Avian Flu - the worst case scenario
[The characteristics of the killer flu]
Nowadays, avian flu is becoming an increasing threat to the world. People fear the most deadly strain of this kind of flu: H5N1. The “H” in H5N1 stands for haemagglutin, which is a protein inside the spikes of a virus. The spikes help the virus to get inside a cell, and turn it into a virus-making machine. Then, a protein called neuraminidase releases new viruses to invade other cells. The protein also stands for the “N” in H5NI.
[How did the virus start?]
However, how did this virus evolve into such a killing machine? Actually, H5NI first started in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (Hong Kong or the HKSAR). At that time, no one knew about avian flu, nor did anyone know that avian flu could jump from birds to humans. In May 1997, a three-year old boy fell sick with symptoms of flu. However, no one in the hospital knew about his illness until it was too late. After the boy died, doctors tried to investigate his death but they could not find any trace to the “mystery illness”. After a few more people died, the World Heath Organization (WHO) was called in to investigate. A team of virologists found out that the illness was transmitted from infected poultry. After the discovery, a new era of virology emerged. Now, avian flu viruses could jump from a chicken right into a human. After this astonishing news, experts began to take any case bird flu seriously. Whenever the virus was found, teams had to be called in to spray disinfectant to kill the virus. Thousands of chickens in infected areas were culled. Border checkpoints were set up to monitor vehicles crossing borders. At airports, people crossing had to be screened for symptoms of the virus. However, symptoms of avian flu develop after two to three days. Nevertheless, after a few months, the virus disappeared. The virologists breathed a sigh of relieve.
[The second wave]
However, could the deadly disease be hiding? In 2003, the virus came back. This time, its target was Thailand, Indonesia, and other Southeast Asian countries. Compared to the virus in 1997, the virus was much, much more powerful and it quickly claimed many victims. The virus is also mutating quickly, and it may mutate into a nastier or not-so-nasty form. A gene of RNA (unstable) makes all of these mutations. In addition, H5N1 is one of the viruses in the H5 that mutate very quickly. H5N1 is also one of the most “enduring viruses”. It can live for up to six days before it dies.
[How the virus attack the human body]
The H5N1 virus uses a simple tactic in attacking the human body – a tactic that all kinds of flu use. First, the virus uses protein spikes filled with haemagglutin drill into the cell. Then, its RNA is divided into equal portions. Each portion is then mixed with some of the DNA in the infected cell. Then, the other protein, neuraminidase, releases all the new viruses to invade other cells. This way, in a number of days, the whole body is taken over by the virus and the person dies. In this way, many, many persons are killed at an astonishing rate.
[The latest news]
By now, avian flu has spread far across the world. Places like Russia, Germany, France and even Britain had been infected by bird flu. The Earth should be soon facing a killer pandemic, which would be more powerful than the one of the 1900’s. All countries should be gearing up for an epidemic that could kill millions. Countries must start building “defense lines” to stop the disease in its tracks. Than, we could push it back. However, as well as personal hygiene, other important “defense lines” like vaccines and drugs should be prepared. Moreover, poultry from infected countries should be banned and those from uninfected countries should be monitored closely to see if it had the disease. People should also be monitored at borders and airports. This way, the disease should be stopped. However, to make the disease vanish, all the citizens of the Earth must take part in this campaign to stop the killer flu.
[How could we prevent this disease from spreading?]
To prevent bird flu from spreading, we have many “defense lines”. First, we must make ourselves hygienic. We should wash our hands for ten seconds after touching any raw food or dirty materials. Try to cook all food through and do not touch poultry. In addition, we must take care of our wounds. Wounds must be cleaned and disinfectants like Salvlon should be applied on them. In addition, if you are sick, you should wear a mask and see a doctor. Then, our property should be clean. People should wash their floors with disinfectant every day and clean drains once a week. After that, our environment should be spotless. Remember that viruses can grow easily in damp places so clean up any waste in your neighborhood and make sure that the drains are not blocked. Insects should not infest the environment because they can transfer other diseases.
A clean environment will stop the disease from spreading so that people can have healthier and happier lives!

Parkinson’s disease Handbook
Introduction:
-Parkinson’s disease can affect every person, no matter age, sex, etc.
-The disease is most common in elderly people.
-Symptoms can be controlled by appropriate treatment, except in some special cases.

Causes and characteristics
-Parkinson’s disease is a physical disease of the brain and is not infectious.
- It causes the decrease of a chemical in the brain.
- The cause of the disease is unknown.
-It may affect some parts of the brain, the spinal cord, nerves and muscles.
-Heredity and age play only tiny bits of the cause of Parkinson’s disease.
Symptoms and signs of Parkinsonism
-Parkinson’s disease has many symptoms.
-The most common ones are tremor and rigidity.
-Sufferers also have slow movement, problems with his /her legs, feet, and loss of balance.
-Older people may have disorders of posture, greasy skin and stiff limbs.
-A strange symptom of Parkinsonism is that there are reduced automatic movements in some people.
-There may be changed bladder and bowel habits in later stages of the disease

Types of Parkinsonism”
-There are four main types of Parkinson’s disease.
-Drug and Poison induced Parkinson’s disease are because of foreign agents like poison.
-Post encephalitic Parkinsonism is caused by a virus that affects the brain and is extremely rare.
-The final type of Parkinson’s disease is multiple system atrophies.

Suggestions for sufferers:
-Activate your brain.
-Play games like chess and mahjong.
-Exercise often.
-Go to checkups with your GP as recommended.
-Have a balanced diet.