Sunny Health

Haze conditions in Singapore have reached the Very Unhealthy range, occasionally crossing over into the Hazardous range. It is time to don the N95 mask when you're out and about to reduce the inhalation of harmful particles.

You can purchase masks from major pharmacies like Unity, Watsons and Guardian as well as major supermarkets like Cold Storage and Fairprice. Please do not launch into panic buying and attempt to stockpile large quantities as that is unfair for others who are also in need.

You are also advised against buying N95 masks from non-reputable vendors as those may not be the authentic N95 masks and would not have the same preventive functions.

N95 masks are reusable if you keep them in shape and unsoiled. To prolong their lifespan, be sure to fold them back into the shape they came in after use. Use clean tissue to wipe the mask for better hygiene. For those who wear make-up, your makeup may come off onto the mask so be sure to clean up those patches of makeup as well. Wipe your mouth clean after eating before putting on your mask. If you have a cold/flu, you will unfortunately have to change your mask regularly as it is unhealthy to wear a germs-infested mask. Do not share a used N95 mask with other people.


Free N95 mask distribution for the elderly and low-income

People’s Association (PA) is distributing N95 masks on Friday, 25 September 2015, from 10am to 10pm at all 108 Community Clubs islandwide.

Who qualifies:
Singaporeans and PRs with blue CHAS card or Pioneer Generation card
ComCare recipients above 62 or with longer term medical issues

If they can't queue in person:
Someone can queue and sign off on their behalf with their card
PA Grassroots Volunteers will organise home visits to residents who are immobile or sick and elderly with medical conditions and living alone.

Know someone who needs masks but can't go for the distribution? Please help them to queue if they will give you their card, or inform the volunteers at the CCs so they can organise the home visit.

Some Residents’ Committees (RC) may have masks, according to a PA volunteer who answered my query on Facebook. Those who live far from your nearest CCs may consider approaching your RC first to ask.


Limitations of the N95 mask

The N95 mask is not for everyone. It decreases the volume of air intake in a bid to block out the harmful particles, and thus makes breathing harder. It is not suitable for people with respiratory problems. Some pregnant women may also feel unwell wearing it. There are no child-sized masks recommended by MOH. If you're not suited for wearing an N95 mask, do refrain from going outdoors.

Stay indoors with your windows closed and the fans or air-conditioner/air-cooler switched on. If you have neither of these, the PA is opening its air-conditioned rooms in its CCs and RCs to members of the public. Other free facilities with air-conditioning include public libraries and shopping malls. 14 Libraries will operate from 9am instead of the usual 10am. The list of libraries is available here.

Drink lots of water to flush out the toxins, have a healthy diet and sufficient sleep to keep your immune system strong against this awful weather. Don't forget about the ways you can keep your body grooving through a list of indoor fitness activities listed in this post.

Last but not least, spread the messages to your neighbours, friends, elderly people on the streets... anyone whom you know may lack the awareness! Help the authorities and volunteers to effectively reach out to everyone in need!

Technician Mr Tan Whee Boon made headlines last month when all his limbs had to be removed after he contracted gangrene from the medical complications. He had been hospitalised after consuming raw fish.

Less than a month later, gardener Mr Chew went through the same symptoms and had to undergo amputations for his left hand and legs. However, he had not consumed raw fish, but merely had a packet of rice.

Alarming as it sounds, and tempting as it seems to put the blame on unscrupulous food handlers serving up unfresh food, we are all carriers of GBS, the bacteria that had caused the poisoning. Quoting the Ministry of Health, “GBS is a common bacterium that colonises the human gut and urinary tract. While GBS does not usually cause disease in healthy individuals, it may occasionally cause infections of the bloodstream, skin and soft tissue, joints, lungs and brain. The risk factors for GBS infection include underlying chronic or co-morbid conditions.”

Additionally, GBS or any sort of bacterium are not the direct cause of gangrene or warrants the need for amputation. Rather, complications of an infection causes the toxins to initiate a full-body inflammatory response, a situation known as Septic shock. This problem often occurs in the elderly or people with a weakened immune system due to age or chronic diseases. During septic shock, blood clots form, blocking oxygen and nutrients from reaching the vital organs. When the organs start failing, this could lead to a vast drop in blood pressure resulting in death. The blood clots can also cause gangrene, or tissue death, in the limbs, fingers and toes.

It is therefore not at all practical to swear off raw fish or get paranoid about eating out. To prevent infections and food poisoning, good hygiene is always a must.

Wash your hands before and after handling food.

Maintain cleanliness of your kitchen area and utensils

Use separate chop boards for raw and ready-to-eat foods

Do not wash raw chicken. Raw chicken contains Campylobacter, a common cause of food poisoning that is potentially fatal. Splashing water from washing chicken can spread the bacteria. This is because water droplets travel more than 50cm in every direction
Cook food thoroughly. Leave preparation of rare and medium-rare foods in the hands of the experts.

Do not consume food past their expiry date.

Handling leftovers: Cool leftovers within 90 minutes, cover and refrigerate. Leftovers should be reheated till steaming hot for consumption within the next two days. Leftovers should not be reheated more than once.

Do not leave cooked food or raw meat outside for more than two hours. In light of our hot weather, food turns bad very easily.

Above all, take care of your health, and always seek medical treatment when you're unwell, and make sure your doctor is thorough with his diagnosis. Mr Matthew Ames, who lost all his limbs when he was diagnosed with Strep A resulting in toxic shock syndrome, felt that the tragedy would have been prevented if his five doctors had not misdiagnosed him with the flu. Indeed, the initial symptoms for flu and infection are rather similar for viral and bacterial infections often have similar symptoms. Vomiting, diarrhea, rash and swelling and weakness of limbs are also possible follow-up symptoms as demonstrated in the cases of Mr Ames, Mr Tan and Mr Chew.

Misdiagnoses sometimes happens due to lack of awareness, especially in the case of rare medical conditions. In the case of Mr Tan and Mr Chew, many Singaporeans were in disbelief or misunderstood the cause of the problem simply due to lack of awareness. Share your knowledge, and don't be afraid to press your doctor, for doctors are not necessarily all-knowing.

Sources:
http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/homehygiene/Pages/Washing-chicken-can-cause-campylobacter-food-poisoning.aspx
http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/homehygiene/Pages/Foodhygiene.aspx
http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/homehygiene/Pages/food-leftovers-safety.aspx