Chikungunya Virus

Chikungunya (pronunciation: chik-en-gun-ye) virus is transmitted to people by mosquitoes. The most common symptoms of chikungunya virus infection are fever and joint pain. Other symptoms may include headache, muscle pain, joint swelling, or rash. Outbreaks have occurred in countries in Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Indian and Pacific Oceans. In late 2013, chikungunya virus was found for the first time in the Americas on islands in the Caribbean. There is a risk that the virus will be imported to new areas by infected travelers. There is no vaccine to prevent or medicine to treat chikungunya virus infection. Travelers can protect themselves by preventing mosquito bites. When traveling to countries with chikungunya virus, use insect repellent, wear long sleeves and pants, and stay in places with air conditioning or that use window and door screens.

Symptoms, Diagnosis, & Treatment

Symptoms

• Most people infected with chikungunya virus will develop some symptoms.
• Symptoms usually begin 3–7 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito.
• The most common symptoms are fever and joint pain.
• Other symptoms may include headache, muscle pain, joint swelling, or rash.
• Chikungunya disease does not often result in death, but the symptoms can be severe and disabling.
• Most patients feel better within a week. In some people, the joint pain may persist for months.
• People at risk for more severe disease include newborns infected around the time of birth, older adults (≥65 years), and people with medical conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or heart disease.
• Once a person has been infected, he or she is likely to be protected from future infections.

Diagnosis

• The symptoms of chikungunya are similar to those of dengue and Zika, diseases spread by the same mosquitoes that transmit chikungunya.
• See your healthcare provider if you develop the symptoms described above and have visited an area where chikungunya is found.
• If you have recently traveled, tell your healthcare provider when and where you traveled.
• Your healthcare provider may order blood tests to look for chikungunya or other similar viruses like dengue and Zika.

Treatment

• There is no vaccine to prevent or medicine to treat chikungunya virus.
• Treat the symptoms:
  • Get plenty of rest.
  • Drink fluids to prevent dehydration.
  • Take medicine such as acetaminophen (Tylenol®) or paracetamol to reduce fever and pain.
  • Do not take aspirin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS until dengue can be ruled out to reduce the risk of bleeding).
  • If you are taking medicine for another medical condition, talk to your healthcare provider before taking additional medication.
• If you have chikungunya, prevent mosquito bites for the first week of your illness.
• During the first week of infection, chikungunya virus can be found in the blood and passed from an infected person to a mosquito through mosquito bites.
• An infected mosquito can then spread the virus to other people.

Content Source: 

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

The Scarsdale Weight Loss Diet Plan

Scarsdale Diet Weight Control Meal Plan helps to keep you thin Dr. Tarnower's SuperDiet This is the no-hunger, no-hassle diet that in-the-know big losers have been passing on to their friends from coast to coast. It is the easiest diet plan ever! In 14 days you can loose exactly 20 pounds. This diet is not for cardiac's. If you have a heart condition or other heart problem, do not go on this diet without your doctors supervision. No substitutes whatever No alcoholic beverages Do not stay on diet more than 14 days Abstain from everything not included here Eat exactly as assigned below- no deviations No eating between meals except raw celery and carrots Prepare salads without oil or mayonnaise.  Use lemon and vinegar All vegetables without butter or margarine Lean meat only Coffee black, tea plain May use saccharin.  Diet drinks are permitted Not necessary to eat everything, but do not substitute or add Diet maintains normal energy while reducing. Quantities are less important, but indicated combination should be observed. Drink at least 4 glasses of water or diet soda per day. You can add the following to your foods: His definition of alternative medicine is any form of therapy not taught widely in medical schools or generally available in hospitals. The term "integrative" or "complementary" medicine refers to the weaving together of alternative options and allopathic or conventional science-based medicine. herbs   salt    pepper         lemon vinegar Worcestershire soy sauce       mustard/ketchup BREAKFAST EVERY DAY Grapefruit; 1 slice of dry protein bread, toasted; coffee or tea with sugar substitute DAY 1 LUNCH Any amount of lean beef, chicken or fish + tomato salad + coffee or tea DINNER broiled fish + tomato and lettuce salad + grapefruit or melon DAY 2 LUNCH Any amount of fruit salad + coffee DINNER hamburger (without bread) and all the cooked vegetables you desire DAY 3 LUNCH Tuna salad + grapefruit or melon DINNER 2 lean pork chops + mixed green salad + coffee DAY 4 LUNCH 2 eggs + cottage cheese + 3 oz. squash + 1 toast + coffee DINNER chicken ( grilled or broiled w/o skin ) + spinach or green pepper + coffee DAY 5 LUNCH All the dry cheese you want + spinach + 1 toast DINNER broiled fish + cooked veggies or green salad + 1 toast DAY 6 LUNCH Fruit salad (as much as you want) + 1 coffee DINNER Broiled chicken w/o skin + tomato and lettuce salad + grapefruit or melon + coffee DAY 7 LUNCH Cold or hot chicken + tomato & lettuce salad + grapefruit or melon + coffee DINNER Lean beef + mixed salad + coffee If desired, substitute for any lunch; 1/2 cup of low-fat pot cheese; one tablespoon low-fat sour cream with sliced fruit; 6 walnuts or pecans; diet beverage. After that, it's all over. We hope this diet helps you to achieve weight loss and a more positive self-image. As with all diet & nutrition plans, you should consult your physician.

http://www.munising.com/scarsdale_diet_plan.html

Human Mirror

Improv Everywhere, a group based in New York City is well known for their urban pranks executing all kinds of missions that causes scenes of chaos and joy in public places. The latest mission is the Human Mirror where identical twins are installed at each end of a subway train creating a sense of confusion to onlookers.
Each set of twins would mirror the actions of the other e.g. if one scratches his head, the other would follow suit and if asked what was going on, they are to claim to not notice anything unusual.
More on the Human Mirror mission with 14 more pics after the jump.
Complete details, more photos and video at official website
Source: Improv Everywhere