Below I will be talking about three interesting facts that I found in chapter 12. The main topic for chapter 12 is infectious disease. I will talk about “your immune system”, “viral infection: the cold and flu” and also “sexually transmitted infections.”
In the section that talks about the immune system, it covers various topics. For example, it talks about how the function of the immune system, vaccines, and also autoimmune diseases. In these unprecedented times, I would like to share ways that our textbook recommend reducing our risk of infectious disease. With this gruesome virus upon us, this will hopefully be informative for many of you guys. Due to the unfortunate circumstances, all of us are well aware what we should do to prevent the spread of this infectious disease. These couple of months we have been told to stay at home to limit contact with others. Being at home, most of us might be wondering what we should be doing. The textbook suggests that we should exercise regularly, get enough sleep, optimize our eating habits. It was intriguing to learn that when we exercise regularly, it will “ raise the core body temperature, strengthen the immune system, and kills pathogens.” During this pandemic, my motivation to exercise has been very low. With school, working the frontline, and the gym not being open, I found myself being extremely lazy. Hopefully when this semester is over I will be able to go out for a run.
According to the textbook, “estimates of death rates from flu range from 3,000 to 49,000 per year”. When the coronavirus initially evolved, I and many others around me thought that we were over reacting. I was under the impression that the flu is more detrimental. The first few days I would tell my peers that the flu has killed more people, why didn’t we react the same way? Reading that the death rate range for the flu is 3,000 to 49,000 and seeing the death rate for COVID 19 eclipse 60,000 in a matter of months, just proves to me the severity of this current virus.
In chapter 12 it talks about sexually transmitted infections. In the section which talks about chlamydia and gonorrhea, it shows us a picture of a newborn with conjunctivitis due to untreated chlamydia and gonorrhea. It was hard for me to look at the picture for a long period of time. With that being said to talk about how imperative it is for us to practice safe sex. College students are known for being sexually active. When having sex we have to follow proper protocols to avoid developing an STI. Having your partner tested every three months can be beneficial to both parties. Similar to the COVID 19, some people are not aware that they have an STI. That is why it is important in being proactive when it comes practicing safe sex.
In regards to my health aspect, I found myself sleeping less due to work and completing my school work. It’s the end of the semester so therefore I have a lot of things due. I am only sleeping 4 to 5 hours now.
Below is a picture of my fellow MGH coworkers and I coming together in the midst of this pandemic. Working at the Emergency Department we wanted to show the outside world that with strength and unity we will overcome this. Can you spot me?
