Category: Infectious Disease

Community Health Worker Related

Update from WiRED Community Health Workers in Kenya

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During the month of November, 12 WiRED International community health workers (CHWs) in Kisumu, Kenya, reached an astounding total of 7,160 people with health services. COVID-19 was the primary concern followed closely by malaria, HIV/AIDS and then teenage pregnancy, nutrition, cold and flu, and menstrual hygiene.

In September WiRED CHWs in Kisumu reached a total of 5,382 people, so October saw an increase of 1,778 people. Each of the 12 CHWs met with at least 53 patients a week, and the largest number seen in a week by a CHW was 332.

Community Health Worker Related

WiRED International Marks World AIDS Day on December 1

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The theme of World AIDS Day 2021 is “End inequalities. End AIDS.” The tagline recognizes the growing disproportion in access to essential HIV services. Tragically, populations in Africa are most severely affected, where nearly one in every 25 adults lives with HIV, which accounts for more than two-thirds of the people living with HIV worldwide.

This year underserved communities again face greater risk for HIV infection and AIDS-related deaths as the COVID-19 pandemic disrupts HIV/AIDS prevention, testing, treatment and care services. Further, the World Health Organization (WHO) warns that HIV infection increases the risk of severe and critical COVID-19.

Global Health

Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD): A Killer of Marginalized Populations

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Winter brings seasonal increases in strep throat, a bacterial infection which if not treated with an antibiotic can lead to rheumatic fever, rheumatic heart disease (RHD) and even death.
Although RHD is completely preventable, it affects 39 million people worldwide, many of them children in low-resource countries.

WiRED International has long targeted RHD. Nearly a decade ago, we started to develop a suite of programs designed to educate and curb the spread of the infection.

Community Health Worker Related

A Thanksgiving Message from WiRED International

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WiRED International’s board and volunteers wish you a happy and healthy Thanksgiving.

This American holiday is about sharing, and this year that must include the sharing of programs and resources to promote good health and to prevent and treat illness. While we give thanks for the blessings in our lives, we also remember the people in need who live in our own communities and around the world. For the fortunate, Thanksgiving means a bountiful meal, but for far too many living in underserved communities this day and every day lead to starvation from food scarcity and to diseases such as COVID-19, malaria and too many others.

Global Health

WiRED Releases Diphtheria Modules

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Diphtheria — a disease generally easy to prevent and nearly eradicated globally — is making a comeback because of its growing resistance to antibiotics — although antibiotics are still the go-to treatment of choice.

WiRED International now offers two diphtheria modules: one for general audiences and one for health professionals. The modules describe diphtheria, its causes, transmission, risk factors, signs and symptoms, complications, diagnosis, treatment, prevention and vaccination.

Community Health Worker Related

Update from WiRED Community Health Workers in Kenya

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During the month of September, 12 WiRED International community health workers in Kisumu, Kenya, reached a total of 5,382 people with health services. COVID-19 was the primary concern while other issues addressed included malaria, handwashing, HIV/AIDS, nutrition and first aid.

Throughout Africa, and in nearly all low-income regions around the world, CHWs augment the professional medical corps by offering critical medical and public health services. They provide community health education, basic clinical services, health surveillance, mother and child assistance and much more.

Community Health Worker Related

WiRED’s Community Health Workers Update from Kenya

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Throughout Africa, and in nearly all low-income regions around the world, community health workers (CHWs) augment the professional medical corps by offering critical medical and public health services. They provide community health education, basic clinical services, health surveillance, mother and child assistance and much more.

Early in 2020. WiRED International inaugurated our CHW Training Program to teach local people in Kisumu, Kenya, about health basics, patient assessment, clinical issues, health teaching and monitoring.

Global Health

Dengue Infections on the Rise

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The double punch of COVID-19 and dengue outbreaks is endangering health care in dengue-endemic countries such as Brazil, India, Vietnam and the Philippines.

The overlapping of the two diseases presents a challenge for accurate diagnosis and treatment because both infections initially share similar symptoms. Dengue programs have been halted in many countries as efforts are focused on stopping COVID-19. Funds for dengue routine vector control and mosquito netting have decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic. Hospital beds are in short supply.

Global Health

WiRED Releases Two Modules on Long-Haul COVID-19

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What is long-haul COVID-19?

Long-haul COVID-19 — Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection — occurs when patients who have been infected with the virus experience new, recurring or ongoing symptoms four or more weeks after infection, sometimes after initial symptom recovery. These post-virus conditions constitute a lack of return to a usual state of health after the COVID-19 illness. Symptoms include fatigue, shortness of breath, “brain fog,” sleep disorders, fevers, gastrointestinal symptoms, anxiety and depression. They can persist for months and range from mild to incapacitating. In some cases, new symptoms arise well after the time of infection or evolve over time.