Car Air-Cond ~ Do Not Turn on Immediately

I received an emails about the danger of our car air-conditioner. When we got into our car, it is wise not to turn ON the air-conditioning immediately!!!
According to a research, car dashboard, sofa, air freshener emits Benzene, a cancer causin toxin (carcinogen). Not only that it would cause cancer, it can also poisons our bones causes anemia and reduces white blood cells. As we all know, another simpler words of white blood cells is antibody. Prolonged exposure to these would cause leukemia and also might cause miscarriage.
The acceptable level of Benzene are 50mg per sq. ft. A car parked indoors with the window closed can contains 400-800mg of Benzene. If parked outdoors (under high temperature-sun), it can goes up to 2000-4000mg!!!

Therefore, please do not turn on the air-conditioning right after you got into your car. Instead, open the windows and door to let the interior air out.

Benzene definition according to Wikipedia - "Benzene, or benzol, is an organic chemical compound and a known carcinogen with the molecular formula C6H6. It is sometimes abbreviated Ph–H. Benzene is a colorless and highly flammable liquid with a sweet smell and a relatively high melting point. Because it is a known carcinogen, its use as an additive in gasoline is now limited, but it is an important industrial solvent and precursor in the production of drugs, plastics, synthetic rubber, and dyes. Benzene is a natural constituent of crude oil, and may be synthesized from other compounds present in petroleum. Benzene is an aromatic hydrocarbon and the second [n]-annulene ([6]-annulene), a cyclic hydrocarbon with a continuous pi bond."

Allergy

Previously, I was having quite a bad skin allergy called contact allergy. It is a type of allergy that was cause by substances such as nickel, perfumes, rubber or related chemicals, potassium dischromate (cement, leather), hairdressing chemicals, medications, epoxy resins, colophony and plants. In my case, my skin is pretty sensitive towards perfumes or dish washing cleaning which contains lemon. Clorox is something that I totally can't get into contact too.

After the allergy, I figure out to write something about allergy so that everyone out there would knows and understand allergy.

What is Allergy?
Allergy simply means a response within the body towards a substances that results in an immune response and reaction that causes inconvenience to the body.

Symptoms like runny nose, itchy eyes or rashes is very common. Allergy occurs when the body's immune system overreacts towards a substances which by itself is harmless.

What Causes Allergy?
Substances that causes allergic reactions are called allergens. Almost anything can be an allergen. Most common types of allergens are:
Animal Products - for example, cat allergy, fur, dander, cockroach, wool, dust mite, etc
Drugs or chemicals - penicillin, sulfonamides, solicylate, local anaesthetics
Foods
Milk
Seafood - especially crabs and prawn
Sesame
Soy
Insects stings - bee sting, wasp sting, mosquitoes stings

Types of Allergy

Most common types of allergy are divided into three types, that is skin allergy, allergen inhalation and food allergy.


If any of you believe that you have allergy, it is better to determine which type. From there, drills down to the specific types of allergy. With this, you can easily find and tackle our allergy so as not to gets worsen.

In my case, I have skin allergy. Categories of the allergy are called contact allergy, another worlds contact ezcema. This types of allergy would cause rashes on the skins. Sometimes the cause and effect is obvious (with red scaly reaction around)

There is only one way to determine a substance that causes contact ezcema allergy - Patch testing. This testing can be dangerous but that's the only way. Treatment for this allergy are moisturisers and steroid creams.

Swine Flu (Swine Influenza A (H1N1) Virus

As we all know, recently we are all hit with the panic of swine flu. This morning, when I read the newspaper, there is one case of suspected swine flu in Kuching. The guy had just came back from U.K and had been sick since then.

I believe most of us heard about swine flu but to know what is that, maybe, we thought it is connected with pig. Or maybe we know the numbers or infected people in every countries. But to protect ourselves from this virus, we know nothing. Well, that is me. All I know is there is new virus call H1N1. Further of it, I'm blank! So, this morning, when I ask myself what is swine flu, it takes me to do some google search.

What is Swine Flu?

Scientifically, swine flu is a influenza A virus that is resistant to antiviraal medications amantadine (Symmetrel) and rimantadine (Flumadine). However, this virus is sensitive to oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and zanamivir (Relenza)... Hhmm, sound like a tough virus to me.

In general English words, this disease can causes death if we do not seek immediate medications

Symptoms
Normal symptoms are fever, cough, sore throats and some may even have breathing problem. Other symptoms would be vomiting, diarrhea, headache, chills, fatigue and dyspnea.

What to do if you suspect that you have this disease?
Firstly, avoid going to public. Second, go to the nearest hospitals to seek immediate medication to prevent the disease from spreading out to the public as well as saving yourself.

Prevention
Swine flu can be prevented via vaccination. In general way, remember to wash your hand frequently and not touching your face or nose with your hand if it is dirty. If you know anyone with flu, avoid touching them. The virus can remain viable for up to 48 hours on surfaces, therefore, it is good to clean your hand with soap or alcohol-based hand dissinfections.

Many of us wonders why is it that these virus came arise with the economy downturn. Is this another of the punishment from Mother Earth? Well, in general, our Earth is 'sick'. It may indirectly contribute. Nobody knows the exact answer.

There are explanation of the causes and reason scientifically. I am not going into details about this. I believe none of us, who is just normal people will not even understand the scientific jargons that explains the sickness.

World Malaria Day

Malaria is a type of tropical disease that is well known amongst children and pregnant women. This disease is cause by a parasite called Plasmodium, which infects the red blood cells. The first symptoms would be cold fever, pain and sweating. Areas in Asia, Africa and Central and South America are the major places where Malaria is spreading. In another worlds, places with high temperature.

In conjunction with the increasing of cases, World Health Organisation (WHO) had dominate 25th April 2009 as the World Malaria Day. This is to create awareness between in people about the danger of Malaria which could possibly lead to death.

The main symptoms for Malaria are:
- flu-like illness with fever, chills, muscle aches, and headache
- some might get nausea, vomiting, cough and diarrhea

Let us all united in taking part by creating awareness among ourselves and making sure that our home is safe from the breeding of the deadly virus.

Beware of Rove Beetle, Poisonous Insect

Rove Beetle or another name, Charlie is very poisonous. Malay name are called "Semut Semai" or "Semut Kayap". There are roughly 47,000 types of species for these insects. The size are less than 1cm and can be found in paddy field, school field and jungle. The adult "Charlie" can live up to 40 to 60 days.

Rove Beetle are carnivore, which means, they eat small insects. When there is heavy rain or flood, they would migrate to dry land. The entire body of "Charlie" contains the most poisonous toxin called pederin. Pederin is 12x more poisonous than cobra venom.

It is wise to avoid from being bitten by Charlie. Some measurements that we can take note to avoid are :

• Do not sit near to the lights
• Minimize lighting
• During beetle epidemic, it is advisable to close all doors and windows to prevent the insect from entering the house
• When contacted, wash with water and soap
• Go to the doctors if you suspected that you are been bitten by one of the Charlies!!!!