Survive & Thrive & Tour!

Monday, October 20, 2014


This post is the 500th on this blog, which is quite a milestone!

Today's a busy day on the blog since I'm kicking off a blog tour and taking part in the Survive & Thrive Bloghop hosted by Stephen Tremp, Michael Di Gesu, Diane Wolfe, and Captain AlexThis effort is aimed at disease prevention and early detection of medical conditions that are treatable.
The Chikungunya Virus

In recent months, Jamaicans have been stricken by the Chikungunya virus. It is projected that 7 of 10 persons will eventually suffer from this infection, which has no known cure. Those infected are given painkillers to deal with the severe joint pains that limit movement. 

Many have come down with the virus because of lack of preparation. Public service announcements have been running for months to warn people about the carrier, the Aedes aegypti mosquito, and the fact that we need to eliminate mosquito breeding sites around the home.

As a result of not paying attention to these advisories, many are now suffering from the Chikungunya virus that has only entered the Caribbean within the last year, although it has been around since the 50s. One unique thing about the virus is that it exacerbates existing health conditions, causing complications that have led to death in a few cases. Jamaicans can find a joke in any situation and so when asked how they are doing, some persons will say they are recovering, having been shot by the 'Chikengunman'.

Where there are outbreaks of disease, my advice would be to educate yourself on the symptoms by listening to advisories, doing your own research and putting the things learned into practice. So far, I've been lucky to escape being bitten by the carriers and hope that with continued vigilance I'll stay healthy.

Thanks to H.R. Sinclair, I dredged up the energy for a blog tour and yes, it's one with a difference. The Island Adventure Blog Train will be making several stops (see sidebar) over the next couple of weeks, so do visit the stops when you have a minute. 

The series is made up of romantic suspense books that are set in the Caribbean. Each novel stands alone, but several characters appear more than once.

My first stop is with Christina C. Jones, contemporary romance writer. 

Come on over and let's get this party started! See what giveaways are up for grabs over at Christina's place.

Only a couple of weeks are left before the Who's Your Hero? Blogfest. It's as simple as the badge explains it, but if you're stumped for ideas, click here. Sign up below if you wanna play. My wonderful co-host is MichelleWallace and we'll be giving out three $5.00 Amazon vouchers. 

Are you anywhere near 500 posts on your blog? Participating in the Survive & Thrive Blog Hop? Signed up for the Who's Your Hero Blogfest?



39 comments:

  1. That sounds like a scary infection.
    I see someone else has a new look! Awesome.
    Thanks for participating in the blogfest and all signed up for yours next month.

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    1. It is, Alex. Incapacitating, in a word.
      Loving the new look!
      Looking forward to the blog fest too!

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  2. YEAH to 500! Chikungunya is in the VI as well. So far my family has remained healthy. I've had Dengue and heard this virus is similar but with more intense joint pain. Stay well, Joy.

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    1. Hey, Bish, I've been lucky to avoid both Dengue and the ChikV. Praying I'll stay healthy.

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  3. Education is so important - for ALL diseases! Great post.

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  4. Why haven't I heard of this? Will it hurt tourism? Good luck on your tour.

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    1. Suan, not sure, but before the disease got here we hadn't heard of it either because it was on the other side of the world. Hasn't seemed to touch tourism yet, but who knows?

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  5. I have never heard of this virus but I know in Mexico we all face Dengue from Mosquito. I hope you never have to face the virus. I hope your tour goes well.

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    1. Dengue is also in the mix here too, Clarissa.
      Thanks for your good wishes.
      I owe you something. I'll fix that this week.

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  6. I have not heard of this virus-those mosquitos bring so much bad stuff-I hate them. You are right that gaining knowledge is key and not shrugging it off.

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    1. I'll bet that Aedes aegypti mosquito was part of the plague from biblical days. Hate them too. I've been vigilant about not being bitten. The ChickV carrier bites during the daytime, so they're easier to avoid.

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  7. Reaching 500 posts is a big deal. Some bloggers don't stick around long enough to build up that number of posts. Congrats on that and for your participation in the blog hops. The infection you mentioned is new to me but sounds like one I agree is worth being vigilant to avoid. Wishing continued good health for you.

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  8. I hope you stay disease free, Joy. That mosquito thing sounds yucky.

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  9. Thanks, Mike and that yes, that ChikV virus carries the most awful symptoms.

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  10. It's always the mosquitoes. Ned to bug spray the whole country.

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  11. How funny! Today's post was my 600th! But it took me nine years to get there, posting about once a week. Congrats.

    And I've heard of that virus. Those mosquitoes carry some nasty things, don't they?

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  12. Congratulations on getting to your 500th post! Your post today is a reminder of how we need to take public service announcements seriously.

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  13. Congrats on the milestone! I've lost count, so I don't have any milestones to mention. :-) The infection you've mentioned sounds terrible. I've never heard of it before. Stay safe.

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  14. So sorry about the flu, Joy, but congratulations on 500 posts. Though I wasn't onboard from the beginning, it's been glorious following you.

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  15. That is scary. I hope you stay safe and healthy for decades to come.

    Congratulations on post 500! I don't know how you do it, especially in the midst of all the other blogs you manage and books you write. You're remarkable. Smiles.

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  16. Sounds like the West Nile Virus here in the States.

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  17. Hi, Joy,

    Congrats on 500! That is AWESOME.... That will be my next milestone. But I am having a blogaversary this month.... FOUR YEARS! I can't believe how fast the time went.

    So sorry to hear about that virus. How aweful that so many people in your community will be affected. I hope that more people will be vigilante against it.

    Stay HEALTHY!

    THANKS for joining the bloghop and CONGRATS ON your BOOKTOUR. ALL THE BEST!

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  18. Congratulations on 500! I hadn't heard of this virus, but it sounds scary. I hope you stay healthy!

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  19. Wow, 500 posts. That is quite an accomplishment! It's unnerving to think of all the diseases out there. Ebola and the Entero virus are big news here. I have heard of Chikungunya and it sounds like bad news. Break out the bug spray and mosquito nets.

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  20. Hi, Jay, Congrats on your 600th! Yup, mosquitoes are the worst.

    Cynthia, thanks. We do need to take heed to those announcements.

    Lee, I only noticed by accident on my dashboard. Thanks for your good wishes.

    Joylene, it's been great linking with you too.

    Robyn, thanks so much. It takes a lot of energy. These days, I'm lagging, but I give God thanks for good health.

    It feels like a low-grade plague, Dolorah.

    Mike, thanks. We do need to be a lot more vigilant as it pertains to our surroundings.

    Shannon, it is. Hadn't realized before that mosquito eggs can survive for a year without water. One year!

    Hey, Tamara, yes Ebols and Entero are beyond serious.

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  21. I love the new look! Best of luck on the blog tour!

    The disease sounds so painful.

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  22. Congrats on 500! Those darn mosquitos cause so much trouble! Glad you've been able to stay healthy.

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  23. Try to keep yourself safe. I'm feeling pretty lucky its cold up here. First time I've thought that in a while.

    Anna from Shout with Emaginette

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  24. Nice job on making it to 500 posts!

    Never heard of that virus. I guess there's always something that threatens to get us.

    Lee
    Wrote By Rote

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  25. Congrats on your 500th post, Joy!
    Just as we conquer one virus, along comes a "new-and-improved virus" trying to establish itself. (but you mentioned that it's been around since the 50's...) Maybe I should re-phrase that "old-and-improved virus". Scary stuff.
    I like the new look header...cool!

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  26. Congrats on your 500th post, Joy! I hope you and your family continue to stay healthy and clear of that horrific virus.

    Julie

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  27. I got a case of it and I had an awful week. Nice of you to share this info J.L.

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  28. I've never heard of this virus. But I'm sure there are so many out there. People do need to educate themselves. And find a cause and help support it.

    Congrats! on the 500th post! Cool that this Blogfest is a part of it.

    Thanks for participating in the Blogfest. Hope to see you again for next year's event!

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  29. Hi Joy - congratulations on the 500 blogposts.

    That mosquito borne disease sounds very nasty ... but I hope you continue to stay clear of it .. though I see Sheena has had a bad week of it ..

    All the best Hilary

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