Bird Flu

Avian Influenza Flu or Bird Flu is a viral infection that is caused by the bird flu virus also known as the H5N1 virus.Scientists believe that all flu viruses are derived from wild birds.  The wild birds carry the viruses inside their intestines. The virus is contracted through contact with saliva, nasal secretions and feces of the wild  birds.The virus is also transmitted through contact with contaminated surfaces or materials.Once infected, domestic birds either exhibit the “low pathogenic” form which is a milder form of the flu which sometimes goes undetected causing only mild symptoms or the “high pathogenic” form which rapidly spreads through flocks causing death.

The avian bird flu virus is very contagious among the wild birds but is generally not lethal.  However, once it infects domestic birds like chickens, ducks and turkeys it is lethal.The Avian influenza virus is an Influenza Type A (virus similar to the human flu virus)  found mainly in birds but this particular subtype (H5N1) of virus has recently been infecting the human population.  However the risk for human infection is currently low.

The bird flu virus is transmitted through birds and humans.Let’s go through the symptoms found in birds and humans.   These flu viruses occur naturally among birds. Wild birds worldwide carry the viruses in their intestines, but usually do not get sick from them.The symptoms for those birds with a mild case include ruffled feathers and a decrease in egg production. In a severe case, however, birds will generally die within 48 hours as the virus systematically shuts down various organs within the bird's body.In order to become infected with bird flu, a bird must come into contact with the excretions from a contaminated bird. This can include direct contact as well as contact with materials or other items that came in contact with the excretions. 

Symptoms of avian flu infection in humans depend on the strain of virus.Once a person is infected by the H5N1 virus it takes two to eight days before the disease symptoms are observed.The first symptoms the infected individual feels are the typical flu like symptoms; high temperatures above 38C, diarrhea, pain in the abdomen, and nose and gum bleeding.The common symptom seen in most of infected individuals is respiratory distress.This is perceived as difficulty breathing and a crackling sound in the chest when the infected individual inhales.The kidney and heart also start to fail in some individuals and lastly leading to death.

            

            Different types of avian flu virus may cause different symptoms. A person exhibiting bird flu symptoms must undergo testing in order to confirm that the illness is the result of a bird flu virus.In general, treatment with the antiviral medication oseltamivir (Tamiflu) or zanamivir (Relenza) may make the disease less severe if start taking the medicine within 48 hours after symptoms start. Oseltamivir may also be prescribed for persons who live in the same house as  those diagnosed with avian flu.The virus that causes human avian flu appears to be resistant to the antiviral medicines amantadine and rimantadine. Therefore these medications should not be used if an H5N1 outbreak occurs.People with severe infection may need to be placed on a breathing machine. Experts recommend that persons diagnosed with avian flu be put in isolation.

        The best way to get rid of bird flu is to prevent the virus. In case we have to travel to the region where bird flu has spread than we should follow some medical recommendations.

•             Domesticated birds should be avoided

           In case have to be in rural areas then try  level best to avoid coming in contact with the domestic animals and farm houses.

           

•           Open air markets must be avoided

            Must have an urge for visiting and enjoying the local aroma but should avoid such places as the risk factor of getting infected is very high.

•            Wash hands

           A consistent habit of washing hands is very helpful. It helps in keeping infections at  an arm’s length. Hand sanitizers that have at least 60 per cent alcohol are best for  using abroad as they do not ask for water and offer no dangers to children.

•          Steer clear of raw eggs

Bird droppings often contaminate eggs should avoid all those foods that contain raw or uncooked eggs like mayonnaise, ice cream, and hollandaise sauce.

•         Cooking thoroughly

World Health Organization (WHO) considers that cooked food is not harmful for human beings and offer no risks of bird flu. Should not stop cooking before the internal temperature of meet reaches 165 F or 74 C.

As for the conclusion, we feel that all of us should be mentally prepared for a global pandemic of the influenza to occur. According to experts of the influenza virus, as a global pandemic of the influenza virus has not occurred in this century, there is a high possibility for one to occur within the next couple of years and a global pandemic is bound to occur – it is just a matter of time for the influenza to develop a new strain.Although human infection of the avian influenza virus is often associated with people who have close contact with poultry, the deadly avian influenza virus is constantly growing and developing over the course of time by antigenic drift and antigenic shift. We have yet to fully understand the influenza virus and its impact in humans. However, for the rest of us, we should be constantly on the look out and on our guards to be regularly updated about the current situation of the influenza virus so that we will not be panicking our lives in times of danger.

Should Euthanasia Be Legalized In Malaysia?

Imagine yourself being unable to walk, unable to see, and can barely breathe let alone speak. Your life was well lived all those years before. You are in such unbearable pain that you can’t even cry.Although your family is there for your every step of the way you begin to think, could ending your life be the answer to the pain? You are in more pain than you can bear. There is no way that you could function without assistance.You think and feel as if your life has no meaning. Well in all reality this isn’t something anyone needs to imagine. This is a real situation for many, many people. These people should be able to make their own choices and have control of their own lives.

Firstly, i bet all of you are wondering what on earth is euthanasia. Euthanasia is a term still new to many of us. Well for those of you who don't know euthanasia is defined as ‘GOOD DEATH’ in Greek. It means self imposed death in a relatively painless and

merciful way.

Now as you all know euthanasia as been legalized in several parts of the world such as Oregon, US and in the Netherlands.Euthanasia is categorized in different ways, which include voluntary, non-voluntary, or involuntary and active or passive.Euthanasia is usually used to refer to active euthanasia, and in this sense, euthanasia is usually considered to be criminal homicide, but voluntary, passive euthanasia is widely non-criminal.

Everyone has the right to choose how they want to live and die.First of all, deciding if you want to be alive or not is a personal decision. Neither the doctors nor the government has the power to decide if you should live or not.Since it is not their life and they are not in your situation, they cannot make that kind of decision for you. It might sound like suicide, but again, that is our problem, not theirs.They give us the liberty to decide our job, our family, our religion, and even our sex preference. Why should they not give us the right to decide if we want to live or not? 

That should be the first right before all the ones I have mentioned. It is not logical that we can choose in all those other decisions if we cannot first choose to live or die.It has been argued that for people on life support systems and people with long standing diseases causing much pain and distress, euthanasia is a better choice.It helps in relieving them from pain and misery. In cases like terminal cancers when the  patient is in much pain and when people associated with them also are put through a lot of pain and misery, it is much more practical and humane to grant the person his/her wish to end his/her own life in a relatively painless and merciful way.

Chantal Sebire, a former school teacher, suffered from Esthesioneuroblastoma, a rare, painful 

and disfiguring facial tumor disorder. Reportedly, her extensive facial tumors took her sight, as well as her senses of smell and taste.According to Sebire, she endured hours-long attacks of excruciating pain.Chantal Sebire request for legal euthanasia was rejected by the high court of Dyon, France. Sebire was found dead on March 20, 2008,two days after the court made its ruling.

Everyone has the right to choose how they want to live and die. Their decisions lie with them and people hold their own key to life.No one else can decide for you how you live, therefore choices are also made by one, and hence, if one wants to go for euthanasia, it should be granted. He definitely has reasons why he wants to leave the world.

Next, comes the economic factor. Many times we do not have enough money to pay for the needed medical care not knowing if the patient is going to get any better.In a way, we are just spending time and money on a situation that won’t get better. Imagine, they are in great suffer and we are paying to make it longer. So if the patient wants euthanasia, why not do it if we cannot end the huge amount of money wasted on a treatment that won’t help, but worsen it instead.For those who are terminally ill, they do not want to be an emotional and financial burden to their relatives, therefore without their existence; they would be lightening their family’s burdens.Initially it may be unfair to their families but in the long run, their decision to give up on life would help their families greatly.Their families would then not be burdened by the hefty medical bills and the emotional strain of care giving.Due to financial short comings, some patient cannot afford to pay those expensive hospital bills and thus, view mercy-killing as their last resort. Why pay for medical care when you know your condition is not going to get better anyway?

The basic reason why euthanasia should be practiced is because it stops the person from having a bad quality of life.Having a patient suffering is not giving him a better quality of life.When doctors reach this point, then they should be allowed to grant the patient whatever he wants since he or she cannot offer something better.Even if they could offer the patient any kind of treatment or options, it is the patient who should decide how he wants to live his life.We pay the doctor so he can do the best he can. Helping us in having a better quality of life is about giving the patient what’s best for him as long as he wants it.The kind of quality of life is defined by the patient, not the doctor or government.

Consequently, when the patient feels he is not getting the quality of life he wants, the least a doctor can do is grant him what he wants. If the patient’s decision is to die, so be it.Euthanasia is perceived by other people as the answer to their want of a quality life. Spending the rest of your life on a hospital bed, unable to walk, and unable to do the things you normally do, doesn’t define a good quality of life. After all, it is the patient who got to decide how he or she wants to live his life.Euthanasia or physician-assisted suicide is the best thing a doctor can offer to a dying patient since he or she cannot offer a patient something that’ll make his condition better.

How can say that your life is not worth living anymore? No one but you can decide on this matter. Life and death is a personal decision.Your family, friends, the doctors, and even the government can’t help you decide. Death is a final decision, a final destination.Euthanasia is necessary to be legalized. Think about it, euthanasia is about giving people the right to choose how they want to live and die, saves money in medical bills, and it also stops the person from having a bad quality of life.

If I were diagnosed with a terminal illness, incurable disease, or faced an accident that requires me to stay in a hospital bed for the rest of my life, or only a machine can keep me alive, I would definitely turn to euthanasia.

What’s the sense of living my life anyway? Why not end the suffering, if I have the power? Why would I prefer to be a burden to my family? If I’m not living the quality of life I want, the best thing the doctor can do me is to grant my final wish of dying with dignity.

The Ganga River: The Holy River of India”

Ganga is one of the major rivers of India which is approximately 1557 miles long. During the early Indo-Aryan ages, the Indus river was the main or the major river in India.However the pupils of India soon discovered the importance of the Ganga River through the three main Vedas of the Indian community.Vedas such as the Mahabrata, Ramayana, and Puranes mentioned the significance of the Ganga River and seemed giving more importance of the Ganga River.Even in the earliest Hindu scriptures that is the Rig-Veda, there was also mentioned of the sacred Ganga River.The most important city sacred to Hinduism are situated on the banks of the Ganga River where the city of Banaras or Varanasi is situated.Banaras has hundreds of temple along the banks of Ganga River.Banaras has also been a great center for learning ages.


The story of Ganga’s descent on earth appears slightly different forms in all the Hindu Vedas however the legend content are still the same.According to the legends, Ganga was considered as one of the two daughters of Meru or the Himalayas and the other daughter was Uma the consort of lord Shiva.Lord Indra than requested that Ganga was sent to the heaven to cool the lords with her heavenly cool water.The legend began with King Sagar who performed the Ashwamedha (horse ceremony) in which a horse is allowed to roam at its will and the warriors would try to rein the horse.The King’s 60 000 sons went about looking for the horse and ended up reaching the deep ocean and finally found the horse close to a saint Kapila who was in deep meditation.The sons blamed the saint Kapila had stolen the horse which than enraged the saint’s anger who then instantly burnt them to ashes with his fiery gaze.The souls of the young men wondered as ghosts as their final rites had not been done. However on the repeated repentance and request by the descendants of King Sagar, Saint Kapila finally relent that the men’s would only attain mukti or liberation if their remains are cleansed by the water of goddess Ganga.Generations of King Sagar did penance to appease Brahma but without success then finally after much praying, pleading and tapasya by Bhagirath the seventh generation of King Sagar managed to bring Goddess Ganga to earth.However to bear the impact of severity of the fall of Ganga River, Bhagirath prayed to lord Shiva to control the descent of Ganga on earth.Lord Shiva steps in the way and trapped Ganga in his hair. Shiva made the river fall gently through his long hair onto the Himalayas. As Ganga moved to the nether-worlds, she liberated the unfortunate souls of King Sagar's Sons. Since then Ganga is sanctifying the mankind with her divine waters.

According to Hindus the Ganga River is sacred. It is worshipped by Hindus and personified as a goddess, who holds an important place in the Hindu religion.Hindu belief holds that bathing in the river on certain occasions causes the forgiveness of sins and helps attain salvation.People travel from distant places to immerse the ashes of their family members in the waters of the Ganga, this immersion also is believed to send the ashes to heaven.It is believed that drinking water from the Ganga with ones last breath will take the soul to heaven. Hindus also believe life is incomplete without bathing in the Ganga at least once in their lifetime.In most Hindu families, a vial of water from the Ganga is kept in every house. This is done because it is auspicious to have water of the Holy Ganga in the house, and also if someone is dying, that person will be able to drink its water.Many Hindus believe that the water from the Ganga can cleanse a person’s soul of all past sins, which reduces their bad karma and it is also believed to cure the ill.

As for the conclusion, the Ganga River is still worshipped by billions of citizens in India.The history of the Ganga river is old as the Indian civilization. For the years Ganga has been the only spectator of all changes that have shaped the Indian history, culture and its people.It has seen the rise and fall of many empires. It has been the prime witness of all the religions especially Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, Christianity and Jainism.Ganga River enriches the spiritual lives of millions and millions of Indians for whom the river is divine. Holy Ganga personifies Goddess Ganga who descends to the earth to rinse away the sins of the mankind. The river Ganga itself embodies all the characteristics India is known for mythical, serene, all pervading and assimilative.