Health Department Happenings

(2007-01-27)

By Linda Kite

The Sweetwater-Nolan County Health Department provides immunizations every Wednesday from 8:30-11:30 & 1 -4:30. We encourage you to keep your child up-to-date on their vaccines. The cost is $6.00 per child, and we accept Medicaid and CHIPS. We have new adult vaccines, some of these are Zoster for all uninsured or underinsured adults 60 years of age and older whether or not they have a prior episode of herpes zoster; Meningococcal Conjugate for uninsured and underinsured adults who are at risk; and Human Papillomavirus for all uninsured or underinsured female adults between 19 -26. If you have any questions regarding immunizations please call 235-5463.

Family Planning services are available through several funding sources. Services include pap smears, breast exams, pregnancy testing, methods of birth control, and screening and testing for sexually transmitted diseases. For an appointment call 235-2869.

The Sweetwater-Nolan County Health Department stresses the importance of good health, and encourages the community to take advantage of the monthly events sponsored each month by organizations that care about your health.

For more information about the services offered at the health department, visit our web site at www.nolancountyhealth.com.

The Sweetwater-Nolan County Health Department does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, national origin, disability or age.

What you need to know about...Flu (Influenza) and Pandemic Flu

(2007-03-06) What is flu (influenza)?
Flu, or influenza, is a contagious illness caused by the flu virus. It attacks the nose, throat and lungs in people. Anyone, including healthy people, can get the flu. Serious health problems from the flu can happen at any age.

What are the types of flu viruses?
There are three types of flu viruses: A, B, and C. Influenza type A viruses can infect people, birds, pigs, horses, seals, whales and other animals. Wild birds are the natural hosts for these viruses. Influenza B viruses are usually found only in humans. Influenza type C viruses cause mild illness in people.

How are seasonal flu, avian influenza (bird flu) and pandemic flu different?

Seasonal flu follows predictable yearly patterns, in Texas generally from October through March. Viruses associated with seasonal flu include influenza A, influenza B and influenza C. People usually have some immunity built up from previous exposure to circulating seasonal flu viruses.
Avian influenza (bird flu) is an infection caused by bird flu viruses. These bird flu viruses occur naturally among birds worldwide. Rarely, transmission is possible from sick or dead birds to people.
A pandemic is a global disease outbreak. A flu pandemic is possible when an influenza A virus makes a dramatic change that results in a new or novel virus to which people have little or no immunity. The new virus then begins to cause serious illness, spreads easily from person to person and can sweep around the world quickly.
How do you get the flu?
Flu is very contagious. It can be caught from breathing in droplets in the air from someone sneezing, coughing or talking. The flu also is spread when people touch something with the flu viruses on it such as a doorknob or handrail, and then touch their eyes, nose or mouth. People can spread flu from one day before symptoms appear to seven days after symptoms go away.

What are the symptoms of flu?
Symptoms of flu come on suddenly, one to four days after the virus enters the body. These symptoms include:

Sudden fever (100.4° F or more)
Headache
Tiredness, sometimes extreme
Dry cough
Sore throat
Nasal congestion
Body aches
Children also may have an ear infection, nausea or vomiting. Young children with flu can develop high fevers and seizures. Generally, people start feeling better after the body's temperature returns to normal, in about three days, and are ready to return to their normal activities in about a week. Tiredness and a cough may linger for several more weeks.

What are some complications from the flu?
In people with chronic medical conditions such as heart or lung disease, kidney disease or diabetes, flu can lead to pneumonia and other life-threatening illnesses. Others at higher risk of complications include those with weakened immune systems, the elderly, the very young and pregnant women.

How is flu treated?
Four antiviral medicines – amantadine (Symmetrel®), rimantadine (Flumadine®), oseltamivir (Tamiflu®) and zanamivir (Relenza®) – are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for treating flu. All four usually work against influenza A viruses. However, the drugs may not always work because flu virus strains can become resistant to one or more of these medicines. To be effective, antivirals should be taken within 48 hours of the beginning of symptoms. Antivirals do not cure the flu.

How is flu prevented?
Vaccination is the best way to prevent flu and its severe complications. It takes about two weeks after vaccination for a person to be fully protected. A live, weakened vaccine givenas a nasal spray also is available for people 5 to 49 who are in good health and are not pregnant. A vaccine will need to be developed to match a new or novel virus strain that is transmitted person to person. Other prevention suggestions include:

Wash your hands often, especially after being in contact with someone who has a respiratory infection or with children who get viruses easily.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
Use a tissue when you cough or sneeze, then throw the tissue away.
Avoid close contact with those who are sick.
Stay home if you are sick. Keep children at home if they are sick.
Wipe surfaces such as bathroom and kitchen sinks, faucets and counters with a mixture of 1 part household bleach to 9 parts water.
Take good care of yourself physically and emotionally.
What is the difference between the flu and a cold?
The flu and the common cold are both respiratory illnesses, but they are caused by different viruses. Unlike flu, the common cold comes on gradually, rarely causes fever and is usually limited to a sore throat, coughing, sneezing and a stuffy, runny nose. In general, the flu is worse than the common cold. Symptoms such as fever, body aches, extreme tiredness and dry cough are more common and intense and come on more suddenly. Colds generally do not result in serious health problems such as pneumonia, bacterial infections or hospitalizations.

Where can I get more information?
Contact your local health department. Additional information on flu and pandemic flu can be found on the Texas Department of State Health Services Web site at www.dshs.state.tx.us/idcu/disease/influenza/, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Web site at www.cdc.gov/flu/pandemic and the federal Health and Human Services Web site at www.pandemicflu.gov.

Immunization Clinic

(2005-01-11) Immunizations Clinic hours are Wednesdays Only 8:30 to 11:30 and 1:00 to 4:30. Children ages 3 and under are only seen 8:30 to 11:30 and 1:00 to 3:00. TB skin tests are done each Wednesday 8:30 to 11:30 and are read the following Friday morning between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m.

Water Laboratory Hours

(2005-01-03) Water Testing - Bacteriological testing to determine suitability for drinking.
A sterile container can be obtained from the Health Department, along with a lab form. Fee is $15.00 for each sample and sample must be brought in to the Health Department within 30 hours after water is collected. The Sweetwater-Nolan County Health Department Water Laboratory receives samples Monday thru Thursday 8 a.m. till 3:30 p.m. Samples require 24 hours incubation and results are reported the following day and mailed to client. Information is sent with any positive results, explaining how to disinfect the well.
Collection Procedure:
Disconnect any hoses, filters or other devices from faucet. Let water flow for 3 minutes, to clear the line. Then sterilize the faucet with a lighter, torch etc.
Reduce the flow to slow and collect water into the sterile container. Be sure not to touch the inside of the bottle or lid. Fill the container and secure the lid tightly and transport to the Health Department, 301 E. 12th, Sweetwater Texas.

Community Wellness Program

(2004-09-24) The purpose of the Community Wellness Program is to enhance the health & well being of the community by empowering them to make life-long healthy lifestyle choices that will greatly reduce the risk for disease and premature death.
The community wellness program provides the community an opportunity to improve their quality of life through various educational opportunities including health awareness campaigns, & screenings.
For our health screenings we coordinate with other providers who care about your health. We offer FREE monthly health screenings which is usually one of the following cholesterol, blood glucose, blood pressure, body fat analysis, hearing screening, sight screening, colon cancer screening, & many more.
We have a large collection of brochures, and handouts on a variety of topics.
For more information about this program, please call Linda Kite at(325) 235-5463 ext. 18
SEE CALENDAR OF EVENTS TO SEE WHAT IS SCHEDULED FOR THIS MONTH.