Tag: World Health Organization

  • Sore throat, now the #2 major symptom of COVID-19

    Sore throat, now the #2 major symptom of COVID-19

    Sore throat is one of the major symptoms experienced by people with Covid-19. Strepsils lozenges provide symptomatic relief of sore throat: they provide 2-in-1 defense by killing viruses and germs in as fast as 60 seconds, and provide deep down relief unlike gargles.


    With the continued spread of COVID-19 that has sickened more than two million Filipinos, many fear that their dry coughs and sore throats may be a symptom of the dreaded disease. And it is a cause for concern as these two are some of the most common symptoms of COVID-19, according to the World Health Organization.

    While there are no cures for COVID-19 currently, it is important to address symptoms as they come in order to recover faster. For sore throat, that means taking Strepsils lozenges at the first signs of throat discomfort.

    Lozenges offer considerable advantage over a gargle

    Results of a clinical study* suggested that among sore throat product formats, “lozenges offer considerable advantages over a gargle,” noting that lozenges offer faster, effective and longer relief for throat pain.

    The same study found that lozenges were more advantageous than gargles and the benefits were seen in terms of proportion of medicine delivered to and cleared from the mouth and throat combined. 

    Lozenges offer faster, effective, and longer relief for throat pain vs gargles

    Unlike gargles which are expelled from the mouth, lozenges were kept in the mouth longer, providing a steadier supply of medicine to the throat. This results in greater activity in both the mouth and the throat for up to 20 minutes even after the lozenge is completely dissolved. Thus, the study conducted that lozenges provide fast, effective, and prolonged delivery of active ingredients beneficial for sore throat relief.

    2-in-1 defense against symptoms of sore throat

    Sore throats are a common symptom experienced by people with COVID-19.  Strepsils, the tried-and-tested lozenge brand for almost 50 years, has been indicated for the symptomatic relief of sore throat including those caused by COVID-19. It provides 2-in-1 defense by killing viruses and germs in as fast as 60 seconds and provides deep down long-lasting relief that last two hours, unlike gargles.

    Get 2-in-1 defense at the first signs of sore throat with Strepsils

    So if you’re looking for immediate and longer relief for sore throat pain, take Strepsils to get symptomatic relief to help you feel better from the sore throat. Always follow the health protocols including wearing face masks, face shields, social distancing and hand washing, to prevent the spread of COVID-19. If symptoms persist, consult your healthcare professional.

    Strepsils offer a wide range of products for different sore throat needs

    • For mild sore and itchy throat – Dichlorobenzyl Alcohol + Amylmetacresol (Strepsils® Cool Sensation) Also available in other flavors Honey & Lemon, Orange, Sugar-Free, Extra Strong. 
    • For moderate pain and irritated throat – Hexylresorcinol (Strepsils® Max) 
    • For severe, inflamed sore throat – Flurbiprofen (Strepsils® MaxPro) 

    Strepsils is available in all leading drugstores nationwide, Lazada and Shopee. For more information, visit Strepsils Philippines Official Website.

    Source: 

    Limb M, et al. Int J Clin Pract 2009;63:606-12 

    REFERENCE:

    John Paulo Ondra Caparros

    Public Relations Department – SBU BLAZE

    Strategic works, Inc.

    +639173068591

    john.caparros@stratworks.ph

    2nd Floor Zaragoza Building, 102 Gamboa Street, Legaspi Village, Makati City PH

  • Beyond COVID-19, HIV and other illnesses deserve attention too

    Beyond COVID-19, HIV and other illnesses deserve attention too

    The COVID-19 pandemic’s wide-reaching and extraordinary effects particularly to public health and the medical field has, unfortunately, created other grave consequences that have come unnoticed. As focus, as of late, has been on the novel coronavirus, attention on other equally critical illnesses and diseases has seemingly taken a back seat.

    Among these illnesses, the World Health Organization (WHO) identifies Tuberculosis or TB, Malaria, and HIV as the among the most serious. In fact, the WHO notes, TB claims 1.5 million lives a year, while NGO Frontline AID states that 38 million people live with HIV worldwide. Of this, 12.6 million or 33% have been unable to access HIV treatments during the pandemic induced lockdowns.

    The impact of COVID-19 on HIV programs and patients

    A report from UNAIDS reveals that one in four people living with HIV have reported problems with gaining access to important medications. Similarly, HIV programs are among those that have had disruptions in services, with up to 85% of existing programs affected based on a survey by The Global Fund, a partnership that mobilizes and invests funds to support programs towards AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.

    Of even greater concern, Frontline AIDS further observes, is how the coronavirus, alongside HIV and AIDS, has a greater impact on people who are already marginalized. Specifically, it is those most affected by HIV who will feel the brunt of the effects of the coronavirus, especially with how lockdowns and quarantines have made access to much-needed antiretroviral medicines, not to mention visits to hospitals and health centers, extremely difficult.

    The importance of HIV protection and prevention

    In light of the above situation, and in view of recent data from the DOH-Epidemiology Bureau that shows 2,818 newly-confirmed HIV-positive individuals from January to March of this year, protection from HIV is truly the best way forward.

    Actively doing its part in informing the public on the importance of protection, preparedness and education regarding HIV is Durex. Through its latest multimedia Protection & Preparedness Education (PPE) campaign—featuring vlog collaborations, online university talks, and e-learning videos—Durex wants the public to be properly informed and kept safe from HIV during this pandemic. The public is also enjoined to visit Durex Philippines’ official Facebook Page and YouTube Channel, where they can be kept up-to-date and informed.

    And since no one is invulnerable to catching HIV in these times, being prepared in encounters – to always come prepared – is a must. And clearly, as we all do our share in preventing the spread of COVID-19, we must also be responsible in protecting ourselves and others from catching HIV.

    REFERENCE:

    John Paulo Ondra Caparros

    Public Relations Department

    Strategic works, Inc.

    +638937472 | +639173068591

    john.caparros@stratworks.ph

    2nd Floor Zaragoza Building, 102 Gamboa Street, Legaspi Village, Makati City PH

  • Taiwan offers knowledge in combating Covid-19 through smart solutions and effective communications

    Taiwan offers knowledge in combating Covid-19 through smart solutions and effective communications

    New Covid 19 info drive website offers information for stakeholders, local and foreign expertise

    There is no doubt that the best and most effective way of combating the Covid-19 virus and prevent its further spread, aside from an effective vaccine, is for the public to be well informed.

    Taiwan is among the more than 200 countries around the world affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. The World Health Organization (WHO) said there are 18,354,342 confirmed cases globally, with deaths amounting to 696,147. Despite these alarming numbers, Taiwan met the challenge with effective contact tracing measures, smart products and solutions, advanced preparations, swift action, and enough forward-thinking vision. Thus, the country became one of the most successful when it came to early containment and prevention to minimize the virus’ impact.

    To date, Taiwan is largely considered as among the global “gold” standards in fighting the dreaded Covid-19. The Global Covid-19 Index (GCI), which compiles and analyzes daily data from 184 countries around the world, in its July 25, 2020 report, ranked Taiwan as among the Top 5 countries that can best recover from Covid-19.

    Taiwan believes effective communication should be at the forefront of the fight against Covid-19 so it recently launched https://www.anticovid19tw.org, a website where Taiwan shares its experience in fighting Covid-19 to affected countries around the world, including the Philippines. The website provides information to various stakeholders and also features some of Taiwan’s most advanced and state-of-the-art epidemic prevention measures and smart technologies in fighting the virus.

    Equipping the Public with Information

     For the general public, the website effectively and comprehensively answers common questions and other information the public needs to know regarding the virus, such as the virus transmission, risks and complications that affect various age and gender demographics, even mental health concerns, the usual symptoms, and also what to do immediately in case of suspected infection and where to go for medical assistance.

    Measures that the government can consider

    In the Philippines, Local Government Units (LGUs), mostly the densely populated ones, may also benefit from the website since they can learn how the Taiwanese government conducts its own “Contact-Information-Based Measures” or “Contact Tracing” as it is called locally. It also shows how the Taiwanese government responds in terms of providing assistance to foreigners in Taiwan who may have Covid-19 related concerns, and how the Taiwanese government implements health and safety regulations and other important protocols to help prevent the spread of the virus upon initial reporting. It even shows how foreign governments can enter into collaborative and cooperative agreements with Taiwan and seek its knowledge in combating the virus.

    Empowering the medical industry

    Finally, by browsing the website, the Philippine medical community can also discover various Covid-19 diagnostic and treatment modes employed in Taiwan for confirmed cases that can be adopted locally. Medical professionals are also presented with different scenarios on how patients with special needs can be treated in case they are infected.

    Enabling the business community to cope

    To help them cope with the pandemic, the Philippine business community may also browse through the website and learn how to keep their businesses afloat in such a difficult time. Information on smart supply management solutions, plus measures on how companies can help protect their employees through face masks and other protective equipment, may be found on the website. There are also actual experiences by Taiwanese businesses that enabled them to mitigate the devastating impact of the Covid-19 contagion.

    Over the past few years, the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA) has been a reliable partner of Filipino businesses in connecting and doing business with quality Taiwan suppliers, products and services. TAITRA continues to introduce Taiwan companies to its Philippine counterparts through frequent dialogues and business familiarization tours even prior to Covid-19. The contagion did not stop TAITRA in its endeavors as it organized various online events for the benefit of stakeholders amid the pandemic, such as “Taiwan’s Medical Services and Epidemic Prevention Experience Sharing”

    held last July, and even the online product presentation via YouTube of “Taiwan Biomedical Solution to Covid-19 and Genetic Analysis,” organized by Hsinchu Science Park and TAITRA, and featured some of the top biomedical companies in Taiwan. Taiwan believes that the fight against the virus continues and there should be no letup to control it. Its model of excellence in fighting the disease has become a hallmark, and the Taiwanese government is more than willing to share to other affected countries in the world its best practices to help finally end this debilitating pandemic.

    REFERENCE:

    Richard Mamuyac

  • “No antibiotics ever” poultry production leads to safer dressed chicken

    “No antibiotics ever” poultry production leads to safer dressed chicken

    Do you consider to buy an affordable, healthier and safety poultry products?

    Bounty Agro Ventures Inc. (BAVI), one of the country’s leading manufacturers and distributors of dressed chicken, continues to provide Filipinos with high-quality, affordable, and safe poultry products.

    BAVI is the only poultry integrator in the country to produce “no antibiotics ever” (NAE) chickens which are naturally healthy and safer to eat. This is done by eliminating the use of any antibiotics throughout the entire poultry production process.

    “Growing healthy chickens without antibiotics will help us fight antimicrobial resistance, which can be fatal to humans,” said Dr. Erasmus Paderes, BAVI SVP for Animal Health and Feed Mill Operations.

    The World Health Organization defines antimicrobial resistance as “the ability of a microorganism (like bacteria, viruses, and some parasites) to stop an antimicrobial (such as antibiotics, antivirals and antimalarials) from working against it. As a result, standard treatments become ineffective, infections persist and may spread to others.”

    Prior to implementing its NAE system, BAVI has already reduced its antibiotics use by 48% or 43 mg/kg in 2017, and further slashed it to 29 mg/kg in 2018. Aside from manufacturing and distributing Bounty Fresh dressed chickens, BAVI also operates the Chooks-to-Go roasted chicken brand nationwide.

    BAVI’s antibiotics-free chickens ensure Filipinos of healthier, safer poultry products.

    REFERENCE:

    JEAN RICELLE A. AQUINO

    Sr. Media Relations Officer

    StratWorks, Inc.

    0927 027 8975