• In 1980, there were 108 million persons with diabetes; by 2014, there were 422 million. Compared to high-income countries, the prevalence has been growing more quickly in low- and middle-income nations.

• Diabetes is a leading cause of lower limb amputation, heart attacks, strokes, blindness, and renal failure.

• Age-specific diabetes death rates increased by 3% between 2000 and 2019.

• An estimated 2 million fatalities were attributed to diabetes and renal disease in 2019.

• A normal body weight, regular exercise, a balanced diet, and quitting smoking are all strategies to stop or postpone the onset of type 2 diabetes.

• Diabetes can be managed with diet, exercise, medication, and routine screening and treatment for complications to either prevent or postpone its consequences.

The campaign for World Diabetes Day seeks to be the:

• Platform to support IDF's year-round advocacy initiatives.
• Worldwide motivator to emphasise the significance of adopting coordinated and concerted measures to address diabetes as a serious worldwide health concern

HISTORY

WORLD PNEUMONIA DAY TIMELINE

5 FACTS ABOUT PNEUMONIA EVERYONE SHOULD KNOW

• A single cause does not exist for pneumonia.

   

• Breastfeeding supports the defence against it.

   

• Pneumonia killed 15% of children in 2017.

   

• There are over thirty distinct causes of pneumonia.

   

• lung health is gravely endangered

   

The World Hepatitis Alliance reports:

• The most typical cause of hepatitis, an inflammation of the liver, is a viral infection.
• Hepatitis viruses come in five different types: A, B, C, D, and E.
• The burden of sickness and mortality they bring along with the potential for breakouts and epidemic transmission make these five varieties the most concerning.
• A viral hepatitis-related disease claims the life of a person every 30 seconds. It is crucial to get evaluated and undergo treatment in light of the current preventative measures.

Why should we acknowledge World Hepatitis Day?

DIPHTHERIA often spreads through the air. Fever, throat discomfort, and neck swelling are the symptoms. Breathing difficulties may develop in severe situations. It can result in heart failure and paralysis days after the infection. The majority of reported cases of diphtheria worldwide are in India.

Whooping cough, also known as PERTUSSIS, is an airborne illness. Coughing follows, and it lasts for 4-6 weeks. Extreme coughing fits can make it difficult to breathe and to eat or drink. All age groups are susceptible, with very young newborns suffering the most severe effects. It may result in mortality, pneumonia, seizures, or brain damage.

Contaminated wounds can lead to TETANUS, which can also develop in a newborn after risky delivery procedures. It is commonly referred to as "lockjaw" because it produces excruciating muscular spasms and the difficulty to swallow.

The DPT vaccination guards against tetanus, diphtheria, and whooping cough (pertussis).

AVAILABILITY

DPT (Triple antigen), DPT/Hib (Quadrivalent), DPT/HBV/Hib (Pentavalent), and DPT/HBV/Hib/IPV (Hexavalent) are the combinations of these vaccinations that are available. Some vaccines intended for use in adults and children older than 7 years old combine a full dose of tetanus with a reduced dose of components for diphtheria and pertussis. These are, respectively, the Tdap and Td vaccines.

SCHEDULE OF DPT VACCINES

• Three doses are given at 6-10-14 weeks of age in the first year, one booster at 16-18 months in the second year, and two boosters at 4-6 years of age. They are given in conjunction with Hepatitis B, Hib, and IPV vaccinations that are age-appropriate.
• At 10 to 12 years old, adolescents should also receive one dose of the Tdap vaccine.
• After then, Td is advised every 10 years.
• Every pregnancy should include one dose of Tdap (or, as a backup option, the Td vaccination) administered between weeks 27 and 36.
• After skin-breaching wounds or trauma, tetanus prophylaxis with the td vaccination is also employed.

The hepatitis B vaccination can guard against the disease. Hepatitis B is a liver condition that can result in a short-lived, moderate sickness or a severe, chronic condition.

• Short-term acute hepatitis B infection symptoms include fever, exhaustion, appetite loss, nausea, vomiting, jaundice (yellow skin or eyes, dark urine, clay-colored stools), and pain in the muscles, joints, and stomach.
• When the hepatitis B virus persists in a person's body for an extended period of time, they develop chronic hepatitis B infection. The majority of persons who go on to acquire chronic hepatitis B do not exhibit any symptoms, yet the condition is nonetheless highly hazardous and can result in death, liver cancer, and liver damage (cirrhosis). Even though they do not themselves seem or feel ill, those who have a chronic infection can nevertheless transmit the hepatitis B virus to others.

When blood, semen, or other bodily fluid containing the hepatitis B virus enters the body of a person who is not afflicted, hepatitis B is transmitted. People may get an infection by:

• Birth (a pregnant person with hepatitis B risks infecting their unborn child)
• Sharing objects like toothbrushes or razors with an infected individual
• contact with an infected person's blood or open sores
• Sex with a partner who is infected
• Sharing syringes, needles, or other drug injection tools
• exposure to blood through the use of needles or other sharp objects

The majority of persons who receive the hepatitis B vaccination are permanently immune.

The standard dosage for the hepatitis B vaccination is 2, 3, or 4.

• Hepatitis B vaccination for infants should begin at birth, with the final dose given between 6 and 18 months of age. An essential component in stopping children' long-term illnesses and the spread of hepatitis B in the US is the birth dose of the hepatitis B vaccine.
• All children and teenagers under the age of 19 who have not received the vaccination yet should do so.
• The vaccine is also available for adults who wish to be protected against hepatitis B but have never had a vaccination.

The following individuals are also advised to have the hepatitis B vaccine:

• people who have hepatitis B in their sex relationships
• People who are sexually active but not in a committed, monogamous relationship Those seeking testing or treatment for an STD
• sexual assault or abuse victims
• males who interact romantically with other males
• People who reside with someone who has the hepatitis B virus People who share needles, syringes, or other drug-injection supplies
• Public safety and healthcare employees who may be exposed to blood or bodily fluids
• Residents and employees of developmentally handicapped facilities
• Those who are incarcerated or in prison Visitors to areas with higher hepatitis B infection rates
• People with HIV, hepatitis C, chronic liver disease, and renal disease who are on dialysis

Hepatitis B vaccine can be administered as a standalone injection or as a component of a combination vaccination, which is a form of vaccine that contains multiple shots of different vaccines.

The hepatitis B vaccination may be administered concurrently with other shots.

The varicella-zoster virus (VZV) is the virus that causes chickenpox, a particularly dangerous illness. It results in a rash that resembles blisters, itching, fatigue, and fever. In the past, chickenpox was quite prevalent in the India. About 4 million cases, 10,600 hospitalisations, and 100 to 150 fatalities each year were attributed to chickenpox.

About 90% of people may avoid getting chickenpox after receiving two doses of the vaccination. By being vaccinated, you defend both yourself and other members of your community. For individuals who cannot receive vaccinations, such as those with compromised immune systems or pregnant women, this is particularly crucial.

Even those who have had the chickenpox vaccination occasionally get the illness. But often, it is less severe, with fewer blisters and little to no fever. If you have concerns regarding the chickenpox vaccination, see a healthcare provider.

The CDC advises adults, adolescents, and children to receive two doses of the chickenpox vaccination. The vaccine should be administered to children twice, first between the ages of 4 and 6 years old and again between the ages of 12 and 15 months.

BCG TB Vaccine

A vaccination for tuberculosis (TB) is called Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG). In the US, this vaccination is not frequently utilised. However, in other nations where TB is widespread, it is frequently administered to babies and young children. BCG does not always shield individuals from contracting TB.

Recommended by BCG

Only those who satisfy particular requirements and in consultation with a TB expert are given the option of receiving BCG in the United States. If medical professionals have any queries regarding BCG vaccination for their patients, they should contact their state's or region's TB control programme.

Children

Children who have had a negative TB test and are regularly exposed to germs should only be considered for the BCG vaccine if they cannot be segregated from adults who have the disease.

• Are not being treated for their TB condition or are being treated ineffectively, and the kid cannot get long-term primary preventive therapy for TB infection; or
• Have strains of tuberculosis that are rifampin- and isoniazid-resistant.

Health Professionals

Health care providers should be given the BCG vaccine individually in environments where

• Infection with TB strains that are resistant to both isoniazid and rifampin affects a large proportion of TB patients;
• continuous transfer of drug-resistant TB strains to healthcare personnel increases the risk of further infection;
• Although extensive measures to prevent TB infections have been taken, they have not proved effective.

The dangers and advantages of both the BCG vaccine and the treatment of latent TB infection should be discussed with healthcare personnel who are considering becoming vaccinated against BCG.

TB Testing in BCG-Vaccinated Individuals

There are many Indians who were vaccinated against BCG who were born abroad.

A TB skin test may be administered to those who have already received the BCG vaccine to check for TB infection. A BCG vaccination may result in a positive TB skin test outcome. A BCG vaccine or an infection with the TB bacterium may be to blame for a positive result on a TB skin test.

Contrary to TB skin tests, TB blood tests (IGRAs) are unaffected by past BCG vaccination and are not anticipated to provide a false-positive result in BCG recipients.

The TB skin test is favoured over the TB blood test for children under the age of five.

Only the presence of the TB bacterium is revealed by a positive TB skin test or TB blood test. It cannot determine if a person has TB illness or a latent infection. To determine whether a person has TB illness, more tests are required, such as a chest x-ray and a sputum sample.

Today is designated as World Malaria Day. Every year on April 25, people throughout the world observe this day to appreciate the efforts being made to combat malaria. It is an opportunity to emphasise the requirement for ongoing financial support and political commitment to malaria prevention and control. During the 2007 World Health Assembly, WHO Member States established World Malaria Day. Time to deliver zero malaria: Invest, innovate, implement is the theme for this year. The parasites that cause malaria infect female Anopheles mosquitoes, which bite humans to spread the disease. It may be avoided and treated. High fever, chills, headaches, and other flu-like symptoms are among the signs of malaria.

Between 2015 and 2022, India saw a fall in malaria cases of almost 85.1% and a reduction in fatalities of 83.36 %. According to Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, the Union Minister for Health, India was the only high-burden nation in Southeast Asia to record a decrease in malaria incidence in 2020 compared to 2019. This was mentioned by him yesterday in New Delhi during his virtual speech to the Asia Pacific Malaria Leaders Conclave 2023. According to Dr. Mandaviya, the nation is moving quickly towards its goal of eradicating malaria by 2030. Malaria, according to him, is not just a problem for public health, but also a social, economic, and political one that needs the support of all parties involved.

The Union Health Minister emphasised how India has become a global leader for its efforts to eradicate malaria. He continued by saying that the government's numerous health programmes, such as Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, Ayushman Bharat-Health and Wellness Centres, and Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, have a significant positive impact on India's ability to battle disease. In keeping with India's G20 Presidency motto of "One Earth, One Family, One Future," the Minister also stated that New Delhi is dedicated to share its resources, expertise, and lessons learned with other nations in their effort to eradicate malaria.

Over the years, the polio virus has left millions of children globally paralysed. A virus that dwells in the digestive system and throat is what causes polio. It is mostly transferred through coming into touch with an infected person's faeces (for example, when changing diapers).

Some kids with polio have no symptoms at all. Others experience cold-like symptoms, which can occasionally include neck, back, and limb discomfort and stiffness. Yet some children who have acute muscular discomfort within a week may become paralysed, or lose the ability to move their muscles. The legs of a kid are most affected by paralysis, but other muscles, particularly those that regulate respiration, might also be affected.

Polio may be characterised as a spinal, bulbar, or spine-bulbar illness depending on the paralysis locations. Maximum paralysis progresses quickly (in 2-4 days), is frequently accompanied by muscular discomfort and fever, and seldom lasts after the patient's temperature has returned to normal.

Asymmetrical and more severe proximally than distally, spinal paralysis is common. There are no or fewer deep tendon reflexes. Respiration and swallowing can be hampered by bulbar paralysis.

In 2% to 10% of cases, paralytic polio is deadly. After the initial event, many individuals regain at least some muscular function, and within six months of the commencement of paralytic signs, the prognosis for recovery can typically be determined.

There is no cure for polio, and some kids lose their lives to it. Poliomyelitis typically takes 6 to 20 days to incubate, however it can take anywhere from 3 and 35 days.

Two different kinds of Polio vaccine are available:

• A live attenuated (weakened) oral polio vaccine (OPV).  OPV is given orally.
• An inactivated (killed) polio vaccine (IPV). Unlike OPV, IPV has to be injected by a trained health worker.

Both vaccines are highly effective against all three types of poliovirus. There are, however, significant differences in the way each vaccine works.

• OPV, oral polio vaccine

The oral polio vaccination (OPV) has two main effects: All three poliovirus types are immuned against by serum antibodies that are produced by OPV. In the case of an infection, this will shield the person from polio paralysis by stopping the virus's progress to the neurological system. The lining (also known as the "mucous membrane") of the intestines, which serves as the main location for poliovirus proliferation, is also subject to a local immune response brought on by OPV. The antibodies restrict the 'wild' (naturally occurring) virus' ability to reproduce inside the stomach, effectively preventing infection. The primary factor behind why mass vaccination campaigns with OPV may effectively halt the spread of wild poliovirus from person to person is likely the gut immune response to OPV.

•  INACTIVATED POLIO VACCINE (IPV)

The inactivated polio vaccine (IPV), which must be administered intravenously, prevents the transmission of the poliovirus to the central nervous system by generating defense-enhancing antibodies in the blood (serum immunity). However, it only significantly lowers local polivirus immunity in the gut. It thereby offers personal defence against polio paralysis but, unlike OPV, is unable to stop the transmission of wild polio virus.

Inactivated polio vaccine benefits

Since the polio virus has been rendered inactive, IPV is not a "live" vaccine and there is no chance of developing vaccine-associated polio paralysis after receiving the shot. Most IPV patients experience an excellent immunological response following their IPV vaccination.

SCHEDULE

The World Federation of Haemophilia (WHF) established World Haemophilia Day, a worldwide healthcare celebration held on April 17 each year, with the goal of urging local and national policymakers to improve access to treatment and care for people with haemophilia as well as to promote better control and prevention of the condition.

Haemophilia is a rare, severe genetic hemorrhagic illness that results from a malfunction of the proteins factor VIII and factor IX, which are necessary for blood clotting and coagulation and cause abnormal blood coagulation. Haemophilia can affect persons of any colour or ethnicity, but because it is linked to the X chromosome, men are more likely to be afflicted than women. A boy's chance of developing haemophilia is 50% higher if his mother has the condition, and that risk is equally 50% higher for her daughter. Therefore, even while haemophilia can affect females and cause problems during menstruation and delivery, it is more frequent in males.

The theme for World Haemophilia Day 2023 is "Access for All: Prevention of Bleeds as the Global Standard of Care," which is an appeal to local government officials and healthcare policymakers to emphasise the prevention, protection, and accessibility of effective treatment care for all haemophiliacs. In order to show support for the occasion, the World Federation of Haemophilia has asked well-known sites all around the world to glow red in honour of World Haemophilia Day.

Year-by-year themes for World Haemophilia Day:

World Haemophilia Day 2022 theme: Access for All: Partnership. Policy. Progress

World Haemophilia Day 2021 theme: Adapting to change: sustaining care in a new world

World Haemophilia Day 2020 theme: Get involved to carry the motive of the World Federation of Haemophilia - Treatment for all

World Haemophilia Day 2019 theme: Outreach and Identification

World Haemophilia Day 2018 theme: Sharing knowledge makes us stronger Only 25% of those affected had access to proper therapy in 2000, despite the fact