Monday, August 10, 2009

Swine Flu - Testing and Treatment Centres

GOVERNMENT AUTHORIZED HOSPITALS FOR TREATMENT OF SWINE FLU

City

Hospital

Address

Contact

Chennai

King Institute of Preventive Medicine (24/7 Service)

Guindy, Chennai – 32

(044) 22501520, 22501521 & 22501522

Communicable Diseases Hospital

Thondiarpet, Chennai

(044) 25912686/87/88, 9444459543

Government General Hospital

Opp. Central Railway Station, Chennai – 03

(044) 25305000, 25305723, 25305721, 25330300

Pune

Naidu Hospital

Nr Le'Meridian, Raja Bahadur Mill, GPO, Pune - 01

(020) 26058243

National Institute of Virology

20A Ambedkar Road, Pune - 11

(020) 26006290

Kolkata

ID Hospital

57,Beliaghata, Beliaghata Road, Kolkata - 10

(033) 23701252

Coimbatore

Government General Hospital

Near Railway Station,
Trichy Road, Coimbatore - 18

(0422) 2301393, 2301394, 2301395, 2301396

Hyderabad

Govt. General and Chest Diseases Hospital,

Erragadda, Hyderabad

(040) 23814939

Mumbai

Kasturba Gandhi Hospital

Arthur Road, N M Joshi Marg, Jacob Circle, Mumbai - 11

(022) 23083901, 23092458, 23004512

Sir J J Hospital

J J Marg, Byculla, Mumbai - 08

(022) 23735555, 23739031, 23760943, 23768400 / 23731144 / 5555 / 23701393 / 1366

Haffkine Institute

Acharya Donde Marg, Parel, Mumbai - 12

(022) 24160947, 24160961, 24160962

Kochi

Government Medical College

Gandhi Nagar P O, Kottayam - 08

(0481) 2597311,2597312

Government Medical College

Vandanam P O, Allapuzha - 05

(0477) 2282015

Taluk Hospital

Railway Station Road, Alwaye, Ernakulam

(0484) 2624040 Sathyajit - 09847840051

Taluk Hospital

Perumbavoor PO, Ernakulam 542

(0484) 2523138 Vipin - 09447305200

Gurgaon &
Delhi

All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS)

Ansari Nagar, Aurobindo Marg Ring Road, New Delhi - 29

(011) 26594404, 26861698 Prof. R C Deka - 9868397464

National Institute for Communicable Diseases

22, Sham Nath Marg,
New Delhi - 54

(011) 23971272/060/344/524/449/326

Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital

Kharak Singh Marg,
New Delhi - 01

(011) 23741640, 23741649, 23741639
Dr. N K Chaturvedi – 9811101704

Vallabhai Patel Chest Institute

University Enclave, New Delhi- 07

(011) 27667102, 27667441, 27667667, 27666182

Bangalore

Victoria Hospital

K R Market, Kalasipalayam, Bangalore - 02

(080) 26703294 Dr. Gangadhar - 94480-49863

SDS Tuberculosis & Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Chest Diseases

Hosur Road, Hombegowda Nagar, Bangalore - 29

(080) 26631923 Dr. Shivaraj - 99801-48780



STAY ALERT! PREVENT AGAINST SWINE FLU



Sunday, August 9, 2009

Swine Flu - Facts

What is H1N1 (swine) flu?

H1N1 (referred to as "swine flu" early on) is a new influenza virus causing illness in people. This new virus was first detected in people in the United States in April 2009. Other countries, including Mexico and Canada, have also reported people sick with this new virus. This virus is spreading from person-to-person, probably in much the same way that regular seasonal influenza viruses spread.

This virus is contagious but, at this time, it not known how easily the virus spreads between people. The symptoms of H1N1 swine flu in people are similar to the symptoms of regular human flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhoea and vomiting associated with H1N1 swine flu. Severe illness (pneumonia and respiratory failure) and even deaths have been reported with H1N1 swine flu infection. Like seasonal flu, H1N1 swine flu may cause a worsening of underlying chronic diseases.
In children, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:

* Fast breathing or difficulty in breathing
* Bluish or gray skin colour
* Not drinking enough fluids
* Severe or persistent vomiting
* Not waking up or not interacting
* Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
* Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough

In adults, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:

* Difficulty in breathing or shortness of breath
* Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
* Sudden dizziness
* Confusion, Severe or persistent vomiting
* Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough


How do you catch H1N1 (swine) flu?
Spread of H1N1 (swine) flu can occur in two ways:
H1N1 virus appears to be transmitted the same way that seasonal flu spreads. Flu viruses are spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing by people with influenza. Sometimes people may become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.

How can someone with the flu infect someone else?

Infected people can infect others right from day one even before they themselves develop any symptoms up to seven or more days after becoming sick. That means that one can pass on the infection to someone else before he/she even knows that he/she is sick, as well as while one is sick.

What can I do to protect myself from getting sick?

There is no vaccine available right now to protect against H1N1 (swine) flu. There are everyday actions that can help prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses like influenza. Take these everyday steps to protect your health:


* Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.

* Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.

* Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.

* Try to avoid close contact with sick people.

* If you get sick with influenza, you should stay at home and not go for work or school and limit contact with others to prevent them from getting infecting by you.

* Reduce the time spent in the crowded settings.

* Improve airflow in the living space by opening the windows and proper ventilation.

* Practice good health habits including adequate sleep, eating nutritious food, and keeping physically active.


How long can influenza virus remain viable on objects (such as books and doorknobs)?

Studies have shown that influenza virus can survive on environmental surfaces and can infect a person for up to 2-8 hours after being deposited on the surface.

Germs can be spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth. Droplets from a cough or sneeze of an infected person move through the air. Germs can be spread when a person touches respiratory droplets from another person on a surface like a desk, for example, and then touches his own eyes, mouth or nose before washing hands.

Are there medicines to treat H1N1 (swine) flu?
Yes, use of oseltamivir (brand name Tamiflu ?) or zanamivir (brand name Relenza ?) for the treatment and/or prevention of infection with these H1N1 (swine) influenza viruses. Antiviral drugs are prescription medicines (pills, liquid or an inhaler) that fight against the flu by keeping flu viruses from reproducing in your body. If you get sick, antiviral drugs can make your illness milder and make you feel better faster. They may also prevent serious flu complications. For treatment, antiviral drugs work best if started soon after getting sick (within two days of symptoms).

Follow the advice of your local public health department regarding school closures, avoiding crowds and other measures to reduce flu transmission. These measures will continue to be important after a novel H1N1 vaccine is available because they can prevent the spread of other viruses that cause respiratory infections.

What should I do if I get sick?

If you live in areas where people have been identified with new H1N1 flu and become ill with influenza-like symptoms, including fever, body aches, runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, nausea, or vomiting or diarrhoea, you should stay home and avoid contact with other people, except to seek medical care
. If you have severe illness or you are at high risk for flu complications, contact your health care provider or seek medical care. Your health care provider will determine whether flu testing or treatment is needed.

Antiviral drugs may reduce the symptoms and duration of illness, just as they do for seasonal influenza. They also may contribute to preventing severe disease and death. WHO is in touch with public health authorities and clinicians in affected countries and is gathering information about how effective the drugs are.

What about using a mask? What does WHO recommend?

If you are not sick you do not have to wear a mask. If you are caring for a sick person, you can wear a mask when you are in close contact with the ill person and dispose of it immediately after contact, and clean your hands thoroughly afterwards.

If you are sick and have to travel or be around others, cover your mouth and nose.

Using a mask correctly in all situations is essential. Incorrect use actually increases the chance of spreading infection.

How do I know if I have influenza A (H1N1)?

You will not be able to tell the difference between seasonal flu and influenza A (H1N1) without medical help. Typical symptoms to watch for are similar to seasonal viruses and include fever, cough, headache, body aches, sore throat and runny nose. Only your medical practitioner and local health authority can confirm a case of influenza A (H1N1). If they suspect any symptoms they will send your blood sample, throat swab and nasopharyngeal (nose to mouth) for testing to laboratories. Presently this facility is available only at certain specified government laboratories.

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Eclipse Facts

Here are some of the facts about Eclipses.,
  • Lunar eclipses can only occur during a full moon.
  • Solar eclipses can only occur during a new moon.
  • A Solar eclipse always occurs two weeks before or after a lunar eclipse.
  • Eclipses very often occur in threes, alternating lunar, solar and lunar.
  • The maximum time a lunar eclipse can last is 3 hours and 40 minutes.
  • The longest time the Moon can stay in totality is 1 hour 40 minutes.
  • The maximum time for a total solar eclipse is 7 minutes and 40 seconds.
  • The maximum time for an annular solar eclipse is 12 minutes 24 seconds.
  • Lunar eclipses can occur up to 3 times a year.
  • Solar eclipses can occur at least 2 and no more than 5 times a year.
  • Lunar eclipses are visible over an entire hemisphere.
  • Solar eclipses are visible in a narrow path a maximum of 167 miles wide (269km.)
  • At any geographic position on the Earth, a total solar eclipse occur an average of once every 360 years.
  • The cycle of eclipses repeats every 18.6 years called the saros.
  • The eclipse shadow moves at 2,000 mph at the Earth's poles and 1,000 mph at the Earth's equator.

What is a Solar Eclipse?


A solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the Sun and the Earth so that the Sun is fully or partially covered. This can only happen during a new moon, when the Sun and Moon are in conjunction as seen from the Earth. At least two and up to five solar eclipses can occur each year on Earth, with between zero and two of them being total eclipses.

By a fortunate coincidence, the sun's diameter is 400 times larger than that of the moon, and at the same time, it is 400 times as far away. From where we are, this creates the illusion that they are the same size. If we look through a filter at the sun, it looks exactly like the moon on a full moon night. When the moon passes in front of the sun, the shadow falls on the earth and it appears to exactly cover the sun's disc. This is what a solar eclipse is - a shadow.

During a solar eclipse, the moon actually casts two shadows towards earth. One shadow shaped like a cone is called the umbra. This becomes narrower as it reaches the earth. No direct sunlight penetrates into this area. The path of this is called the path of totality. If you are positioned in this area than you can see a complete blocking of the sun and view a total solar eclipse. Total eclipse is observable only within a narrow strip of land or sea over which the umbra passes.

The second shadow is called the penumbra which spreads out as it reaches the earth. The penumbra is spread over a large area. People viewing the eclipse from this area of the earth's surface will see only a partial blocking of the sun.

Solar Eclipse - July 22, 2009



On Wednesday, 2009 July 22, a total eclipse of the Sun is visible from within a narrow corridor that traverses half of Earth. The path of the Moon's umbral shadow begins in India and crosses through Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar and China. After leaving mainland Asia, the path crosses Japan's Ryukyu Islands and curves southeast through the Pacific Ocean where the maximum duration of totality reaches 6 min 39 s. A partial eclipse is seen within the much broader path of the Moon's penumbral shadow, which includes most of eastern Asia, Indonesia, and the Pacific Ocean.

The moon's shadow blocked out the sun, leaving only the solar corona visible in west China's Chongqing Municipality and Guang'an City in neighboring Sichuan Province.

The cities turned off many street lights to allow the public to better observe the total eclipse, which lasted about four minutes.

The July 22 eclipse is the longest total solar eclipse of the 21st Century. It is expected to pass across China from Tibet to the coastal city of Shanghai, where 300 million people live.

Monday, July 20, 2009

Celebrating 40th Anniversary of Moon Landing

On the 40th anniversary of the first moon landing, let us rewind the facts on Apollo 11's historic trip.

The Apollo 11 mission was the first manned mission to land on the Moon. It was the fifth human spaceflight of Project Apollo and the third human voyage to the Moon or Moon orbit.

July 16, 1969: The world watched in anticipation as three men were hurtled skyward in a rocket bound for the moon.
The Apollo 11 launch date had arrived with just months to spare: Nine years earlier, U.S. President John F. Kennedy had said that by the end of the decade the country would put a man on the moon and return him safely to Earth.

The successful Apollo 11 moon landing on July 20, 1969, ushered in an era of moon exploration that has so far gone unrivaled.

Crew Members:

Position Astronaut Commander Neil Armstrong
Second spaceflight Command Module Pilot Michael Collins
Second spaceflight Lunar Module Pilot Edwin E. Aldrin, Jr.
Second spaceflight

" That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind" - Neil Armstrong

Just 12 men have walked upon the moon and they remain the only human beings who have stood on another world!!!!!

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Peppermint Chases away Mosquito???? Interesting!!!

Padma Vasudevan, a scientist from India's capital, Delhi, has made an important discovery. Her team of researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology, has found that peppermint oil chases away mosquitoes. It can also kill the mosquito larvae (Larvae are the wingless forms that hatch out of insect eggs). The best news of all is that it is very effective against the Anopheles mosquito, which spreads malaria.

The scientists did an interesting experiment. They first took out oil from the peppermint plant called Mentha piperita. Then they poured some of that oil on top of water that contained mosquito larvae. The next day they found that the larvae had been killed.
Several people decided to test the ability of the oil to chase away mosquitoes. They rubbed the oil on their bodies and slept out in the open. Eight out of 10 people said they did not have mosquitoes biting them.

Good Idea indeed .... Is it not????

Thursday, April 30, 2009

How did water get into the coconut?

Coconut water is the endosperm part of the coconut plant. Endosperm is the most common nutritive tissue for the development of embryos in flowering plants. It supply nutrients to the growing embryo. The water is taken by all plants to prepare their food and for transporting the food throughout the plant body.

There are three types of endosperm and the coconut endosperm is a nuclear type in which theendosperm is found as a clear fluid in which float numerous nuclei of various sizes.

This fluid is compactly filling the embryo sac in which the embryo is developing.At a later stage gradually these cells and free nuclei start settling at the periphery of the cavity and layers of cellular endosperm start appearing. This forms the coconut meat. This meat is very tender enclosing the fluid content called coconut water. At this stage the nut is called tender coconut. The quantity of the cellular endosperm increases further by the divisions of the cells. In
mature coconut the liquid endosperm becomes milky enclosed by the cellular part called kernel and it does not contain free nuclei or cells.

How does the tail of lizard grow into exactly the same shape?

Not all lizard species are capable of shedding their tails, only those that can have fracture points in their vertebrae. The lizard’s blood vessels in the tail area rapidly constrict after autotomy to ensure minimal blood loss. The muscles in this area are also adapted to provide easy shedding of the tail.

After a lizard drops its tail it will start to grow back a new one, however the new one will not look the same as the original. It may have different colors, shape and size.

If snake has venom in its teeth, how come it does not die when it bite and eat its prey?


Yes, if a venomous snake bites itself and injects a considerable amount of venom, it could quite easily die. Remember that the venom itself never comes into contact with the snake's bloodstream - it is stored in venom glands behind the snakes eyes and injected through the fangs into the prey item, and then the prey item is swallowed into the stomach, never touching the blood.

Sunday, March 22, 2009

Smart Snakes ...

Snakes are smart. Wondering ???? Wanna know the reason... Heres it...

These reptiles do not have a powerful vision. They can see you move if you are close by, but not if you are standing at a distance. Their hearing, too, is not very sharp. They hear sounds from the vibrations that come from the ground.

But how do they move so fast to catch their prey, you might ask. Simple. They use their tongue to do that. Snakes use their tongue not so much for tasting as for catching the scent of prey like frogs, lizards and birds. How they do it is very interesting.

Inside their mouth, on top, is an organ or body part that has several nerve endings. It is called the Jacobson's organ and its nerve endings are quick to catch any smell. So when snakes take out their tongue, what they are doing is catching interesting smells around them -- like the smell of food, or a possible mate.

The fact that snakes have forked tongues makes their lives easier. Each fork is like a messenger. It carries the smell back to the Jacobson's organ, or the headquarter, which makes out if the smell is of food or of a friend. Then it gets into action.


Surprising!!!!!

Amazing Angel fish - Hermaphroditism

There is a fish called the blackspot angelfish, which can change from female to male. No, it cannot do it by simply wishing to become male. The change happens for a specific reason.

The angel fish live in groups. And each group has one male fish, which is blue in colour, and four female fish, which are yellow in colour.

The male angelfish is the strongest and largest member of the group. He is the one who protects and looks after the females and acts like their 'security guard'. When the male dies, the group needs a 'security guard'. This is when the largest female fish in the group begins to change its appearance.

She begins to grow larger in size. After a week, she starts changing colour, from yellow to blue. Slowly, her behaviour towards the females changes. She begins behaving like a male. Two weeks later, black stripes appear on her body. This indicates that the gender change is complete. She is now completely male!

This process of changing gender is called hermaphroditism. Amazing !!! Isn't it?

Why are leaves green?

Have you ever wondered why leaves and trees are green and people aren’t? Why don’t leaves just stay green when we pick them off the tree? Clearly, an amazing thing is happening inside leaves.

Like all living things, plants are made up of tiny cells. There are tens of thousands of cells in each leaf! Plant cells have special “food factories” inside them that are called chloroplasts. Chloroplasts use the energy from sunlight, plant food, carbon dioxide and water to make energy for the plant. Chlorophyll is the color pigment that absorbs the sunlight for the plant. Without sunlight, water and plant food, the leaves can’t make any chlorophyll or food energy so they turn brown. The leaf in the sun inside the water glass should have stayed green for the longest but without plant food from the ground, it can’t stay green forever. The leaf in the dark should turn brown the fastest.

Summer Camp for Chennai kids - Little Einstein " An Overview"

Brainy Einstein Educational Academy has launched its innovative, unique science program - "Little Einstein "especially designed for the kids who want to be a future scientist. The summer camp as well as the regular program will start by April 1st week. Registrations are going on..

The program is designed in such a way to instill the basic concepts of everyday science in the young minds even before they are introduced to science as a subject in their academics. This program is designed especially for kids aged 5 to 10.

This summer camp ensures Chennai kids a fruitful way of spending their vacation by fun filled learning..

This program includes learning science concepts through stories, art, crafts, puzzles, quiz and animations which makes learning pleasurable for kids.

Location: Vijayanagar, Velachery, Chennai

Accessible locations : Adambakkam, Pallikaranai , Medavakkam, Alandur, Guindy, Adyar, Taramani, Madipakkam

For more details contact: 9444514733 / 2259 2257

E.Mail: brainyeinstein@gmail.com

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Summer Camp for Chennai kids

Do you want your kids to spend their summer vacation fruitfully???? Here’s the solution….

Proudly Announcing, An innovative summer camp for kids in Chennai which includes, Mental ability, Science, Maths and fun activities

Little Einstein – Summer Programme

For Kids aged 6 – 10 (15 days)
Main Features:
• Basic and everyday Science
• Mental and logical thinking
• Origami (the traditional Japanese art of paper folding )
• Language Brain teasers
• Fun way Math and lots more……
all in a single package.

For details, Admission and Registration Contact:

Devi Bala Chandrasekar M.Phil (Biotech)
9444514733