Walking barefoot can provide a sense of proximity to nature, but doctors said that doing so might provide parasites access to the body.
In one case, Changhua County Christian Hospital received a five-year-old boy from the county’s Fusing Township (福興) who complained of bruising on his calves and upper arms that would not ease, hospital physician Wang Shih-chung (王世忠) said.
After a blood test, doctors discovered that the boy had a high eosinophils count, which is usually symptomatic of a parasitic infection, an allergic reaction or hematoma, Wang said.
During his stay in hospital, the boy did not experience any discomfort in his stomach or intestines, and a bone marrow test showed no abnormalities, Wang said, adding that the boy only experienced anemia.
However, an inspection of the boy’s feces led to the discovery of several adult hookworms in the area where the small and large intestines connect, Wang said.
Hookworm larvae like to lie on the surface of damp and wet dirt, and enter the body after piercing the skin on bare feet, Wang said.
After entering the body, the hookworms lodge themselves in the wall of the smaller intestine and leech nutrition, then mature and reproduce within the body, Wang said, adding that the process takes about two months.
Possible symptoms of parasitic infection in young children include unexplained stomachaches, paleness, and bruises on the hands and legs, Wang said.
If left untreated, the parasites could cause anemia, bloody stool, and in severe cases could inhibit the brain and bodily functions, Wang said.
The patient was given a dose of medication to remove the hookworms, and after three days of treatment regained his health, Wang said, adding that the subsequent two-month observation period has not turned up any abnormalities.
GENSLER SURVEY: ‘Economic infrastructure is not enough. A city needs to inspire pride, offer moments of joy and foster a sense of belonging,’ the company said Taipei was named the city with the “highest staying power” in the world by US-based design and architecture firm Gensler. The Taiwanese capital earned the top spot among 65 cities across six continents with 64 percent of Taipei respondents in a survey of 33,000 people saying they wanted to stay in the city. Rounding out the top five were Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh City (61 percent), Singapore (59 percent), Sydney (58 percent) and Berlin (51 percent). Sixth to 10th place went to Monterrey, Mexico; Munich, Germany; Sao Paulo, Brazil; Vancouver; and Seoul. Cities in the US were ranked separately, with Minneapolis first at
The Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association has cautioned Japanese travelers to be vigilant against pickpockets at several popular tourist spots in Taiwan, including Taipei’s night markets, the Yongkang Street area, Zhongshan MRT Station, and Jiufen (九份) in New Taipei City. The advisory, titled “Recent Development of Concerns,” was posted on the association’s Web site under its safety and emergency report section. It urges travelers to keep backpacks fully zipped and carried in front, with valuables placed at the bottom of the bag. Visitors are advised to be especially mindful of their belongings when taking photos or speaking on the phone, avoid storing wallets and
Scoot announced yesterday that starting in October, it would increase flights between Taipei and Japan’s Narita airport and Hokkaido, and between Singapore and Taipei. The low-cost airline, a subsidiary of Singapore Airlines, also said it would launch flights to Chiang Rai in Thailand, Okinawa and Tokyo’s Haneda airport between December and March next year. Flights between Singapore and Chiang Rai would begin on Jan. 1, with five flights per week operated by an Embraer E190-E2 aircraft, Scoot said. Flights between Singapore and Okinawa would begin on Dec. 15, with three flights per week operated by Airbus A320 aircraft, the airline said. Services between Singapore
ENDORSING TAIWAN: Honduran presidential candidate Nasry Afura said that Honduras was ‘100 times better off’ when it was allied with Taipei The Ministry of Foreign Affairs yesterday said it would explore the possibility of restoring diplomatic relations with Honduras based on the principle of maintaining national interests and dignity. The ministry made the remarks in response to reporters’ questions regarding an article titled: “Will Taiwan Regain a Diplomatic Ally?” published in The Diplomat on Saturday. The article said Honduras’ presidential election in November could offer Taiwan the chance to regain an ally, as multiple candidates have promoted re-establishing diplomatic relations with Taiwan. Honduras severed diplomatic ties with Taiwan in March 2023 in favor of Beijing, but since switching its diplomatic recognition,
RSS