Health Department Happenings 

Free colorectal cancer screening offered

 By Linda Kite 

       PANDEMIC FLU

FAMILY GUIDE TO PREPARATIONS

A flu pandemic is a global outbreak of influenza that occurs when a new flu virus appears to which people have little or no immunity. Pandemic flu spreads easily from person to person and can cause serious illness because people do not have immunity to the new virus. Seasonal flu outbreaks are caused by viruses to which people have already been exposed, flu shots are available to help prevent widespread illness and effects on society are less severe.

It is difficult to predict accurately when influenza pandemics will occur, how severe they will be or how long they will last. A pandemic may come and go in waves, each of which can last for months at a time. Everyday life could be disrupted due to people in communities across the country becoming ill at the same time. These disruptions could include everything from school and business closings to interruption of basic services such as public transportation and health care. An especially severe influenza pandemic could lead to high levels of illness, death, social disruption and economic loss.

The effects of a pandemic can be lessened, however, if preparations are made ahead of time.

As you plan, it is important to think about the challenges you might face, particularly if a pandemic is severe. It may take time to find the answers to these challenges.

The following are some situations that could be caused by a severe pandemic and possible ways to address them.

SOCIAL DISRUPTION MAY BE WIDESPREAD

·        Plan for the possibility that usual services may be disrupted. Such services could include those provided by hospitals and other health care facilities, banks, stores, restaurants, government offices and post offices.

·        Prepare backup plans in case public gatherings, such as volunteer meetings and worship services, are canceled.

BEING ABLE TO WORK MAY BE DIFFICULT OR IMPOSSIBLE

·        Find out if you can work from home.

·        Ask your employer how business will continue during a pandemic.

·        Plan for the possible reduction or loss of income if you are unable to work or your place of employment is closed.

·        Check with your employer about leave policies.

SCHOOLS MAY BE CLOSED FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME

·        Help schools plan for pandemic influenza. Talk to the school nurse or health center staff. Talk to your teachers, administrators and parent-teacher organizations.

·        Plan home learning activities and exercises. Have materials such as books on hand. Plan recreational activities that your children can do at home.

·        Consider child care needs.

TRANSPORTATION SERVICES MAY BE DISRUPTED

·        Think about how you can rely less on public transportation during a pandemic. For example, store food and other essential supplies so you make fewer trips to the store.

·        Prepare backup plans for taking care of loved ones who are
far away.

·        Consider other ways to get to work; or, if you can, work at home.

PEOPLE WILL NEED ADVICE AND HELP AT WORK AND HOME

·        Think about what information the people in your workplace will need if you are a manager. This may include information about insurance, leave policies, working from home, possible loss of income and when not to come to work if sick.

·        Meet with your colleagues and make lists of things that you will need to know and what actions can be taken.

·        Find volunteers who want to help people in need, such as elderly neighbors, single parents of small children or people without the resources to get the medical help they
will need.

·        Identify other information resources in your community, such as mental health hotlines, public health hotlines or electronic bulletin boards. Learn about the 2-1-1 phone system in your community.

·        Find support systems – people who are thinking about the same issues you are thinking about. Share ideas.

BE PREPARED

Have a family emergency supply kit and be prepared for interruptions in utility services. Stocking supplies can be useful in other types of emergencies as well. Consider the following:

·        Food and water

Have a 10-day supply of non-perishable canned and dried food and fresh water on hand. Stock up on canned or dried meats, fish, beans, peanut butter, vegetables, fruit, cereal, powdered or canned milk, crackers and baby food.

·        Household supplies

Stock up on household supplies, personal items and pet food. Using disposable dishes and plastic utensils will help conserve water. Have a supply of large trash bags. Garbage services may be disrupted or postponed for days.

·        Personal items

Have extra items on hand to make your time at home more comfortable. Stock up on soap, shampoo, toothpaste, toilet paper and cleaning supplies. Have activities for the family.

·        Utilities

Basic utilities such as electricity and water should remain on, but disruptions may occur. Have candles, kerosene lamps, flashlights or lanterns on hand with plenty of fresh batteries. Plan how to heat a home and cook without power. Do not use kerosene stoves or charcoal in an enclosed area including an indoor fireplace. Do not run a generator indoors.

·        Telephone

Have available a phone that does not run on power from an electrical outset. Some standard wired phones and cordless phones will not operate when the power is out. Cellular phones may still be in service. Hand crank generators for charging cell phone batteries are available.

·        Safety

Have a battery-powered radio with AM, FM, and short wave capability and plenty of batteries. Have a first aid kit available to care for minor injuries.

·        Medications

Speak with your pharmacist about getting an extra month’s supply of medications routinely taken by family members. Have acetaminophen (such as Tylenol^®) and a thermometer in your medicine cabinet. Learn how to read a thermometer correctly. Have medications to treat flu symptoms and children’s electrolyte replacement drinks such as Pedialyte^® on hand.

·        Pets

Make sure you have food, water, medications and necessities such as litter and bedding for your pets.

·        Cash

Have some cash available to purchase needed goods during a pandemic.

·        Emergency plans

Talk to friends and family about emergency plans. Be sure you have a plan to check in with elderly parents and friends. Teach children who to contact in an emergency. Pull together your family’s medical histories, social security numbers and other basic information.

STAY HEALTHY

Take common-sense steps to limit the spread of germs. Make good hygiene a habit.

·        Wash hands frequently with soap and water.

·        Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.

·        Put used tissues in a waste basket.

·        Cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve if you don’t have a tissue.

·        Don’t touch your eyes, nose or mouth.

·        Clean your hands after coughing or sneezing. Use soap and water or an alcohol-based hand cleaner.

·        Stay at home if you are sick.

·        Routinely wipe down and disinfect surfaces with a solution of 1 part household bleach and 9 parts water.

It is always a good idea to practice good health habits.

·        Eat a balanced diet. Be sure to eat a variety of foods, including plenty of vegetables, fruits and whole grain products. Include low-fat dairy products, lean meats, poultry, fish and beans. Drink lots of water and go easy on salt, sugar, alcohol and saturated fat.

·        Exercise on a regular basis and get plenty of rest.

·        If you do not have a primary care provider who is familiar with your health, find one. It may be difficult to find one during a pandemic flu outbreak.

FAMILY GUIDE TO HOME CARE

Flu is very contagious. It can be caught from inhaling droplets in the air from someone sneezing, coughing or talking.

Doctors’ offices and hospital emergency rooms may become full of sick patients early in a flu pandemic. Treatment options may be available such as “fever clinics” or “influenza hospitals” where people with flu-like illness can be examined and treated without exposing others. Many people, however, will need to be cared for at home.

FLU SYMPTOMS

Sudden fever (100.4° F or more) · Headache · Tiredness, sometimes extreme · Dry cough · Sore throat · Nasal congestion · Body aches

SEEKING HELP

If you or a family member develops flu symptoms, call your doctor right away. Have the following information available before you call:

·        Symptoms (write them down)

·        Other symptoms not specific to flu

·        Any difficulty breathing

·        Amount of food and fluid intake

·        Sleep pattern changes

For children who are ill, have the following information for the doctor:

·        Temperature

·        Mood changes including crying more than usual, being tired or listless, appearing to be irritable or excited

·        Sleep pattern changes

·        All solids and liquids the child has had

·        Urination including amount or frequency

·        Any medications taken

The staff will ask questions and then tell you what you need to do.

·        You may be asked to come to the doctor’s office, flu clinic or hospital. When you arrive, tell the staff right away that you or family members have flu symptoms.

·        You may be asked to wear a mask or sit in a separate area.

·        You may be told to stay at home.

Generally people begin to feel better after the body’s temperature returns to normal in about three days and are ready to return to normal activities in about a week. It is common for tiredness and a cough to linger for several weeks.

EMERGENCY WARNING SIGNS

Some emergency warning signs require urgent medical attention. Seek medical care immediately if you or family members have any of these signs:

·        Difficult or painful breathing

·        Shortness of breath at rest

·        Wheezing

·        Coughing up bloody sputum

·        Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen

·        Fever for 3 to 4 days without improvement, or improvement then sudden high fever and return of symptoms

·        Sudden dizziness

·        Extreme drowsiness or difficulty waking

·        Confusion or disorientation

·        Severe earache

·        Severe or persistent vomiting

COMPLICATIONS IN CHILDREN

The most common symptoms of flu in children are fever and sudden onset of cough. Infants less than 2 months old can become ill and progress to severe illness rapidly. Seek medical care immediately if your child is experiencing any of these signs:

·        Has a bluish skin color

·        Drinks so little fluid that he or she is not urinating at least every six hour when awake

·        Is hard to wake up or is unresponsive

·        Is constantly irritable, will not be held, will not calm down

·        Has a loss of interest in most things, listlessness

·        Has flu-like symptoms that improve, then return with fever and worse cough

·        Has a fever with a rash

·        Does not “seem right”

Take your child to the emergency room or call 9-1-1 immediately if your child:

·        Has severe trouble breathing not caused by a stuffy nose

·        Has blue lips or hands, sudden pallor, or has cold legs up to the knees

·        Is limp or unable to move

·        Is hard to wake up, unusually quiet or unresponsive

·        Shows signs of pain – headache and/or stiff neck, especially with a fever, listlessness and sensitivity to light

·        Has a seizure

HOME CARE SUPPLIES

·        Adult and child thermometers

·        Plenty of fluids such as water, fruit juice and infant electrolyte replacement drink such as Pedialyte^®

·        Simple foods such as broth, soup, rice, macaroni and cheese and gelatin

·        Prescription and over-the-counter medications

CARE FOR THOSE WHO ARE SICK

·        Rest. You probably will feel weak and tired until your temperature returns to normal in about three days. Try to avoid contact with others while the infection is contagious – at least six days after the first symptom appears.

·        Drink plenty of fluids. You will need to replace lost fluids because of fever (sweating). Liquids, especially warm ones like chicken soup, help loosen mucus.

·        Don’t drink alcohol.

·        Stop smoking and avoid secondhand smoke.

·        A hot water bottle or heating pad may relieve muscle pain. A cup of Epsom salts in a warm bath may be soothing.

·        Gargle with warm salt water to ease a sore throat. Throat sprays or lozenges may help relieve pain.

·        For stuffy nose, use saline nose drops or spray that contain saltwater but no medicine. Breathe moist air from a hot shower or sink filled with hot water.

·        Wipe your nose with disposable tissues and put them in the garbage immediately. Cover your nose and mouth with tissues when coughing or sneezing and throw them in the garbage as well. Wash your hands often.

·        If the skin around your nose and lips becomes sore from repeated rubbing with tissues, apply petroleum jelly to the area. Disposable tissues containing lotion may help.

·        Elevating your head at night with an extra pillow may ease coughing.

·        If you are a single parent, or you are responsible for the care of someone who is frail or disabled, you may need to call someone to help until you are feeling better.

CARE FOR CHILDREN WHO ARE SICK

·        Dress a child in lightweight clothing.

·        Keep room temperature at 68° F.

·        Offer fluids or breastfeed frequently while child is awake.

·        Elevate head of the bed.

·        Avoid cool baths or alcohol rubs.

·        Use a humidifier (except with asthmatic children). Clean daily with hot water mixture of one part bleach to nine parts water to prevent bacteria and mold growth.

PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS

·        If available, doctors may prescribe an antiviral medication that may reduce the length and severity of illness. Antivirals also may prevent complications such as pneumonia. ANTIVIRALS MUST BE STARTED WITHIN 48 HOURS OF FIRST SIGN OF SYMPTOMS to have any affect on the illness.

·        ANTIBIOTICS ARE NOT EFFECTIVE AGAINST INFLUENZA because flu is caused by a virus, and antibiotics fight bacteria. If you develop a secondary bacterial infection, a doctor may prescribe antibiotics, but the drugs are not for flu.

·        Take any medication EXACTLY as prescribed. Follow all instructions CAREFULLY.
If an allergic reaction occurs, consult a health care professional immediately.

OVER-THE-COUNTER MEDICATIONS

·        Medications advertised to treat flu only relieve flu symptoms. Most contain a combination of medications including an antihistamine to stop a runny nose and sneezing, a decongestant, cough suppressant, expectorant to bring up mucus, fever reducer and pain reliever. Read the label to be sure that the ingredients treat the symptoms you have, and note any possible side effects or interactions with other drugs or health conditions.

·        Take acetaminophen (such as Tylenol^®) or ibuprofen (such as Advil^® or Motrin^®) as recommended on the package to control fever and ease muscle pain unless your doctor says otherwise.

·        CHILDREN YOUNGER THAN 18 SHOULD NOT TAKE ASPIRIN OR ANY PRODUCTS CONTAINING ASPIRIN.

TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF

You will not be able to care for others if you do not also care for yourself physically and emotionally:

·        Get plenty of rest

·        Drink lots of liquids

·        Get some exercise

·        Maintain a healthy diet

·        Do not smoke

·        Wash your hands often

GET INFORMED

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE FLU:

            ·        Sweetwater-Nolan County Health Department at 325-235-5463

Water Laboratory Hours

Water Testing - Bacteriological testing to determine suitability for drinking.

Community Wellness Program

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