Health Guide

  Climate Change Is a Health Crisis: How a Changing Climate Is Affecting Our Health When we hear “climate change,” many of us immediately think about melting glaciers, rising sea levels, or extreme weather. But climate change is affecting something much closer to home: our health. A hotter and less predictable climate means more people are exposed to extreme heat, changing patterns of infectious diseases, food and water insecurity, air pollution, and growing pressure on healthcare systems. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 3.6 billion people already live in areas highly vulnerable to climate change. WHO also estimates that climate change could cause approximately 250,000 additional deaths each year between 2030 and 2050 from a limited group of causes, including heat exposure, malaria, diarrhoeal disease, and childhood undernutrition. And this is not just a problem for the future. It is happening now. ☀️ A Hotter Planet Means Greater Health Risks Think about the last...

Malaria remains one of Africa's most persistent public health challenges — but it is also one of the clearest stories of what sustained, coordinated action can achieve. Understanding both the wins and the new threats is essential for anyone working in health, or simply anyone who wants to see the disease finally brought under control. The Scale of the Problem Africa continues to carry the overwhelming share of the world's malaria burden. The WHO African Region accounts for an estimated 94–95% of malaria cases and 95% of malaria deaths worldwide, with children under 5 making up about 75% of all deaths in the region. Globally, an estimated 282 million cases and 610,000 deaths occurred in 2024 — roughly 9 million more cases than the previous year. The burden is also highly concentrated. Two-thirds of global cases and deaths are found in just 11 African "High Burden High Impact" countries, and four countries — Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Niger, ...

  It starts like the flu — fever, headache, muscle aches. But within days, it can become a life-threatening emergency. Hantavirus is back in the spotlight, and here's what you should know. Key facts Hantaviruses are a group of viruses carried by rodents that can cause severe disease in humans. People usually get infected through contact with infected rodents or their urine, droppings or saliva. Infection with hantaviruses can cause a range of illnesses, including severe disease and death. In the Americas, hantaviruses can cause hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome (HCPS), a severe respiratory illness, with a case fatality rate up to 50%. Andes  virus, found in South America, is a currently known hantavirus for which limited human‑to‑human transmission among contacts has been documented. In Europe and Asia, hantaviruses cause haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS). What exactly is hantavirus? Hantavirus isn't new — it's a family of viruses carried by rodents worldwide....

Measles in Neonates: A Hidden Indicator of Immunization Gaps.  Measles is often seen as a childhood disease—but what happens when it affects those who haven’t even had the chance to be protected? Neonates are among the most vulnerable. Too young for routine vaccination, they rely entirely on maternal antibodies and the strength of community immunity. When a newborn contracts measles, it is rarely just an isolated clinical event—it is a warning sign. A signal that something, somewhere in the immunization chain, has failed. In many low-resource and rural settings, I’ve witnessed firsthand how gaps in maternal immunization, limited antenatal care access, and missed vaccination opportunities create silent pathways for infection. These are not just system failures—they are missed chances to protect life at its very beginning. Neonatal measles often presents severely, with higher risks of complications, hospitalization, and even death. Yet, it remains under-discussed ...

🩺 Tonsillitis vs Tonsil Stones (Tonsilloliths) 🔴 What is Tonsillitis? Tonsillitis is inflammation of the tonsils, usually caused by infection (viral or bacterial). 📌 How it starts Infection enters through the mouth or nose Tonsils (immune tissue) try to fight it This leads to swelling, redness, and pain ⚠️ Causes Viruses (most common) – cold, flu, adenovirus Bacteria – especially Streptococcus (strep throat) Spread through: Coughing/sneezing, Close contact, Sharing utensils 🧾 Symptoms Severe sore throat, Painful swallowing Fever, Red, swollen tonsils, White patches or pus Swollen neck lymph nodes, Bad breath (sometimes) Headache, fatigue 💊 Management Supportive care (most cases): Rest, Warm fluids Paracetamol / ibuprofen Saltwater gargles If bacterial (strep): Antibiotics (e.g., penicillin, amoxicillin) Severe/recurrent cases: ENT referral, Possible tonsillectomy ⚪ What are Tonsil Stones (Tonsilloliths)? Tonsil stones are small, hard deposits that form in t...

🔔 Health Alert: Viral Haemorrhagic Fever (Marburg) in Southern Ethiopia Health authorities and the WHO have confirmed cases of Marburg virus disease in the Southern Region of Ethiopia. Teams are already on the ground supporting treatment, contact tracing, and prevention. 🩺 What to Know Marburg virus is a highly infectious pathogen that causes Marburg Virus Disease (MVD) — a severe form of viral haemorrhagic fever, similar to Ebola. It belongs to the filovirus family. 🧬 How It Spreads: Spread happens through direct contact with bodily fluids of an infected person. ■ Contact with contaminated surfaces or objects ■ Prolonged exposure to caves or mines inhabited by Rousettus fruit bats (natural reservoir) ■ Funeral practices involving direct body contact "It does not spread through the air like the flu". 🩺 Symptoms (Usually Start 2–21 Days After Exposure) Early symptoms:  ■ Sudden high fever,  ■ severe headache,  ■ muscle aches. Progressive symptoms: ■ Vomiting ■ Diarrhea...