Giyera sa mga maliit na bampira

Aedes aegypti, lamok na may dalang dengue

       Ayon sa nababasa at napapanood sa telebisyon, ang mga bampira daw ay sa gabi nambibiktima at sa araw ay tulog ngunit ang mga "maliliit na bampira" na aking kinamumuhian, sila ay gising na gising sa araw man at gabi, parang mga hayok na hayok na sa isang saglit lang ay ang maliliit na karayom nila ay sa iyo'y tutusok.  Ang tinutukoy ko ay ang mga lamok na may dalang dengue. 

Nathan David sa hospital

        Aedes aegypti, scientific name ng lamok na ito na napaka delikado at matatagpuan sa maraming bansa. Dito sa Pilipinas, libo libo na ang nabiktima ng dengue at marami na din ang namatay.  Mansyon o dampa man ang bahay ay mayroong mga lamok na namiminsala.  Mahirap man o mayaman ay di ligtas sa dengue.  Noong huling mga buwan ng 2011 at mga unang buwan ng 2012 maraming mga bata dito sa lugar namin ang nagkaroon ng dengue at isa na dito ang aking panganay na anak na si Nathan David.  Di ko makakalimutan ang mga sandaling ito na nasa hospital si Nathan.  Buntis ako noon sa aking bunso.  Labis ang pag aalala namin sa kanya noon. Walang siyang ganang kumain, lumaki ang tyan, nagsusuka, at bumaba ng husto ang kanyang blood platelet.  Siyam na araw siyang nanatili sa hospital at nasalinan pa sya ng dugo.   Hindi rin biro ang gastos namin noon at nasabay pa sa nalalapit kong pangannganak.  Salamat sa Diyos dahil sa panahong ito ang Kanyang pag aaruga at pagmamahal sa amin ay di matutumbasan.  Salamat sa Diyos dahil hindi Niya kami pinabayaan.  Dahil sa pangyayaring ito, naging mas maingat kami ngayon at gumagawa ng mga hakbang para di na maulit pa ang aming naging karanasan sa dengue.  Narito ang ilang mga hakbang na ginagawa namin para sa paglaban sa mga maliliit na bampira na ito.

bintana namin

                                              Una sa listahan namin ang malinis na paligid. Dapat walang mga bagay na maaring itlogan ng mga lamok na ito.  Mas makakatulong din kung ang bahay ay maliwanang, ang mga lamok kasi ay gustong gusto sa madidilim na lugar kaya nga  nagpa pintura kami ng maliwanang na kulay sa loob ng aming bahay.  Naglagay din kami ng screen sa aming mga bintana at pinto.   Naglalagay din kami ng katol sa labas ng bahay sa gabi para sa gabi palang di umiiwas na  ang mga lamok dahil sa amoy ng katol.  Maganda rin sa gabi maglagay ng katol para di maamoy ng mga bata. Hindi rin kasi maganda ang katol sa kalusugan.

organic herbal lotion

       Lagi kaming naka bantay sa lamok kaya naman malaking tulong sa amin ang electronic mosquito bat. Madali lang gamitin kasi parang naglalaro ka lang ng pingpong.  Malaki ding tulong ang spray.  Hindi maganda ang mga spray na chemical ang content dahil di maganda sa kalusugan kaya naman  kami ay gumawa ng spray na gawa sa bawang, lemon at oil. Para din maingatan ang mga bata sa kagat ng lamok maganda kung lalagyan sila ng anti mosquito lotion.  Mas maganda din ang lotion kung herbal dahil wala itong chemical na delikado din sa kalusugan.  Kung may pupuntahan kaming lugar na tingin namin ay maraming lamok, pinapasuot namin ang mga bata ng damit na mahahaba ang manggas o kaya pantalon para maitago ang katawan sa lamok.

gamitin ang kamay pang puksa sa lamok

Nathan hawak ang home-made mosquito spray

          

Butas ng puno na maaring pangitlogan

 Pag may nakita ang isa sa amin na lamok, alerto kami lagi pag dumapo tiyak patay siya sa amin.  Maliliit silang insekto pero pag nakakagat ay napaka delikado. Kung ang lahat lang sana ng tao o pamilya ay gagawa ng hakbang para mapuksa ang mga lamok na ito, maaring pagdating ng panahon ay mababawasan na ang mga mabibiktima o kaya tuluyan nang mapuksa ito.  Ang gobyerno ay may mga hakbang din na ginagawa pero di natin dapat iasa ito sa kanila. Kaya nga nais kong hikayatin ang lahat ng tayo ay kumilos at huwag ipag walang bahala ang maliliit na bampira na di man umuubos ng dugo sa katawan subalit salot naman na naturingan. 

           Di rin dapat mawala ang panalangin para ingatan tayo ng Panginoon.  Dalangin na sana'y wala ng mabiktima pa ang mga maliit na bampira na ito at tuluyan na silang mapuksa para di na magdala pa ng problema sa naparaming tao.

UPDATE: OCTOBER 15, 2013
             Noong nakaraang dalawang buwan, ang panganay naming anak na si Nathan David ay nakakitaan ng simtomas ng chikungunya na noon ay inakala naming dengue na naman.  Dahil dito mas lalong naging mapagbantay kami sa maliliit na bampirang ito na maraming binibigay na perwisyo sa mga tao.  Inalam ko ang iba pang mga sakit na nakukuha sa pamamagitan ng kagat ng lamok.  Narito ang mga ilan na kinopya ko mula sa iba-ibang website para makatulong na magbigay ng impormasyon:

IBANG MGA SAKIT MULA SA LAMOK

CHIKUNGUNYA

Chikungunya ay isang  viral infection, na nakukuha sa kagat ng lamok aedes aegypti.  Ang  virus na ito ay unang nakita saTanzania noong 1953. ‘Chikungunya’, mula sa lenggwahe na Kimakonde  (salita na mula sa tribo ng Africa na kung tawagin ay Makonde) na ang ibig sabihin  ‘ay mapabaliktot’, at ito ay naglalarawan sa mga simtomas ng  chikungunya kung saan ang mga pasyente na mayroon nito ay napapabaluktot sa sobrang sakit ng mga kalamnan at kasu-kasuan.  Wala itong kinalaman sa manok mula sa salitang "chikun" o chicken.


MGA SIMTOMAS  
Ang pagkabuo o incubate ng virus ay mula 2 hanggang 5 araw.  Ang simtomas ay magsisimulang makita  pag ang incubation period ay nakumpleto.  Minsan umaabot din  ng 12 na araw bago makita ang mga simtomas. Narito ang mga pangkaraniwang simtomas:

• Mataas na lagnat
• Panginginig at pananakit ng kasu-kasuan
• Pananakit ng mga kalamnan
• Pagkahilo at pagsusuka
• Fatigue
• Rashes

Minsan ang Chikungunya ay napapagkamalang trangkaso o kaya dengue.  Sa Ilang mga kaso, may sobrang pananakit ng kasu-kasuan, hirap sa paggalaw  at arthritis.  May mga report din ng problema sa mata at kumplikasyon sa puso. 

        Walang gamot o bakuna para dito.  Ang mahalagang bantayan sa pasyente ay di siya ma dehydrate o mawalan ng tubig sa katawan at ang mataas na lagnat na maaaring magdala ng kumplikasyon lalo na sa mga bata.  Ang pag inom ng pain reliever para sa sakit ng katawan ay maaaring makatulong pero di rin pwedeng iasa dito dahil ang mga gamot na pain reliever ay hindi rin maganda pag nasubrahan.
(source:http://www.drhealth.md/infectious-diseases/viral-diseases/chikungunya/  )

MALARIA

The word malaria comes from 18th century Italian mala meaning "bad" and aria meaning "air". Most likely, the term was first used by Dr. Francisco Torti, Italy, when people thought the disease was caused by foul air in marshy areas.
It was not until 1880 that scientists discovered that malaria was a parasitic disease which is transmitted by the anopheles mosquito. The mosquito infects the host with a one-cell parasite called plasmodium. By the end of the 18th century, scientists found out that Malaria is transmitted from person-to-person through the bite of the female mosquito, which needs blood for her eggs.
Approximately 40% of the total global population is at risk of Malaria infection. During the 20th century the disease was effectively eliminated in the majority of non-tropical countries.
According to the World Health Organization¹ (WHO):

• Approximately 660,000 people died from malaria in 2010 globally, most of them were African children.
• There were an estimated 219 million cases of malaria infection in 2010 worldwide.
• Malaria is a preventable and curable disease.
• Malaria mortality rates have fallen by over 25% since 2000. In the WHO African region rates have dropped by 33%.
• The malaria burden in many parts of the world is being dramatically reduced thanks to increased malaria prevention and control measures.
• Travelers from malaria-free areas who enter endemic areas are especially vulnerable to severe symptoms when they become infected.
• About 80% of all malaria cases occur in just 17 countries.
• Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of the Congo account for more than 40% of all malaria deaths worldwide.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention² says that about 1,500 people are diagnosed in the U.S. with malaria each year. The vast majority were infected abroad.

Recent developments on malaria from MNT news
Interfering with malaria's genetic cloaking device may provide cure for the disease - researchers from The Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel, believe they have come very close to finding a cure for malaria. They have discovered a genetic cloaking device used by the parasite to evade the human immune system so that it can establish infection. If a treatment can be devised which interferes with the cloaking device's DNA, the immune system would then have a chance to eliminate the infection early on.
Measuring electrical properties of red blood cells to diagnose malaria - scientists from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) developed a microfluidic device that can diagnose early stage malaria. The device measures electrical properties of red blood cells.

There are five types of malaria:

• Plasmodium vivax (P. vivax) - milder form of the disease, generally not fatal. However, infected people still need treatment because their untreated progress can also cause a host of health problems. This type has the widest geographic distribution globally. About 60% of infections in India are due to P. vivax. This parasite has a liver stage and can remain in the body for years without causing sickness. If the patient is not treated, the liver stage may re-activate and cause relapses - malaria attacks - after months, or even years without symptoms.


• Plasmodium malariae (P. malariae) - milder form of the disease, generally not fatal. However, the infected human still needs treatment because no treatment can also lead to a host of health problems. This type of parasite has been known to stay in the blood of some people for several decades.


• Plasmodium ovale (P. ovale) - milder form of the disease, generally not fatal. However, the infected human still needs to be treated because it may progress and cause a host of health problems. This parasite has a liver stage and can remain in the body for years without causing sickness. Without treatment there is a risk that the liver stage re-activates and cause relapses after very long periods without symptoms.


• Plasmodium falciparum (P. faliparum) - the most serious form of the disease. It is most common in Africa, especially sub-Saharan Africa. Current data indicates that cases are now being reported in areas of the world where this type was thought to have been eradicated.


• Plasmodium knowlesi (P. knowlesi) - causes malaria in macaques but can also infect humans.

How does a human become infected with Malaria?

The Anopheles mosquito taking a blood meal.

The female Anopheles mosquito transmits the parasite to a human when it takes a blood meal - it bites the human in order to feed on blood.
Only the female Anopheles mosquito can transmit malaria, and it must have been infected through a previous blood meal taken from an infected human.
When the mosquito bites an infected person a minute quantity of the malaria (plasmodium) parasite in the blood is taken.
Approximately one week later that same infected mosquito takes its next blood meal. The plasmodium parasites mix with the mosquito's saliva and are injected into the host (human being).

Human-to-human transmission of Malaria

As the parasite exists in human red blood cells, malaria can be passed on from one person to the next through organ transplant, shared use of needles/syringes, and blood transfusion. An infected mother may also pass malaria on to her baby during delivery (birth) - this is called 'congenital malaria'.
People cannot "catch" malaria from others just by being near them. You can sit next to an infected person quite safely, with no risk of infection, even if they cough or sneeze.

What are the symptoms of Malaria?

In regions where Malaria is common, local people usually have some level of immunity, which means that many infected people may have no symptoms at all, or very few.
Severity of Malaria symptoms depends on:

1. The type of parasite.
2. The individual's level of immunity.
3. Whether the person still has his/her spleen.

Early stage symptoms of Malaria

• A high temperature (fever)
• Chills
• Headache
• Sweats
• Tiredness (fatigue)
• Nausea
• Vomiting

Signs and symptoms tend to be cyclical in severity, during each wave levels of severity may differ. How long symptoms last may also vary, depending on each cycle. Early on during the disease, symptoms may not follow this pattern.
Other common symptoms may include:

• Dry cough
• Back pain
• Muscle ache
• Enlarged spleen

Very rare symptoms may include:

• Impairment of brain function
• Impairment of spinal cord function
• Seizures (fits)
• Loss of consciousness

Patients infected with the P. falciparum parasite are more likely to become seriously ill - their illness can become life-threatening.

What is the incubation period of Malaria?

Incubation means the time between becoming infected and the appearance of symptoms. This generally depends on the type of parasite:

• P. falciparum - 9 to 14 days
• P. vivax - 12 to 18 days
• P. ovale - 12 to 18 days
• P. malariae - 18 to 40 days

However, incubation periods can vary from as short as 7 days, to several months for P. vivax and P. ovale. People on chemoprophylaxis (medication to prevent infection) have longer incubation periods.
The doctor needs to rule out other conditions or diseases which have similar symptoms to malaria. These include:

• Cold, flu, and some other viral infections
• Rickettsia (tick bite diseases)
• Gastroenteritis
• Hepatitis
• Typhoid fever
• Meningitis, and other bacterial infections
• Non-malarial parasitic infections

What are the treatment options for Malaria?

According to WHO, in areas where Malaria is common treatment should start as soon as signs and symptoms appear, ideally within 24 hours.
People with uncomplicated malaria can be treated as outpatients, while those with severe malaria need to be hospitalized.
In non-endemic areas WHO recommends that patients with uncomplicated or severe malaria should be kept under clinical observation if possible.
Patients with P. falciparum infection and severe symptoms who cannot take their medications orally should receive them intravenously.
In some countries (not USA), anti-malarial medications may be presented as suppositories.
Some anti-malarial medications are available as continuous intravenous infusions.
According to the CDC³, the following drugs are commonly used for treating malaria:

• artemether-lumefantrine (Coartem®)
• atovaquone-proguanil (Malarone®)
• chloroquine
• clindamycin (used in combination with quinine)
• doxycycline (used in combination with quinine)
• mefloquine (Lariam®)
• quinidine
• quinine
• artesunate (not licensed for use in the United States, but available through the CDC malaria hotline 770-488-7100)

Also, primaquine is effective against hypnozoites (the dormant parasite liver forms) and prevents recurrences (relapses). Primaquine should not be given to expectant mothers, or patients who are deficient in glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase G6PD. A screening test excludes G6PD deficiency.
According to the National Library of Medicine, the outcome (prognosis) for patients with malaria who receive treatment is "good"⁴, but poor for those with Falciparum infection with complications.

 (source: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/150670.php)

Elephantiasis  

Elephantiasis is a disease that is characterized by the thickening of the skin and underlying tissues, especially in the legs, male genitals. In some cases the disease can cause certain body parts, such as the scrotum, to swell to the size of a softball or basketball. "Elephantitis" is a common mis-hearing of the term, from confusing the ending ''-iasis'' (process or resulting condition) with the more commonly heard ''-itis'' (irritation or inflammation).

Elephantiasis of leg due to filariasis. Luzon, Philippines. Image Credit: CDC

The proper medical term is Elephantiasis, and it is caused by filariasis or podoconiosis.
Elephantiasis leads to mark swelling of the lower half of the body.
Elephantiasis caused by lymphatic filariasis is one of the most common causes of disability in the world.
Elephantiasis puts at risk more than a billion people in more than 80 countries. Over 120 million have already been affected by it, over 40 million of them are seriously incapacitated and disfigured by the disease.
One-third of the people infected with the disease live in India, one third are in Africa and most of the remainder are in South Asia, the Pacific and the Americas. In tropical and subtropical areas where lymphatic filariasis is well-established, the prevalence of infection is continuing to increase.
A primary cause of this increase is the rapid and unplanned growth of cities, which creates numerous breeding sites for the mosquitoes that transmit the disease.
 (source:http://www.news-medical.net/health/Elephantiasis-What-is-Elephantiasis.aspx)

Nathanael John

       Today is the birthday of  my second son, Nathanael John Cortan Rolluqui or "Janjan ".  I still remember the time when I found out that I was pregnant with him.  I'm so anxious during that time because my eldest son Nathan David was only one year old and two months. I still remember my emotional battle weaning Nathan.  But by God's grace He made everything under His full control.

                                                                                    IN MY WOMB

Last trimester of pregnancy at MOA with Nanay, my nephew and niece

    I saw God's miracle while pregnant with Janjan. On my first trimester, my eldest son Nathan acquired a virus called rubella or"german measles".  We are praying hardly during this time because if I acquired this virus while pregnant it's very dangerous for the baby in my womb. I can lose the baby, or the baby can be born blind, deaf, mentally retarded, or with heart defects or suffer other serious problems.  I remember we called many hospitals for the vaccine but we failed to have it. Thankful to God that I did not acquire the virus while pregnant with Janjan. He protected him in my womb. Praise the Lord!  On my last trimester, I experienced bleeding. I remember that time the CRC cogeo core group planned to have meeting/outing in Baguio, because of my condition that occasion was postponed. Thank God for the understanding of the group and for kind consideration of  Jasmin Aquino, she was excited that time because it will be her first time in Baguio. :-) thank you Mina!

                                                    HELLO WORLD

@ the hospital, typo error his date of birth June 19, 2009 not 2010

         

           Because I will deliver Nathanael John through  C-section, we scheduled my operation.  We choose June 19 because it will fall on Friday, and we planned that his first birthday will be Saturday.  We didn't know that time that June 19 was the birthday of our national hero Dr. Jose Rizal.

         At the delivery room, I'm so calmed and relaxed knowing that God's hands is holding me and my baby.  I experienced pain though I had anesthesia and the attending doctors had given me oxygen because I had difficulty in breathing.  After the delivery, I was hold in recovery room  for quiet long time because of excessive bleeding. Many prayed for me and for Janjan. Thank God for His protection for me and for baby Janjan.

My eldest son Nathan David and 3 days old Nathanael John

During the time I admitted in the hospital, my eldest son Nathan David had to be there also. We asked permission from my doctor to allow him to stay in the hospital because I want him there.  I am at peace to see him near and so excited to show him his brother.

                           GROWING 

  

First few weeks, I noticed Janjan was reddish. I thought he's mestizo like my uncle Polgencio Diaz Pabilada.  But as he's growing up his physical attribute said to be more like me. (happy for that..hehe)

days, weeks and monthly picture

me and janjan

          FIRST and SECOND BIRTHDAY 

      

1st birthday and dedication with rolluquis

           At the exact date of his birthday, as we planned for it, we decided to dedicate him to the Lord. The dedication was officiated by Pastor Roy Daquil.  It was witnessed by relatives, friends, churchmates and his sponsors our chosen ninong and ninang for him.

with Lolo Nick at Sarangani beach teaching Janjan to walk

         

Janjan was late to walk.  He was one year and six months when he walk on his own. It was Nanay Mariquita and Tatay Nick who taught him to walk. Thankful for the patience of my in laws to teach Janjan to walk.

         Very beautiful place to teach him is on the beach of Sarangani.

Second birthday @ the church

          On his second birthday, it was a simple celebration, We celebrated it at the church.  We bought him cake and we cooked spaghetti and pansit.  During this time, I did not know yet that I am one month pregnant with Naomi Mathia.

          Our Janjan is now three! Hay parang kailan lang.  We praise the Lord for his life. His name Nathanael means "God has given", truly he is God's gift to us.  Now that he already a big brother to Naomi Mathia, we appreciate him more. 

with his dad, Nathan his kuya and Naomi Mathia

with his dad during Tatay and Nanay golden anniversary

        Janjan, like his kuya Nathan wants to be a pilot.  For now, gaya gaya pa lang sya sa kuya nya...hehe.  Me and my husband's dream for him is to be a doctor someday.  But more than achievements, we want him to walk in God's ways.  We pray for  Him to honor God in his life, honor us as his parents and love his siblings.  We just entrust him to God. 

 Happy 3rd Birthday Janjan!! We love you so much! We'll always here for you. 

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

    

Jeremiah 29:11

Life is beautiful having a son like Janjan,



Mirasol

  

when I learn how to pray

this is not the actual incident...just see how he look when he cry :-)

        One night my son Nathan couldn't sleep because of pain in his right ear.  It seems very painful that he cried so loud and I had a little bit of worry.  I said to him that I will pray. I prayed softly touching his right ear and a little while he slept.  When he woke up in the morning, he said, "mommy di na masakit " and  I said to him God answered our prayer, He healed your ear.  Almost the same incident occured again,  this time was toothache. (the first time he experienced toothache)  He's complaining and I said, "ok I will pray."  He said, " dali na mommy pray ka na sakit kasi" he remembered how God healed his ear so  without asking him which part of his tooth is in pain, I touched the lower part and then prayed.  After praying he said, "mommy  masakit pa din"  I don't want to discourage him so asked him which part of his tooth is painful. He said the upper side and I said I prayed the wrong one.  I will pray again. I prayed again touching the upper part which he said was painful. I heard him mussing and a little while he slept. 

  

Nanay with baby Nathanael John

                 I always pray for my kids and I want them to participate, in fact, we used to pray together. Me, Nathan and John when we pray we held hands together.  They shut their eyes as I lead the prayer. We usually start our prayer by thanking God for everything He has done and then we ask His blessings to every member of the family.  When my mother was so sick, we prayed for her almost every night.  Now that my mother is fully recovered,  I praise the Lord for answering our prayer; the childlike prayer of my children. We pray also for those who ask prayer. Those who will text for prayer, I informed them during our prayer time those who have prayer requests.

      

              It's very important for me to teach my children about God and to come to Him through prayer. But I have to be careful in teaching them. I remember one day when our refrigerator did not function.  On the night,  I said to my children we will ask God to help us for our ref  be repaired, or we will ask for a new one.  As usual, we held hands together, closed our eyes and pray.  When I asked God for a new refrigerator, here comes Nathan asking God for a new house with second floor (same with AJ's house) and John echoed for new toys, new car, and so on and so forth.   If I don't explain to them about the way God answer the prayer of His children, they will be discouraged to pray. 

            

             I have my prayer time.  Usually my prayer time is during my devotion.  Me and my husband before we sleep also pray.  Sometimes it's a sacrifice on my part because my husband usually arrived from his work very late in the evening and so we prayed very late in the evening (or early morning). It's either I will wait for him, or I woke up when he arrived..  As leaders in our church, very very important also that me and my husband participates in church's prayer time.  Prayer is very important to me.  During my single days, I remember  I joined  prayer group. I remember, I represent the youth group in our community.  There were times I had difficulty in terms of decision making, whenever I experience this, I go to prayer mountain alone and seek God for His will in my life. 

           There are many ways how I come to God in prayer. I just want to share something I  learned through the years in Prayer.

       

           When I was a kid, I thought prayer was just merely repetitions of  memorized sentences offering to the images I think  was holy.  When I came to know Jesus as my personal Savior and Lord seventeen years ago, I've learned that prayer is from the heart.  Yeah, important thing I've learned was that I should have first relationship to God before I can come to Him  in prayer with honesty and full surrender.  As I was growing in the knowledge of God, and as I had been discipled,  I've learned many things about prayer. Here are some of the important things I've learned in prayer which I think helped me a lot.
         

           In prayer, I learned this ACTS way:

                                      

                                       A - adoroation

                                       C- confession

                                       T - thanksgiving

                                       S - supplications

            Adore God for who He is. Confess to Him all  sins whether it's intentional or unintentional. Thank Him for the many blessings  He has given. Supplications, asking God for everything or intercede not only for my own behalf but also for those people around. Praying for neighbors, community, missionaries, country and many to mention.

         

           I've also learned that God answer my prayer in three ways:

                                      Yes

                                       No

                                       Wait

            Yes, if it's for my good.  No, if it's not His will for me.  Wait, if He's teaching me to be patient and to know that God's time is the best time. 

            Scriptures encouraged me a lot to pray.  Jesus is my sole model in prayer. As Jesus finds a solitary place to pray,  It's always my desire to be alone with Him in prayer.  Sometimes I realized, to be with Him in prayer is the happiest hour of my life.  I can share with Him anything. I give to Him all my burdens and anxieties.  I can share of Him happy things. I can cry out to Him.  Sometimes prayer also is a battle. It's like warfare.  

           In whatever things, I have to  Pray without ceasing. (1 Thes. 5:17)

                             

Life is more beautiful when I learn to pray,

Mirasol