Author: Dr Christelle Mpoulet

Since the vaccine was announced, a number of contradictory reports and comments have been circulating on the internet, and you’re probably wondering which ones to consider. To help you dispel your doubts, we’re going to refer to the 5th point of our previous article on how to assess the reliability of medical information, namely “Understanding the science behind the information you receive”. NB: This article is not intended to convince you to accept this vaccine (I have no conflict of interest). In line with the vision of this blog expressed by its slogan (Know – Understand – Act for better…

Most vaccines have been in use for a long time and contribute every year to keeping millions of people healthy worldwide. Before being integrated into a vaccination program, each vaccine undergoes thorough testing to ensure that it is safe and effective. In this article, we explain in easy-to-understand terms the five (5) stages of vaccine development. You can also find them on the World Health Organisation (WHO) website. 1. First stage: laboratory research on the microbe Researchers study how to activate the immune system using the specific microbe of the disease they want to prevent. The immune system is the…

In our previous article on conjunctivitis (eye inflammation), we provided some explanations on the disease: what it is, types of conjunctivitis, how to recognize it, ways to avoid catching it, and what a medical Doctor can prescribe to treat it. In this article, we’ll discuss home remedies also known as “grandmother’s remedies” often used to treat this condition. Some examples of home remedies Indeed, home remedies are widely used, especially in Africa. This is because some people prefer “natural” treatments, and others may want to see an eye medical Doctor (called an Ophthalmologist), but cannot do so due to financial…

Malaria: how does this disease affect your body? Malaria, sometimes referred to as “paludism”, is a sneaky disease that can affect anyone. To better understand it, imagine your body as a well-defended kingdom. In this kingdom, red blood cells (which are the main components of blood) act as valiant workers transporting essential oxygen to all the kingdom’s inhabitants (all the organs in your body). However, there is a crafty enemy hiding within some of these workers, a microbe called “Plasmodium.” This microbe is transmitted by the female of a type of mosquito called “Anopheles.” When this mosquito bites an individual…

The internet is a vast source of information, but there is also a lot of inaccurate health-related content. We will explain how to ensure that the medical information you find online is trustworthy and accurate, in a simple and detailed manner. 1. Discover the source Whenever you come across medical information online, check who is publishing it. Websites managed by hospitals, governments, or doctors are often more reliable than personal sites. Be cautious of information from anonymous or less-known sources. 2. Be a bit of a detective Before believing what you read, take a moment to check multiple sources. If…

Currently, there is an epidemic of conjunctivitis (also known as “pink eye”) sweeping through Cameroon, causing more and more people to experience red, itchy, or watery eyes. In this article, we will explain what conjunctivitis is, why it occurs, how to prevent it, and how it can be treated. What is conjunctivitis? Conjunctivitis occurs when a part of your eyes, called the conjunctiva, becomes inflamed. This can happen for various reasons, depending on the types of conjunctivitis: Types of conjunctivitis There are several types of conjunctivitis, including: Signs of conjunctivitis Conjunctivitis can cause the following issues: How to prevent conjunctivitis…

Getting vaccines is super important for keeping people healthy. Vaccines help stop bad germs that can make us really sick. This article will explain why vaccines are so important in a simple way so everyone can understand. 1. Stopping sickness Vaccines are like tiny superheroes. They teach our bodies how to fight against microbes (like viruses and bacteria). When we get vaccines, our body learns how to protect themselves, so we don’t get sick or feel really bad. 2. Protecting everyone (collective immunity) When lots of people get vaccines, it helps protect everyone in the community. Imagine vaccines like shields…

Between poliomyelitis, often called “Polio”, and conjunctivitis, sometimes referred to as “Apollo” or “Polo”, confusion is quite common due to the similarity of these nicknames. Yet these two conditions are very different and should be clearly distinguished. In this article, we’ll explain the differences between polio (poliomyelitis) and polo (conjunctivitis) to help you better understand these two diseases. Poliomyelitis (Polio) What is polio? Poliomyelitis, often referred to as “polio”, is an infectious disease (i.e. a disease caused by a microbe) whose causative microbe is called the poliovirus. It mainly affects children under the age of 5. It affects the nervous…

What is inflammation? Inflammation is a natural response of the body to a problem, which can be seen as a defense mechanism against external threats. When something hurts or hits our body (like a knife, a punch, a fall, etc.) or when we have an infection (when a microbe enters the body), the soldiers in our body mobilize to fight against the enemy or identified problem. They release substances to call for back-up and speed up healing. This can cause redness, swelling, heat, and pain in the affected area, or other general signs like fever if the problem has affected…

When we first met, I told you that measles and rubella are very contagious diseases, and a person can get infected without knowing it because there are not always specific signs. These diseases can spread quickly in communities where many people are not vaccinated. When several people get infected in a community at the same time, it’s called an epidemic. This is very serious because children infected with measles and those in the womb of mothers infected with rubella can develop severe forms of these diseases and may not survive, or if lucky, they may recover but with disabling consequences.…