http://www.fukushihoken.metro.tokyo.jp/iryo/kansen/sinpojiumu/SwineInfluenzafaq/index.html
Q What are the human symptoms of Influenza A(H1N1)?
A Symptoms such as fever, lethargy, loss of appetite, and
coughing are seen. There are also patients who complain
of symptoms including a runny nose, sore throat, nausea,
vomiting, and diarrhea.
Q How does Influenza A(H1N1) spread?
A The virus is transmitted from person to person, through
contact with saliva droplets (coughing or sneezing) or with
contaminated surfaces and materials, including hands, toys,
plates, glasses, computer keyboards, telephones, door handles,
bathroom faucets and other daily living utensils.
Q What protective steps should I take?
A There have been no confirmed cases of people infected
with Influenza A(H1N1) in Japan (as of April 30).
If you plan to go to the United States or Mexico,
you are advised to:
1) Wear a mask to prevent infections through coughs or sneezes
2) Wash your hands often
3) Consult a local doctor if flu-like symptoms appear such as fever
and cough
In addition, those who had flu-like symptoms during their stay abroad
or have such symptoms upon their return, are requested to report
this to the quarantine office.
Q I don’t have any symptoms, but is there a place where I can be tested
for this?
A You do not need to be tested if you do not have any symptoms.
Please note that there are no tests that can confirm infection
before the symptoms appear even for those with the high
possibility of being infected due to their travel abroad.
Please consult the public health center if any symptoms
appear within 10 days of your return. If you have had
close contact with an infected person, please also call
the public health center.
http://www.metro.tokyo.jp/INET/OSHIRASE/2009/04/20j4u501.htm
Q Is there a vaccine for Influenza A (H1N1)?
A There is currently no effective vaccine to protect
humans from Influenza A(H1N1). It is also believed
that seasonal influenza vaccines are not effective
against this virus. However scientific work is now
underway on the development of a vaccine with the
aim to have it available within the year.
Influenza A (H1N1) Q & A（新型インフルエンザQ＆A・英語版）
High-risk cancer screening urged for overnight workers
http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2009/03/17/cancer-night-shifts.html
Last Updated: Tuesday, March 17, 2009 | 10:40 AM ET Comments13Recommend18CBC News
Denmark's move to compensate women who developed breast cancer after working night shifts shows a need for new vigilance when it comes to people working overnight, Canadian cancer and labour advocates say.
The Danish government made the decision following a ruling in 2007 by the World Health Organization's cancer wing that declared overnight shift work "probably carcinogenic to humans."
The ruling stems from a review of scientific research including several population studies
"The Canadian Breast Cancer Network would really call for high-risk screening groups to include women who are working shift work, working at night, and the high-risk screening involves having an MRI," said the group's president, Diana Ermel of Fredericton. "It's not just a mammogram."
About 20 per cent of Canadians work shifts, many of them overnight, including 10,000 postal workers who sort mail into the morning.
Their union highlighted studies linking cancer to shift work over a decade ago, and used them to support their case for more time off.
"We will really look at these new studies coming out and really find ways to maybe negotiate with the employer," said Denis Lemelin of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers in Ottawa.
In Canada, it would be up to provincial health ministries and workers' compensation boards to decide if the links between cancer and overnight shift work are strong enough to warrant further investigation.
＜When you become sick＞ By Dr. Yamamura Junpei
＜When you become sick＞
Q: Why are medical expenses high?
A: In Japan, there is a medical insurance system, and supposing you do not have health insurance, medical expenses will become high.
Q: How is the structure of the health insurance and medical care system.
A: All Japanese nationals have health insurance. It roughly divides into health insurance and there are two kinds of it.
ⅰ） National Health Insurance – anyone with a residence permit can enter this scheme. This includes those with regular work permits, those who have been granted refugee status, and spouses of Japanese citizens etc.
ⅱ）Social Health Insurance – all companies are required to participate in this scheme; and foreign employees can hold this insurance regardless of their immigration status. However the fact is that many small-scale companies fail to join the scheme.
Under the medical insurance system, 1 point is calculated as 10 yen. For example, for:
a medical examination (first examination): 270 points = 2,700 yen
a chest x-ray: 167 points = 1,670 yen
an ECG: 150 points = 1,500 yen.
To take as an example, if the cost of treatment – examination, tests, medicine etc, reaches a total of 1000 points (10,000 yen)
① If the patient holds medical insurance, the patient bears 20-30% – 2000-3000 yen, of the total cost.
However,
② If the patient does not hold medical insurance, it is an unregulated medical examination and the fee per point will depend on the medical institution.
If 1 point = 10 yen, the fee will be 10,000 yen. A generous medical center.
If 1 point = 15 yen, the fee will be 15,000 yen. A comparatively generous medical center.
If 1 point = 20 yen, the fee will be 20,000 yen. A regular medical center.
If 1 point = 30 yen, the fee will be 30,000 yen. A deplorable medical center – possibly this rate is designed to discourage foreign patients.
Accordingly it is important to take the following precautions:
Ask beforehand at the medical center reception, what the cost per point is at that institution. If one point is more that 15 yen, negotiate for a reduction to 10 yen. If this is agreed, promise that you will certainly pay your bill.
If the medical costs are likely to be expensive, consult with a social worker or the medical director about paying in installments.
Q: Which medical facilities accept a foreigner well?
A: The next medical facilities accept.
Minatomachi Medical Center (Yokohama city) – the center operates a system where for a monthly fee of 2000 yen, you can become a member of the mutual aid society. Members pay 30% of the costs for treatment incurred at the center. Tel: 045 453 3673.
The Center has also established the Minatomachi Dental Clinic – for telephone reservations phone 045 453 3858.
Nakai-Eki-Mae Clinic (Shinjuku ward): attended by many Burmese residents. Tel: 03 3365 1627.
Machiyahara Hospital (Machida city): Hernia and hemorrhoids operation costs are approximately 18-200,000 yen. Tel: 0427 95 1668.
Himawari Medical Center (Koto Ku). Tel: 03 5609 1823
Horikiri Chuo Hospital (Katsushita Ku). Tel: 03 3602 3135
Q: What kind of illness is there generally?
A: By most, slight illness, such as cold / bronchitis, gastritis, and lumbago, is not different from Japanese people. However it must be careful of the following diseases.
* Tuberculosis, Hepatitis and HIV ― Foreigners from Asian and African countries are suffering from them.
* Apoplexy, myocardial infarction, and cancer ― It is influenced by aging (length of stay) and the meal factor.
* Psychiatric disorder ― There is uneasiness of worries and forced repatriation in the thought and family to transcultural stress and a mother country.
* Pregnancy ― Delivery expense requires about 400,000 to 500,000 yen.
* Child disease ― There are much cold, asthma, etc. Although the vaccination is to carry out at each health center, an opportunity to receive in fact should be rare. Probably, it will be better to ask a health center directly.
Q：If you contract tuberculosis (TB), What should you do?
A: Please ask medical facilities. Under the Tuberculosis Prevention Law, hospitalization and treatment while hospitalised is free. The cost of outpatient treatment is also minimal.
Q：Where is HIV antibody test carried out?
A: Free and anonymous aids tests are provided at each health center.
Q: When it becomes a serious illness
A: The kouryobyou act and a medical-expenses supplementation system by local government are utilized, and hospitalization expense for a patient with a serious illness can be paid.
In the event of transporting a patient to home country, this depends on negotiations between the hospital, the Minatomachi Medical Center, the relevant embassy, the airline, medical centers in the home country, and NGOs etc. However, in the case of Burmese people, it is difficult to rely on the embassy and medical institutions in the hoｍe country.
Q: When you are injured during work, what should you do? Workers’ Accident Insurance
A: In the event that a person becomes sick or is injured at work, the company is required to pay compensation. Many Burmese work in restaurants, and thus are likely to be prone to the following workplace injuries: being cut by a knife; back injury from lifting heavy equipment and goods; slipping and suffering bruising or head injuries etc.
The following organizations correspond about consultation of a workplace accident.
Tokyo ○ FWUBC Tel:
○ JAM Tel:03－－
○ Labour Safety Centre Tel: 03 3683 9765
○ Zentouitsu Tel: 03 3836 9061
Kanagawa Prefecture
○ Kanagawa Occupational Accident and Illness Center Tel: 04 5573 4289
Q: Where is the free medical checkup for a foreigner carried out?
A: Free medical examinations for all foreigners
a) Held every year by the Minatomachi Medical Center and local councils
In approximately: February – Yokohama (Tsurumi Health Center)
May – Kawasaki (Kaizuka Church)
October – Yamato city
November – Yokohama China town
b) Held by APFS and SHARE twice annually – in Summer
c) Health consultation for Asylum seekers – held twice monthly, at CTIC
Please take a medical checkup once every year, in order to prevent illness.
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