Ochratoxin-A (OTA) is a naturally occurring toxin produced by two main types of fungi (mold), Aspergillus and Penicillium. Around the world, OTA is found most frequently in stored grain. OTA makes its way into a variety of food and beverages, particularly cereal and grain products, but also dried fruit, wine, coffee, beer, cocoa, juices, spices, pork, poultry and dairy products. …
WORLD SALT AWARENESS WEEK
CHECK THE LABEL FOR HIDDEN SALT Did you know that most of the salt we eat is added to food before we buy it? Too much sodium increases blood pressure, a leading risk factor for heart disease and stroke. For this very reason, it is advisable to check the label and: •Avoid foods with more than 1.25g of salt per …
Patient information: What you should know about antibiotics (The Basics)
What are antibiotics? — Antibiotics are medicines that help people fight infections caused by bacteria. They work by killing bacteria that are in the body. These medicines come in many different forms, including pills, ointments, and liquids that are given by injection. Antibiotics can do a lot of good. For people with serious bacterial infections, antibiotics can save lives. But …
Fight pollution with antioxidants
Lebanon has been facing a “garbage crisis” for the past 7 months or so. The mosquitoes and flies surrounding us are getting dirtier day by day and more and more vicious; our air, soil and water are becoming more and more contaminated; the food is becoming toxic and our health is in serious danger. Exposure to environmental pollutants leads to overproduction …
Argentine and Brazilian doctors name larvicide as potential cause of microcephaly
Are the Zika virus – and GM mosquitoes – being wrongly blamed? Report by Claire Robinson A report from the Argentine doctors’ organisation, Physicians in the Crop-Sprayed Towns,[1] challenges the theory that the Zika virus epidemic in Brazil is the cause of the increase in the birth defect microcephaly among newborns. The increase in this birth defect, in which the baby …
Areas with Zika
Where has Zika virus been found? Prior to 2015, Zika virus outbreaks have occurred in areas of Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific Islands. In May 2015, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) issued an alert regarding the first confirmed Zika virus infections in Brazil. Currently, outbreaks are occurring in many countries. Zika virus will continue to spread and it …
Symptoms, Diagnosis, & Treatment of Zika
Symptoms About 1 in 5 people infected with Zika virus become ill (i.e., develop Zika). The most common symptoms of Zika are fever, rash, joint pain, or conjunctivitis (red eyes). Other common symptoms include muscle pain and headache. The incubation period (the time from exposure to symptoms) for Zika virus disease is not known, but is likely to be a …
Prevention of Zika Virus
No vaccine exists to prevent Zika virus disease (Zika). Prevent Zika by avoiding mosquito bites. Mosquitoes that spread Zika virus bite mostly during the daytime. Mosquitoes that spread Zika virus also spread dengue and chikungunya viruses. When traveling to countries where Zika virus or other viruses spread by mosquitoes are found, take the following steps: Wear long-sleeved shirts and long …
Patient information: Zika virus infection (The Basics)
What is Zika? — Zika is a type of virus. Infection with Zika can cause fever, rash, joint pain, and red eyes. Zika virus is spread through mosquito bites. Zika has occurred in Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific Islands. Since May of 2015, there has been an outbreak happening in Central and South America. The virus has also been …
Patient information: Cough in children (The Basics)
What is a cough? — A cough is an important reflex that helps clear out the body’s airways (the branching tubes that carry air within the lungs). Coughing also helps keep people from breathing things into the airways and lungs that could cause problems. It is normal for children to cough once in a while. But sometimes, a cough is a symptom …