Tags:
Journalism of Courage
• I’m a marketing executive and have to travel to many places and stay in different hotels. On April 29, Khaleej Times newspaper of the United Arab Emirates published a report which said: “Bed bugs are major transmitters of diseases including HIV and hepatitis”. Is this correct? — DeSouza K
Dr Bir Singh, Professor of Community Medicine and coordinator, AIDS Education Cell at AIIMS, says:
Till now, the available medical literature and research conducted shows no link between bites of mosquitoes, ticks or bugs—including bed bugs—for transmitting HIV infection. Thank God for that.
• I am 48, height 157 cm. At 78 kgs, I think I’m grossly overweight. When I climb the stairs, for instance, I feel a mild pain in the knee. I’m doing yoga for 30 minutes daily. Is there anything else I should do? — Ramesh Patel
Ishi Khosla, Clinical Nutritionist, says:
Try a combination of diet and exercise. Eat a low calorie, high fibre diet. Include whole grains and a lot of veggies as filler. Avoid food which has a high glycemic index—sugar, potatoes, rice flour, excess fruit sugar and fruit juices. Pulses in moderation and low fat dairy is fine. Use olive and sesame oil as cooking medium.
