Monday, June 29, 2009

FAQ Avywipes

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What is Avywipes?
Avywipes is a disinfectant wet wipes for use on any non-porous and non-invasive surface or medical device, especially plastic surfaces that are sensitive to alcohol.

What does contact time refer to?
It is the required time for the disinfectant to act on germs.
Avywipes will require a 5 minutes contact time to ensure an optimal disinfection,
during which the surface will not necessarily remain wet but the disinfectant will be active.

What is the different between cleaning and disinfection?
Cleaning only removes dirt and keep the surface visibly clean, but not necessarily kill the germ. Disinfection will ultimately kill the germ and leaves the surface free from becoming an infection source.

What is Avywipes mechanism of action?
The mechanical action of the wipe enhances the level of disinfection by removing soil and bioburden to allow the disinfectant to act directly on the surface. The soil and bioburden collected on the wipe are then killed by the disinfectant that remains on the wipe. The liquid released from the wipe still contains the active ingredients at sufficient levels to ensure the disinfection levels stipulated.

Do you recommend to wear gloves when using Avywipes?
Gloves are not required for use based on product ingredients; however they are recommended to be worn in the presence of blood borne pathogens and for universal precaution reasons in health care settings. It is good practice in the hygiene protocols to wear gloves, when cleaning or disinfecting.

What is the active ingredient in Avywipes?
Avywipes contain polyhexamethylene biguanide, an anti microbial that act at very low concentrations. It has a unique method of action: the polymer strands are incorporated into the bacterial cell wall, which disrupts the membrane and reduces its permeability, which has a lethal effect to bacteria. It is also known to bind to bacterial DNA, alter its transcription, and cause lethal DNA damage. The formulation in Avywipes has been tested to ensure its efficacy.

What material is the wiping cloth made of?
Avywipes wiping cloth are made of highest quality non woven spunlace. So that it can be used even on sensitive surfaces, such as computer hardware, touch screens and keyboards.

Are Avywipes safe for use on skin?
Avywipes has been developed and tested for use as a hard surface disinfectant only.
However, it is safe to skin as it contains aloe vera to retain skin moisture.
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Thursday, June 18, 2009

FAQ about Influenza A (H1N1)

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This is a community service from Avenant Medical so that members of the public have a better understanding and can take the necessary precautions.

What is Influenza A (H1N1) ?

This is a respiratory disease caused by the Type A Influenza (flu) virus. It occurs in pigs and in recent months following an outbreak in Mexico, it is apparent that the virus has spread to human beings.

Is this flu virus contagious?

It has been determined that this virus is contagious and can spread from human to human. However, at this time, it not known how easily the virus spreads between people.

What are the symptoms of Influenza A (H1N1)?

The symptoms in people are similar to the symptoms of regular human seasonal influenza and include:

- Fever
- Lethargy
- Running nose
- Cough and/or sore throat
- Lack of appetite
- Vomiting and diarrhoea in some cas
es


What measures can I take to prevent infection?

General infection control practices and good personal hand hygiene can help to reduce transmission of all viruses, including this type of influenza. This includes:

- Covering your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing, using a tissue when possible
- Disposing of dirty tissues promptly and carefully
- Maintaining good basic hygiene, for example washing hands frequently with soap and water to reduce the spread of the virus from your hands to face or to other people. Use of antiseptic handwash liquids is even better, if possible.
- Sanitising food contact surfaces and touch-points (e.g. door/fridge handles) using antiseptic cleansers (e.g. disinfectant wipes)
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth unnecessarily


If someone is feeling sick and shows symptoms of this influenza, what should they do?

They should immediately visit a doctor who will determine whether they are infected and the doctor will provide instructions on further action to be taken in the event there is a strong possibility of infection. They should also note down who they may have been in contact with to assist medical authorities and, as a precaution, remain at home until further instructions are received from health authorities.

Who should I contact to obtain information on the virus?

The Health Ministry's Disease Control Division has activated its operations room to monitor the Influenza A(H1N1) situation. Further information on the disease could be obtained by contacting 03-8881 0200 or 03-8881 0300. Latest information is also available at http://www.moh.gov.my/
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Tuesday, May 26, 2009

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Antimicrobial Products Registered for Use Against the H1N1 Flu and Other Influenza A Viruses on Hard Surfaces


National Pesticide Information Center (NPIC) 1-800-858-7378 The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are currently tracking an H1N1 flu outbreak that has caused infections in humans in the United States, Mexico, Canada and other countries. Information on this Web page will help you identify antimicrobial products that are registered by EPA to disinfect hard, non-porous surfaces that may be contaminated with the 2009-H1N1 flu.

EPA registers pesticide products, including disinfectants. As part of the registration process, EPA evaluates the product efficacy to make sure the public health label claims are accurate. Currently, over 500 disinfectant products are registered for use on hard, non-porous surfaces against influenza A viruses. EPA believes, based on available scientific information, that the currently registered influenza A virus products will be effective against the 2009-H1N1 flu strain and other influenza A virus strains on hard, non-porous surfaces. For safe and effective use of these products, always follow label instructions for these products, paying special attention to the product’s dilution rate (if applicable) and contact time.

Choose a product whose label states that it is effective against "Influenza A virus" and lists your specific site of concern, such as: farm premises, hospitals and other healthcare facilities, schools, offices or homes. These products are widely available and can be purchased at drugstores, supermarkets, and home maintenance/repair stores, among others.

As the CDC stresses, your first line of defense is to wash your hands frequently with soap and water or use an alcohol-based cleaner. These registered disinfectant products are for use on hard, non-porous surfaces, such as door knobs, handles, tables, floors, etc. EPA emphasizes that these products are not to be used on the skin or to be taken orally.

Original page : www.epa.gov

Note: Avywipes technical data provide efficacy against Influenza A. However, EPA approved products is only available in United States. Avywipes active ingredient is imported from UK. For more information please contact administrator.
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Virus Influenza A

Kategori : Kesihatan

Tanda-tanda selesema, adalah menyamai dengan selesema biasa dengan demam, batuk, hidung berair dan lenguh anggota badan. Selesema terbaru itu dikatakan lebih mudarat berbanding sebelum ini kerana ia menggabungkan virus burung, manusia dan babi.

Para pakar berkata setakat ini tidak terdapat vaksin bagi selesema terbaru itu. Bagaimanapun, mereka menasihatkan bahawa langkah terbaik adalah memastikan tangan sentiasa dibersihkan bagi mengelak jangkitan. Kementerian akan memaklumkan orang ramai dari semasa ke semasa berhubung sebarang perkembangan.

Berikut adalah maklumat berkaitan Selsema Babi

Apakah “swine influenza” atau selsema babi”?

Swine influenza atau selsema babi sangat mudah berjangkit sesama babi dan menyebabkan penyakit paru-paru akut di kalangan haiwan ini. Jenis influenza yang kerap menjangkiti babi ialah virus Influenza A/H1N1, tetapi jenis yang lain seperti H1N2, H3N1 dan H3N2 turut berada di dalam badan babi. Virus ini berjangkit di kalangan babi melalui rembesan (aerosol) secara langsung (seperti melalui batuk dan bersin) dan secara tidak langsung (sentuhan pada permukaan tercemar seperti rumput/tanah yang dicemari cecair mengandungi virus ini seperti air kencing, najis, etc.) Ia juga boleh dibawa oleh babi telah terjangkit tetapi tidak sakit (tidak mempunyai simptom).

Apakah kesan virus influenza babi ini kepada manusia?

Walaupun influenza babi biasanya menyerang babi sahaja, namun turut menyebabkan penyakit di kalangan manusia.Manusia biasanya medapat jangkitan melalui sentuhan langsung kepada cecair badan babi yang sakit seperti rembesan air liur, air kencing dan najis babi. Bagi manusia, simptom-simptom jangkitan selsema babi adalah demam, sakit tekak, sakit otot, sakit kepala, batuk, lemah badan dan rasa tidak selesa. Dalam kes-kes yang lebih serius, selsema babi boleh menyebabkan jangkitan paru-paru teruk yang dipanggil ‘pneumonia’ yang boleh membawa kepada kematian.

Jangkitan tidak terhad dari babi kepada manusia sahaja malah lebih teruk apabila ia boleh berjangkit dari manusia yang telah mendapat selsema babi kepada manusia lain yang berdekatan dengannya. Jangkitan manusia ke manusia berlaku secara langsung apabila rembesan cecair badan orang yang mendapat selsema babi seperti air liur semasa bercakap, cecair mulut dan hidung semasa batuk dan bersin terkena terus kepada orang2 disekeliling mereka. Atau secara tidak langsung apabila kita tersentuh permukaan seperti meja/tombol pintu/kertas tisu/tangan semasa bersalam yang telah tercemar dengan virus ini.

Adakah kita mempunyai imuniti terhadap selsema babi?

Kebanyakan manusia terutama yang tidak berurusan secara langsung dengan ternakan babi, tidak mempunyai sebarang imuniti terhadap selsema babi. Jadi, kita mudah dijangkiti selsema ini jika kita berurusan atau berdekatan dengan mereka yang telah dijangkiti. Jika berlakunya jangkitan selsema babi sesama manusia, kes akan merebak dengan cepat hingga menyebabkan pandemik atau wabak penyakit influenza virus yang teruk. Ia mungkin melibatkan ramai manusia seluruh dunia mendapat penyakit ini. Kematian akibat kegagalan paru-paru juga akan meningkat.

Adakah vaksin influenza mampu menghalang jangkitan?

Sehingga kini belum mempunyai vaksin khas untuk melindungi manusia dari jangkitan virus selsema babi. Juga tidak diketahui samada vaksin influenza yang diberikan pada manusia sekarang ini mampu memberi sebarang perlindungan.

FASA AMARAN JANGKITAN INFLUENZA seperti SELSEMA BABI:

Ada 6 FASA AMARAN (1 hingga 6) bagi jangkitan influenza.

Fasa 1 - 2 : berlaku jangkitan di kalangan haiwan sahaja
Fasa 3 : Jangkitan berlaku dari haiwan kepada manusia
Fasa 4 - 6 : Jangkitan berlaku dari manusia kepada manusia. Wabak besar (pandemik) berlaku menyebabkan banyak manusia yang sakit dan mati.

Pertubuhan Kesihatan Sedunia (WHO) mengisytiharkan FASA AMARAN ADALAH FASA 4 kerana banyak jangkitan sesama manusia telah dan sedang berlaku. Langkah berjaga2 perlu diambil untuk mengelakkan lebih ramai yang terkena selsema babi.

Oleh itu, PENCEGAHAN ADALAH YANG TERBAIK BAGI MENGELAKKAN KITA MENDAPAT SELSEMA BABI.

Untuk menghalang jangkitan, kita perlu melakukan perkara perkara berikut:

1. Elakkan dari berada berdekatan dengan mereka yang kelihatan tidak sihat, mempunyai demam dan batuk.

2. Basuh tangan dengan air serta sabun secara kerap dan menyeluruh terutama sekali jika selepas batuk dan bersin (menggunakan tangan untuk menutup mulut) serta selepas berdekatan/bersalaman dengan orang yang tidak sihat (virus selsema babi dan influenza yang lain akan mati dengan sabun dan bahan pembersih).

3. Tutup mulut dan hidung semasa batuk atau bersin dengan kertas tisu dan terus buang tisu tersebut ke dalam tong sampah (jangan ditinggalkan di atas meja)

4. Amalkan tabiat kesihatan yang baik seperti cukup tidur, makan makanan berkhasiat dan senaman untuk meningkatkan/memperkuatkan sistem pertahanan badan.

5. Jika sakit (demam, selsema, batuk, etc.), dapatkan rawatan doktor secepat mungkin dan tinggal di rumah. Elakkan pergi ke tempat kerja dan tempat2 yang ramai dikunjungi orang seperti kompleks membeli belah, taman permainan, kedal makan dll. Rehat secukupnya dan minum air dengan banyak. Pakai penutup mulut (face mask) jika di khalayak ramai.

6. Beritahu keluarga/rakan2/teman sekerja yang anda tidak sihat serta minta mereka membantu anda untuk tugas2 yang memerlukan anda berjumpa orangramai seperti membeli-belah (perlu diingatkan bahawa orang yang sakit mempunyai imuniti badaan yang rendah dan senang dijangkiti oleh selsema babi atau penyaki2 lain)

7. Pastikan kawasan persekitaran sentiasa bersih dan cuci menggunakan bahan pembersih

8. Jika anda ingin mengunjungi negara yang telah mempunyai kes selsema babi, dapatkan nasihat doktor, ketahui keadaan kes di tempat yang akan anda kunjungi. Perlu berhati-hati jika kes semakin meningkat. Sehingga kita CDC/WHO/Kementerian Kesihatan/PETRONAS belum mengeluarkan sebarang larangan untuk melawat negara2 yang mendapat jangkitan tetapi elokkan dielakkan buat sementara waktu jika lawatan tersebut tidak/kurang penting.

9. Ketahui perkembangan terkini dengan membaca suratkhabar atau laman web Kementerian Kesihatan/WHO/CDC

Pada 23 November 2008, POD/PGB telah menjalankan Latihan Persediaan Kecemasan Pandemik Selsema Burung (Avian Influenza Emergency Preparedness Exercise). Latihan persediaan tersebut juga bersesuaian dengan persediaan kepada Kecemasan Selsema Babi (Swine Influenza) yang sedang berlaku sekarang kerana kesan wabak kedua-dua jenis selsema ini adalah sama.
(Sumber: WHO, CDC dan Kementerian Kesihatan)
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