Photos: See What Happened To This Nigerian Man After He Took A Malaria Drug Called “Grutha Fort”

The below pictures you see, are currently going rounds on Facebook.. An unidentified man is reported to have consumed a Malaria Drug, called: “Grutha fort”…

…and then he reacted badly to the drug.. Though, some folks are arguing that it’s a Steven Johnson syndrome, while others are saying the drugs probably contained sulfur.

But here’s what we know.. According to Okereke Grace Amarachi, he Took the Malaria Drug, and reacted really bad to it! We don’t have much details yet, but we’d bring you more, as it unfolds.

 

See some reactions below;

Joseph Okoeguale Not necessarily a fake antimalarial. most likely an adverse drug reaction from sulphur containing medications such as fansidar and others……..

Omeje E. Onyeka The drug may not necessarily be fake.He is probably allergic to one of the active ingredient. The The drug doesn’t contain sulfur. However, people react to certain ingredients differently. He only needs to note whatever the drug contains and avoid such drug in the future. He can also report back to the pharmacist to help him fill pharmacovigilance form.

Nigerian woman cured of rare cancer in India

Amina Abubakar: cured of skin cancerThirty seven-year old Nigerian woman, Amina Abubakar was not sure that she will survive after being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2014 by a Nigerian hospital. But it was a wrong diagnosis for Amina, who was a final year medical student. As it turned out, she was actually suffering from skin cancer.

After struggling for more than three years, Amina can now breathe easy. Thanks to the treatment that cured her at a city hospital in Bengaluru, India.
She was bed-ridden for more than three years under heavy antibiotics and other cancer treatments.
But the last 20 days made her recover miraculously. That is after the doctors removed a 5 kg tumour from her breast.

Amina said, “I found a lump on the left breast in November 2014 and then was diagnosed as chronic mastitis in local hospital in Nigeria. I have suffered Wrong diagnosis and lack of treatment for years. I was physically and mentally broken and was unable to deal with the pain and the foul smell that comes with cancer.”

Unable to find any cure in Nigeria, Amina, whose father was also once treated in a city hospital, decided to travel to Bengaluru.
“My family and I got very anxious about this situation and on the recommendation of a local doctor decided to visit Dr Anthony Pais at Cytecare for treatment.
” But it wasn’t easy for the city doctors to cure her as the disease was rare.

“Skin cancer on the breast and infiltrating it is the rarest of the rare cancers in the world. This was the first treatment for a rare form of skin cancer – Syringocystadeno carcinoma paplliferum, which was diagnosed and treated in the world. It is one such case where the right diagnosis was the game-changer in the treatment of the disease,”claimed Dr Anthony Pais.

“There are two types of skin cancer – melanoma and non-melanoma, most of them being non-melanoma. Among all the non-melanoma skin cancers, 75% of them are basal cell cancers; 20% of them are squamous cell cancers and about 2% of them being adnexal skin tumours. Most of these adnexal tumours are benign. The rarity of this adnexal skin cancer involving the breast is the rarest of the rare cancer. In this case, the problem started with the wart and with a birthmark close by, which is technically called a nevus. This grew over a period of time.”

Amina, who got a new lease of life, will head for Nigeria this Saturday. She will continue a follow-up at a local hospital for a couple of months more.

Curious case of cancer
According to Dr Pais, it is very difficult to know about the disease or diagnose it at an early stage. So, there is no precaution and can’t be prevented. Moreover, it is not genetic. Excessive exposure to sunlight can be one of the reasons. People living near the Equator are more prone this type of cancer as they are exposed to direct ultraviolet rays. One might diagnose this case to be that of a breast cancer which can be followed by unnecessary chemotherapy. The treatment is for the skin cancer arising on the breast infiltrating into it. So, proper surgery and radiotherapy is the answer. People should consider screening if they have any ulcer for more than three months. They should do that in case of moles or itching that appears for a months.

Screen anyone with Fever for Ebola- FG directs health workers nationwide

Following last week's declaration of Ebola virus in Republic of Congo by the World Health Organization WHO, Minister of Health, Isaac Adewole, has directed all health workers to test anyone with Fever for Ebola.

In a statement released by the Director, Media & Public Relations for the minister, Boade Akinola, Adewole said the Federal Government is on high alert to ensure that the virus does not find its way into the country through any of its borders or ports. Read the statement after the cut..

The Honorable Minister of Health, Prof Isaac Adewole has called for heightened vigilance and intensified awareness efforts on the symptoms of hemorrhagic fevers. The Minister noted that health care providers and the general public must immediately report any sign of illness to the public health officials immediately. The Federal Government in response to the announcement by the World Health Organization (WHO) on confirmed cases of Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), has directed Port Health officials to step up inspection activities and to report any sick person or suspects to ensure that the State Epidemiologist in the states where there are present is immediately alerted and relevant tests conducted. The Symptoms to look out for include; fever, fatigue, weakness dizziness and muscle aches. Patients with more severe cases show bleeding under the skin, internal organs or even from bodily orifices like mouth, ears, and the ears. Nigerians are urged not to panic as the Nigeria Center for Disease Control is on ground and equipped to secure the health of citizens. The agency has for a while now, been strengthening states capacities to detect, manage and respond to hemorrhagic fevers including Lassa fever. He called on states to begin social mobilization and media awareness efforts via TV, Radio, Print and Social Media. Prof. Adewole also charged state health ministries to strengthen their supervision services and escalate any incident appropriately. The Health minister directs all Nigerian health workers to maintain a high index of suspicion by screening all fevers for Ebola Similarly, the minister encourages members of the public to observe a high level of personal hygiene which includes regular hand washing and to also report all cases of fever to the nearest health facility.

NYSC member dies of Lassa fever

Mr Onwuegbuzie Stanley-Samuel, an NYSC member deployed to Cross River, has died of Lassa fever disease at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH). The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Inyang Asibong, who disclosed this to journalists on Friday in Calabar, said that the deceased hailed from Delta and was serving in Obubra before he died.

Abisong said that the deceased was first admitted at the General Hospital, Obubra, where he was treated for cerebral malaria for one week. She said that his condition got worse and he was referred to the UCTH for further treatment while his blood sample was taken to Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital in Edo for diagnosis. “The incident started about two weeks ago in Obubra and we all know that the incubation period of Lassa fever is 3-21 days. “The deceased is an indigene of Delta State. 

The last time he travelled to his home in Lagos State was during the Christmas period in December 2016 and came back to Cross River in January 2017.

“The deceased was living in the corps members’ lodge in Obubra and since he came back in January, he has not left that community “Unfortunately, we finally lost him yesterday. Sadly, the corps member contracted the disease in Cross River,” she said. Meanwhile, Dr Thompson Igbu, Coordinator, World Health Organisation (WHO), Cross River has assured the residents that the organisation had been working hard to prevent further spread of the disease

. Igbu said that the organisation was working closely with the state Ministry of Health to curb further spread of the disease in the state. According to him, over 15 persons, including the deceased colleagues living in the NYSC lodge in Obubra, had been line-listed. 

“We have line-listed over 15 persons in Obubra who are `primary contact’ and the hospital where the deceased was first admitted has also been line-listed. “We are supporting the state with essential drugs and we are making sure that necessary steps are taken to curb further spread of the disease’’, he said. Dr Ngim Ogbu, Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee, UCTH, said that the corps member`s death was the second recorded case of death resulting from Lassa fever in the hospital.

Ogbu said that the infection control unit of the hospital was on top of the case from the beginning by limiting the number of contacts. “The body of the deceased has not been sent to the mortuary, this is because we are taking measures to curb further spread of the disease’’, he said.

HEALTHY LIVING: Smoothies can also be a new risk to health

Smoothies

ONE thing about human nature is to want to explore everything they hear or feel can make them live longer on earth. Of recent, Nigerians have gone crazy about smoothies because of the health benefits it is said to contain. But many do not know that it can also be dangerous to health if two incompatible fruits are mixed together.Last year when I learned that it is healthy to drink lemon mixed with warm water to start a day, I did it faithfully. I began to blend ginger root and add to it because of all the internet information on them. I discovered I started regurgitating and had to seek doctor’s advice. I discovered that I was not supposed to take lemon not to talk of combining the two. The effect reduced but I have to still manage what it caused me.

Everyone has a different body composition and will experience diferent levels of sensitivity to bad food combinations. Many people attribute digestive problems and allergies to particular foods while in reality it might be the combination of foods that is to blame. Also, many are so used to digestive discomfort that they don’t know what it feels like not to experience it.

On smoothies, it is advised not to mix any sour fruits with dairy as it can diminish digestive fire, change the intestinal flora, produce toxins and cause sinus congestion, cold, cough and allergies.

Many drink banana and milk smoothies a lot but it has been researched that this combination is one of the heaviest and toxin-forming mix. Please check your health status before you begin to order for just any smoothies to avoid digestion issues.

7 ways to maintain weight loss

by Okogba

Probably one of the most frustrating things ever is to go through all the work and effort to lose weight, and then in the blink of an eye, you gain back all your lost weight with some extra pounds. Jumia Travel, the leading online travel agency shares 7 ways to help maintain weight loss to avoid gaining back the excess weight.

Change Your Mindset

Avoid thinking of how you are eventually going to be free to eat whatever whenever when you finally lose the excess weight, and start accepting the very important fact that you became as big as you once were because you were nonchalant and careless with your eating. You thus need to change your lifestyle and start eating the right way at the right time, not eating whatever whenever.

Be Mindful of Your Food Intake

The exercise of watching what you eat is something that will never stop even after losing some or all of your excess weight. You should always be watchful of what you eat and how much you eat. Eat out of respect for your body, don’t be reckless with your food intake, don’t subscribe to just eating anything because you feel you can.

Avoid Restrictive Diets

Crash diets, detox diets and restrictive diets are three of the worst things ever conceived to help individuals lose weight. Because of how restrictive they are, they actually slow your metabolism and shift your appetite-regulating hormones which are two of the main factors that contribute to subsequent weight gain. Rather than considering these diets and their extreme and near impossible rules, stick with lifestyle changes that will help you develop habits you can incorporate to help maintain your weight loss in the long run.

Don’t be Immobile

Physical activity is important to maintain weight loss. If you’re not a gym or an exercise person, engage in activities that get you moving as opposed to just sitting and lounging all day. Physical activity helps to burn off extra calories, increase your metabolism and achieve energy balance. This energy balance means you burn the same or close to the same number of calories that you consume. As a result, your weight is more likely to remain the same.

Stay Hydrated

Don’t be so quick to chew on something, consider drinking water the next time you feel like eating something without actually being hungry. Most times, you really are just thirsty not particularly hungry. Water promotes fullness and helps you keep your calorie intake in check. Drinking water before meals also helps reveal your true level of hunger and reduces calorie intake by more than 10%.

Get Back On Wagon As Soon As Possible

Holidays, vacations, owambe’s and many other celebrations and activities happen that interfere with your plan to eat properly and responsibly. It happens. Even models fall off the wagon and overeat or eat carelessly sometimes. What matters is for you to get back on course as soon as possible. Make it a learning experience, not a failure. Remember, weight maintenance is a journey not a sprint.

Don’t Do It Alone

Weight maintenance is easier when you have support and are accountable to people. Get some help from family, friends and even co-workers you can trust to help keep you in check when they see you are starting to fall off the wagon.

Nigeria And The Scourge Of Meningitis

Nigeria’s Minister of Health, Isaac Folorunso Adewole

At least 282 people aged between 5and 14 have lost their lives in Nigeria due to the outbreak of meningitis, mostly in the North Western States of Sokoto, Zamfara, Kebbi, Katsina, Niger and the Federal capital, Abuja. With close to 2,000 suspected cases across the country, the current outbreak is purported to be the worst in the history of the country since 2009 when at least 156 people died.

Meningitis is an inflammation (swelling) of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord known as the meninges. This inflammation is usually caused by bacterial or viral infection of the fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord. Meningitis can also result from injury, cancer, or certain drugs. Bacterial meningitis is spread from person to person. The bacteria are spread by exchanging respiratory and throat secretions (saliva or spit) during close or lengthy contact, in form of kissing or coughing, especially if living in the same household.

On the other hand, if you have close contact with a person who has viral meningitis, you may become infected with the virus that made the person sick, but you are probably not likely to develop meningitis from the illness. This is because only a small number of people who get infected with the viruses that cause meningitis will actually develop meningitis.
Other rare forms of meningitis are as results of fungi, parasites or amoebic infections. Fungal meningitis is rare and usually caused by fungus spreading through blood to the spinal cord. Although anyone can get fungal meningitis, people with weakened immune systems, like those with an HIV infection or cancer, are at increased risk. Also, various parasites can cause meningitis or can affect the brain or nervous system in other ways. Primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM) is a very rare form of parasitic meningitis that causes a brain infection that is usually fatal. PAM is caused by the microscopic ameba (a single-celled living organism) Naegleria fowleri when water containing the ameba enters the body through the nose.

The first symptoms of meningitis are usually fever, vomiting, headache and generally feeling unwell, but as time goes on, the victim presents with symptoms peculiar to the disease. These are limb pain, pale skin, and cold hands and feet which often appear earlier than the rash that can be all over the body. Other specific symptoms include, neck stiffness, dislike of bright lights, confusion and seizures.

To diagnose meningitis blood culture is necessary, that is blood sample from the patient is tested for bacterial meningitis. Computerized tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance (MR) scans of the head can also be done. This may show swelling or inflammation. X-rays or CT scans of the chest or sinuses may also show infection in other areas that may be associated with meningitis.

However, for a definitive diagnosis of meningitis, a spinal tap to collect cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is needed. In people with meningitis, the CSF often shows a low sugar (glucose) level along with an increased white blood cell count and increased protein. CSF analysis also help in identifying which bacterium caused the meningitis. But if viral meningitis is suspected, a DNA-based test, known as a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification or a test to check for antibodies against certain viruses to determine the specific cause and determine proper treatment is needed.

Also, if an individual is ill and develops rashes or spots, the tumbler test can be used. In this case, a clear glass tumbler is placed firmly against the rash. If the rashes can be seen clearly through the glass, then urgent medical help should be sought.

In treating meningitis, it is important to know the specific cause of meningitis because the treatment differs depending on the cause and the age of the individual involved. Most people with viral meningitis usually start getting better within 3 days of feeling sick, and they recover within 2 weeks. With mild cases of viral meningitis, only home treatment may be needed including drinking extra fluids and taking medicine for pain and fever.

On the other hand, in treating bacterial or severe viral meningitis, treatment in a hospital may be required. In this case, medicines such as antibiotics, corticosteroids, and medicines to reduce fever are prescribed. And despite the availability of effective anti-microbial therapy, bacterial meningitis results in substantial morbidity and mortality, particularly in children. Although, most healthy adults who have recovered from meningitis don’t need follow-up care, but babies and children always need follow up care after recovery; therefore, they need to be checked for long term complications such as hearing loss, memory or concentration problems and learning difficulties which can be temporary or permanent among others.

Although Nigeria has witnessed outbreaks of meningitis in the past, but the current one is caused by new strain of Cerebro Spinal Meningitis, purportedly imported from Niger Republic. Therefore, new vaccines are required in its prevention. Hence, preventive measures should as a matter of urgency be put in place to combat the spread.

Meanwhile, the Federal Ministry of Health has deployed epidemiologists to the affected States to minimize the impact of the disease among the people but the States that are free from the illness should take precautions. Since meningitis is spread by contact with the infected individual, overcrowding should be avoided. It is important that windows are left open to avoid stuffiness.

And because children are more susceptible to meningitis, suspected cases of unusual fever should be reported at a health facility. Immunizing children against the disease which remains the main method of preventing the disease should be prioritized by all parents. It is of utmost importance that these five groups of people considered at risk should get a meningitis vaccine: college freshmen who live in dorms and haven’t been vaccinated, adolescents who are 11 to 12 years old, new high school students who haven’t been vaccinated, people traveling to countries or areas where meningococcal disease is common, children who are ages 2 or older and who have a compromised immune system.

Ogunnubi is of the Ministry of Information & Strategy, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos

Ebola Survivor Who Was Named TIME’s 2014 Person Of The Year Dies In Childbirth

Salome Karwah, who survived the deadly virus Ebola, died last week in childbirth.

On Feb. 17, Karwah gave birth to her fourth child, Solomon, before she lapsed into convulsions. As Time reported, her husband and her sister rushed her back to the hospital, but no one would touch her. Her foaming mouth and violent seizures panicked the staff.
The lingering suspicion that Ebola survivors still harbor the deadly disease is partly to blame.

There were many brave people who geared up in 2014 to fight against the Ebola epidemic.

 The Washington Post writes.

Ladies, Be Warned! This is Why Used Bras and Pants Can Cause Bacterial Infections

Dr Ayoola Adeyemi, a dermatologist, has issued a strong warning to all users of fairly used bras and pants.
The doctor warned against the use of used bras and pants because according to him, it could cause bacterial infections.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria, the doctor noted that since the health status of the initial user could not be verified, it would be advisable for individuals to desist from buying used pants and bras.
“Some bacterial infections could occur when we use fairly used panties because the health history of the initial user was not known.
“Skin rashes, eczema, syphilis and other bacterial infections may occur,” she said.
However, some ladies in Lagos have said they prefer buying fairly used pants and brassieres because they were durable and that they were cost effective.
They told the News Agency of Nigeria in separate interviews on Friday in Lagos that their preference for fairly used pants and bras was due to the fact that such products were genuine and last longer than new ones.
Mrs Ann Adedeji, who was at Ikotun Central Market in Lagos, said apart from durability, most of the farily used pants and bras had trendy designs and were colourful.
She said, “I get more colourful bras and pants that are most times not available in boutiques and at the same time, I get value for my money as they are durable.
“You can only get unique bra designs here because the Ikotun Central Market is the main place for fairly used underwears.”
Mrs Victoria Adejo, who was also at the market, told NAN that it was after she suffered an embarrassing experience with a new bra that she decided to make do with fairly used ones.
She said the hook of the bra she was wearing came-off while she was in a meeting in the office and was left in uncomfortable position all through the meeting.
“Since that incident, I stopped buying panties and bras from boutiques,’’ she said.
Mrs Oluchi Onwuka, who sells used panties in Ikotun Market, said she never regretted venturing into the business.
She said, “it is a profitable business and I am growing in it. I have boutique owners who come to buy in bulk; they wash and package them and resell at exorbitant rates and I am aware.”
Miss Damilola Madu, who also deals in fairly used panties and bras, also says the underwears are durable and cheaper than new ones.
Madu added that used bras held the breast firmly and the elasticity was retained for a very long time, unlike new ones.
“Used undies are cheaper and last longer than new ones; that is the reason people come for it,” she said.

Plus sized model says she wants to be the fattest woman on earth.

Plus-sized model Monica Riley fantasizes about becoming the world’s fattest woman.She currently tips the scales at over 700 pounds. But that’s not enough.read more

Create quick tasty meals today with delicious ''YesChilli Hot Sauce''.[Available in Nigerian Malls].

The Spice is always right with YesChilli.

YesChilli Pepper and Ginger sauce is a little taste of home in a bottle, it comes attractively packaged and is very portable. In addition to its home uses, YesChilli makes a great gift or souvenir for family and friends; and can be taken on pilgrimage or foreign trips for that taste of home when you are abroad.Click for more...

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The Need To Know About Zika Virus-Dr Alexander Ameh.

While Nigeria is busy successfully combatting the Lassa virus, a number of South American countries and one African country (Cape Verde) are plagued with the Zika virus. There is no need to panic about ZIKA Virus in Nigeria. However, why is there a need to inform Nigerians about ZIKA infection? The world is a small global village with international travels very common. We should not be caught unprepared.read more