What's the difference between acetaminophen (paracetamol) and ibuprofen?

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Acetaminophen (paracetamol) and ibuprofen are both good medicines, and both provide the same basic relief from fever and pain, even though they have different chemical structures and side effects. Ibuprofen is recommended only for babies 6 months and older.

Ibuprofen
Ibuprofen works by limiting the body's production of fatty acids called prostaglandins. In addition to reducing fever, body aches, and pain caused by prostaglandins, ibuprofen reduces inflammation (swelling and redness).

It's slightly more powerful and longer lasting than acetaminophen. Because of this, it can be taken only every six to eight hours and no more than three times in a 24-hour period. In fact, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) doesn't recommend ibuprofen for babies under 6 months, because it's harder to tell how ill a child is if his temperature and irritability are "masked" for an extended period.

One drawback to ibuprofen, assuming your child is old enough to take it, is that if he isn't eating well and he takes it regularly, it can irritate his stomach. If he seems to have a sensitive tummy, you might want to give it to him with food or a feeding.

Acetaminophen
Like ibuprofen, acetaminophen reduces fever, body aches, and pain. Unlike ibuprofen, it doesn't reduce inflammation. Acetaminophen is milder on the digestive tract and causes no stomach problems, so you don't need to give it to your child with food.

In large doses, however, acetaminophen is very toxic to the liver. Doctors recommend giving your child the fewest number of doses needed to keep him comfortable – at most, every four to six hours, and no more than five times in a 24-hour period.

If your child is also taking another medicine, avoid a potentially fatal  overdose by making sure that medicine doesn't also contain acetaminophen.

Getting the dose right
Parents sometimes accidentally overdose their children by using the wrong dispensing device. For example, infant drops should only be given with the dropper that comes with the product – using a spoon makes it too easy to give an overdose. And some forms of the medicine are stronger than others. Infant drops are stronger than "children's elixir," for example.

(Editors' note: Acetaminophen infant drops are being phased out and replaced by an infant liquid that's less concentrated. Find out how to tell the difference between old and new infant acetaminophen, and use ourdosage chart to find the correct dose by weight.)

Whether you give your child acetaminophen or ibuprofen, giving the correct dose (based on weight) at the correct intervals is crucial. This can be trickier than it sounds, so call the doctor if you're unsure. And do ask the doctor before giving it to your child if he's younger than 3 months. A baby that young needs to be checked for serious illness.

Comment: In India acetaminophen is available commonly as Crocin & Calpol. There can be confusion between some brands like Babygesic (Acetaminophen) and Ibugesic (Ibuprofen) hence this article differentiating the two medicines is important.

It is also important to remember that while acetaminophen (paracetamol) is available in drops , there is no such preparation for Ibuprofen. 

Simple steps you can take to combat dengue fever mosquitoes - Tips from China

• CNA
 
• 2015-09-11
 
• 14:13 (GMT+8)

Patients in an emergency room at a hospital in Tainan, Sept. 10. (Photo/Cheng Ping-chang)

The dengue fever outbreak in Taiwan has now climbed to over 7,000 cases, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

With the rapid spread of the disease, there has been a secondary outbreak of old wives' tales, false tonics and cures, but to really make a difference, you'll need a proper understanding of the vector mosquitoes and the most effective prevention measures.

30 minute rapid screening:

The CDC is currently offering free tests for the rapid diagnosis of dengue fever in Tainan and Kaohsiung and the results are available after only 20-30 minutes. A single line indicates no infection, while two lines means a positive result for the disease. Rapid screening is not considered necessary for those who do not have any clinical symptoms of the disease.

Suspected dengue symptoms:

The symptoms of dengue fever include fever, bone and joint pain, back pain, muscle pain, retro-orbital (behind the eye) pain, rashes, fatigue, nausea and vomiting.

High-risk groups:

People with chronic diseases such as diabetes and hypertension and the elderly, are especially vulnerable to complications or death as a result of the disease and should be given extra attention during a dengue outbreak.

Life cycle of dengue fever mosquito

Get to know your enemy:

The current dengue virus in Taiwan is being spread by the yellow fever mosquito, which is characterized by a black body, white markings on its legs and a marking on its thorax in the shape of a lyre.

To a lesser extent, the tiger mosquito, characterized by black and white striped legs and a vertical white stripe on its chest, can also spread the disease.

The yellow fever mosquito (aedes aegypti) is a container-inhabiting mosquito that thrives in urban areas and often invades people's homes. The mosquitoes usually can be seen perched in dark, damp, unventilated corners in areas such as the kitchen and the bedroom and on dark curtains and dark hanging clothes.

The tiger mosquito's (aedes albopictus) habitat is mainly outdoors and it favors cool spots such as potted plants, piles of old tires, trees and bushes near its breeding site, bamboo groves and empty premises.

Feeding habits:

An infected female yellow fever mosquito is mainly active during the day when it hunts for blood. The mosquitoes primarily seek human blood and are at their peak in the afternoon from 4-5pm, with a lesser peak from 9am-10am.

Tiger mosquitoes have two peak feeding times, 1-2 hours before dawn and 2-3 hours before sunset. They are most ravenous during the evening period.

Yellow fever mosquitoes are mainly found in cities and counties south of Chiayi, including Tainan, Kaohsiung, Pingtung, Taitung, and Penghu, while tiger mosquitoes are most prevalent in Taiwan's island plains and areas below 1,500 meters at the foot of the mountains.

Tried and true methods:

Home Protection:

1. Homes should be fitted with window screens and screen doors. It's best to hang mosquito nets while sleeping. Spray area repellent on the screens and screen doors to further keep the mosquitoes at bay.

2. Remove unneeded containers and unused flower pots, and turn all containers that could collect water upside down.

3. Dark areas in the home and basement should be inspected on a regular basis.

4. Use mosquito lamps.

5. Flower pots and water containers in the home must be cleaned at least once a week. Remember to scrub the insides clean.

6. If you are growing aquatic plants indoors, in addition to changing the water often, you can also place small stones in the bottom of the pots. The water level should be higher than the top of stones, as this will prevent larvae development.

Outdoor protection:

1. Reduce the amount of time you're outdoors in the early morning and at dusk.

2. Wear light-colored, long sleeved clothing.

3. Spray all exposed skin with insect repellent that contain DEET (diethyltoluamide), as this is the only product that has empirically been proven to repel mosquitoes.

DEET:

Products containing DEET (diethyltoluamide) and that have been approved by Taiwan's Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have been tested for effectiveness, safety and quality pre-market. It has been established that normal use does not produce toxicity, can affect mosquito olfaction and has smear efficacy that can be maintained for a few hours. It is the recommended product for those spending long hours outdoors or in areas where mosquitoes proliferate.

Other products such as citronella:

Essential oils have are popular for those seeking a "natural" option. Common products include citronella oil, lemon oil and other amines, typically come in the form of herbal oils, sprays and wrist rings. Such products offer only short-term protection at best and mainly serve as supplementary protection to products with DEET. The effectiveness of such products in repelling mosquitoes is still unconfirmed.

In addition, some Chinese Indonesians have claimed that eating red guava will help repel the yellow fever mosquito and stave off the disease, but the CDC said that this only aids rehydration. As a high fever and low blood pressure can lead to dehydration, the CDC recommends drinking lots of water and unsweetened fruit juice.

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Vaccination FAQs - Influenza Vaccine in india - Which Brand to use?

Q: My kids are 9 and 6 years of age ...they received vaxigrip vaccine for influenza last year ...I`d like to give them this year the flu vaccine ...is it o.k to take any brand name like influvac or should it be always vaxigrip like the one they received before?

Ans. 

All brands are equally effective, you can take anyone.

Also there is a Nasal Flu vaccine available (Nasovac S) that can be used as well this year.