CEREBRO-SPINAL MENINGITIS

The recent outbreak of cerebro-spinal meningitis in 5 states has once again plunged Nigerians into another episode of panic barely 3 year after the West African Ebola virus epidemic (2013–2016).

Like Ebola, Cerebro-Spinal Meningitis is a disease mainly of viral origin affecting the central nervous system, however can be caused by Bacteria, Fungus and non-infectious agents like chemicals, drugs and cancers.

The recent outbreak is caused by a bacteria known as Neisseria Meningitis. Unlike with previous cases caused by Neisseria Meningitides Type A, the most common serotype isolated in the latest epidemic is Neisseria meningitides ‘serotype C’ (Nm C).

Already 336 cases of Deaths have been reported since the Outbreak. A total of 2,997 suspected cases have been reported in 16 States including FCT, of which 146 have been laboratory-confirmed.

Different theories has been speculated as to the reason for the recent outbreak of the new serotype including the recent hypothesis by the Zamfara State Governor attributing it to punishment from God.

The good news is Meningitis is both preventable and treatable.

MODE OF TRANSMISSION

·         Transmission is mainly through aerosol from person-to-person

·         Infected people or carriers spread the bacteria by coughing or sneezing while in close contact with others, who then breathe in the bacteria.

·         Transmission can also occur through exchange of Nasopharyngeal or Oral secretion while in close contact or during kissing.

RISK FACTORS FOR THE SPREAD OF MENINGITIS

• Unhygienic Life-Style 
• Staying in an Overcrowded and poorly ventilated area
• Close and prolonged contact with infected person 
• Lack of Vaccination

Sharing Utensils, Cups and toothbrush

Note: One in every 10 people carry the bacteria in their Nostril and throat without showing any sign and symptoms

SIGN AND SYMPTOMS

Symptoms of meningitis resembles that of a flu, however more severe

The major symptoms include sudden onset of fever, headache, and stiff neck

Others are: poor appetite, nausea and vomiting, sleepiness, fatigue, seizures, lassitude, confusion, skin rash, sensitivity to light and coma may occur in severe cases

In new born; in addition to the fever there might be irritability, excessive crying, poor feeding, abnormal body posture and bulging of the soft part on the baby’s head (fontanelle)

TREATMENT

·         Cerebro-Spinal Meningitis is Manageable with readily available medications

·         Report to the clinic immediately for immediate proper diagnosis and prompt treatment

PREVENTIVE TIPS

• Improve personal hygiene including proper and regular hand washing using soap under a running tap 
• Avoid touching staircase railing as much as possible 
• Avoid staying in an overcrowded place
•  Ensure proper ventilation in your houses and work-place 
• People should be educated to cough and sneeze into elbow joint/sleeves 
• Avoid prolonged contact with known cases 
• Proper disposal of respiratory and throat secretions 
• Reduce hand shaking, kissing, and sharing of utensils. 
• Avoid mouth-mouth resuscitation 
• Prompt Vaccination with meningococcal vaccines 
• Hand sanitization in the absence of soap and running water

NOTE: Like Bisi Alimi rightly said, Palm Oil, Anointing Oil, Bitter Kola and Salt water are not alternative to treatment and prevention of Cerebro-Spinal Meningitis

COMPUTER VISION SYNDROME

Computer Vision Syndrome are a complex of eye or vision problems which are experienced during and related to computer use.”

Prolong staring at a computer monitor is the major working modalities in most offices in our modern society.
An average bank cashier for example  spend approximately 8 hours per day (40 hours/week) staring at a computer screen.

Studies in the U.S have shown that 88% of total number of people using computer suffer from computer eyestrain amounting to 4-19% decrease in work productivity.

An Eye test carried out in May 2016 involving 252 Staff members in a commission with approximately 8hrs/day computer use, shows that 64% of the total number of people screened suffers from errors of refraction due to Computer Vision Syndrome.

THE CAUSE
Due to the peculiarity of characters on computer Screen (Pixels) as opposed to printed materials with well defined edges, when using a computer, our eyes tend to involuntarily move to a visual point known as Resting Point of Accommodation (RPA), and then strain to regain focus on the screen. This continuous flexing of the eyes' focusing muscles creates fatigue and the burning, tired-eyes feeling that is so common after long hours at the computer.

Humans blink approximately 22 times per minute normally, however during computer use humans blink only 4 to 6 times per minute. This lower blinking rates cause eye moisture to evaporate thus dry eyes which in turn causes people to arch their foreheads in an effort see better thereby resulting to headaches.

Also prolong computer use results to assumption of awkward, unnatural postures, thus causing sore backs, stiff necks & hurting shoulders.

SYMPTOMS OF COMPUTER VISION SYNDROME

There are several symptoms of CVS; the commonest include

• Eyestrain (sore or tired eyes)
• Tension Headache
• Slowness in focusing on distant object
• Eye irritation presenting as burning, dryness, redness or excess tearing
• Neck, back & shoulder pain
   
  
  
  
  HOW TO MINIMIZE CVS

• Ensure proper positioning of computer screens and adopt a proper sitting position by ensuring your seat is comfortable. A comfortable chair with support for the neck and back will help prevent neck and shoulder strain associated with CVS
• Use proper lighting: keep bright lighting overhead to a minimum: Use Window blinds and get a glare screen: Position the computer screen to reduce reflections from windows or overhead lights: Reduce the amount of Light in the Room: Have lamp focus on the Desk and not on you or the computer screen
• Adjust the brightness of your computer screen to match the brightness of the environment. Keep contrast & brightness at moderate levels
• Blink more often: Tears coating the eye evaporate more rapidly during long non-blinking phases and cause dry eyes. Purposely blink rapidly to re-wets your eyes which will avoid dryness and irritation. 
• Take frequent breaks: adopt the 20/20/20 protocol– every 20 minutes look at something at least 20 feet away for 20 seconds. And Every 50 minutes on a computer, change tasks for 10 minutes.
• Exercise even when sitting: Do some Stretching and joint rotating exercises during computer use
• Keep distance from computer screen at 20-26 inch
• Reduce screen glare by using anti-glare and Keep screen clean 
• Ensure Regular computer eye examination: at least twice a year
• Wear recommended computer glasses: If necessary, wear the appropriate corrective lenses while at the computer.
• If symptoms becomes persistent or severe, consult your doctor for proper evaluation

MY ANAL SEX EXPERIENCE WITH THE LADIES OF THE NIGHT…IS ANAL SEX REALLY SAFE AND HEALTHY?...part 1

This Friday last was an interesting weekend for me and my buddy Eddy boy

Eddy is a correct guy anyone would wanna hang out with any day, anytime. A fun-loving, cool headed and outgoing dude. And did I mention that he is also a smooth talker with the ladies. He is that type of dude u won’t even wanna entrust mother Theresa with. 

Eddy and I have come a long way. We used to share the same crib back in school in the North-eastern part of Naija. We used to have ladies patronized our bunk then like their second hostel. (Will reserve that gist for another day).

Was bored at home when I received a call from eddy inviting me for a hang-out and since I was home alone without NEPA light to watch my favorite routine movies and wasn’t in the mood to hear any Generator Sound that night, I obliged and we ended up gallivanting from one joint to another in one of the most popular suburban part of Abuja. The  first place we visited is the popular MOVIDA NIGHT CLUB.

I had a little too much to drink that night (I happen not to be a heavy drinker) and got a bit tipsy after my first bottle of stout. That got me really high. Eddy too was a bit tipsy so we decided to go do some naughty things

The joint was packed with so many scantily dressed ladies-of-the-night (one could tell 50-70% of them were actually ‘Ashawo’ and the rest were just there to catch fun). The number of ladies at this joint was particularly alarming; got me thinking a lot of ladies must have resulted into the night business because of the current economic recession facing the country.

Alcohol really does a lot of magic in people as it induces this Dutch courage resulting in you doing unimaginable things. Can’t remember how it all started, but I remember telling Eddy I’ve never bargained price with any Ashawo in My life and would love to have an experience. Have heard so many tale about how people solicit for sex with this ladies of easy virtues but never a personal experience.
Heard this myth as an adolescent that actually kept me away from them. Someone told me they normally carry inside their hand-Bags Concentrated ‘ToTo’ Water Solution (water they use to wash their private part after having sex with their customers). Heard they will pour it on any guy that venture to go soliciting for sex ‘anyhow’ with them. Can’t remember who told me that gist; I did believed it with the whole of my heart and the thought of having myself drenched in ToTo water is really scary and gives me the chills; so I had always used that as a reason not to even look at an Ashawo talk more of go pricing for sex…lol

So we decided to use that night as an opportunity to add to our guy’s experience archives. With the alcohol induced Dutch courage, it was easy talking freely and boldly with this ladies.

Because our ultimate aim wasn’t to take this ladies home, we decided to come up with a plan: We requested the service of just one babe for a Threesome (Me and Eddy on one Babe): Eddy will pretend to only do ANAL and me the vagina.

The first babe we picked entered our car to do the bargain.

The reality of actually soliciting sex and my tipsiness got a better part of me as I kept laughing all through. Wonder why the ladies didn’t take offense and pour Toto water on me (Guess the Myth was false after all).

Eddy: babe how far na?

Chic: Werin dey

Eddy: Are U gamed for the night?

Chic: TDB or Short Time?

Eddy: TDB.  You go do am with both of us. Na how much be your fee

Chic: 20k

Eddy: Haba! For this Buhari economic recession 

Chic: ok, I will manage 15k

Eddy: na wa for you O…na Leventis ToTo u get be that na… but wait o, me na back I dey do o

Chic: Dog-Style? I sabi through back very well na. and I dey suck preeq very well. I go give am to you the way you go like am well well

Eddy: no O!...I mean na through the ANUS I WANT

Chic: Chineke!!! which kain talk be this abeg… For how much na…for 15k you wan come tear my yansh for me…you want make I come dey wear pampers… dey take drug to treat my anus after abi?...abeg drop me joor….Me I no dey for that kain thin (Tufiakwa …biko o!…)…

She alighted from the car and kept speaking Igbo dialect

At this point I just kept laughing uncontrollably. The whole drama was so funny to me.

The second lady we picked also reacted like the first, but to a lesser degree. She even said she might consider doing it on the condition that she first measure the size of eddy’s ‘preeq’ and we agree to increase the fees….

...............................................................................................to be continued