Thalassemia : Causes, Symptoms & Diagnosis

What is Thalassemia?

Thalassemia is a blood disorder passed down through families (inherited) in which the body makes an abnormal form of hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen. The disorder results in excessive destruction of red blood cells, which leads to anemia. Anemia is a disorder in which your body doesn’t have enough normal, healthy red blood cells (RBC).

This disease is inherited, meaning that at least one of your parents must be a carrier of the disease. It is caused by either a genetic mutation, or a deletion of certain key genes.

The two main forms of thalassemia are alpha thalassemia and beta thalassemia. In alpha thalassemia, at least one of the alpha globin genes has a mutation or abnormality. In beta thalassemia, the beta globin genes are the ones affected.

Each of these two forms of thalassemia has several distinct types. The exact form you have will affect the severity of your symptoms and your prognosis.

Interesting Facts about Thalassemia Carriers :

• It is a genetic disorder inherited from either or both of your parents.
• It is the commonest single gene disorder in the global population .
• In Malaysia, it is estimated that 1 in 20 people is a thalassemia carrier.
• The disorder primarily affects your red blood cells (RBC) resulting in reduced or absent production of haemoglobin –the oxygen carrying vehicle in your body resulting in a medical condition known as anaemia.

Chris Brown : My Baby is Royalty!!!

Chris Brown's baby girl answers to Royalty! We”ve learned Nia named the kid Royalty. What we don”t know … whether she consulted Chris before inking the birth certificate.

TMZ broke the story … Chris and Nia got it on summer of 2013 and she gave birth 9 months ago. As we reported, Karrueche was blindsided … she had no idea until minutes before TMZ posted the story Tuesday afternoon.

As for Chris” involvement … we”re told he calls Nia regularly and now says he wants to openly participate in raising the baby. Nia and Roy alty live in Texas, and Chris says he”ll gladly fly there regularly to parent her.

We've learned Nia named the kid Royalty. What we don't know ... whether she consulted Chris before inking the birth certificate.

Swine Flu (H1N1 Flu, Swine Influenza Virus)

Swine influenza, also called pig influenza, swine flu, hog flu and pig flu, is an infection caused by any one of several types of swine influenza viruses. Swine influenza virus (SIV) or swine-origin influenza virus (S-OIV) is any strain of the influenza family of viruses. Subtypes of influenza A known as H1N1, H1N2, H2N1, H3N1, H3N2, and H2N3.
What is H1N1 flu?

H1N1 is a flu virus. When it was first detected in 2009, it was called “swine flu” because the virus was similar to those found in pigs.

The H1N1 virus is currently a seasonal flu virus found in humans. Although it also circulates in pigs, you cannot get it by eating properly handled and cooked pork or pork products.

What causes swine flu?

The cause of the 2009 swine flu was an influenza A virus type designated as H1N1. In 2011, a new swine flu virus was detected. The new strain was named influenza A (H3N2)v. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported increased numbers of people infected in the 2012-2013 flu season. Currently, there are not large numbers of people infected with H3N2v. Unfortunately, another virus termed H3N2 (note no "v" in its name) has been detected and caused flu, but this strain is different from H3N2v. In general, all of the influenza A viruses have a structure similar to the H1N1 virus; each type has a somewhat different H and/or N structure.

What are the symptoms of swine flu?

Symptoms of swine flu are similar to most influenza infections: fever (100 F or greater), cough, nasal secretions, fatigue, and headache, with fatigue being reported in most infected individuals. Some patients may also get a sore throat, rash, body aches, headaches, chills, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. In Mexico, many of the initial patients infected with H1N1 influenza were young adults, which made some investigators speculate that a strong immune response, as seen in young people, may cause some collateral tissue damage.The incubation period from exposure to first symptoms is about one to four days, with an average of two days. The symptoms last about one to two weeks and can last longer if the person has a severe infection.

How does H1N1 flu spread?

The H1N1 flu virus spreads between people in the same way that seasonal flu viruses spread.

How can I prevent H1N1 flu?

The best way to prevent the H1N1 flu is to get the seasonal flu vaccine which also includes protection against the H1N1 flu virus. However take these everyday steps to protect your health: 

• Cover your cough: 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: Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.  
• Avoid spreading germs: Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Try to avoid close contact with anyone who is sick. Germs spread this way. 
• Stay home if you are sick: If you are sick with flu-like illness, CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. Keep away from others as much as possible to keep from making them sick.

I have H1N1. What should I do?

If your health care provider has diagnosed you with H1N1, you should follow treatment recommendations and your health care provider’s orders.
For treatment, antiviral drugs work best if started soon after getting sick.

Experts recommend that people who suspect that they have H1N1 infection stay home and avoid contact with other people.