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Take preventive action to avoid the flu |
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Written by Linda KiteÂ
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Friday, 04 December 2009 |
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has announced the week of Dec. 7-12, for National Influenza Vaccination Week (NIVW). This event is designed to highlight the importance of continuing influenza (flu) vaccination, as well as foster greater use of flu vaccine through the months of December, January and beyond.
There is shortage of seasonal flu vaccine for adults, so take everyday preventive actions:
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth, to avoid spreading germs.
• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
• If you are sick with flu-like illness, CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. (Your fever should be gone for 24 hours without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.)
• While sick, limit contact with others as much as possible to keep from infecting them.
• Follow public health advice regarding school closures, avoiding crowds and other measures to keep our distance from each other to lessen the spread of flu.
To observe NIVW, staff will be at Kid’s University on Thursday, Dec. 10, to present a hand washing presentation.
The SNCHD will administer the seasonal flu vaccine for children 3 -18 years of age on Wednesdays during the regular immunization clinic. The immunization clinic is held every Wednesday from 8:30-11:30 a.m. and 1:30-4:30 p.m. and the second Wednesday of each month until 6 p.m. Vaccines available for adults are Td or Tdap, Hep A, Hep B, Zoster, Meningococcal, HPV and varicella with qualify eligibility. Tetanus is due every ten years, but most adults don’t think about receiving the vaccine until they have a cut or injury.
The health department will schedule another H1N1 clinic as soon as vaccine is available.
The health department will be closed on Wednesday, Dec. 23, Thursday, Dec. 24, and Friday, Dec. 25, for the Christmas holidays, and Friday, Jan. 1, for New Year’s Day.
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 infections. For an appointment call 235-2869.
SNCHD stresses the importance of good health, and encourages the community to take advantage of the monthly events that are sponsored each month.
For more information about services provided by SNCHD, visit their 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. |
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Last Updated ( Monday, 07 December 2009 )
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