Public Health

Top 10 Must Have Medical Tests

2012-02-15T10:04:00.000-08:00

They say "prevention is better than cure" and it holds true in every aspect of life. It is always better to control a situation rather than wait to respond to it after it happens. Medical practitioners are of the opinion that putting yourself through a few tests at least once in 2-3 years and every year after you turn 50 is important and essential as well. With the kind of hectic lifestyle that we follow and the way we abuse our digestive system by eating all junk and that too irregularly, we expose ourselves to a number of problems. So, before the situation goes out of control, it is better we get it diagnosed and treated immediately. Listed below are the top 10 must have medical tests.

Must Have Medical Tests

1. Hearing and Vision Test
Sight and hearing are the most important sensory organs of all five senses we possess. It is the age of computers and televisions, video games and consoles. These activities, if improperly indulged in, can affect the eyes to a greater extend. Therefore frequent vision screenings are essential. Children as well as adults are recommended to take eye examinations after regular intervals. This tests are also important for those who work in jobs that require acute vision.

Hearing loss is a very common and widespread disorder, therefore frequent checks to know that everything is right are important. A research showed 30% of the people*above the age of 50 experience hearing loss which makes hearing screening once in every 4-5 years necessary.

2. HIV Test
We are well educated about the "human immunodeficiency virus" and the disease it causes; AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome). Now, there is no treatment available to this disease. It gradually weakens your immune system and exposes it to the risk of having many dreaded diseases. It is transmitted when an infected blood comes in contact with open wound, unprotected sex or transmission of the virus from mother-to-child. So, in the first place avoid indulging in activities where you are exposed to the risk getting infected with this virus and secondly, get yourself tested every 2 years.

3. Stress Test
The hectic life we live and the way we push ourselves beyond capacity, we are exposed to the risk of having a weak heart. This test determines if your heart is functioning in the right manner. Cardiac stress test procedure involves monitoring the heart under various activities like jogging or walking on a treadmill or pedaling a stationary bicycle. Usually this test is to be taken after the age of 30 and more frequently after the age of 50.

4. Blood Pressure Check
High blood pressure is the most common of all disorders but, fortunately it is completely curable if diagnosed at an earlier stage. It is called the silent killer, now that is because the symptoms or causes are not all that dreadful. Hence, it becomes important to get your blood pressure checked, regularly, to know and curb the aggravation of underlying conditions further. Blood pressure screening is easy, in fact it can be done at home too, if you have the machine and know how to read the results.

5. Diabetes Risk Test
At the age of 45 and onwards, it is highly recommended to take this test. This test determines the blood glucose levels to detect if you have normal metabolism or prediabetes symptoms. Now, if there exists a family history of diabetes or if you are obese, then it is very important you get this test done, since you are more likely to fall prey to this disorder. If it is diagnosed at an early stage, it will help you take all the precautions necessary to not aggravate the situation.

6. Lipid Profile
Knowing your cholesterol levels help you detect the overall vascular health and determine the risk of coronary heart diseases. This test is directly deals with the condition of blood vessels and functioning of heart. Usually healthy adults are recommended lipid profile once in every 5 years. However, if the test results show high cholesterol levels, then follow-up tests are required to evaluate the success of lower cholesterol levels.

7. Cancer Test
Regular screening for cancer should begin in early forties or fifties. Now, screening needs to begin at an early age, if you have risk factors that are likely to cause cancer, like genetics, hormonal imbalance or unusual tumor growth. The earlier this condition is diagnosed the sooner the treatment can be started to ensure increased survival rate.

8. Mammogram
Mammogram is a test more to do with women than men. The risk of getting breast cancer increases between the age 45-60. The fact is 1 in 50 women is likely to develop this tragic disease. Early detection and treatment of the same will prevent the painful sufferings and boost your chances of recovery. Usually this test is done once in every two years.

9. Pap Smear
Cervical cancer is another dreaded disease and the chances of complete recovery from it are absolutely rare. However, if the signs of cervical cancer are spotted in its earliest stages, then the chances of curing it are high. Start the screening of this test after 30s, you may need a pap every 4 years and more frequent during late 40s and 50s.

10. Colonoscopy
Colonoscopy means an examination of the colon for any suspected growth of lesions. These lesions or polyps can be cancerous or non-cancerous. Colonoscopy can exactly detect such risk factors for colorectral cancer. Even for individuals without risk, the test should be taken in your late forties.

You see, being concerned about your health is your duty. You must find time and finances to get yourself enrolled for the common medical tests listed above and ensure that your body is working properly and efficiently.

Patient Care Technician Job Description

2012-02-05T09:58:00.000-08:00

One of the crucial members of a hospital staff or a health care unit, patient care technicians work alongside doctors, surgeons, nurses and physicians to support and care for patients. As per the data of Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), medical jobs related to nursing profession, that is, in providing medical aides to patients, have tremendous growth opportunities. The career development path for this field is expected to rise in the span of 10 years, that is between 2006 - 2016. In case, you're wondering what are the several facets of patient care technician jobs, then go through this write-up.

Job Description
Patient care technicians are vital in bridging the gap between doctors, nurses, surgeons and patients. They're the medical team members who are in constant touch with patients, monitoring the patient's health. In fact, patient care technicians spend more time with patients than any other medical professional. In essence, the most crucial part of patient care job description is that he is entitled to actively participate in direct patient care activities. That is, primary care technician (PCT) helps patients in clinics, rehabilitation centers, nursing homes, hospitals, assisted living facilities and various other places. For instance, they help and support patients during regular walking, bathing, eating, getting out of bed, brushing teeth and similar other routine chores. In fact, patient care technicians work encompass a wide range of professions. Various duties of a patient care job description may be similar to professions like those of nursing, hospital attendants, nurse attendants, certified nursing assistant (CNA) and nurse aides. Candidates interested in dialysis patient care technician jobs have to specialize and focus in understanding various facets associated to dialysis.

One of the facets of a patient care job description is that he is responsible for collecting patient samples. The patient care technician record vital signs about patient's health. Collecting samples for height, weight, past medical record, medications etc. are some of the most crucial data patient care technicians are expected to collect. Patient care technicians also help in dressing patients, checking their pulses, turning bed ridden patients sides and they also record medical treatments. Patient care technician jobs hold promises for increased job responsibilities in the coming years as this profession will demand more personality and medical skills with increased challenges.

Educational Qualifications
An individual interested to become a patient care job technician, must have at least a high school diploma or a GED equivalent. Moreover, besides these degrees, you have to go for a training of four to twelve weeks as a part of the patient care technician job. During this program, candidates are trained in all facets of patient care technician job. They're even given a certificate in first aid.

Salary
Patient care technician salary in the recent years has been decent. Like various salary ranges for jobs, there are several facets associated to it. Work experience in the relevant industry and area of work location majorly decide the patient care technician salary. Besides that, the employer type is also a major factor that governs patient care technician salary. For instance, a medical supply technician can earn nearly US$32,500 per year while a cardiologist patient care technician can earn close to US$36,500 yearly. An intensive care unit technician, on the other hand, can earn US$60,000.

Certainly, after knowing about various features of a patient care technician job description, it's crystal clear that a certain sense of sensitivity and compassion for patients is an essential prerequisite in the personality of patient care technicians. Before opting for a career in this field, one must ensure that he or she is interested in this field as without an inner drive to work for people, it's not posrible to survive in this profession for a long duration.

What is Hospice

2012-01-28T09:55:00.000-08:00

While working in a hospital, we came across quite a few patients who had terminal illness. Most of them included cancer patients who had less than about 6 months to live. These patients were in a lot of pain and on top of they know the fact that death will arrive shortly. Such patients and their families were offered an option of hospice. Many patients and their families did opt for hospice. This helped ease their pain to some extent and live to the fullest. There was one question asked by every patient and their families, 'What is hospice care?'. I am sure there may be many such people who must be wondering what is hospice. If you too are one of these people, then read on and understand the basic facts and myths about this service.

What are the Myths about Hospice?
Before we go into the details of what is hospice care, let us have a look at some of the myths regarding this service. It is important to differentiate between the myths and facts as it will benefit the patient as well as their families. As I have mentioned earlier, there were many families of terminally ill people, who had many wrong notions about hospice. Counselors and medical social workers, had to counsel these families as well as the patients regarding what is hospice care. Let us enlist some of the common myths about hospice care.

Hospice is a place like a hospital.
The word 'hospice' means guesthouse and is derived from the Latin word 'hospitium'. Maybe this is the reason many people have a notion that hospice is a place. But, in reality, hospice is not a place like a hospital, medical center, home, etc. It is actually a philosophy that focuses on improving the quality of life of the patients.

Hospice is a type of medical treatment.
Hospice is in no way a type of medical treatment. It is as mentioned earlier, a philosophy of compassionate and humane patient care. There are many health care providers who work together and help manage the painful symptoms of the last stage. They are a team of experts who work 24/7 to help improve the quality of life in the final stages and help the terminally ill patient die with dignity.

Hospice means giving up on life.
Patients and families who opt for hospice are in no way giving up on life. They are not getting ready to die. Hospice is a service that aims on helping the patient and enhancing their quality of life.

What is Hospice Care?
Now coming to our main question, what is hospice care. It is a philosophy of caregiving that helps in improving the quality of life of the patient. It aims at palliative care and not at curative care. Hospice can be provided anywhere in a hospital, a retirement home, even in the home of the patient. The concept of hospice was first initiated in Great Britain in the 1960s. It was started by Dr. Cicely Saunders, who was a British physician. She organized a team of medical professionals who with the help of modern pain management helped provide compassionate care to dying patients. This philosophy was passed on to United States in the year 1974.

Hospice is not about accepting death, but a viewpoint that shows death is the final stage of life. It helps patients spend their last days alert and live an almost pain-free life. Medical professionals work together to manage their symptoms and help them die a death with dignity surrounded by their loved ones. Hospice in no way tries to cure or postpone death. It helps treat the person not the disease. Hospice care is not just a medical care, but involves family care. Family member(s) play the role of the main care givers in hospice care.

Hospice care is provided to patients with cancer or any other terminally ill disease. It should be certified by a doctor that the patient has about 6 months or less to live. The patient and the family members should decide if they no longer need curative treatment and want to opt for palliative care. This is only in case the patient's illness cannot be cured. If the illness escalates or the patient needs to be resuscitated or given life support, no treatment should be sought. This is done only if the patient has signed a 'do not resuscitate' (DNR) order.

Who Provides Hospice Care?
Hospice care is provided by a number of medical professionals like:

    Patient's physician
    Hospice physician
    Registered nurses
    Social workers
    Spiritual counselors like clergy, priests, etc.
    Dietitians
    Pharmacists
    Physical therapists
    Occupational therapists
    Speech pathologists
    Hospice aides take responsibility of the patient's dressing, bathing, etc.
    Volunteers who give company to patients, help in transportation of the patient, etc.
    Bereavement counselors who provide support and guidance to family after the death of a patient under hospice

Is Hospice Service Free?
Many patients and their families have a question is hospice free. Hospice is not free and one needs to pay for the care they receive. However, it is not as costly as the medical care in hospitals, nursing homes and other institutions. Hospice generally involves friends and family giving the main care to the patient and thus, reducing the cost manifold.

Is Hospice Covered by Medicare?
Is hospice covered by medicare is a question asked by patients seeking financial support. Yes, medicare, medicaid, the Department of Veterans Affairs, private insurance companies, etc. do cover hospice. You need a doctor and hospice medical director to certify that the patient has less than 6 months to live. The patient needs to sign a declaration he/she understands the illness and the need of hospice care. The patient will continue to receive medicare benefits for other illnesses apart from hospice.

This was some information related to what is hospice care. This philosophy helps the patient live comfortably in their last days and improve their quality of life. If you or someone you know are trying to seek hospice for a loved one, then speak to their health care provider. Hospice may help provide them with the much-needed comfort and strength when their quality of life deteriorates to the maximum.

Diabetes Care Specialist Responsibilities

2012-01-17T09:52:00.000-08:00

The demand for a professional diabetes care specialist is increasing day by day as the number of people are being diagnosed with this condition. You would be surprised to know that in the United States alone, almost 17 million people are suffering from this chronic condition. And to add to this, there are almost 54 million people who are suffering from pre-diabetes, which makes a person more prone to encounter diabetes in the near future. Which is why, it becomes extremely important for such people to take care of themselves and bring significant changes in their lifestyle for living a healthy life with diabetes. In fact, most of the people who have diabetes, or are under the risk of diabetes, don't even realize the consequences of uncontrolled diabetes..., and this is where the diabetes care specialist responsibilities come into the picture. He is a professional who has fortified an associate's or bachelor's degree with a CDE (Certified Diabetes Educator) certification awarded by the National Certification Board for Diabetes Educators. What are the roles and responsibilities of it? All this is discussed as this article proceeds further.

Roles and Responsibilities of a Diabetes Care Specialist

A diabetes care specialist is a person who is professionally trained to advice diabetic patients and guide them towards living a healthy lifestyle. This can be done only through constant discipline and commitment in one's life. Once a person has been diagnosed with diabetes, the physician would definitely refer him/her to the diabetes care specialist for consultation. Here is what he/she is expected to do.

Introduction to the Diabetic Life
For someone who has been recently diagnosed with diabetes, it is very important to know the extent to which diabetes can affect their life. There are various aspects of this condition that should be introduced to the patients and their families so that they all can contribute towards helping the person live a healthy and steady lifestyle. A diabetes care specialist educates the patient about the consequences of uncontrolled diabetes which can result in various fatal results including blindness, kidney failure and so on. Knowing all sides of the coin definitely makes the person more aware and encourages them to keep a balance in their daily lifestyle.

Monitoring the Sugar Levels
Well, it is human to gradually become negligent about your health and fitness. This also happens in case of diabetes. You may just eat without worrying about the ingredients which can adversely affect your blood sugar levels. Although, if you have a diabetic care specialist taking care of it all, he or she will make sure that your blood sugar levels are properly monitored and proper plans are implemented to maintain the normal sugar levels. A diabetic who fails to monitor his/her blood sugar levels regularly has high chances of developing additional complications with this condition like heart attack, psychological problems and so on.

Keeping a Track of How You are Managing Your Diabetes
Well, a diabetes care specialist is also responsible for keeping a track of how the patient is managing his/her diabetes. This is done by checking the regular blood sugar reports, conducting various tests at regular intervals, keeping a track of the weight of the person. Obesity in collusion with diabetes can lead to fatal consequences. Keeping a track of the present state of the patient helps the specialist to monitor the development in the condition and to plan alternative options to do all that can be done to keep the situation under control.

Being a Motivator and Guide to Live a Healthy Life
Being a professional, a diabetic care specialist has all the necessary knowledge about the recent development in the studies and the essentials of effective diabetes care. It is because of this knowledge and in depth study that a diabetes care specialist would be a true motivator and guide which can help you continue your journey to living a healthy and steady life with a condition like diabetes.

We all are aware of the fact that a diabetic person needs to bring drastic changes to his/her eating and exercising patterns. For this, there is a person who can be our ultimate source of guidance and motivation, which is a diabetes care specialist. Each and every hospital have their own specialist so that not only the patients but the entire hospital can be benefited from the knowledge and research that can be implemented under his guidance. This includes teaching the patients how to monitor their blood sugar levels, using their insulin pens and so on. To sum up, the diabetes care specialist responsibilities consists of doing each and everything possible to help a diabetic person live a normal, healthy and less complicated life by keeping them under constant monitoring and implementing effective nursing care plans for diabetes. I hope this article helped you understand the importance of the role that a professional diabetes expert plays when it comes to living with diabetes.

Heart Diseases and Women

2012-01-07T09:50:00.000-08:00

The results from the largest-ever international study on heart diseases reveal that women are more likely to die from cardiovascular disease than men, the World Health Organization announced on September 26, 2003. According to the study, of the 16.5 million deaths from cardiovascular disease each year, 8.6 million are women. The study was conducted by teams from 38 populations in 21 countries from the mid-1980's to the mid-1990's, researching heart disease, stroke and risk factors. The report was released in conjunction with World Heart Day, September 28.

The World Health Organization also launched the result of the largest-ever worldwide collaboration to study heart disease, the Monitoring cardiovascular disease (MONICA) Monograph and Multimedia Source book. The theme "Women, heart disease and stroke" aims to draw urgent attention to the fact that cardiovascular disease (CVD) is not just a health problem concerning the men. Out of the total 16.5 million CVD deaths annually, 8.6 million are of women, while heart attacks and strokes are responsible for twice as many deaths in women as all cancers combined.

"Although most women fear cancer, particularly breast cancer, they do not make the same efforts to safeguard themselves from heart disease, which is eminently preventable," said Dr. Catherine Le Galescamus, WHO Assistant Director-General, Non-communicable Diseases and Mental Health. "We must strive to make women make aware that to keep their heart healthy, the need to eat smarty kick smoking and move for health."

MONICA was important in measuring levels and trends over time in these diseases and their risk factors in different populations, in precipitating and monitoring prevention policies in different countries, and in demonstrating the importance of the new acute and long-term treatments that were increasingly introduced.

All information gathered under the MONICA project has now been brought together in one full color publication, designed to appeal both professional and lay audiences. It also includes all the MONICA documents, methods and results in two CD-ROMs. Ptblished by WHO, the monograph has been supported by European Commission, by medical charities, and by industry.

"MONICA is a model for others, of how collaboration across political and national boundaries can tackle problems shared by the whole of humankind, as well as providing results and ideas that will fascinate everyone interested in heart disease, stroke and risk factors," said Mr. Hugh Tungstall-Pedoe, Editor and Chief author of the monograph.

Unfortunately, women's chest pains and other symptoms have often been ignored or misdiagnosed and waved off as psychological symptoms of depression or anxiety, says Dr, Grace Wamer, M.D., attending cardiologist and co-director of the non invasive laboratory of cardiac testing at Arizona Heart Institute, in Phoenix. The fact is that the typical textbook symptom-a heavy pressure on the chest- may be typical for men not for women. Women's symptoms tend to be more subtle. "If a woman doesn't recognize these symptoms as a sign of heart problem, she may not go to the doctor or emergency room". But for maximum effect, the clot-bursting drugs should be administered within the first 4 to 6 hours. If she does not received clot-bursting
drugs, the heart attack is greater and her full recovery less likely.

Minnesota's Smoking Ban Begins - A Victory for Public Respiratory Health

2011-12-28T09:47:00.000-08:00

I grew up in a household shrouded by a thick cloud of smoke. Both parents are smokers, and my father especially smokes a lot. My mother would occasionally be in my bedroom using my computer early in the morning while I slept and she'd be smoking there. I couldn't cover my mouth then, nor could I most of the time because it happened everywhere, all the time, every day. That is, until a specialist on asthma officially diagnosed me with exercise-induced asthma and warned my parents against smoking around me. This didn't occur until I was seventeen years old. As there's no real family history of asthma in my background, one can only assume that I am afflicted by this because of my parents' smoking habits.

Gee, thanks Mom and Dad.

Now, I am not incredibly bitter about this, and I love my parents deeply, but this obviously shows that there are people out there like my parents who don't realize the dangers of secondhand smoke. Though we try to educate the public on this serious issue through public service announcements and classes through public schools, the message doesn't always hit home.

Now, Minnesotans are being forced to wake up to this issue. Whether they like it or not, smokers are no longer allowed to smoke inside public places here. The ban has been in effect in Minneapolis for some time, and now it's gone statewide as of today. Though it has some business owners and many smokers angry, it has asthmatics like myself elated. We can now enter any dining establishment we'd like without harming our health.

It is also my hope that this ban will force smokers to pay attention. Yes, the smoke that comes from your cigarette does hurt others. It's a proven fact that cannot be disputed. If you must harm your own health by continuing to smoke, take it outside. Take it away from your children, take it away from the waiters and waitresses who have had to endure smoky environment to make a living despite the harm to their health, and take it away from every other healthy individual who doesn't feel like leaving a bar or restaurant smelling of your smoke.

Some say this ban is the government meddling in the affairs of private establishments, though I feel that in this case the government should intervene. This is a matter of public safety and it is the government's responsibility to protect its people, even if it means protecting them from themselves, much like laws regarding motor vehicles, building codes, and others that deal with private property already do.

I'm proud of my state for passing and upholding this ban. It is my most sincere of hopes that other states will follow suit. We have already proven here in the Twin Cities that smoking bans do not drive business away. Businesses supply areas for smokers outside their establishments to keep their smoking clientèle happy, and keeping the air clean and breathable keeps the rest of us, especially those of us with chronic respiratory illnesses, happy as well.

So, to all of those who are unhappy about this ban, please do realize that there are many of us who desperately needed a ban like this to take effect. The law is not an attempt by the government to bully private establishments, but rather to keep citizens, both patrons and employees alike, healthy and happy for a long time to come. Though it may cause short-term inconvenience for some, the long-term benefits for the majority are far more important on this divisive issue.

Best Health Care in the World

2011-12-24T09:45:00.000-08:00

As an ordinary citizen of your country, are you satisfied with the health care system of your country? Some may answer yes and some will disagree. However, the answer lies with the majority who may be satisfied or dissatisfied with the health care system in their respective country. It is very interesting to note as to which country takes concrete steps to keep its citizens hale and hearty. But, to decide which is the best health care in the world? The World Health Organization (WHO) is the best judge. If you too are interested in knowing where your country figures in the rankings of best health care in the world list by WHO, then read on.

Who Has the Best Health Care in the World?

One of the most important questions to be asked, who has the best health care in the world, has answers that reflect the overall health of the country. The best healthcare system in the world is that of France. This is a country with a population of over 65 million people, has a government expenditure of over 250 billion USD, for the welfare of the health of its citizens.

France takes many precautions to make sure that its citizens stay healthy under all conditions. They have made it compulsory for each and every citizen to have an individual health insurance. They have even planned out the insurance for its citizens. The citizens of France have to pay about 5.25% of their salary or any earned income to the non-profit health insurance fund. Those on pensions or other benefits, like allowance, need to pay about 3.95% to the same for an affordable health insurance fund.

Citizens of France can enjoy many benefits of this health insurance. Most of the time, the health care treatment is almost free for people. Let me explain, suppose someone visits a doctor and pays the doctors about USD 1500 as fees. He pays the doctor his fees and then claims a 75% refund from the health insurance fund. Thus, he will get back USD 1125 from the national insurance fund. If this same person also has a private health insurance plan, he can claim the remaining $325 and pay nothing from his own pocket.

The only thing one needs to remember is to pay first, then claim. A patient needs to pay from his own pocket after receiving treatment and only then claim the refund. Therefore, if you cannot afford to pay more, you should avoid seeking treatment from expensive hospitals. As compared to the United States, France spends USD 4,000 dollars per person for healthcare. United States on other hand, spends USD 7,500 per person. There are about 3.4 physicians per 1000 people in France and 2.4 physicians per 1000 people in the United States. This shows that both these countries provide the best health care in the world. This was all about the best health care system in the world. Let us now see how other countries fare on the best health care in the world list.

Best Health Care in the World List

The following is the best health care in the world list that was last released in 2000 by the WHO. However, WHO has ceased to release such rankings anymore as this is a very complicated process to come up with the rankings of different countries offering the best health care system in the world.

    France
    Italy
    San Marino
    Andorra
    Malta
    Singapore
    Spain
    Oman
    Austria
    Japan
    Norway
    Portugal
    Monaco
    Greece
    Iceland
    Luxembourg
    Netherlands
    United Kingdom
    Ireland
    Switzerland
    Belgium
    Colombia
    Sweden
    Cyprus
    Germany
    Saudi Arabia
    United Arab Emirates
    Israel
    Morocco
    Canada
    Finland
    Australia
    Chile
    Denmark
    Dominica
    Costa Rica
    United States of America
    Slovenia
    Cuba
    Brunei
    New Zealand
    Bahrain
    Croatia
    Qatar
    Kuwait
    Barbados
    Thailand
    Czech Republic
    Malaysia
    Poland
    Dominican Republic
    Tunisia
    Jamaica
    Venezuela
    Albania
    Seychelles
    Paraguay
    South Korea
    Senegal
    Philippines
    Mexico
    Slovakia
    Egypt
    Kazakhstan
    Uruguay
    Hungary
    Trinidad and Tobago
    Saint Lucia
    Belize
    Turkey
    Nicaragua
    Belarus
    Lithuania
    Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
    Argentina
    Sri Lanka
    Estonia
    Guatemala
    Ukraine
    Solomon Islands
    Algeria
    Palau
    Jordan
    Mauritius
    Grenada
    Antigua and Barbuda
    Libya
    Bangladesh
    Macedonia
    Bosnia-Herzegovina
    Lebanon
    Indonesia
    Iran
    Bahamas
    Panama
    Fiji
    Benin
    Nauru
    Romania
    Saint Kitts and Nevis
    Moldova
    Bulgaria
    Iraq
    Armenia
    Latvia
    Yugoslavia
    Cook Islands
    Syria
    Azerbaijan
    Suriname
    Ecuador
    India
    Cape Verde
    Georgia
    El Salvador
    Tonga
    Uzbekistan
    Comoros
    Samoa
    Yemen
    Niue
    Pakistan
    Micronesia
    Bhutan
    Brazil
    Bolivia
    Vanuatu
    Guyana
    Peru
    Russia
    Honduras
    Burkina Faso
    Sao Tome and Principe
    Sudan
    Ghana
    Tuvalu
    Ivory Coast
    Haiti
    Gabon
    Kenya
    Marshall Islands
    Kiribati
    Burundi
    China
    Mongolia
    Gambia
    Maldives
    Papua New Guinea
    Uganda
    Nepal
    Kyrgystan
    Togo
    Turkmenistan
    Tajikistan
    Zimbabwe
    Tanzania
    Djibouti
    Eritrea
    Madagascar
    Vietnam
    Guinea
    Mauritania
    Mali
    Cameroon
    Laos
    Congo
    North Korea
    Namibia
    Botswana
    Niger
    Equatorial Guinea
    Rwanda
    Afghanistan
    Cambodia
    South Africa
    Guinea-Bissau
    Swaziland
    Chad
    Somalia
    Ethiopia
    Angola
    Zambia
    Lesotho
    Mozambique
    Malawi
    Liberia
    Nigeria
    Democratic Republic of the Congo
    Central African Republic
    Myanmar

This was all about the best health care in the world. The government spends millions of dollars for improving the health of its citizens. Some countries have a very strong primary health care system and few have strong primary as well as secondary health care systems. I hope this article on the best care in the world has helped answered your question.

Common Contagious Diseases

2011-12-15T09:12:00.000-08:00

After hearing about a contagious disease, one is often worried. This is because these contagious diseases can easily spread to people around the infected person. Children are one of the most common victims of contagious diseases. All because they tend to remain in proximity to other children at crèche, nursery's and schools. They also have a weak and developing immune system that may not be able to fight each and every infection it encounters. Infections that are caused by bacteria, virus, fungi and protozoans are generally termed as contagious diseases.
List of Most Common Contagious Infectious

There is a long list of contagious diseases that affect people of all ages around the world. When a person catches an infection, he or she may become contagious, especially in case of a bacterial or viral infection. Some of these common contagious diseases are as follows:

Common Cold
One of the most common highly contagious infections is common cold. It is one of the main reasons many children and adults remain absent from school or work. Common cold is a viral infection caused by parainfluenza virus, adenovirus, echovirus, and many other viruses. The viral agents spread through nasal discharge and droplets after an infected person sneezes or coughs. It can even spread through surface contact with a contaminated object.

Influenza
Another common respiratory disease is influenza, commonly known as flu. It affects about 20% of patients in United States who suffer from flu in a year. It leads to fever, cough, runny nose, vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, fatigue and muscle aches. This diseases spreads through nasal droplets from coughing and sneezing.

Conjunctivitis
This is one of the most common contagious eye disease in preschoolers. Also, called pink eye, conjunctivitis can be caused by a bacterial or viral agent. It leads to inflammation of the membrane covering the white of the eye. This leads to redness, swelling, watery discharge and visual problems at times. This condition may affect any person of any age, but rate of transmission is high in children. Because they remain in close contact with other children and do not understand what may irritate their eye and cause an infection.

Chickenpox
Another common contagious disease in children that leads to a severe rash on the body. This contagious diseases is caused by varicella zoster virus that spreads through nasal droplets spread by sneezing, coughing and coming in contact with contaminated objects. It leads to fluid filled lesions on the body that are very itchy. The child may even develop fever due to the rash. There is no specific treatment for chickenpox and the infection resolves on its own after about 6 days of the last rashes appeared on the body. This is a very contagious infection and any child or adult infected should stay away from crowded areas and avoid traveling.

Cryptosporidiosis
One of the most contagious waterborne diseases in United States is cryptosporidiosis. It is caused by a parasite that spreads through drinking contaminated water with human or animal feces. It leads to stomach cramps, slight fever and diarrhea.

Cholera
Another waterborne contagious disease that affects about 200,000 people worldwide every year is cholera. It is caused by a bacterium called Vibrio cholerae. Symptoms of cholera include copious diarrhea, vomiting and leg cramps. In some severe cases, it can lead to death due to dehydration.

Ringworm
This is a common fungal skin infection that causes ring shape patches on the skin. Although named ring'worm', due to its appearance on the skin, it is caused by a fungus. It causes pink, round patches on skin of the face, arms, legs and other parts of the body. Close body contact leads to transmission of this fungal infection to the healthy individual.

Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis or TB is caused by a bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis in humans. This bacterium attacks the lungs as it spreads through air. Coughing or sneezing by an infected individual causes the bacteria to become airborne and lead to infection in a healthy individual. If left untreated it leads to death in 50% of the cases. The characteristic symptoms of TB include chronic cough, blood tinged sputum, fever and excessive weight loss.

HIV/AIDS
One of the most common and dangerous contagious diseases today is HIV/AIDS. It is caused by transmission of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). This virus can be contracted by contaminated blood transfusions, use of contaminated injection needles, unprotected sex, transmission of body fluids during a sexual intercourse. However, HIV/AIDS does NOT spread through hand shakes, sharing of clothes, utensils, sitting close to an infected person, etc. You can read in detail about how is HIV transmitted and overcome some common misnomer about the disease.

These are some of the most common contagious diseases. Other common contagious diseases include mumps, measles, scarlet fever, whooping cough, malaria, typhoid, etc. As long as there are microorganisms around us, each and every one is susceptible to a contagious disease. We can take some precautions like washing hands frequently, covering our nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing, avoiding sharing of towels and other personal items, etc. A healthy diet and lifestyle will ensure the body stays strong and is able to fight off any invading organism. A few precautions and one can avoid developing a serious infection to some extent.