What would you do if you saw 1 in 88 children walking around with their hair on fire?

It would likely unnerve you, to say the least, and you’d probably be compelled to search for an explanation, asking everyone from doctors to scientists and even your next door neighbor: “What’s going on with our children?! why are so many of them walking around with their hair on fire? why haven’t we found a way to extinguish the flames yet?”

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For parents of children diagnosed with autism, the urgency we feel as the CDC announced today that 1 in 88 American children are now diagnosed with some form of an Autism Spectrum Disorder, is akin to a raging fire burning out of control with no water in sight.

The new data, which also shows that 1 in 54 boys are diagnosed with an ASD —  making them five times more likely to have the disorder than girls — was  based on a study conducted by the Autism Spectrum Disorder Monitoring Network , or ADDM.

The study, which gathered data on children living in 14 different areas within the United States and “comprised over eight percent of the United States population of 8-year-olds in 2008,”  focused on 8-year-olds with the presumption that most children that present with symptoms are identified and subsequently diagnosed with an ASD by that age.

The numbers, according to the CDC website:

2007: CDC’s ADDM Network reports that about 1 in 150 children have an ASD

2009: CDC’s ADDM Network reports that 1 in 110 children have an ASD

2012: CDC’s ADDM Network reports that 1 in 88 children have an ASD

Estimated prevalence of ASDs increased 23% during 2006 to 2008 and 78% during 2002 to 2008.

What causes autism? There are many theories, and I can only speak to my personal beliefs and experiences. in the case of our son Andrew, we know that many factors were at play, including a compromised immune system at birth due to undiagnosed Cystic Fibrosis and an onslaught of environmental triggers that created the perfect storm.

But what’s relevant today are the numbers: 1 in 88.

And while the spectrum is wide and varied, and not every child diagnosed with an ASD is non-verbal or severely cognitively delayed and physically impacted like my son, many are still struggling in other ways, in classrooms and on playgrounds across the country.

All of these children, regardless of the severity of their diagnosis, are both in need and deserving of therapies and interventions designed to provide them with the opportunities to succeed in life and, as is the case for Andrew, gain as much independence as possible through these therapies. with school districts and state-funded programs strapped for cash and insurance companies doing everything they can to make coverage for these services difficult to attain by parents for their children, I can’t help but wonder: What now?

My son’s classroom has 8 students, including him. There is one special education teacher (who is fabulous), and three aides. These kids are some of the most beautiful angels on earth, and just being in their presence gives me clarity and perspective; you’d count yourself lucky to be touched by their grace and unique outlook on life. But not once has there been a time that I’ve stopped by when I haven’t seen one of these amazing children whimper from pain, act out in defiance from frustration, or withdraw completely from being misunderstood.

There hasn’t been a day that I’ve gone into that room and not witnessed the side of autism that leaves parents desperate for an answer while they forsake everything in an attempt to help their child.

And while I can only speak to the challenges that my own child with autism deals with, such as not being able to talk or perceive danger of any kind, and pick at his hands until they bleed because it’s the only way to make the unruly world a little more tolerable, I can speak to the fear that many of us in the same boat feel as we watch more and more children suffer at the hands of a diagnosis that is spreading like wildfire, with no concrete cause or solution in sight.

1 in 88 folks. There’s a story behind every number.

See this post in its original form, and read more on OC Moms: The Mom Blog.

Date: Monday Mar. 12, 2012 9:52 AM ET

TORONTO — Parents who have a child with an eating disorder can go through a whole host of problems themselves — they feel guilty, anxious and ashamed that they can’t seem to help their child, say the authors of a new book.

“It’s a very challenging kind of an illness,” said Dr. Ahmed Boachie, program director of the Eating Disorder Program at Southlake Regional Health Centre in Newmarket, Ont.

“There are a lot of myths and misconceptions. so many, many times even some of us physicians don’t seem to get the illness — the nature of it and why people refuse to eat.”

Boachie and Dr. Karin Jasper, co-authors of “A Parent’s Guide to Defeating Eating Disorders” (Jessica Kingsley Publishers), bring years of expertise to the topic. Boachie said the subtitle refers to spotting a stealth bomber because an eating disorder can do damage before you know it’s there — it’s hard to detect on radar.

Parents should watch for a sudden change in the child’s relationship with the family, especially related to food — for example, suddenly making excuses about why she can’t be there at meals or saying “I’m not hungry, I’ll eat when I get to school,” Boachie said.

“Sometimes as they lose weight they become depressed and they isolate themselves from friends and they rationalize that, you know, ‘I need to take time to study,’ and they become alone, and you see them going on Internet sites and talking more about food.”

if a child protests before eating a meal and rushes to the washroom immediately after eating, a parent should be suspicious of intentions to throw up, he said.

other indicators could be a tendency to wear loose clothes, complaints of feeling cold or tired all the time, or even hair falling out.

“You better go to the family physician as soon as possible,” Boachie advised. “Every single day they delay getting the diagnosis and treatment, it’s not a good outcome.”

Jasper said it’s possible the doctor won’t recognize an eating disorder because symptoms can mimic some other kinds of illnesses, especially in the early stages.

“So it may be that the family doctor picks up that the child is depressed and sends the child to a psychiatrist to see about that, or it may be that he thinks the child is just having some dieting problems and sends her to the dietitian to get some advice about her food intake,” she said.

Bonnie Munslow of Aurora, Ont., struggled to figure out what was wrong when her daughter Sarah complained of stomach problems in Grade 8 or 9.

“She was having a hard time eating breakfast in the morning. We thought she was lactose intolerant so we were buying lactose-free milk and lactose pills and then she was avoiding cheese. That’s the way things started up, as far as we recall,” Munslow said.

Sarah’s concerned mother took her to the family doctor a number of times, thinking there might be intolerance to gluten, or a problem like Crohn’s disease related to the digestive system.

“And in that time period, which was probably a couple months, Sarah also started fainting, and of course we were very alarmed.”

the physician saw a loss of 15 pounds over several months, and asked Munslow if Sarah was dieting.

“Our family doctor was convinced that it was an eating disorder and Sarah wasn’t being forthcoming about it with the doctor, or us at all. It’s a very, very secretive disease.”

Eventually, Sarah “came clean” and received treatment that included a nine-week stay in hospital, Munslow said.

Jasper noted that a recent study found only eight per cent of family physicians surveyed, and 26 per cent of psychologists surveyed, said they had the tools necessary to diagnose and treat eating disorders.

Boachie said it’s often an independent, smart kid who listens to everybody and does homework who can develop an eating disorder, and the child or teen doesn’t want to give up their independence or admit to a problem.

Jasper said parents need to trust their own gut feelings.

“Many parents that we’ve talked to say that they’ve had to go several times back to the doctor to insist on having the child assessed again.”

Anorexia nervosa is characterized by deliberate weight loss, while bulimia nervosa involves repeated bouts of overeating and purging. Boachie says about five per cent of Canadians will develop eating disorders. among kids and teens, the incidence is zero to one per cent for anorexia, and around three to five per cent for bulimia, he said.

at Southlake, patients are interviewed and fill in questionnaires, and if physical complications are at a minimum, they begin therapy which usually involves family members.

But Boachie acknowledged there aren’t enough treatment programs in Canada.

“For every one that we get to a treatment centre, there will be more than 10 of them who will be out there without anybody pulling them up. We don’t have enough resources, and they quickly become overwhelmed.”

Left untreated, an eating disorder can result in serious medical complications, Jasper said.

“About up to 20 per cent of people with eating disorders will die, half of those as a result of the complications of the eating disorder, and about half from suicide,” she warned.

As for Sarah, now age 19, Munslow said she still sees Boachie, a psychiatrist, once every few months for a chat and to be weighed.

“She beat it. It’s always going to be in the back of her mind, and she says that. But coming with maturity and going through all the therapy that she did, hopefully there won’t be any relapses.”

Measles outbreak prompts warning across St Helens

5:09pm Thursday 16th February 2012 in News by St Helens Star newsdesk

Parents are being urged to ensure that their children are fully vaccinated.

a MEASLES outbreak has been declared after six people required hospital treatment on Merseyside.

the Health Protection Agency (HPA) said there were 13 confirmed and 16 suspected cases in the area. Patients range in age from nine months to adults in their 20s.

Of the six people who required hospital treatment, four are children and two are adults.

this compares to just one confirmed case on Merseyside in the first six weeks of last year and one in the corresponding period of 2010.

one small family cluster has been confirmed in St Helens and there are two suspected cases. the majority of the confirmed and suspected cases are in Liverpool, Parents are being urged to ensure that their children are fully vaccinated.

Dr Roberto Vivancos, a consultant with the HPA, said: “Measles is circulating in the community. We have alerted GPs and asked them to notify us of any cases they come across.

“We are also asking parents and GPs to do all they can to ensure that children are fully protected by MMR vaccine.”

the most common symptoms of measles are fever, cough, sore eyes and a rash that develops over three to four days, beginning with the face and head and spreading down the body.

People with symptoms are advised to stay away from school, nursery or work until four days have elapsed after the development of a rash.

They are also asked to avoid contact with pregnant women and to telephone their GP for advice before attending the surgery.

Eleven babies born last year had drug withdrawal symptoms, the National Focal Point on Drugs and Drug Addiction has reported.

In a report published today, it said that last year, 53% of people who were treated for the first time had children, with 52% being parents to one child and 32% being parents to two children. A total of 81% of these parents were men. Of these first treated drug using parents, 67% reported making use of heroin, while 21% reported the use of cocaine, and 4% made use of cannabis.

Last year, a total number of 36 care orders were issued, with 24 of these children having drug using parents.

(When care orders are issued, children are moved to the care of somebody other than the parents)

63 children of drug-using parents were fostered, out of a total of 212 foster placements.

During 2010, 15 women who attended the Substance Misuse Outpatient Unit were pregnant. Of these , two suffered a miscarriage, while 13 delivered healthy babies. A total of 11 newborn babies needed opioid replacement treatment after birth because of withdrawal symptoms.

The Maltese National Focal Point on Drugs and Drug Addiction, within the Ministry of Education, Employment and the Family, is the national agency responsible for compiling data and producing the annual National Report on the drugs situation in Malta.

It reported that in 2010, 1,936 individuals attended one or more of the available drug services in Malta. Among all those treated, 80% of all clients were in treatment related to heroin use, while 11% had cocaine related problems. Another 6% accessed treatment because of their cannabis use.

Injecting drug users were reported at 35% of the service using population, a decrease of 11% compared to 46% reported in 2009. in Europe, 41% of opioid users report injecting as their route of administration.

Of the total number of individuals who attended drug related services, 313 were reported to have used services for the first time ever. Among this group, 56% reported heroin to be their primary drug of use, while 24% and 14% respectively, reported being in treatment because of their cocaine and cannabis use. 12% reported to be current drug injectors, which was down sharply from 29% in the previous year.

Drug related deaths in Malta were low compared to other European countries. in 2010, five deaths  related to drug overdose were reported. in the last 14 years Malta has reported an average of 7 drug overdose deaths every year.

A total of 224 non-fatal drug overdoses were reported in 2010, with 26% of these cases being related to illicit drugs.

The incidence of HIV infection among the drug using population in Malta remained low, with no new infections being reported in 2010. during the same year, two individuals were reported to be infected with Hepatitis B whilst 54 clients tested positive for Hepatitis C. Among the first treated clients, no new cases of Hep C infection were reported.

During 2010, a total of 506 arrests related to drugs were made. A total 0f 445 arraignments took place, of which 285 were for possession of drugs while the remaining 160 were for trafficking offences.

Of those charged for drug related offences, 84% were men. the great majority of individuals charged (72%) were Maltese. 85% were between the age of 15 and 30.

A total of 293 drug finds were made in 2010, an increase of 22% over 2009.

Out of the 731 individuals jailed at Corradino Correctional Facility, 30% tested positive for drugs on admission. A total of 37% of those admitted were sentenced for drug related offences. A total of 102 inmates received methadone treatment while in prison.

I am often amazed at how many parents come into the clinic with misinformation about colds and the flu. Parents are inundated with caretaking advice, much of it from unreliable Internet sites and old wives’ tales.

As we head into the sickliest time of the year, I think it’s important to educate parents about flu “facts” versus “fiction.” For the purposes of this article, flu refers specifically to an illness caused by the influenza virus. Flu symptoms can sometimes be caused by other viruses. your doctor can test for the presence of influenza with a nasal swab.

The flu is most contagious during the fall and winter months.

FACT: Flu season typically begins in November and runs through March. it is contracted when tiny droplets enter the respiratory system from coughs or sneezes, or by touching something with the virus and then touching the mouth, nose or eyes.

Children who received the flu shot last year need to get the vaccine again this year.

FACT: A flu shot can reduce the chance of contracting the influenza virus, commonly known as the flu, by up to 70 percent and is the only proven method to prevent contracting the virus. the Centers for Disease Control recommends all children ages 6 months and older receive a flu shot this year, including those who were vaccinated last year. because babies younger than 6 months old cannot receive the vaccination, it is especially important for their caregivers to be vaccinated. Babies are at a higher risk of complications from the flu, including dehydration, pneumonia and death.

The flu vaccine can cause a child to contract the virus.

FICTION: the viruses used in the vaccination are inactivated and actually help fortify the immune system against the virus. there are different components of the flu and flu vaccine every year, so it is important to get your vaccination yearly.

The flu vaccine can cause a child to develop autism.

FICTION: The myth linking vaccinations to autism has been disproven, yet it rages on in online blogs and urban legend. the myth comes from a fraudulent study, which has been refuted by the medical community, conducted in Great Britain in the 1990s.

Catching the flu is the same thing as having a cold.

FICTION: cold and flu can share some of the same symptoms, including coughing, sore throat, vomiting and headaches. Parents should look for three distinctive symptoms to determine if a child has the flu: body aches, fatigue and fever, chills and dizziness.

“Preventative” over-the-counter products can help prevent the flu.

FICTION: Contrary to popular belief, over-the-counter products, such as Airborne or Zycam, do not prevent or cure the flu virus. Don’t waste your money on these products, but instead, invest in hand sanitizer and wet wipes to carry with you to stay clean and germ-free.

Vitamin C can prevent or cure the common cold and flu.

FICTION: the myth that vitamin C helps prevent or cure illness traces back to the time when scurvy outbreaks were common on ships. Scurvy is a disease resulting from a vitamin C deficiency, which was a frequent occurrence for sailors who were at sea for months at a time and did not have access to fresh produce. Once sailors returned to shore and consumed fruits rich in vitamin C, they would begin to feel much better. This lends to today’s misconception that high doses of vitamin C will somehow ward off cold or flu. there is no truth to this at all, unfortunately.

Chicken noodle soup can make a sick child feel better.

FACT: While the soup itself has no medicinal value, the warmth and comfort of chicken soup does have some recovery benefits. Providing children (and adults) with extra care and affection is a very important factor for relaxation and wellness. This “soft-touch component” is essential to helping them feel better and regain their strength. the warm broth also soothes a sore throat and promotes a runny nose, which helps the gross mucus drain out of the body instead of into it.

Finally, this flu facts-versus-fiction list ends with a note about children’s cold medicine. there is a lot of confusion concerning what, if any, cold medicines can be used to treat children.

The only over-the-counter medicines children under the age of 4 should be given are acetaminophen and ibuprofen to reduce fever and pain. always follow manufacturer guidelines regarding dosage and age restrictions. Giving medicine to a child who is too young may result in poisoning and a trip to the emergency room.

If a child is feverish and unable to stop crying, we recommend a quick call to your primary care pediatrician. If it is after normal business hours, visit Good Night Pediatrics and see our overnight pediatrician.

Dr. Sandy Kalm is a pediatrician with Good Night Pediatrics, the Valley’s only overnight pediatric urgent care. Good Night Pediatrics is open every night of the year, including holidays, from 5 p.m. to 5 a.m. the clinic is located at 2651 N. Green Valley Parkway, Suite 101D in Henderson, 939-6800.

The family way

7:00am Saturday 8th October 2011

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the organisers of a new campaign to educate parents about bronchiolitis discuss the lung infection, which affects a third of babies before their first birthday. Plus, advice on how to tell if your baby’s got more than just a cold.

by Lisa Salmon.

It’s all too easy to dismiss a high temperature and cough at this time of year as nothing more than a cold.

but when those symptoms are in a baby, together with fast breathing and a loss of appetite, the illness may be more than a cold – it could be bronchiolitis.

the respiratory condition affects one in three babies in the UK before their first birthday, yet only 5% of parents questioned in a GfK NOP survey about the illness knew that it was so common, and many failed to recognise all of its symptoms.

to improve parents’ knowledge of the illness, which often leads to babies being admitted to hospital, the first national Bronchiolitis Awareness Campaign has been launched.

the campaign, organised by the healthcare company Abbott, heralds the start of the bronchiolitis season, which runs from around October to March. Like colds, the illness commonly occurs in the winter months, because the RSV virus that normally causes it is the same virus that causes colds in older children and adults.

Bronchiolitis symptoms are similar to those of a common cold, and include: :: a distinctive, rasping cough :: Shallow, fast breaths :: a high temperature, along with cold-like symptoms such as a runny nose :: Inability to feed the illness occurs when the virus causes inflammation of the tiny air passages deep inside the lungs, the bronchioles, narrowing them and leading to breathing difficulties.

It’s often confused with bronchitis, which affects the main airways in the lungs, the bronchi, rather than the smaller bronchioles.

In the majority of cases, bronchiolitis isn’t a severe condition. however, every year, more than 20,000 children in the UK are admitted to hospital with an RSV infection.

the illness can’t be treated with drugs as it’s a virus, and babies are usually treated in hospital so they can be given oxygen, and help with feeding as they’re unable to breathe and suck at the same time.

In rare cases they are taken to intensive care so they can be put on a ventilator, and even more rarely, they can die from the illness.

Campaign spokesperson Dr Su Laurent, a consultant paediatrician at Barnet and Chase Farm Hospitals, London, says that in her experience parents have very little information about bronchiolitis.

“I’m very conscious that parents often don’t know a lot about it,” she says.

“It’s confusing, and parents need to know how to recognise the symptoms, when to seek help and how, if possible, to avoid their babies getting the illness.”

she explains that babies with bronchiolitis have “a very classic-sounding cough and wheeze”, warning: “Very often it will start off just like a cold, but then the parent will become worried about the child, because of their fast breathing.

“They may also be lethargic and floppy, as well as having this characteristic cough, and a decreased appetite and a temperature.

“All of those things on their own wouldn’t make you think, but all together it spells bronchiolitis.”

while she says the majority of babies will remain fairly “bright and perky”, a significant number are ill enough to need hospital treatment.

Although any baby can develop the illness, they’re more susceptible the younger they are, and it’s potentially far more serious in babies born prematurely, or those with underlying heart or lung conditions.

Laurent says babies will often be taken to hospital at a late stage of the illness because parents have initially dismissed it as just a cold – until their baby is floppy and wheezing.

“That’s when parents panic.” she says.

“If you think it may be bronchiolitis, get your GP to have a look at your baby.

“They can reassure you, or tell you when it’s a good time to go to hospital if the baby gets worse.

“It’s more than a cold. It’s looking at a baby and thinking they’re struggling to breathe. That’s what makes you worried.”

she advises parents of new babies to ask friends with colds not to visit, and try hard to avoid viruses where possible.

“A normal cold from an adult can give bronchiolitis to a baby. That’s the message. It can make them really sick.”

Babies who have a less severe form of bronchiolitis should have more frequent feeds, have their bed propped up slightly, and perhaps have more humidity in the air around them, maybe through a wet towel being placed on a radiator in their room.

Parents should keep a close eye on how alert they are and how wet their nappies are.

After having bronchiolitis, children may be more prone to chest problems, although it’s not known whether this is because the bronchiolitis weakens the chest, or because babies with weak chests are more likely to get bronchiolitis.

:: For more information about bronchiolitis, visit morethanacold.co.uk Ask the expert Q: “How can I assess whether the ‘expert’ parenting advice I read is right – or is it best to just ignore it all and follow my instincts?”

a: Sociology professor Frank Furedi, author of Paranoid Parenting: Why Ignoring the Experts may Be best for your Child (Continuum 2008, £12.99), says: “The very instability of parenting advice and the regularity with which yesterday’s authoritative recipe is dismissed as hopelessly inaccurate indicates that what’s going to be preached today will be rejected as irrelevant tomorrow.

“Such advice is based on the subjective opinion of individuals, rather than on science. Parenting experts know far less about your child than you do – so there’s no reason to defer to their views.

“Yes, we have to learn how to raise our children. but not everything that has to be learned can be taught. Reading other’s advice often distracts us from seeing what’s going on in front of our eyes.

“Instead of worrying about which opinion to choose, it makes sense to learn to make judgment calls on the basis of your own experience. It’s the experience of the unique interaction between parent and child that provides the insight through which we develop as competent mothers and fathers.

“Parents learn what’s right for their children through interacting with them and not from reading books. no one is likely to understand the situation of your child better than you do – so you might as well do what you think is best.”

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Snuguns Thumbless mittens made from wool-rich yarn, with long ribbed arms that make it difficult for toddlers to pull off. Made in a single size suitable for children aged between six months and four years, priced from £9.99 to £11.99, available from snuguns.com JJ Cole Original Infant Bundleme Footmuff a cosy footmuff with an easily removable top, two-way zippers and a base that can be fixed into the car seat or pram, providing a soft protective cover. Suitable from birth to 12 months, priced from £29, available from amazon.co.uk

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Today it’s estimated that 1 in every 110 children is diagnosed with some form of autism. That’s more than cancer, juvenile diabetes, and pediatric AIDS combined. That’s too many, and no doubt a huge source of concern for parents who wonder if their child will be affected by this strange and mysterious disorder that can have devastating effects for life.

Everyone has an idea of what autism looks like, and many of us study our children for any telltale signs of it. The problem is that many of the symptoms alone are perfectly normal in children, but it’s a collection of them together that can indicate autism. For example, my son loved ceiling fans, which worried me to no end because I’d read that a fascination with ceiling fans could indicate autism. In our case, he just so happened to like fans, but otherwise developed typically.

While it can be difficult to balance watchfulness and worry when it comes to our children’s health, it’s important to know what to look for because early intervention can be so vital in the treatment of autism. No two children with autism are exactly the same, but here’s a list from the Mayo Clinic of 18 common traits of children with autism that encompass social skills, behavior, and language.

1. Fails to respond to his or her name

2. Has poor eye contact

3. Appears not to hear you at times

4. Resists cuddling and holding

5. Appears unaware of others’ feelings

6. Seems to prefer playing alone — retreats into his or her “own world”

7. Starts talking later than age 2, and has other developmental delays by 30 months

8. Loses previously acquired ability to say words or sentences

9. Doesn’t make eye contact when making requests

10. Speaks with an abnormal tone or rhythm — may use a singsong voice or robot-like speech

11. Can’t start a conversation or keep one going

12. May repeat words or phrases verbatim, but doesn’t understand how to use them

13. Performs repetitive movements, such as rocking, spinning, or hand-flapping

14. Develops specific routines or rituals

15. becomes disturbed at the slightest change in routines or rituals

17. May be fascinated by parts of an object, such as the spinning wheels of a toy car

18. May be unusually sensitive to light, sound, and touch and yet oblivious to pain

It’s a good list to be familiar with, not to obsess over but to help you identify any red flags. The site provides other helpful information about the disorder as well. If you have any concerns, however, the best thing to do is contact your doctor. Sitting home and obsessing over things like ceiling fans isn’t going to do anyone any good.

Do you worry about symptoms of autism in your child?

Image via Beverly & Pack/Flickr

Vale Dyspraxia Support Group appeals for volunteer leaders

4:30pm Sunday 21st August 2011

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THE Vale Dyspraxia Support Group is appealing for volunteers to come forward to run the organisation.

The Barry family members who have run the group for the last seven years are moving out of the area, and they are desperate for someone to take over the reins.

VDSG provides support and advice for parents, carers, families and others that are affected by dyspraxia.

They currently provide members with monthly meetings, an advice line, and links to a range of other organisations.

They also arrange social activities including 10-pin bowling, cinema trips, boat trips and visits to the likes of Techniquest.

“We are considering moving to Oxford and we are not going to be able carry on with the group if we move there,” said one of the co-ordinators.

“After seven and a half years the group could do with some fresh leadership too.

“We are asking for people to come forward, for us to find out a little bit more about them, and see if people in the meetings feel happy for them to lead the group and take it forward from us.”

Dyspraxia is a condition where the normal process of development of physical actions that require co-ordination is delayed or disturbed.

Typically a child with dyspraxia has difficulty with their gross motor skills, including activities such as throwing, catching and running, as well as fine motor skills, such as handwriting.

Dyspraxia is part of a group of conditions that include dyslexia and ADHD, with many children having symptoms of one or more of these conditions.

if you have an interest in helping young people with dyspraxia and its associated conditions, email or ring 01446 738945.

You can also visit the website at vdsg.org.uk

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THREE pupils from different schools in the Shiselweni region died mysteriously, forcing parents to suspect an outbreak of the deadly meningitis disease.However, the ministry of health has allayed fears of the suspected outbreak in Hlatikulu and surrounding areas. The deaths were reported in the past two weeks and the children showed similar symptoms that could be linked to the disease.such include headaches, fever and vomiting.Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Health Dr Steven Shongwe advised the public not to panic as the ministry has not yet detected the disease.  He said the ministry would inform the nation if there was any outbreak. He said for now, there has been no detection of meningitis outbreak through their system which he said was very up-to-date and, therefore, people should not panic.   Teachers in the schools where the children went suspected meningitis. The deceased pupils are all male. Principal of Hlatikulu Central Primary school who preferred to be referred to as Mr. Dlamini, said as a lay person in health issues, he cannot say what caused the death of the boy from his school. He was quick to point out though that the boy was suffering from a headache. He said another pupil of Christ the King died last week and he showed similar symptoms but he could not say exactly what it was. Dr Shongwe said for now there were only suspicions of cholera outbreak but would inform the nation once that was confirmed. Symptoms of meningitisIt’s easy to mistake the early signs and symptoms of meningitis for the flu (influenza). Meningitis signs and symptoms may develop over several hours or over one or two days and, in anyone over the age of two, typically include: n High fever n Severe headache that isn’t easily confused with other types of headache n Stiff neck n Vomiting or nausea with headache n Confusion or difficulty concentrating — in the very young, this may appear as inability to maintain eye contact n Seizures n Sleepiness or difficulty waking up n Sensitivity to light n Lack of interest in drinking and eating n Skin rash in some cases, such as in viral or meningococcal meningitis Signs in babiesNewborns and infants may not have the classic signs and symptoms of headache and stiff neck. instead, signs of meningitis in this age group may include: n High fever n Constant crying n Excessive sleepiness or irritability n Inactivity or sluggishness n Poor feeding n A bulge in the soft spot on top of a baby’s head (fontanel) n Stiffness in a baby’s body and neck n Seizures Infants with meningitis may be difficult to comfort, and may even cry harder when picked up.

Shut up, MP Magongo tells Maqhawe Mavuso

MOTSHANE Member of Parliament Robert Magongo yesterday told former Mkhiweni MP Maqhawe Mavuso to keep his mouth shut.He said the former legislator had his chance as an MP but failed to work efficiently and, therefore, he must leave them as the current legislators to do their job without interference. to use his words precisely, Magongo said Mavuso was “shallow-minded.” this happened live on national radio yesterday morning in the news programme Letishisako.  Magongo’s emotions got provoked after the former legislator made accusations that the Motshane MP was interfering with the work of the ministry of public works and transport, on among other things, the tendering process of heavy plant machinery such as caterpillars. interferingMagongo was clearing his name on the accusations that he was interfering in the awarding of heavy plant equipment tender.  He said he never interfered or issued an order on which company should be given the tender as some people have accused him.During the interview, Mavuso said there was only one company in South Africa that sold heavy plant equipment. it was then that Magongo responded and told the host of the programme Senzo Malaza that he was not surprised Mavuso could say such stressing; “that on itself proves Mavuso is a slow thinker (ucabanga kancane). He must leave us to do our job. He had his chance and failed,” he said. Magongo told Mavuso to keep a distance because he failed to do his job while he was still in Parliament. “I don’t understand why he is interfering because his time has passed. He failed and that’s just it,” said Magongo.  Malaza had to cut the MP short as he failed to control his loose tongue as he kept referring to Mavuso as shallow-minded.

Although our parents before grandparents force comprise heard with the intention of statement plus well thought-out it an repeated mortality sentence, today’s focus on prevention, ahead of schedule detection, after that dealing wealth with the intention of nation who are diagnosed in the midst of cancer time and again comprise a self-same clear attempt of beating the disease.

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According to the state-owned Cancer Institute (NCI), mortality charge commencing cancer comprise been decreasing because the beforehand 1990s. in a in recent times in print check in on cancer commencing the living 1975 by means of 2004 (the hottest time representing which data are available), the NCI eminent that, “Death charge decreased on be in the region of 2.1 percent for every time commencing 2002 by means of 2004, practically double the once a year lessen of 1.1 percent for every time commencing 1993 by means of 2002.”

The NCI emphasized that, “Death charge are the greatest indicator of move forward anti cancer.” this is for the reason that the diagnosis charge of cancer can time and again be present viewed in a affirmative light. representing example, an boost in the diagnosis of prostate cancer (a typically non-fatal cancer) may possibly be real the answer of a bigger digit of men obtaining PSA tests. Similarly, an increase in intensity in mammography may possibly head start to an increase in intensity in the diagnosis of breast cancer, except beforehand detection practically forever leads to top outcomes. in additional words, extra women may possibly ensue diagnosed in the midst of beforehand period breast cancer, except smaller amount willpower crash commencing the disease.

According to the NCI report, mortality charge “decreased representing 12 of the 15 a large amount conventional causes of cancer mortality in men (i.e., cancers of the lung, prostate, colon afterward rectum, bladder, kidney, stomach, brain, afterward oral fissure in the function of thriving while leukemia, non-Hodgkin lymphoma then myeloma).” between women, mortality charge “decreased representing 10 of the 15 a large amount collective cancers (i.e., breast, colon in addition to rectum, stomach, kidney, cervix, understanding also bladder cancers when thriving while non-Hodgkin lymphoma, leukemia, plus myeloma).” Unfortunately, although deaths commencing blood moreover cervical cancers decreased, persons commencing liver cancer furthermore lung cancer enlarged representing women.

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If you before a loved one are diagnosed in the midst of cancer – whether bone cancer, skin cancer, ovarian cancer, before a number of additional grow – it’s organic to be surprised to conclusions. with the intention of is why it is imperative to collect every of the in rank viable on the create of cancer after that its treatments. Thankfully, the Internet can bestow a wealth of in rank on cancer next cancer treatments. suitable culture on the order of the disease your fighting may possibly thriving be real your paramount bat in beating the disease. in rank gives you the world power to solicit the decent questions of wellbeing thoughtfulness providers, outshine appreciate your options, in addition to tile the route to creation an up to date resolution regarding cancer treatment.

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The Internet is besides a grave tool representing pronouncement the hold you hardship although battling cancer. proviso you’ve conventional the diagnosis, it’s extraordinarily beneficial to fix in the midst of a group of nation who let somebody in on your experience. proviso a loved one has conventional the diagnosis, you hardship to acquire a grasp of come again? dishonesty on the path ahead, next find the hold you hardship in enjoin to hold the one you love.

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