Karong Clinics Botswana

15/04/2025

Gout attack - what you need to know

08/04/2025

Rabies Post-Exposure Management Procedure

04/04/2025

🐕 Everything You Need to Know About Rabies:
Should You Get Vaccinated If Bitten by a Dog? How to Stay Safe
By Dr. Zhang Zhiyong – KARONG CLINICS, Botswana

Nearly 59,000 people die from rabies every year worldwide, with around 95% of cases occurring in Africa and Asia (WHO).
People often ask: What should I do if I’m bitten or scratched by a dog or cat? Should I get the vaccine?

This short article summarizes key facts based on official data from the World Health Organization (WHO):

✅ What is rabies?
✅ When should you get vaccinated?
✅ How to treat wounds (Post-exposure prophylaxis, PEP)
✅ Is the vaccine safe and how is it administered?

✅ What is Rabies?
Rabies is a zoonotic, viral, and tropical disease caused by the rabies virus.
It is transmitted through the saliva of infected animals, typically via bites, scratches, or licking of broken skin or mucous membranes.

📌 Incubation period: usually 1–3 months, but can be longer (even up to a year); no symptoms during this period.
📌 Symptoms after onset: hydrophobia (fear of water), agitation, muscle spasms, confusion. Once symptoms appear, the disease is almost always fatal.

🛑 The only effective treatment is Post-exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) before the virus enters the central nervous system:

Immediate and thorough wound cleaning

A full course of human rabies vaccine

Rabies immune globulin (RIG) if indicated

📌 As of now, WHO has not approved any diagnostic tool to detect rabies infection before the onset of symptoms.

Rabies presents in two clinical forms:

Furious rabies (most common)

Paralytic rabies (about 20%) – often misdiagnosed due to milder symptoms.

📌 Special Case:
In 2004, a 15-year-old girl in Wisconsin, USA, developed symptoms after exposure and was placed in a medically induced coma combined with antiviral therapy. She survived, becoming the first recorded case of survival after symptom onset without prior vaccination.

✅ When Should You Get Vaccinated?
🔹 Pre-exposure vaccination is recommended for high-risk individuals:
Laboratory personnel handling live rabies virus

Veterinarians

Animal shelter or rescue workers

Dog owners whose dogs are not vaccinated

🔹 Post-exposure vaccination is needed after potential exposure to the virus:
Animals that may carry rabies include:

🐕 Dogs, 🐱 Cats, 🐒 Monkeys, 🦇 Bats, 🐺 Jackals, and other wild mammals —
as well as unvaccinated domestic pets

📍 In Botswana, the government collaborates with NGOs to provide free rabies vaccinations for animals in multiple areas (including a known site in Village, Gaborone). Private veterinary clinics also offer paid rabies vaccinations for pets.

✅ How to Handle a Bite or Scratch (PEP)?
🧼 Wash the wound immediately
Use soap and plenty of running water to rinse the wound for at least 15 minutes to remove any saliva residue.

🧴 Disinfect the wound
Apply povidone-iodine or medical alcohol.

🏥 Seek medical attention immediately
In most cases, do not suture the wound. Treatment decisions (vaccine and/or RIG) depend on risk classification.

✅ Is the Rabies Vaccine Safe? How Is It Given?
Yes — rabies vaccines are very safe.
They can be administered to pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, children, and the elderly without concern.

WHO Exposure Categories and PEP Recommendations:
Exposure Category Example Recommended Action
Category I Touching or licking of intact skin Wash only; no vaccine needed
Category II Minor scratches or nibbling without bleeding Wash + Vaccination
Category III Penetrating bite wounds, scratches with bleeding, licking of broken skin or mucous membranes, direct contact with bats Wash + Vaccination + RIG injection
💉 Common Vaccination Schedules:
Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP):
3 doses on Day 0, Day 7, and Day 21 or 28

Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP):
5 doses on Day 0, Day 3, Day 7, Day 14, and Day 28

📌 In Botswana, RIG (Rabies Immunoglobulin) is not widely available.
But data show that thorough wound cleansing + complete vaccination can lead to over 99% survival, even without RIG.

✅ Final Reminder:
Rabies is deadly — but it is 100% preventable!

✅ Wash ➜ Disinfect ➜ Seek medical help ➜ Get vaccinated
With proper and timely action, lives can be saved.

📢 Share this post with family and friends. Awareness saves lives.

14/10/2024

Acupuncture: A Natural Path to Wellness

Acupuncture is a therapeutic practice originating from traditional Chinese medicine, which has been used for over 2,500 years. It involves the insertion of very thin needles into specific points on the body to stimulate the flow of vital energy or "Qi" (pronounced "chee"). According to traditional Chinese philosophy, Qi flows through pathways, called meridians, and any imbalance or blockage of Qi can lead to illness and pain. Acupuncture aims to restore this balance, promoting natural healing and wellness.

In modern medicine, acupuncture is seen as a way to stimulate nerve-rich areas of the skin, influencing various body functions, such as boosting the immune system, improving circulation, and activating your body’s natural recovery and pain control mechanisms.

Common Indications for Acupuncture

Acupuncture is used for a wide range of conditions. Some common indications include:
Chronic pain: back pain, joint pain, abdominal pain, neuralgia etc.
Headaches and migraines
Arthritis and osteoarthritis
Respiratory issues: allergic rhinitis, asthma, and sinusitis.
Mental health: anxiety, depression, and stress management.
Post-surgery: gastrointestinal discomfort, nausea and postoperative pain.
Others: persistent hiccup, biliary ascariasis pain etc.

Treatment Process

An acupuncture session begins with a thorough assessment of your health history, symptoms, and lifestyle. A typical treatment includes the following steps:

Needle insertion: Fine needles are inserted into specific acupuncture points across the body. You may feel a slight tingling or mild pressure, but most people report little to no discomfort.
Needle manipulation: The practitioner may gently move or twirl the needles, or apply heat or mild electrical stimulation to enhance the treatment effects.
Relaxation period: The needles usually remain in place for 20 to 30 minutes while you relax. Sessions generally last between 30 to 60 minutes.
Needle removal: The needles are carefully removed, often with no discomfort.

A course of treatment typically involves three to four sessions per week, and many conditions improve after 5-10 treatments. The frequency and number of treatments depend on the severity and type of condition being addressed.

Precautions and Safety

Acupuncture is generally safe when performed by a licensed practitioner using sterile needles. However, there are a few precautions to consider:

Pregnancy: Some acupuncture points may stimulate labor, so it’s important to inform your practitioner if you are pregnant.
Pacemakers: If you have a pacemaker, avoid acupuncture involving electrical stimulation, as it may interfere with the device's operation.

Minor side effects such as soreness, minor bleeding, or bruising at the needle site are possible, but infections are very rare due to the use of single-use, disposable needles.

Conclusion

Acupuncture is a safe, natural, and effective therapy for a variety of physical and mental health conditions. It is increasingly being recognized and accepted as a complementary therapy to conventional (modern) medical care. Whether you are seeking relief from chronic pain, stress, or specific health issues, acupuncture offers a holistic approach that promotes the body’s own healing abilities.

For more information or to schedule a session, contact Karong Clinics (Dr Zhang) @ 3911529. Let us help you restore balance and well-being to your life.

24/08/2024

Key Facts About Mpox (Monkeypox)：
Also known as monkeypox, is a viral illness caused by the monkeypox virus, there are two types of this virus: clade I and clade II. Recent Outbreak of mpox occurred in 2022–2023, primarily caused by a strain known as clade IIb.

Who is at Higher Risk?
People with multiple s*xual partners
Healthcare workers at risk of exposure
Men who have s*x with men
S*x workers

Signs and Symptoms
Mpox symptoms usually start within a week after exposure and last for 2–4 weeks. Symptoms include:

Rash, which can appear anywhere on the body
Fever, sore throat, headache, and muscle aches
Swollen lymph nodes and low energy
Some people may experience complications like pneumonia, eye infections, or severe skin infections, especially if they have a weakened immune system.

Treatment and Vaccination
The main treatment is supportive care, focusing on managing symptoms.
Vaccination is recommended for those at high risk, especially during outbreaks. The vaccine is most effective when given within 4 days of exposure.

09/03/2024

Safe Male Circumcision by Dr Zhang

09/03/2024

Hemorrhoidectomy by Dr Motsiane

10/12/2023

16/11/2023

Kasane Trio

09/09/2023

Dental implant by Dr Weigmann

09/09/2023

We've just wrapped up a successful wellness program in Mochudi village. A big shout-out to the incredible residents of Mochudi for their enthusiasm and active participation. Your health and well-being are our top priority, and it's heartwarming to see the community come together to prioritize wellness. A huge thanks to our dedicated team members who made this program possible.

14/04/2023

Medical examination at GUC