Pig Flu – H1N1

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The whole world recently turn their focus to the new Influenza A virus, or also known as the Swine Influenza Virus (SIV). The first case of this virus actually happened in late March.  But, the whole thing is said to be under control and outbreak is wanning. Since there was no solid evidence that the virus was from pigs, Chulet is not even sure why everyone still call it Swine Flu… Currently, it is only confirmed that the virus is spreading from human-to-human type.

However, there are some experts who raise some concern that the ‘flu-season’ (Probably they mean winter – where flu is quite a common thing) is coming soon and they are worry the new virus might merge with the common flu to became a migthier virus. (Not really sure where I read it already… )

Chulet was very interested about this as she will need to travel to the States in June. Instead of worrying about it, the best thing to do is to keep myself educated about this virus.

Some of the interesting pointers Chulet got from online / newspapers / emails are

1) Remember to wash your hand with soap often and each time you should try to wash them for at least 20 seconds. Chulet’s bf made a valid comment about washing the TAP too. I mean, it will definitely defeat the purpose if your hands are clean but then you infected them again when you turn off the tap. (From some reports I read, it was mentioned that this virus can actually live outside the body on surfaces for up to 3 days)

2) Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze with tissues. Remember to dispose of the tissue properly after that. (Again – remember to wash your hand after that)

3) DON”T touch your face with your hands / fingers… (this means NO nose picking !! rubbing your eyes, biting on your nails ! and etc..)

4) Try not to touch at things in public places (bus station, train station, library, parks, playground and etc..)

5) Bring along alcohol hand sanitizer wherever you go. (And perhaps also baby wipes to clean the area a little before you sit or eat in public places)

6) Wear nose and mouth mask… (Never like this – make breathing really inconvinient)

7) SEE the doctor immediately if you are feeling feverish, having sore throat, runny nose, cough, muscle pain, severe headache, chill, nausea or if you are vomitting.

8) Might be a good idea to get 1 box of Tamiflu (only if you NEED to travel to countries with confirmed infected case). Try not to stockpile them as this will means that you are taking away medication supply from people who will really need it. 1 box of Tamiflu consists of 10 capsules, which you are suppose to take 2 times a day IF and IF you are showing signs of the influenza. Again, the medication should be taken at the early stage of the influenza to stop the progression of the virus.  Personally, I would recommend you to only take it IF you have no immediate access to clinic / hospital when you are experiencing the influenza symptoms.

Chulet pray that everyone will keep healthy and safe during these time.

Intense Pulse Light (IPL) treatment -__-

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Chulet has always been fascinated with the permanent hair removal possibility !!

Think about it .. No more tweezing, No more waxing !! No MORE hairy ..erm.. parts.

Fortunately, chulet is not very very hairy. But then there are certain occasion / functions whereby it will be required that I undergo the torture of being waxed. I am thankful that I am not as hairy as some. When I was watching Sex in the City, there was one scene where Harry went for waxing for his beloved. The pain when I hear the loud ripping sound… brr.. Those who wax, will know.

So, you would understand why the thought of permanently removing it sounds heavenly.. ;oP

Chulet also is very very scare of pain.. sob sob. When I was young, chulet had to go for some injection thingy. Chulet scream and cry so loud that the some of the people at the waiting room actually jumped out from the chair (according to the nurse – who know my mom very well) anyway, getting back to IPL..

Several years back, many of chulet’s friend went for Laser treatment and some of them came back with feedback that it is only little pain..

Chulet : HOW Little?

Friend : aiyah.. very very little.. just a quick prick.

Chulet : what you mean by prick? like needle prick? O__O

Friend : well.. more like ant bites.

Chulet : ANT ?? Red ant or black??

Friend : (roll their eyes)

Anyway, the point is I am really scare of pain and I HATE pain. So, I decided not to take the risk..

Recently, a good friend introduce chulet to IPL. (well, it was not really like introduce but sort of like throw into it). The friend was doing the IPL treatment and I was suppose to meet this friend there after my hair-cut. When I was there in the ‘clinic’, the lady there educate me about IPL. Somemore she throw in a free ‘one shot’ trial for me. She claim that it is PAIN-less… WOW…. no pain le.. Chulet is super interested already.

So, Chulet obediently  follow the nice lady to the room. The lady started explaining that she will first roll on some cold thingy on me before she zap one shot onto me. After zapping, she ask me if I feel anything. Truthfully, there was no pain !! I didn’t feel anything. probably numb from the cold. After that, she smile at me and ask if I want to do the whole area.. (chulet thought about it…for like 5 second) and nod my head.

The lady happily zapped away. .. zap.. zapp.. Zap… still not pain !

The whole process lasted for like 5 – 10 minutes and it was done. (huh? so fast?) After that, I was told to come back in for another 6 sessions, (1 month apart)

The result from only one session seems like it is starting to work.. (Happy happy..)

Can’t wait for the second session….

Chulet’s Migraine history..

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Last few days has been insufferably hot… Even when Chulet is sitting in the office with full air-conditions blasting about, chulet was still sweating !! And considering how chulet like to eat, she is even scare of going out from the office for lunch !!   The problem with heat for chulet is that she always get a migraine when it gets too hot. Unfortunately, the migraine come on on thursday during noon time. It was so bad I decided to call it a day and go home to get some medication. Since I was 12, I had migraine. I have tried many medication. Taking 4 panadols at one time will do nothing for me. Eventually, the doctors start me with panadeine. It is never good to take too much painkillers. The more you take, the more you are immune to them.. I guess it is a little like sleeping pills. When I was studying in Melbourne, the doctors there gave me Imigran. Unlike panadeine, the pain doesn’t miraculously dissapear immediate. However, I notice that the length of each episode is greatly reduce. When I was on Panadeine, the pain went away after a 2 hours of sleep.. but it will eventually come and go for the next 3-5 days. With Imigran, it was down to 2-3 days. So, it was definitely a relief for me… Fortunately, I am not a very frequent migraine suffer as my migraine only comes about 2 times a month then. Whenever I start feeling like I am having a stiff neck and my head feels heavy, I know the trobbing will come next. In another 30 minutes of so, I will be almost crippled by the pain. Any sounds, light,  smell or small movement I make, makes the pain worst. Whenever I have migraine, everything stops. All my activities, my studies, my life, all takes a pause. I cannot function at all except to lie in the bed with all the curtain drawn. Air-condition to the max. No one in the house is allow to watch TV or make any noise !! Finally, dad got a little worried and brought me to a singapore hospital for a full brain scan. Thankfully, they found nothing. The doctor then swtich my medication to zomig. Zomig was a little hard to take as I find the taste ‘awful’. Whenever I think or type zomig, I can taste the awful taste in my mouth.. yuck.. But, the amazing thing is zomig helps to ease the pain alot quicker than Imigran and also cut the length to almost 1-2 days. It is also because the singapore doctor tell me that imigran got side effect. after taking it for too long, might give heart problem.. O__O So, what next? My dad was introduce to American Ginseng or ‘pau-sam’ in Cantonese (the really very good quality type -so he claims).. He got a little obsessed with this little root-thing. All the sudden, anyone who has any sickness, my dad introduce them to eat the ginseng ! ;oP As for me, I was also one of his pet-project. He started making me take ‘pau-sam’. At first, I was reluctant as I don’t really like the bitterish taste of the soup made from the ginseng. Some people boil it with chicken to make it taste better. For me, I prefer it to be less oily. So, I usually just boil it with water and a pinch of salt. Eventually, the taste kinda grew on me. I start taking it even the weather gets too hot or whenever I had too much heaty food. Nobody can really ran away from heaty food in Malaysia. Even out King of Fruit (durian-san) is a super heaty fruit. There is some change. I notice that my migraine frequency dropped !! After taking the ‘pau-sam’ for like 6 months, my migraine only comes about 3-4 months once !! For all those who suffer migraine, I am sure this is a GREAT relief. For those lucky ones who don’t, you don’t know what a relief it is to be able to do anything and eat anything without the worry of getting the kinda of pain that only migraine suffer will understand… So, for those of you (non-chinese) who might be desperate enough, why not try it? It is tradisional medicine anyway. If it can’t cure it totally, it is still suppose to have help make one’s body healthier.  😉