Tag: bullyingprevention

World Hepatitis Day 2021: Theme, Hep types, and Significance.

What is hepatitis? Theme this year, few symptoms, about types of Hep, and how to contribute?

THEME 2021 : “Hepatitis Can’t Wait”

What is Hepatitis:

Hepatitis means inflammation of the liver. It can lead to scarring, cirrhosis, and liver cancer. There are 5 main hepatitis viruses: –

Types A, B, C, D and E. These 5 types are very serious since they cause severe illness, even leading to death. They can also cause outbreaks and spread of epidemic.

 A person dying every 30 seconds from a hepatitis related illness 

Causes :

Heavy alcohol use, toxins, some medications, autoimmune diseases can cause hepatitis

Ways of transmission: Have contact or receiving of contaminated blood or blood products, invasive medical procedures using contaminated equipment. Hepatitis B can transfer from mother to baby at birth, from family member to child, and by sexual contact.

Main symptoms:

  • Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes)
  • Dark urine,
  • Extreme fatigue
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Abdominal pain. 

Types of hepatitis:

1 Hepatitis A Virus (HAV) : –

Transmitted through consumption of contaminated water, food; sometimes sexual contact. It’s trace is present in faeces. In most of the cases, it is usually mild and when treated properly it can make one immune from further infections. But, left untreated it can turn life threatening.

Additional symptoms :

  • Abdominal pain or discomfort, (by your liver)
  • Clay-colored bowel movements
  • Severe itching

Safe, effective vaccines are available to prevent HAV.

2 Hepatitis B Virus (HBV): –

Transmitted through exposure to infective blood, semen, and other body fluids, mother to baby, family member to a child during early childhood, transfusions of HBV-contaminated blood and blood products, contaminated injections during medical procedures, and through injection drug use. Medical workers have a greater chance of exposure.

Add Symptoms:

  • Fever
  • Joint pain
  • Loss of appetite

Safe, effective vaccines are available to prevent HAV.

IT HAS NO CURE, BUT JUST CAN BE PREVENTED

3 Hepatitis C Virus :-

Transmitted through exposure to infective blood, instruments during surgeries; even though the chance is low, sexual transmission is possible. If detected soon it can be treated. But, most of them have no idea they have Hep C starts with it’s acute form which rarely shows symptoms.

Add. symptoms:

  • Bleeding easily
  • Bruising easily
  • Itchy skin
  • Fluid buildup in your abdomen (ascites)
  • Swelling in your legs
  • Spiderlike blood vessels on your skin

NO Vaccine yet

4 Hepatitis D Virus : –

It can transmit through blood and body fluids but it only occurs when the person is already affected with Hepatitis B. IT IS MOST SEVERE FORM OF HEPATITIS. It can lead to lifelong liver damage and even death. HBV vaccine gives protection from Hepatitis D virus. If you have HBV, haven’t taken HBV vaccine and live where HDV is more prevalent; the chance of contracting HDV is higher.

Add. Symptoms:

  • Not feeling hungry
  • Joint pain
  • Dark urine
  • Light-colored stool

NO CURE

5 Hepatitis E Virus (HEV): –

Transmission through contaminated food like undercooked meat from infected animals, such as pigs or deer, or water. The one that causes most outbreaks. It can get better by practicing hygiene, but pregnant women and people with weak immune system are at a risk.

Add. symptoms:

  • Light-colored poop
  • Skin rash or itching
  • Joint pain
  • Less hunger and throwing up

Safe and effective vaccines to prevent HEV infection have been developed but are not widely available.

Why 28th July?

It is the birthday of Dr Baruch Blumberg, the Nobel-laurate scientist discovered the Hepatitis B virus (HBV), diagnostic tests and vaccine for Hep B.

How to contribute:

  • Practice hygiene for yourself and encourage those around you.
  • Join drives which support sanitation of unhygienic, neglected areas.
  • Educate yourself and people around you.
  • Donate to legit Hep donations.
  • Before travelling to areas where Hep prevails, get yourself vaccinated against Hep.
  • Spread awareness, because it might help someone one day. (Learning about symptoms encourages one to go to Doctor)
  • Join the campaigns by WHO.

REF:

https://www.who.int/news-room/events/detail/2021/07/28/default-calendar/world-hepatitis-day-2021

Cyber bullying

Technology is evolving rapidly. The enhancement in technologies has made it possible for various establishments over the world. It connects the whole world and has made our communication better and feasible through several digital platforms and social medias. It has developed and promoted many new and innovative approaches. We are into an era where the technologies has got over our lives. The social medias though help us for a better connectivity it also carries along with it some of the undeniable pitfalls which at times ruins an individuals’ life. One of the snags that it holds is the cyber bullying.

Cyber bullying also known as cyber harassment is a way of bullying / harassment through digital spaces or media. It creates a situation, which includes threats, humiliations, blackmail, or sexual bullying and the victim is ridiculed. It is less physical than the other traditional categories of bullying but it has very impactful and influential effects on individuals. Cyber bullying has become very common these days and has been increasing, especially among the teenagers who are exposed more to the social platforms because the young people are mostly influenced by internet usage more than ever due to the increased screen time. It comes in various forms. It doesn’t necessarily mean hacking anyone’s profile or posing to be someone else. It includes the pessimistic comments by the usage of abusive or derogatory words passed on someone for defamation or other reasons. It tarnishes the reputation/image of an individual that they have built over the years.

The false rumors could even destroys the people’s lives. Nowadays everybody owns an account in the various social lines and this makes it very easy for anyone to misuse this access. Cyber bullying portrays the unpleasant side of the internet. These hostile actions are seriously damaging and can affect anyone easily and gravely. A cyberbullying may not necessarily be a stranger, it may also be someone we know. It is dangerous as it affects the mental peace of a person and takes a toll on the person’s mental health. It shakes the self esteem of a person and makes them feel inferior and at times the stress or depressions developed may also lead to some physical health issues. The internet provides incognito and the chance to create a profile with a hidden identity. Most of the times cyberbully work in groups because in that way they feel strongly united. Cyber bullying can result in detrimental effects on both the bully and bullied. More than 1 in 3 young people have experienced cyber threats online. Over 25% of adolescents and teens have been bullied repeatedly through their cell phones or the internet. Well half of the young people do not even tell their parents when cyber bullying occurs.

Prevention

Section 507 IPC – The section states that if anyone receives criminal intimidation by way of an anonymous communication then the person giving threats shall be punished with imprisonment for up to two years. Cyber bullying prevention is the need of the hour. It has to be monitored sincerely. We can implement them at authoritative levels as well and arrive to effective solutions. From a personal standard one can refrain oneself from posting explicit photos in the social medias and avoid sharing personal information online or to unknow persons. When children expose themselves on the social media, their juvenile nature can make them as a prey to cyber bullies and fall at the wrong hands. So parents should have continuous monitorization over their children. Cyber bullying must be reported immediately when countered without any delay. There are helpline numbers, mail id’s and websites where we can report such crimes. This can prevent further incidents from taking place. We should create awareness about the forms of cyber bullying and its consequences.