Measles Epidemic!

In third unit of the course Disease, we studied how virus spread. An example is Pandemic, Epidemic, Endemic and more. We also learned math, the R0 value and Graphing( slope, point-slope and y-intercept form). We used the R0 value in our project and it explains how the virus will spread in terms of people infecting others. For our action project, we chose an outbreak that happen some time ago and we did a script explaining the virus, what place the outbreak occur, how and why. I chose the Measles outbreak of 1875 in Fiji because Fiji seems like a beautiful place that someday I would like to visit and to present my information on Measles I did a newscast script. During this project I had a hard time trying not to put too much information in my script and making it entertaining. When I was doing this project I was surprised with what Measles can cause, how serious it is and how it affected Fijians in that time.



Breaking News!

Today is a terrible day, Its 1875 and there has been an outbreak. The virus that is spreading is Measles, it’s spreading all over Fiji. If you’re a Fijian be careful and stay safe. Measles was discovered by a Persian doctor in the 9th century. In 1757 Francis Home, a Scottish physician discovered that Measles is caused by an infectious agent in the blood. This virus was brought to Fiji when the King Cakobau sailed to Sydney, Australia in December because he and some other Fijian chiefs signed the Deed of Cession which handed Fiji to Great Britain. When he came back the virus was in his ship. The virus wasn’t brought by an animal, but the people on the ship already had it. Measles can be spread by caught, sneeze and by touching the people who have it. The symptoms of Measles doesn’t appear until 7 to 14 days after getting it, meaning that you can spread it without knowing because the virus can live on infected surfaces for up to 2 hours. The way you know you have it is by you having high fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, watery eyes and skin rash. Measles became an epidemic because Fiji is made of 850 islands, but only 100 islands are inhabited and those islands trade resources to one another. Also since Fijians are isolated from the world, their immune system isn’t that strong as to someone who lives in the US or Europe. Also by the looks of it this epidemic lots Fijians are going to meet their deaths. Beside the cause of the trading ships carrying Measles, the MMR vaccines weren’t invented so Fiji didn’t have it. The MMR vaccine stands for Measles, Mumps and Rubella. This vaccine wasn’t invented until 1963 when there was so many Measles outbreaks happening all over the world. So what they did do to treat it was lots of bed rest, drinking fluids to prevent dehydration, taking ibuprofen to ease the fever and taking vitamin A supplement. Although this treatment didn’t work at least the people didn’t have a painful death. The R0 value is 12-18 meaning that one person can spread the virus between 12 people and 18 new people.

In the graph above you can see that Australia and Philippines are close to Fiji so these two country will represent Fiji. As you can see from 1995 to 2008 there is spikes of epidemic outbreaking. In Philippines there is lots of outbreaks so then there could be a possibility of viruses traveling to Fiji.

What you see is the latest updates of outbreaks of Measles. In 2008 there barely any outbreaks but starting in 2009 there has been more outbreaks. As you can see in 2009 and 2010 the outbreaks happens more in Africa. Then in 2011 it starts spreading to other countries. For example, France, Spain and the US.  

Ways to prevent the epidemic from spreading more is to first isolate the people who have the virus, use the home treatment and look for any other vaccines that can help get rid of Measles. By the looks of the epidemic spreading I would estimate one-third of the Fijian population will die.




Doucleff, Michaeleen. “How Vaccine Fears Fueled The Resurgence Of Preventable Diseases.” NPR. N.p. January 25, 2014. Web. March 19, 2015.

Gapminder World. Web. March 20, 2015.

“Measles History.” CDC. N.p. November 3, 2014. Web. March 22, 2015.

“Measles in Fiji, 1875.” Weebly. N.p. Web. March 19, 2015.

ADHD

In the second unit of the course Disease, we studied mental disorder. How some disease can affect the brain and the persons body. We specifically looked at Schizophrenia and OCD as examples. Schizophrenia is a disorder where you have negative voices in your head and has a big influence in your decisions. OCD is when someone has to do something repeatedly like checking the door lock to be safe, although the person don't want to the brain does it. For our action project we chose a mental disorder and do a simulation where other people can experience what people with the mental disorder you choose feels. I chose ADHD because someone close to me has it. During this project I had some difficulties in creating my simulation but at the end it wasn't that bad. I learned that ADHD can be combined with ADD and that their is lots of treatments for it.

Scientific Definition: A childhood mental disorder with onset before 7 years of age and involving impaired or diminished attention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity. Also called hyperactive child syndrome in the twentieth century.

My definition: Someone who needs guidance in completing their everyday tasks and understanding of how their brain works differently than others.
 

KIS. ADHD Flier. 2015

Hypertension

In the first unit of the course Disease, we studied body disease but more specifically the different types of cancer that we can get in our body. We also studied the body systems that we have and how diseases can effect those parts either it's cancer or other diseases. For our action project, we chose a disease that someone that we know has and then interview them. I chose hypertension because my three of my family member has it. I chose to interview one of the that is really close to me, so I can understand what she is going through. Throughout this project I learned so much from my mom and how it affects her. I had difficulties in drawing my person and the parts where the disease affected her.

Hilda

Hilda is in her 30’s and has two children. She was diagnosed with Hypertension two years ago but she does not know how long she has had it. The first symptoms that she had without knowing was that her sensible eyes would her so much with the light and that let to having terrible headaches most of the time, along with nausea. One day she was feeling so bad that she went to the doctor and the doctor told her she had Hypertension (High Blood Pressure).

It is still a question today weather Hilda got Hypertension genetically because her mother and grandmother have Hypertension too. Although the doctor hasn't told her it genetically the pattern of it being is clear. The family history is very clear that most likely is genetic saying that both of her children or one of them might have the possibility of having hypertension.

After Hilda’s diagnoses more of her symptoms started to kick in. She kept getting headaches, she would get dizzy, nausea, her eyes kept hurting, few times she would have chest pain and she doesn't feel like doing anything because her body is tired or her brain is too focused on the pain that does not allow her to feel energized .

He life has changed a lot since she got diagnose of hypertension. She realized that this disease is a silent killer sickness and that she has to be very careful with it. Now she appreciates and enjoys her life and family more. The first thing she did in order to adapt to her new life with hypertension. She learned how to manage her stress, she wont worry for things she can not change and she changed her lifestyle.

Unfortunately hypertension doesn’t have a cure. Hilda haves to live with it for the rest of her life, but she can do something about it. She can control her High Blood Pressure, she can eat more healthier foods and by that she can lose weight. She can also control her stress at work and in her personal life. Hilda does not take medication, according to her “ At the moment I am not taking any medication because once you start taking it, it’ll be for the rest of my life and that’s what happened with my mother.” Hilda lives with her struggles to keep her pressure under control because she prefers to live like that than to count on medication that may cause some side effects.

Hypertension 

Hypertension can occur anywhere and to anyone it just depends on where you life, your gender and your race. For example, a study conducted by Dr. Levine shows that there is a 46% risk of hypertension occurring black women than in black men. Also Birmingham, Alabama has a higher risk of hypertension than Chicago, Minneapolis, and Oakland, California because Birmingham has a higher 20-year incidence of hypertension by 33.6 % while Chicago has 23.4%, Minneapolis has 19% and Oakland has 27.4%.

Hypertension is caused smoking, having too much salt in the diet, the lack of physical activity, stress, older age, genetics, chronic kidney disease, too much alcohol consumption, being overweight or obese, adrenal and thyroid disorders.

The symptoms that people should look out for are severe headaches, vision problems, chest pain, difficulty in breathing, irregular heartbeat, blood in the urine, and fatigue or confusion. A crisis of hypertension can lead to a heart attack or stroke and if untreated it can lead to serious diseases, including stroke, heart disease, kidney failure and eye problems.





Hypertension starts off in the cardiovascular system. The heart t is the first to organ to have problem then moves into the arteries. This disease can cause coronary artery disease, enlarged heart and heart failure. Healthy arteries are strong, elastic, flexible and the inner lining is smooth so that blood flows to organs and tissues to give nutrients and oxygen. With hypertension there is too much pressure of blood flowing and it cause problem such as aneurysm, artery damage and narrowing.

With damaged arteries the nervous system is affected, specifically your brain because your brain depends on the blood to work properly. High blood pressure can cause severe problem such as transient ischemic attack, strokes, dementia and mild cognitive impairment.

Also by having injured blood vessels going to your kidneys, which this is part of your endocrine system. It damages them and can cause kidney failure, kidney scarring, and kidney artery aneurysm.

As you can see hypertension may seem like it is not a big deal but it is because it affects important parts of your body that can lead you to serious consequences. If not treated this disease is not only damage your heart but also your brain and kidneys because they are all connected.





Jody Charnow. “Geography, Race, Gender Affect Hypertension Risk.” Renal and Urology News. N.p. Web. Feb 13, 2015.

Mayo Clinic Staff. “High blood pressure.” Mayo Clinic. N.p. Web. Feb 12, 2015.