health focus · 2020. 8. 6. · rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease awareness week look...

Aon Employee BenefitsHealthcare

• Breakfast in Bed

Which woman doesn’t want to wake up to fresh coffee, OJ, and pancakes for breakfast? Thisis an easy, fun solution to keep your kids engaged and excited while cooking up somethingdelicious.

• Coupon Books

Kids can create a coupon book just for her that’s redeemable for household chores,unlimited hugs, nail painting or an at-home massage.

• Homemade Arts and Crafts

Because kids can’t bring art or crafts typically made in school home, parents can work withkids to make simple, yet meaningful art creations from home. Some ideas include hand/footprints, noodle necklaces, painted flower pots or a simple card made with constructionpaper and markers.

• A ‘Mixed Tape’

Although mixed tapes no longer exist, the idea of making a playlist with her favourite songswill always be cherished. Work some exercise into it by using the playlist to have a danceparty with the whole family.

• Flowers, Online Gifts, and Takeout

You still have time to order flowers for delivery or personal gifts online. Maybe a soft set ofpyjamas or comfy slippers, gardening tools or candles will brighten her day. Or, if you wantto host a special brunch or dinner for her, you can order delivery to support local businessesand elegantly plate the food so it feels more special.

In this Issue

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August is Women’s month

Health FocusAugust is Women’s month

• Timeless Traditions

• New Norms

• Get Recommended Screenings andPreventive Care

• Practice Healthy Behaviors

• Rheumatic Fever and RheumaticHeart Disease Awareness Week

As we approach the new norm, Women’s day can still be celebrated, here are some tips on how.

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Timeless Traditions

Health Focus | Aon Employee Benefits - Healthcare | August 2020 2


• Share Love on Social Media

If you’re on Facebook or Instagram, share a photo of you and your special lady with a message. All of the likes and comments will surely makeher smile.

• Family Walk or Exercise

If the weather cooperates, be sure to get outside and take a socially-distanced walk with the family, or set up a fun exercise class at home forher and the kids to do together. There are plenty of ideas online!

• Video Card

Can’t make it to the card store? No problem! Smartphones have made it easier than ever to record special sentiments that she can keepforever. Make it a tradition and she can watch her child grow throughout the years.

Protect your health by getting the care you need to prevent disease, disability, and injuries. Regular check-ups are important. Preventive care can keep disease away or detect problems early so that treatment is more effective. During COVID-19, some health services are now being done either online or by phone. Talk to your healthcare provider to find out what screenings and exams you need and when.

• Many health insurance plans offer preventive services for women

• Learn tips to prepare to talk to your doctor or another healthcare provider, before your next appointment. Review your family health history.Write down any questions or issues you may have and take them to your appointment.

Get Recommended Screenings and Preventive Care

If you choose to do a physical activity outdoors, practice social distancing. Make sure to use a cloth face covering to protect yourself and others during COVID-19. You can learn more about how much physical activity adults, older adults, and children need on CDC’s website.

Get moving

Enjoy a Healthy and Balanced Diet

Nutrition is an essential part of a healthy lifestyle. Learn the basics healthier eating habits and also safe ways to shop for food and other items during COVID-19.

• A healthy eating plan includes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fat-free and low-fat milk and other dairy products, lean meats, and islow in salt, saturated and trans fats, and added sugars.

• Women need folic acid every day for the healthy new cells thebody makes daily. It’s also important to help prevent major birthdefects when pregnant.

• Avoid drinking too much alcohol. Excessive alcohol use hasimmediate effects that increase the risk of many harmful healthconditions and can lead to the development of chronic diseases. Ifyou choose to drink, do so in moderation, which is up to 1 drink aday for women.

Physical activity is one of the most important things you can do for your health. It lowers your risk of heart disease which is the leading cause of death for women. With many people following social distancing guidelines, being physically active may be hard. Here are five ways you and your family can be active safely at home:

1. Find an exercise video online

Search the internet for exercise videos that are led by certifiedexercise leaders or trainers and match your interests, abilities, andfitness level. You can find videos to help you do aerobics, dance,stretch, and build strength. No gym or special equipment needed.You can also find videos created especially for kids and older adults.

2. Work out with items you have around the house

Use full water bottles, canned goods, or other items for strengthtraining if you don’t have weights around the house. Stretch with atowel. Walking or running up and downstairs (that are clear ofobstacles to avoid tripping) can be a great workout.

3. Make the most of screen time

While watching TV, your family can do jumping jacks duringcommercials or move along with the characters in a show or movieby walking or running in place.

4. Family playtime is a great time to work in physical activity

Hoola hoops, hopscotch, jumping jacks, and jump ropes are agreat way for the whole family to get active. Games like Hide-and-Seek and playing catch keep everyone moving and having fun.

5. Housework and yardwork count!

Vacuuming, sweeping, gardening, and cleaning inside and outsidewhere you live all count towards your physical activity goal. Andyou’ll knock out some items on your to-do list while gaining healthbenefits.

New Norms

Prioritize Mental HealthKeep your mind and body healthy. Research shows that positive mental health is associated with improved health. It may be tough during COVID-19 to maintain healthy behaviours and manage stress. There are some important steps you can take to get the support you need to cope with stress:

• Take care of your body

• Take steps to prevent yourself from getting sick

• Take deep breaths, stretch, or meditate

• Try to eat healthy, well-balanced meals

• Exercise regularly, get plenty of sleep

• Avoid alcohol and drugs

• Take breaks from watching or listening to news stories andreading about COVID-19.

• Make time to unwind. Try to do some other activities youenjoy.

• Connect with others. Talk with people you trust about yourconcerns and how you are feeling.

• Find a local support group. Support groups provide a safeplace for people to find comfort. You are not alone.

• Recognize when you need more help. If stress gets in theway of your daily activities for several days in a row, or you arethinking about suicide, talk to a psychologist, social worker, orprofessional counsellor.

• If you are feeling overwhelmed with emotions such assadness, depression, anxiety, or feel like you want to harmyourself or others or are being harmed see contact detailsprovided in the table.

Depression and Anxiety Helpline 0800 70 80 90

ADHD Helpline 0800 55 44 33

Akeso Psychiatric Response Unit 24 Hour 0861 435 787

Department of Social Development Substance

Abuse

24hr helpline

0800 12 13 14

SMS 32312

Pharmadynamics Police &Trauma Line 0800 20 50 26

SADAG Mental Health Line 011 234 4837

Suicide Crisis Line0800 567 567

SMS 31393

SAPS Crime Stop 0800 600 10111

Ambulance & Fire Brigade 10177

Netcare 911 082 911

ER24 084 124

Cell Phone Emergency 112

Child Line 08000 55555

Life Line 0861 322 322

Cipla 24 Hour Mental Health Helpline

0800 456 789

WhatsApp:

076 88 22 77 5

Pharmadynamics Police & Trauma Line 0800 20 50 26

Gender-Based Violence Command Centre 0800 428 428

Stop Gender Violence Helpline0800 150 150

*120*7867#Source: https://www.gov.za/about-government/government-call-centres-and-help-lines

You can learn more about Mental Health & Coping During COVID-19 and how to cope with Stress During Infectious Disease Outbreaks on CDC’s website.

Practice Healthy Behaviors

Source:

https://www.cdc.gov/healthequity/features/nwhw/index.html

Daily decisions influence overall health. Small actions can help keep you safe and healthy and set a good example for others.

• Practice social distancing and protect yourself during theCOVID-19 pandemic.

• Get enough sleep is important for overall health. It impacts how you feel and perform during the day. Adults need at least 7 hours of sleep each night. Children and adolescents should get between 8 to 12 hours of sleep depending on age each night. Avoid distracted driving, which is driving while doing another activity that takes your attention away from the road. E

• Be smokefree. Call the National Council Against Smoking (NCAS) QUIT Line: 011 720 3145





What are rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease?Rheumatic fever is an inflammatory disorder caused by a Group A strep throat infection. It affects the connective tissue of the body, causing temporary, painful arthritis and other symptoms.

In some cases, rheumatic fever causes long-term damage to the heart and its valves. This is called rheumatic heart disease.

Causes of rheumatic fever

Rheumatic fever occurs as a result of a rare strain of strep throat that isn’t treated with antibiotics quickly enough or at all. Doctors aren’t sure why this rare strain of strep triggers this inflammatory disorder. It’s probably because antibodies (special proteins in the blood that attack strep) mistakenly also attack healthy cells, such as the heart muscle and valve cells, as well as joint, brain and skin tissue, causing a reaction that results in inflammation

Strep throat is most common in school-aged children, and so is rheumatic fever. Rheumatic fever was a leading cause of disability and death in children in the United States before 1960. Today, rheumatic fever is not common in the United States because most people have access to penicillin and other antibiotics. However, it does still occur in this country and remains a leading cause of early death in countries with less-developed healthcare systems.

There is also a genetic factor in rheumatic fever. The members of some families are much more likely to develop it, and researchers are currently looking to understand why.

Rheumatic Fever and Rheumatic Heart Disease Awareness WeekLook after your heart

More than 27 years ago, the National Department of Health declared the first week of August what is now known as Rheumatic Fever and Rheumatic Heart Disease Awareness Week. Each year the first week of August is dedicated to highlighting and raising awareness about this entirely preventable disease which causes unnecessary death and suffering amongst the poorest communities in our country. This Rheumatic Fever and Rheumatic Heart Disease Awareness Week (3 - 9 August 2018) and in memory of Professor Bongani Mayosi, who tirelessly championed the fight against RHD, we call on health leaders in South Africa to pay attention to the devastation that the disease continues to inflict.

“Rheumatic heart disease is the leading cause of acquired heart disease in children and young adults in South Africa, and the sixth highest cause of death due to heart disease. There is a need to prioritise the prevention of the disease and the control of rheumatic fever,” says Dr Vash Mungal-Singh, Vice President of the World Heart Federation.

Globally, as many as 34 million people suffer from rheumatic heart disease, and up to 319,400 people die prematurely from the disease each year. The cause of the disease is rheumatic fever, which is the consequence of an untreated sore throat resulting from an autoimmune reaction to a streptococcal infection, known as strep throat. The travesty of this situation is that controlling a strep throat is effective and inexpensive, with antibiotics that have been around for over a century, which is why experts urge parents to never ignore a sore throat.

Raising awareness about RHD and its cause is therefore imperative to prevent the disease which in turn is integral to its eradication. Professor Mayosi strongly believed that South Africa has the conditions required for success in eradicating ARF and ending RHD, so let’s all pay tribute to him by making his vision a reality.

Rheumatic fever can cause:

• Carditis: inflammation of the heart muscle and heart tissue.Carditis can cause a rapid heart rate, fatigue, shortness of breathand exercise intolerance. This is the most serious of thesymptoms and may have long-term health effects. Carditisoccurs in approximately 50 percent of those who haverheumatic fever

• Arthritis: swelling, redness and pain in the joints, especiallyknees, ankles, elbows and wrists. This is a common symptomand occurs in approximately 70 percent of people who haverheumatic fever

• Splotchy rash that doesn’t itch

• Subcutaneous nodules: tiny, hard lumps under the skin

• Fever

• Chorea: involuntary movement of the extremities. This is morecommon in females (previously called “St. Vita’s dance”)

There is no single test to diagnose rheumatic fever. Your child’s doctor may use the modified Jones criteria to determine if your child has rheumatic fever. A child must show evidence of a prior strep infection through throat culture or blood work, as well as labs that show inflammation in the body. These tests, combined with other physical findings and signs of heart involvement, help doctors make the diagnosis.

Your child’s doctor may also order an electrocardiogram (ECG) and/or an echocardiogram (ultrasound of the heart). An ECG is done to look for abnormal electrical conduction through the heart; an echocardiogram is done to look for leaking heart valves, fluid in the sac around the heart or poor heart muscle function.

Testing and diagnosis of rheumatic fever

Signs and symptoms of rheumatic fever



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The content hereof is intended for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Although we take efforts to ensure that the medical information is up to date, we cannot guarantee that the content reflects the most up-to-date research. Whilst we have made every attempt to source the most reliable information for distribution and awareness of our clients, we confirm that the information in the attached brochure should not be construed as medical advice and recommend that you consult a medical practitioner to discuss your concerns and confirm a diagnosis.

Copyright® 2020. Aon SA (Pty) Ltd. All rights reserved.

Source:

http://www.chdru.uct.ac.za/news/rheumatic-fever-and-rheumatic-heart-disease-awareness-week

Treatments for rheumatic feverPenicillin, aspirin and other medicines are used to treat rheumatic fever. Children will also have to stay on a low dose of penicillin for years to reduce the risk of recurrence. It’s very important to prevent a recurrence because of the risk of more damage to the heart.

Outlook for rheumatic feverCarditis, or inflammation of the heart muscle and tissue, is the most serious result of rheumatic fever. Some children don’t develop carditis while others develop mild carditis that may not cause problems in the future.

For children who do develop severe carditis, the inflammation leads to scarring and permanent damage to the heart, and particularly to the heart valves. The mitral valve, which controls the flow of blood between the upper left chamber and the lower left chamber of the heart, is most often damaged. The aortic valve, which sends the blood from the left lower chamber out to the body, is the next most commonly affected heart valve. Leakage of the heart valves is the most common finding.

In later years, blockage of the mitral valve can occur due to scarring. If either valve starts to leak severely, surgery to repair or replace it may be necessary. Usually, this isn’t necessary before adulthood, but in severe cases, surgery during youth is necessary.

Follow-up care for rheumatic feverChildren and teens who have serious rheumatic heart disease will need to see a cardiologist regularly for the rest of their lives. The doctor will monitor heart function so that if problems develop, they can be addressed as quickly as possible.

health focus · 2020. 8. 6. · rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease awareness week look...

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