Category: Health&Care

Taking care of your wellbeing.

Swine flu: the new pandemic or the old hysteria?

Posted on by Alfred Austin

In 2009 the world was caught in the grip of a virus which seemed to spread like wildfire and reach pandemic proportions leaving many members of the public shaken, feeling insecure and fearing that worse was still to come. Swine influenza, or swine or pig flu as it is commonly called, is caused by one of several strains of a virus that is endemic (widespread) in pigs. As if this were not bad enough some strains can mutate into a form that can be passed on to humans. The first to catch the virus are normally people who work with pigs and poultry and whose job invariably brings high levels of exposure to such a strain of virus.

In August 2010, the World Health Organisation issued a declaration stating that the swine flu pandemic was officially over.

And now it appears to be back.

Already a number of deaths have occurred which can be directly linked to H1N1, the swine flu virus. According to the NHS the at-risk groups who should be seeking to get their flu shots are pregnant women, people over 65 and people with certain chronic illnesses like heart or kidney disease.

So just how bad is the situation for each and every one of us individually and what can be done to stop the swine flu and the resulting mass hysteria from spreading?

male nurse giving a piggy-bank a flu shot

The experts, and the public, are split on this. There are obviously still a number of factors which have to be taken into account before anyone can safely say why some of the people who caught the flu reacted differently to the virus and why it led to some peoples’ deaths. Has the virus become more aggressive or is it because those affected were genetically disposed to such a hefty or even lethal reaction? Proponents of swine flu vaccinations warn that this is the only real way to stop the virus from spreading and once again reach such magnitudinal proportions.

Yet there is still a large enough number of people who do not accept that swine flu was even a pandemic in the first place and who say that it was misguided governments, a profit-driven pharmaceutical industry and the sensation-seeking television media and press that practiced large-scale scaremongering that nurtured the doubts and fears in the public which led to what many describe as mass lemming-like hysteria.

So who’s right? Well, it would appear that the public at large does not seem to be overly worried about catching the virus and is not seeking to follow the government’s advice or the guidelines given out by many health experts. The vaccine which was stockpiled in 2009 is still sitting in the warehouses to where it was hastily dispatched and although there are doctors and medical experts who readily claim that a flu shot will provide 100% immunization against the H1N1 virus this year, the reaction from members of the public has been sluggish and reluctant.

If you should decide that you wish to have your shot, then you should see that you have it done soon. According to experts, the flu epidemic is expected to peak in January and February and the vaccine will take about two weeks to work.

And should you decide against having a shot and suddenly develop a high temperature, start to shiver uncontrollably, break out in a strong sweat and have a bad headache and throatache coupled with aching limbs, then you should quickly seek medical advice as the chances are that you have caught the flu or even a virus.

Perhaps we will be lucky. Perhaps things won’t turn out as as bad as many predict and perhaps it is time for each and every one of us has to take his or her own health and that of their families into their own hands and decide along with those who they consider to be competent medical experts and experts in other fields what is right for them and what they should do to stay healthy and protect themselves against a possible large-scale outbreak of flu.

But no matter who you are and which line of thinking you choose to follow. The BodyPlus infrared thermometer can help you to measure body temperature quickly and reliably – and contact and trouble-free too! Just hold the infrared device 5 -15 cms from the person’s forehead and press the trigger-like button to obtain an immediate reading. This quick and hygienic method makes the BodyPlus ideal for measuring the temperature of babies and small children as well as all the other members of your family, patients in your surgery… And because you can save up to 32 individual readings, you can quickly see how the temperature has developed.

Trotec – the new name in accurate, reliable and low price measuring equipment

Here are some related articles you might wish to read:

Research on influenza gives grounds for new hope

Tips on how to get through the coming winter – your nose will thank you for it!

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Research on influenza virus gives grounds for new hope

Posted on by Tim Austin

immunisation against influenza by a vaccination

Although we were treated to some glorious sunshine at the beginning of the month, the change in weather which we are now experiencing, with cold fronts advancing from the frosty north and snow squalls already affecting some regions in the south, hardly came as a complete surprise. With the days getting shorter and the nights getting colder, we could slowly rest assured that autumn was finally upon us and that if we were not very careful the cold, wet weather would soon start to take its toll.

To mark the onset of the winter season, the members of our company were last week all offered free flu inoculations in the workplace so that we could protect ourselves against the annually recurring and very real threat of a flu epidemic. In a large company like ours, where people work together as a close team in an office environment and workers and colleagues come into contact with clients, suppliers and forwarders from all parts of Germany, Europe and as far off places as China, the bug has countless opportunities to spread from one host to another until there isn’t a dry nose or clear throat in the house.

For years now, scientists in the field of vaccine research have been desperately trying to come up with a vaccine which would be able to provide potent long-term protection against the dreaded influenza virus which each year raises its ugly head with a force so powerful that it could at least potentially lead to an outbreak on a pandemic scale.

Now history appears to be in the making.

A team of microbiologists at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York under the direction of their principal investigator Professor Peter Palese have made a major breakthrough and appear to have succeeded in coming one vital step closer to developing a vaccine which could provide long-term immunisation against the often lethal virus which not only has the potential to cripple whole economies but also bears enough potency to bring a country to its knees.

The newly developed process designed by the team around Professor Palese no longer targets the head of the protein, it now attacks the tail which mutates at a considerably lower speed than its opposite end. This would in effect mean that a vaccine could remain effective for a period of up to several years.

Although this new avenue has proved to be extremely promising, there are still many hurdles that need to be taken. Up to now the vaccine has only been tested on mice and exhaustive tests still have to show how the complex human organism will react. Another significant point is that although the vaccine prevents the virus from spreading, it does not actually tackle the infection itself. Yet these revolutionary results nonetheless give grounds for new hope not only in research circles, but the world over. And who knows? Perhaps the scientists who produce the vaccine for 2011 will already be able to benefit from the fruits of these studies.

But until they do, there are one or two things we can continue to do to stop ourselves from coming down with a bout of flu: wrap up warm, make sure you wash your hands often enough, follow a balanced diet, boost your vitamin intake and try to get out and get a lungful of fresh air as often as you can to help strengthen your immune system. And if you or your family are unlucky enough to come down with the flu, then apart from perhaps consulting your GP you should try to make sure that you get enough rest, drink enough fluids and perhaps take a hot bath or put a hot-water bottle in your bed if you are feeling exceptionally cold. In addition, it is also imperative that you pay particular attention to your temperature, so as to be able to track the course of the illness.

The Temptection BodyPlus infrared thermometer TROTEC is excellently-suited to help you do so, because it measures your body temperature quickly, reliably, and because measuring is carried out contact-free, hygienically too. And as if that were not enough, the Temptection BodyPlus can also measure the temperature of your bath water, your tea, your leg compresses and even your hot-water bottle in next to no time too.

Quite an impressive list for quite an impressive tool. From Trotec.

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Tips on how to get through the coming winter – your nose will thank you for it!

Posted on by Elena Kramer

It’s the same story every year. No sooner have you turned up the heating to keep the biting cold at bay than your nose dries up, your eyes start to smart and everyone in your family develops an uncontrollable tickly cough and cracked, itchy skin. These are symptoms which can be linked directly to the dry air in rooms, which, for example, causes the mucous membranes in your nose to swell up and become irritated – and more susceptible to germs and bacteria, leaving you and the other members of your family open to colds and viruses. So isn’t there anything you can do to stop getting ill this coming winter?

Well, yes there is actually. Here’s a list of invaluable tips that will help you get through the colder winter months and make life less of a misery and more of a joy:

Tip No.1 – Make sure that you drink enough. Hot beverages like tea are just right at this time of the year. There are hundreds if not thousands of varieties to choose from. Spice up your day with green, white, red, herbal or flavoured teas and experiment with what Mother Nature has to offer. Camomile or sage tea, for example, possess anti-inflammatory properties that work wonders to soothe your sore throat.

Tip No.2 – Humidifiers. Air that has been heated becomes less humid. In other words it is dry – too dry for the average person. Humidifiers add moisture to the ambient air and even filter airborne allergens like household dust, pet hairs or mould spores out of the air if they have a built-in air filter. This does our nasal mucosa, the tissue lining our nose, no end of good. You can also treat your air passages to a deep and relaxing experience by adding a few drops of essential oils to the tank of your humidifier. In fact by varying the type of oil you use, you yourself can determine whether you wish to relax or sharpen your senses – simply let your imagination guide you.

Tip No.3 – Gargling and nasal rinsing. Gargling may be something you only normally do in the mornings when you have finished brushing your teeth. And nasal rinsing is something that you may only have read about without thinking that it would ever catch on. But both household remedies rank high among the effective things you can do to prevent your sinuses from clogging and your throat from swelling. There are either ready-mixed solutions which are available at your local chemist’s or pharmacist’s – or you may feel the urge to concoct your own mixture using ample measures of sea salt and tap water. You will find there are like-minded people out there who swear by it.

Tip No.4 – Nasal sprays. You need only to go to the chemist’s to see for yourself just how many different brands there are on the shelves. But not all are designed to combat the common cold – there are also the less controversial ones, ones which can be used to ensure that the mucosa in your nose remains pleasantly moist and therefore less prone to itching and swelling. You should of course choose the sprays that do not contain decongestants or preserving agents – sprays with seawater or hydro-sprays with essential oil extracts are all the rage. Your nose will thank you for it.

Tip No.5 – Fresh air. Yes, your mum was right! Remember how she always used to get on at you when you didn`t feel like setting a foot outside? A breath of fresh air still works wonders for your immune system – you could try walking to work or going out for a stroll during your lunch break. And don’t let the weather stop you. Drizzle is especially good for your mucous membranes.

So as you can see there are a number of things that can help to relieve a broad range of irritable complaints and stop you from catching a nasty cold this winter: lots of tea and other hot beverages, gargling and nasal rinsing, certain nasal sprays and lots of fresh air too. And, oh yes – a humidifier. Like the ones from Trotec.



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Mould can be a killer – do something about it today

Posted on by Tim Austin

Dangerous mould

For at least 14% of the population in Germany 2008 was a bad year. Bad because almost a sixth of all the people questioned during a survey conducted by the German Federal Office of Statistics declared that the homes, flats or bedsits that they were living in were affected by damp.

Compared to the rest of the European Union, Germany didn’t do at all badly: the average number of homes or dwellings suffering from damage as a result of dampness was 17% EU-wide, with countries like Slovenia, Bulgaria and Hungary topping the list with 30.2, 30.4 and 30.8% respectively. But this is hardly a statistic to be proud of.

And they are not just statistics. The statistics equate into people, and in Germany alone this meant that around 12 million people were having difficulty with dampness and suffering from the effects that this was having on their homes, their families and their lives.

Dampness is a problem that shouldn’t and can’t be taken lightly. Dampness caused by damaged roof coverings or brickwork, subsidence and cracked walls, slipped or missing roof tiles, leaking drainpipes or blocked gutters, poorly-maintained window and door frames or condensation because new houses are sealed off so tightly that there is not sufficient ventilation can not only reduce the value of your property or the contents therein, it can greatly reduce the quality of life. The reason for this is that mould and fungi thrive on dampness. And mould and fungi not only attack your furniture, clothes, books and other possessions, they also attack your health. Many respiratory illnesses, skin irritations, allergic reactions or eye and throat conditions can be traced back to aggressive mould strains which can even prove lethal, especially to those who are already weakened by some other disease or illness or those who have a compromised immune system or are very young, very old or very pregnant.

So what can be done?

Eliminate the cause of the dampness. Get that roof or drainpipe fixed, do something about that window or door that needs to be repaired and address the problems you are having with condensation or subsidence. But don’t – on any account, don’t – just ignore the problem and wait for it to go away.

A tragic case involving the famous Hollywood actress Brittany Murphy and her husband made the headlines a few months ago when it was reported that the couple, who lived in a luxurious home in an affluent neighbourhood in Los Angeles, had succumbed to their illnesses which in all probability had been triggered by damp or excess moisture which had developed in their home.

There are thousands and thousands of homes all over Germany, Great Britain and the EU that are in dire need of repair – and dire need of a dehumidifier. Dehumidifiers which combat condensation and remove excess moisture from the air before it can settle on your possessions and work its way into your walls, carpets and curtains. Dehumidifiers which not only regulate your indoor climate but also clean the surrounding air by filtering out airborne particles like pollen, pet hairs and dust which can also easily pose a real problem to your health. Dehumidifiers which can save money, worries and even lives.

Go here to see our selection of dehumidfiers…

You won’t regret it.

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Allergy sufferers beware – 3 out of 4 GPs get it wrong

Posted on by Tim Austin

According to the leading allergy portal myallergo.de, 3 out of 4 GPs are failing to diagnose that it is an allergy that is plaguing their patients and not a just a common cold when the people who visit their surgeries complain about symptoms which if not scrutinised carefully could easily be linked to influenza-liked illnesses, the collective term for colds, flu and similar infections.

But were these GPs to dig deeper, they would soon discover that contrary to common colds whose symptoms normally subside after 7 to 10 days at the latest, what they often have on their hands is an allergic reaction which can generally last a lot longer and often recurs within a very short period. Here it would perhaps pay for doctors to listen a little more intently to their patients’ woes – and for the patients to open up and even quiz their GPs on certain points instead of just swallowing the medicine.

But once the doctors – or the patients themselves – have got it right and pinpointed the source of their suffering, then action must be taken to not only relieve the symptoms, which the sufferers themselves are understandably acutely interested in easing, but more importantly still to eliminate the actual cause.

People who react to pollen, pet hairs and house dust can protect themselves and their home by using a dehumidifier, or in the winter months a Used B400 humidifier plus two free SecoSan Stick 10., to clean the ambient air. Not only do both types of appliances regulate the relative humidity in the rooms in which they have been installed, more importantly still for allergy sufferers perhaps they are all equipped with efficient, easy-to-remove and easy-to-clean air filters which effectively filter airborne particles like pollen, pet hairs and house dust out of the air thereby nipping the cause of the allergy in the bud. This would make these appliances a more than sound investment as they do not only improve the quality of life, they also save money that is often ploughed into often unnecessary medication.

So don’t wait for your GP to get it right – or wrong – buy a humidifier or dehumidifier today and make life that much more livable.

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Keep water clean with the SecoSan Stick

Posted on by Tim Austin

The solution for keeping water hygienically clean is called SecoSan Stick 10.

Simply popped into the tank of a humidifier, for example, it prevents the water from bacteria, algae and unpleasant odours. Bio-neutral and drinking water certified one single SecoSan Stick 10 is sufficient for 10 litres (2.2 gals) of water.

The worldwide patented working principle with a auto-dosing retardation system allows a usage of up to 12 months – with just one stick and even if the water is changed every day!

Relating to our professional humidifiers the SecoSan Stick 10 already became a very famous accessory. And due to our latest special offers you can yet get this highly efficient technology at a special reduced rate.

So why don’t you get more information on the SecoSan Stick now and buy one today?

Get more detailed information below:

Order the SecoSan Stick 10 online.

Order the SecoSan Stick 10 in a package of 5 and save!

Also have a look at our humidifier special offers:

Used B400 humidifier plus two free SecoSan Stick 10.

New B400 humidifier plus two free SecoSan Stick 10.

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Special package price: B 200 eco humidifier + free Ionic Silver Stick

Posted on by Tim Austin

B 200 eco humidifier incl. free Ionic Silver Stick 10Are you looking for an appliance which humidifies a room reliable while being affordable? A humidifier just to suit your needs? Then listen up! The solution is called B 200 eco. A humidifier equipped with cutting-edge technology for a favourable price. And here’s the kicker: you get an extra Ionic Silver Stick 10 – for free!

The B 200 eco humidifier is designed for the use in rooms up to approx. 600 m². The device has an air flow rate of 500 m³/h at a low power consumption of only 0.15 kW. It has an evaporation rate of approx. 43,2 l/24h and the humidifier has a water tank of 19 litres. The B 200 eco can be disassembled very easy without the help of any tools. So the device can be cleaned problem-free and due to a actival coal system dust and odours are filtered out of the air.

The Ionic Silver Stick 10 is a stand-alone water purifier. It purifies the water from germs, algae and more than 650 types of viruses and bacteria.

You shouldn’t miss that chance on such a great deal. Buy a B 200 eco humidifier and benefit from high-performance appliance and guaranteed high-quality parts of the Trotec-assortment.

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IQAir air purifiers – established quality also for allergy sufferers

Posted on by Tim Austin

Air purifier iQAir GC-MultigasSince 10 years now the air purifiers of the IQAir series prove their use and effectivity.

Confirmed by a leading German consumer safety group called “Stiftung Warentest” with the test result “good” and the use in clinical areas in Hong Kong during the fight against the virus SARS IQAir air purifiers showed their excellent filtration, certified quality and advanced filter technology.

Even at home or in offices IQAir devices are a worth doing investment because researches prove that the air in living areas and offices is about 100 times more polluted than the outer air.

Especially allergy sufferers benefit from the air purification power of these devices. Pollen are filtered reliably and affected people can now sigh. Even asthmatics who are prone for pollutants in the air will be convinced fast by IQAir air purifiers. Clean air for a healthy life.

It doesn’t matter if they are used in facilities for data storage, surgeries, lock areas or laboratories, the IQAir air purifiers offer compact and powerful solutions equipped with the technical know-how of the Trotec company.

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Thermometer for measurement without coming into contact with a body’s surface

Posted on by Tim Austin

As of recently there’s a new infrared thermometer available at the TROTEC-shop. With the thermometer Temptection BodyPlus skin temperature and the temperature of other surfaces can be determined without actually coming into contact with the body’s surface.

Contact-free measuring is very hygienically because there’s no direct contact with the body’s surface. Conventional thermometers have to be disinfected after every usage to avoid an infection. With the Temptection BodyPlus large numbers of people can be checked fast.

So the thermometer is ideal for use in doctor’s surgeries, hospitals, kindergartens, schools and other places of action.

Even parents should be interested in the thermometer because they can measure their children’s temperature easily while they are sleeping. The temperature of baby food like milk or porridge can be measured fast and easy-going.

Benefits in practice with a thermometer Temptection BodyPlus:Temptection-BodyPlus

  • contact-free measuring at a distance of 5 to 15 cm
  • determines body temperatures from 30 to 42.5°C
  • determines surface temperatures from 0 to 60°C
  • backlit LCD
  • alarm function
  • easy to handle

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Immediate measures – protection packages against the swine influenza

Posted on by Tim Austin

Air purifier Set-Cleanroom250MGThe swine influenza is on the march across the globe. The WHO (world health organisation) reently declared the highest alert.

At the moment there is no vaccine available for humans against H1N1. Currently the most effective protection is the neutralisation of the influenza A virus.

Therefore TROTEC offers three exclusive air purifier protection packages for prevention against the pig flu:

  • Air purifier HealthPro 150 plus the
    fever thermometer Temptection BodyPlus
  • Air purifier HealthPro 250 plus the
    fever thermometer Temptection BodyPlus
  • Air purifier Cleanroom 250 MG plus the
    fever thermometer Temptection BodyPlus

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