, and used the tools to make the hardware.
But enough of that. Where do you live?"

Sheepishly, the man confessed that he had been sleeping on the beach the whole time.

"Well, let's row over to my place then," she said.

After a few minutes of rowing, she docked the boat at a small wharf. As the man looked onto shore, he nearly fell out of the boat. Before him was a stone walk leading to an exquisite bungalow painted in blue and white.

While the woman tied up the rowboat with an expertly woven hemp rope, the man could only stare ahead, dumbstruck.

As they walked into the house, she said casually, "It's not much, but I call it home. Sit down, please. Would you like to have a drink?"

"No, no, thank you," he said, still dazed. "I couldn't drink another drop of coconut juice.."
"It's not coconut juice," the woman replied. "I have made a still-How about a Pinacolada?"

Trying to hide his continued amazement, the software engineer accepted, and they sat down on her couch to talk..

After they had exchanged their stories, the woman announced, "I'm going to slip into something more comfortable. Would you like to have a shower and a shave? There is a razor upstairs in the cabinet in the bathroom."

No longer questioning anything, the man went into the bathroom. There in the cabinet was a razor made from a bone handle. Two shells honed to a hollow-ground edge were fastened to its tip, inside a swivel mechanism.

"This woman is absolutely amazing," he mused. "What next?"

When he returned, the woman greeted him. She beckoned for him to sit down next to her.

"Tell me," she began suggestively, slithering closer to him, brushing her leg against his, "We've both been out here for a very long time. You've been lonely. There's something I'm sure you really feel like doing right now, something you've been longing to do for all of these months."She stared into his eyes. He couldn't believe what he was hearing- this was like all of his dreams coming true in one day.

"You mean...," he replied, "I can check my e-mail from here?"

-------------------------------------------------

This email was sent by New Delhi Accommodation - I laughed & Laughed & laughed.

Posting it on my blog, so that you all can enjoy it!

The more you laugh the more endorphins are released & the less stressed you are! My motto for posting humour/ jokes on my blog!
Enjoy!

BTW, if you have something witty or funny or want to do a guest post on my blog, contact me!

Problems with Google Adwords interface

2009-08-25T02:49:00.000-07:00

I am a long time user of Google adwords and run some campaign's on adwords.

I am just frustrated at the lack of support Google offers. My credit card details had to be changed due to some miscreant getting access to my CC details. Now that CC was used on Goolge adwords.

Adwords keeps on emailing them and i keep emailing back about the problems that I am facing, but to no avail. I have tried to contact Google at their London office but to no avail. The recorded voice will give you the email of the adwords google team!!!

The problem is the following:-

As you can see from the screen shot above, in the select card type - there are no options like Visa, Mastercard etc and therefore I am unable to update my details.

But Google won't act on my emails. They keep on sending some computer auto- generated emails - your adwords account is suspended until you update your CC details.

When is Google going to provide some decent customer service?

I am writing this post, as I am fed up of trying to contact them, via emails or phone.

Can someone resolve this issue, please.

Edit:

This is what i usually get from the support at adwords & the adwords blogspot.
--------------------
Hello,

Thank you for writing in about Inside AdWords. Though we may not get to
respond to you personally, we are reading through everything that comes
in. So keep visiting the site.

If you have questions about your AdWords account, please visit the help
center at https://adwords.google.com/support. The AdWords Help Center
provides the answers to a wide variety of questions. If you are unable to
find the information you need, you can contact the AdWords Team through
our online contact form.

Thanks.
-The Inside AdWords team

-----------------------------------

Karuna HIV: HIV Centre on Second Life!

2009-06-30T07:42:00.001-07:00

Karuna Centre on Second Life

Karuna HIV: Stories from Second Life

Came across a novel idea, called Karuna, to celebrate the lives of those dealing with HIV/AIDS and making information, support, and creative services available to them in the Second Life community.

Karuna means to ease suffering and bring about happiness and well-being in the world.

Karuna is a Second Life SIM to help people deal with the consequences of HIV/AIDS.

Second Life, as you know is a free 3D virtual world imagined and created by its Residents. Although, Second Life interface and display are similar to most popular massively multiplayer online role playing games (or MMORPGs), it is massively popular among net-savvy patients.

Though these stories are from avatars, they are equally as “real”.

Karuna was conceived not just as an information and education resource, but as a place where creativity and community could grow and thrive as well. As a result, the island was designed to be inviting, restful, and imaginative.

There are six main areas on Karuna, each with its own charm and secrets to be discovered and explored:

1. The Garden of Experience
2. Resource Centre
3. Community Centre
4. Island of Hope
5. Memorial Centre
6. Auditorium and Event Space

The Garden Of Experience

In the Garden of Experience stories of all kinds are collected and shared. You can take free writing courses, attend weekly storytelling and music events, meditate to the relaxing sounds of chakra sound bowls, embark on story and poetry quests, play drums, and plant flowers in honor of loved ones.

The Resource Centre

The Resource Centre provides information and educational. The centre is staffed by a consumer health librarian and offers a wide range of factual data and links to real life resources about HIV/AIDS.

Memorial Centre

At the Memorial Centre you can feature photos of those you have lost to AIDS, the mountain quickly morphed into a symbol of hope, featuring cascading falls, a stunning observation deck, and a secret cave where you can float and listen to singing crystals.

What are Healing Quests at Karuna?

“Healing Quests” are part of the ongoing efforts at Karuna to celebrate the lives of those dealing with HIV and AIDS. Participants in the quests embark on a journey of self-discovery designed to help them tell stories.

Why should people go to Karuna?

There is a small but growing number of people dealing with HIV/AIDS who have come to Second Life to explore and find sources of community and support. Karuna provides such a resource to those dealing with HIV/AIDS.

So without much ado, go on to Karuna at Second Life to see it for yourself!

There you might find a small group of avatars is sitting on stumps around a crackling campfire. Like most avatars, they are each exceptionally attractive. Buff bodies, voluptuous curves, and intricate tattoos abound. Clothing is decidedly stylish, and the only hairs out of place are calculated fashion statements.

What makes these avatars unique, however, is that they part of a small but growing number of people dealing with HIV/AIDS who have come to Second Life to explore and find sources of community and support.

Many HIV Patients turn to the Net for the latest, updated information on HIV and for these net-savvy patients AIDS.gov also writes about Karuna.

AIDS facts!

2009-06-29T14:48:00.000-07:00

AIDS

View more presentations from Abhishek Shah.

Some AIDS facts:

1. The ABC of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome A = Abstinence B = Be Faithful C = Condoms

2. DID YOU KNOW?

3. every 9½ minutes, someone in the United States is infected with the virus.

4. There are more than 1 million people in the United States are living with HIV.

5. Of those 1 million people living with HIV, 1 of 5 don't know they are infected. (People who have HIV but don't know it can unknowingly pass the virus to their partners.)

6. Despite new therapies people with HIV still develop AIDS.

7. More than 14,000 people with AIDS still die each year in the United States.

8. SOME BACIS FACTS

9. HOW IS HIV TRANSMITTED?

10. By having sex, with a person who has HIV infection.

11. By sharing needles, syringes, or other injection equipment with a person who injects drugs and has HIV.

12. From women with HIV to their babies, before or during birth or through breastfeeding after birth.

13. From getting a blood transfusion from a person with HIV.

14. HOW IS HIV NOT TRANSMITTED?

15. shaking hands or hugging a person with HIV/AIDS.

16. using a public telephone.

17. drinking fountain.

18. using restroom.

19. swimming in the pool.

20. sharing a drink.

21. coughed or sneezed.

22. mosquito bite.

23. 3 critical ways of reducing your risk of getting HIV and live longer.

24. 1 Don't have sex at all.

25. 2 Only have sex if you are in a mutually monogamous relationship and you have both tested negative for HIV.

26. Use a condom every time you 3 have any kind of sex. Yes, any kind.

27. BE PART OF THE SOLUTION. HOW? READ ON.

28. We should know whether or not we are infected with HIV.

29. We should If we are know infected, we whether or should seek not we are medical infected care. with HIV.

30. We should If we are We should know infected, we protect whether or should seek ourselves not we are medical and others infected care. from HIV. with HIV.

31. We should If we are We should We should know infected, we protect educate whether or should seek ourselves ourselves not we are medical and others and others infected care. from HIV. about HIV. with HIV.

32. THIS WAY YOU CAN CONTRIBUTE AS AN INDIVIDUAL

33. We should mobilize to overcome the challenges and barriers to HIV prevention;

34. We should fight ignorance and complacency related to HIV;

35. We should increase the awareness about the severity of epidemic and the continued impact that HIV is having on our communities;

36. We should increase the awareness about the severity of epidemic and the continued impact that HIV is having on our communities;

37. We should work to prevent stigma and discrimination—and to increase support for people living with HIV.

38. There’s a lot to do

39. There’s a lot to do THINK ABOUT IT.

40. We must recognize the epidemic here, in this country, for the crisis that it still is;

41. We must recognize the epidemic here, in this country, for the crisis that it still is; We must implement the programs that scientific evidence tells us are most effective;

42. We must recognize the epidemic here, in this country, for the crisis that it still is; We must implement the programs that scientific evidence tells us are most effective; We must ensure that those who need effective prevention interventions have access to them;

43. We must recognize the epidemic here, in this country, for the crisis that it still is; We must implement the programs that scientific evidence tells us are most effective; We must ensure that those who need effective prevention interventions have access to them; We must come together to intensify efforts and the stop this epidemic.

44. It’s possible . . . . . . . . . . . .

45. Together, we have the power to change the course of the HIV epidemic.

46. We will see the Sunshine. Together.

Michael Jackson Dies! ? Drug Overdose?

2009-06-26T04:59:00.000-07:00

The King of POP, Michael Jackson dies of a massive heart attack! The LA times reports in detail!

Now when such a high profile artist dies of a heart attack, many people will think that he has taken a drug over-dose.

I am sure that he may have overdosed on prescription drugs or snorting cocaine, but that will be known shortly after the post-mortem that is being held.

MJ has had a very troubled life from his childhood, I am sure you all are aware of that and that he is very likely to be on presciption drugs for lots of percieved disorders and stress!

Nevertheless, i am a big fan of MJ and will miss his songs and dance numbers!

May God Rest his Soul in Peace!

iStraw - Prevents Delhi Belly! Water Purification Straw!

2009-06-25T05:00:00.000-07:00

iStraw

The first time, I looked at iStraw, I thought you can’t be serious, how can a product so small clean upto 500 litres of water. That is what the manufacturers claim, 500 litres of sterile water from a straw. But the ease and the portability of the iStraw is such that, you will love the convenience of it. All you have to do is “Suck”!

Lets face it, who would want to spend their entire holiday on the loo, by not drinking filtered water. That is not even including the hassle to see a Doctor and to pay for antibiotics for dysentery. Imagine a long wait in A & E with stomach cramps and frequent urgent trips to the loo!

If you don't know what Delhi Belly is, it is just another name for Traveller's Diarrhoea!

iStraw water purifier is suitable for Personal use to help protect you, your family and friends against water borne bacteria and protozoa that are present in the drinking water and ice of many countries.

A bargain, I would say at £19.99.

So what are the Technical facts about iStraw?

iSTRAW is a lightweight portable instant microbiological water purification drinking straw fitted with a special membrane, developed and tested in Australia, which uses Micro-filtration technology to clean your water rather than expensive and bad tasting water cleaning tablets.

Use iStraw and help the environment!

•
Using the iSTRAW reduces your plastic bottle waste, lessening landfill, saving the environment and decreasing your Carbon footprint by upto 600Kg C02 and for this reason it is a GREEN endorsed prdouct.

Britons still consume 3 billion litres of bottled water a year, and there lies the ecological rub, which starts with packaging. Most bottled water is siphoned into PET bottles.
• 13bn plastic bottles sold in the UK last year, just 3bn were recycled.
• 27m Tonnes of plastic used to bottle water worldwide each year.
• 9,000 Tonnes of CO2 produced each year taking Volvic the 1,000km from south east France to Britain. Evian travels 930km from Lake Geneva, producing 14,000 tonnes of CO2. British supplier Highland Spring produces 5,500 tonnes of CO2 per year.

What precautions you should be taking when using iStraw?

1. The iStraw must not be used to purify cloudy or slightly salty (brackish/turbid) water.
2. The iStraw must not be used to purify hot water - that is to say water having a temperature over 32°C or 90°F
3. The iStraw must not be frozen otherwise damage to it's special filter membrane will occur.

For optimum results, submerge the inflow opening of the iStraw in the receptacle holding water to a depth no greater than the high water mark shown in diagram. Once submerged, simply sip through the mouthpiece as one normally sips through a standard straw.

Replace the mouthpiece cover once the iStraw is used.

Do not use the iStraw in conjunction with a pump to filter water.

Related Posts:

* Stethoscope: Doctors prefer Littmann Stethoscopes

* Doctors Emergency Bag Chic or Boring!

Nice Short Story!

2009-06-19T09:12:00.000-07:00

The following short story was sent by New Delhi Airport Hotel.

--------------------------------------------------------------------
An elderly man in Mumbai calls his son in New York and says,

'I hate to ruin your day son,

but I have to tell you that your mother and I are getting a divorce;

35 years of marriage... and that much misery is enough!'

'Dad, what are you talking about?' the son screams.

'We can't stand the sight of each other any longer,' the old man says.

'We're sick of each other, and I'm sick of talking about this,

so you call your sister in Hong Kong and tell her!'

Frantic, the son calls his sister, who explodes on the phone.

'Like heck they're getting divorced,' she shouts, 'I'll take care of this.'

She calls Mumbai immediately, and screams at the old man,

'You are not getting divorced. Don't do a single thing until I get there.

I'm calling my brother back, and we'll both be there tomorrow.

Until then, don't do a thing, DO YOU HEAR.....??'

and she hangs up..

The old man hangs up his phone and turns to his wife.

'Okay', he says,

'It's all set. They're both coming for Diwali and paying their own airfare!!'

MORAL:
No man / woman is busy in this world all 365 days.
The sky is not going to fall down

if you take few days LEAVE and meet yOur dear ones.
OFFICE WORK IS NOT EVERYTHING IN LIFE and

MONEY MAKING IS NOT EVERYTHING IN LIFE.

Orthopaedic Astronaut Surgeon!

2009-05-30T07:20:00.000-07:00

Othropaedic "Astronaut" Surgeon

The extent to which Orthopods ( Orthopaedic Surgeon's) go to make sure that their is NO infection in their joints!

Not content with layered drapes ( Paper, cloth, cloth & finally disposable paper & plastic 4th layer), positive pressure laminar flow enclosure and now Orthopaedic space suits above!

No chance that even the Swine Flu virus can pass through that hood!

Even an Orthopod finds it hilarious!

Ha.... he..... he .......

Nurses in UK clean equipment in Bathrooms!

2009-05-09T06:20:00.000-07:00

The Royal College of Nursing says it is essential that health care staff have the time and space to clean everyday hospital equipment to keep the patient environment protected from health care associated infections. The comments come as an RCN commissioned survey of 2000 nursing staff shows that one in three nurses do not have access to a dedicated room for cleaning vital hospital equipment, leaving some with no choice but to decontaminate equipment for patients in bathrooms.

Findings were based on an ICM survey of 2,000 nurses, commissioned by the RCN, showing that frontline nurses face huge challenges in the every day battle against healthcare associated infections (HCAIs) like MRSA and C diff.

The RCN described the results as "shocking", but the Department of Health said it was for individual trusts to make proper arrangements.

The RCN has also called for:

* new wards to be designed with dedicated decontamination rooms and enough space for safe and clean storage
* every trust to protect training budgets for nurses
* every nurse to be given the opportunity to update their infection prevention training
* every nurse to have access to round-the-clock cleaning services.

No wonder we have ever increaing levels of C. Diff, MRSA, VRE and so many other deadly infections. It's shocking that some nurses have no choice but to store equipment in hospital bathrooms.

People need to recognise that fighting infection is about much more than just hand washing.

Swine Flu on Twitter Comic!

2009-05-02T08:12:00.000-07:00

Swine Flu is making news on Twitter!.

Warning: this comic contains strong language (which may be unsuitable for children), unusual humor (which may be unsuitable for adults), and advanced mathematics (which may be unsuitable for liberal-arts majors).

Related Posts:

* Tracking Swine Flu

* Google Patients

Hydroxycut for weight-loss: Product Recal by FDA

2009-05-01T14:48:00.000-07:00

Hydroxycut is a popular weight loss product which has been recalled by the FDA. This is due to a death due to liver failure and other instances of serious health problems.

The Food and Drug Administration states serious adverse health effects to consumers taking this weight loss product.

The Hydroxycut brand, which had been widely sold at national chain stores including GNC and the Vitamin Shoppe, includes pills, drinks and powders marketed to boost energy, burn calories and fat, and control appetite.

Americans spent about $1.7 billion on weight-loss supplements last year, out of a total of about $25 billion spent annually on dietary supplements, according to estimates from Nutrition Business Journal, a market research firm.

Since the regulatory authorities see dietary supplemants as different from medicines, they have to undergo less rigorous testing and therefore the side effects are seen post marketing.

Dietary supplements do not need prior F.D.A. sanction to go on sale. Manufacturers of dietary supplements are themselves responsible for ensuring and documenting the safety and efficacy claims of their products.

The agency said the consumers were healthy before using Hydroxycut and took the recommended dose. Because the formula for Hydroxycut has changed over time and because the products contains different amounts of a proprietary blend of ingredients, the agency said it had not yet determined which of the product’s ingredients might constitute a health hazard.

Tracking Swine Flu Pandemic

2009-04-29T16:06:00.000-07:00

Since Swine Flu has been raised to the level of a pandemic, I thought I will do another post. Read about Swine flu and stay informed. Stay calm and don't panic.

WHO has raised the swine flu alert from Phase Four to Phase Five. This phase is characterised by human-to-human spread of the virus into at least two countries in one region.

While most countries will not be affected at this stage, the declaration of Phase Five is a strong signal that a pandemic is imminent and that the time to finalise the organisation, communication, and implementation of planned mitigation measures is short.

Here are some tips to Track Swine Flu:-

* Check Health Map for the latest reports on Swine Flu

* Check Google maps for further updates.

* NHS gives frequent updates on its site, keep upto date with the latest developments.

* Search for the latest Swine Flu Tweets on Twitter

* Keep checking the Centre for Disease Control's site for further notices. Mexico & USA is where the maximum cases are being reported, so it makes sense to check them out periodically.

* If you have recently traveled to Mexico, you can contact your doctor or General Practioner, if the following are present:-

* Fever of 38°C or more
* history of fever AND flu-like illness (two or more of the following symptoms: cough, runny nose, limb/joint pain, headache)
* other severe/life-threatening illness suggestive of an infectious process

You can check your symptoms using this NHS symptom checker.

Foremost, Stay Calm and Don't panic.

Related Posts:

* Doctors prefer Littmann Stethoscopes

Swine Flu - Some facts

2009-04-29T09:22:00.000-07:00

With all the recent outcry about swine flu, it is important to remember that you can easily prevent the spread of infection by using basic common sense.

As it is a type of flu virus, the advise for flu is also true for Swine Influenza as well.

* Using tissues while coughing or sneezing and throwing them into the bin asap.

* Washing hands with plenty of soap & water

More about Swine flu can be read here.

NHS direct states the following:-

Phone your GP or NHS Direct if you have recently travelled to Mexico or another affected area AND have one of the following:

* Fever of 38°C or more
* history of fever AND flu-like illness (two or more of the following symptoms: cough, runny nose, limb/joint pain, headache)
* other severe/life-threatening illness suggestive of an infectious process

You can check your symptoms using this symptom checker.

Related Posts:

* Tracking Swine Flu

* Littmann Stethoscopes

Unhappy With labour - Sign Petition for Brown to Resign !

2009-04-25T06:42:00.000-07:00

Just came across this awesome e-Petition, if you are unhappy with the handling of Gordon Brown, the current British Prime Minister for whatever reason and want a change at 10, Downing Street - and you feel strongly about it, go ahead and sign the petition here.

It gives the following simple message:

We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to resign.

The Deadline to sign up is by: 22 October 2009 – Signatures: 6,651 as of 25th April, 2009 @ 1450 hrs.

Second Opinion! Medical Humour!

2009-04-19T11:47:00.000-07:00

Got the following by email, posting it here for you all to enjoy and laugh your head off!

---------------------------------------------------------------
Second Opinion!

The doctor said, 'Joe, the good news is I can cure your headaches. The bad news is that it will require castration.

You have a very rare condition, which causes your testicles to press on your spine and the pressure creates one hell of a headache. The only way to relieve the pressure is to remove the testicles.'

Joe was shocked and depressed. He wondered if he had anything to live for. He had no choice but to go under the knife. When he left the hospital, he was without a headache for the first time in 20 years, but he felt like he was missing an important part of himself. As he walked down the street, he realized that he felt like a different person. He could make a new beginning and live a new life.

He saw a men's clothing store and thought, 'That's what I need... A new suit.'

He entered the shop and told the salesman, 'I'd like a new suit.'

The elderly tailor eyed him briefly and said, 'Let's see... size 44 long.'

Joe laughed, 'That's right, how did you know?'

'Been in the business 60 years!' the tailor said.

Joe tried on the suit it fit perfectly.

As Joe admired himself in the mirror, the salesman asked, 'How about a new shirt?'

Joe thought for a moment and then said, 'Sure.'

The salesman eyed Joe and said, 'Let's see, 34 sleeves and 16-1/2 neck.'

Joe was surprised, 'That's right, how did you know?'

'Been in the business 60 years.'

Joe tried on the shirt and it fit perfectly.

Joe walked comfortably around the shop and the salesman asked, 'How about some new underwear?'

Joe thought for a moment and said, 'Sure.'

The salesman said, 'Let's see... size 36.

Joe laughed, 'Ah ha! I got you! I've worn a size 34 since I was 18 years old.'

The salesman shook his head, 'You can't wear a size 34. A size 34 would press your testicles up against the base of your spine and give you one hell of a headache.'

New suit - $400
New shirt - $36
New underwear - $6
Second Opinion - PRICELESS

Jade Goody Boosts Cervical Screening

2009-04-11T07:28:00.000-07:00

Jade Goody may have been idolized or criticized, one thing is certain that she has had a positive effect on the Cervical Screening programme and making the non- compliant womenfolk rush to their doctors to have that long forgotten cervical smear done.

I hope that Jade's very public battle against cervical cancer will encourage women to not only get themselves vaccinated but also to be more aware of the symptoms that need to be reported to their GP's.

Their have been calls to lower the official age of women who are eligible for cervical screening, Dr. Crippen says that this should not be done only because of Jade, but on evidence based medicine. Something that I agree with!

Young Indians with Ischaemic Heart Disease

2009-04-11T03:22:00.000-07:00

Got some shocking news today. One of my wife's cousins, who is a 30 year old male, slightly obese was admitted with Central Chest pain to a Hospital. At that time, I thought, it would be something like a musculo-skeletal chest pain (medical term for a pulled muscle in the chest or rib cage), but today I came to know that it was a mini heart attack, with ECG changes!!!

That is something serious!! Now the poor chap is going to have an angiogram ( this is a test which Cardilogist perform by injecting a dye into the arteries supplying the heart) to see whether the arteries are blocked or not.

I have written a few times that Indians are more likely to have a heart attack and why should we exercise to target our heart rate and the fact that smoking kills.

I guess that Indians need to focus on some basic lifestyle changes as tabulated below..

1. Regular exercise. Exercise means targeting your heart rate according to your age.

2. Taking regular medication if known to have higher Blood pressure

3. Stop smoking – active and passive.

4. Avoid ghee, butter and food rich in fats.

I have not been exercising for the last few days ( nay Months!!!) and I think, the time has come to practice what I preach.

I pray to God that my cousin, may get well soon! I hope this is a lesson for us all NOT to neglect our health.

Time to don my running shoes and go for a jog!!

6 Blogging Tips for New Bloggers

2009-04-06T04:33:00.000-07:00

6 Blogging Tips for New Bloggers was inspired by an excellent post by Sunil, Are you slow poisoning your blog. He writes some excellent points on how to take control of your poorly performing blog.

So what are the points that you as a blogger should keep in mind while blogging, I have added some of my own thoughts.

1. Keep the post short and sweet. Golden Rule.

2. Regular posting:

The newspapers publish everyday and the news comes at the same time on the telly every hour. This creates a regular schedule in the mind of the viewer. Supposing you want to hear the news today and you switch on the TV @ 1800 hrs for the news, instead you find that they are doing re-runs. That would be a dampner.

So post regularly and make a schedule and stick to it.

3. Suss out your readers:

Try to suss out which type of blog reader you are getting and tailor content accordingly. This is a medical and travel blog, therefore I write about medicine and travel.

4. Scannable Posts:

Sunil says that you should create content that is scanable, read his post here. Studies have shown that readers are "time poor" and they scan posts to go to the meaty bits quickly.

5. Excessive Pop Up adverts & Insisting on Subscription:

Some of the blogs I visit send a Pop up with the goal of getting you to subscribe to their blog, I find that highly annoying and hate it and spoils my user experience.

6. Reader Interaction:

Try to reply to your readers as that builds rapport and gets you regular readers. In case you are wondering, what's the fuss with regular readers? Regular readers build a community of friends and likelyhood that they are bloggers themselves and will write a post which will link back to yours.

Hopefully these tips will make your blog a dynamic one and may you gain many readers!

Related Posts:

* Publish a Custom URL on Blogger

Doncaster Mobile Spray Tanning - Vanity by Kim

2009-04-06T02:44:00.000-07:00

Doncaster Mobile Spray Tanning by Kim Hodgson, utilising the latest spray technology combined with tanning solution made from the finest ingredients, Vanity By Kim delivers the most authentic looking, long lasting spray on tan imaginable in any shade desired, from lightly sun-kissed through to the darkest of European Tans.

Kim has a knack of spraying it on correctly and properly. You just have to allow it to air dry for just 30 minutes and that's it - within 24 hours you will have a glorious golden tan. IT'S THAT EASY! And Kim Hodgson will do it for you at your home in Doncaster, South Yorkshire.

The Business name Kim uses is:

Vanity by Kim

Mobile Spray Tanning in Doncaster

Kim can only be contacted by Phone. Her phone number is 07960446057.

If you are wondering how much it costs, she charges only 15 Pounds per application.

Related Posts:

* Doncaster Laser hair Removal

* Doncaster Dentitsts

* Dermal Fillers Doncaster, Sheffield

* Mobile Spray Tanning in Doncaster

Indian Medical Blogs

2009-04-05T06:26:00.000-07:00

I am adding the following button to this post to as per the Indian Medic. He feels that the Indian Doctors are underrepresented in the blogging community, and therefore this venture.

6 Tips to Increase Online Productivity for Doctors

2009-04-04T13:57:00.000-07:00

6 Tips to Increase Online productivity for Doctors

If you are a Doctor and spending lots of time online, here are a few tips to make the most of your time and increase productivity.

1. Make a To Do List: As internet is becoming more and more important to keep up with changes, research and CPD (Continuing Professional Development), it pays not to waste time on the internet. My strategy is to prioritize work and make a to-do list and tick them one by one, so that I know that today’s jobs have been done.

2. Twitter Wasters: If you are glued to Twitter and becoming a Twitter waster, then it is time to reduce the time you spend on Twitter and use that more productively. See how much time you waste on Twitter by using this cool tool. If you are into Twitter and tend to waste your time, use TweetDeck to make several groups.

3. Email: Avoid Checking Email First Thing in the morning, unless this is required in your job, let it go until after you’ve completed your top priority of the day. Try to process email in batches; say two or three times a day.

4. Cut Down on Random Surfing: With sites like Stumble Upon, Twitter and Digg, it is very easy to lose track of time and before you know, hours have gone by.

5. Bloggers stop checking your stats: As a Blogger, I have been guilty of checking my stats continuously, especially since my post on How Doctors Choose Specialty went viral on Stumble Upon and garnered 20 K visitors in 2 days. I am sure many of us do that. It’s fun, but counter-productive.

6. Utilize Google Reader: as explained in an excellent post by Ves Dimov on How to Deal with Information Overload.