301 East 12th St. - Sweetwater, Texas 79556

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Whooping Cough

Whooping cough (pertussis) is a highly contagious disease marked by severe coughing. It is named after the "whoop" sound children and adults sometimes make when they try to breathe in during or after a severe coughing spell.

STD Program 

The health department is screening, testing and treating clients for chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis. HIV testing is available with clients referred elsewhere for treatment, if needed. Testing will be provided upon request if possible, otherwise an appointment will be scheduled.

Avoiding Ticks Best Way to Prevent Diseases They Carry

(2005-05-07) Warm days and sunny skies draw many people outdoors this time of year. The same environment also brings out the insects, some of which carry diseases. “It’s tick time in Texas,” said Glenna Teltow, a medical entomologist with the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS).

What you should know about West Nile

(2006-10-04) What is West Nile Virus? West Nile virus is a virus commonly found in Africa, West Asia and the Middle East. It is not known how long it has been in the United States, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) believe the virus probably has been in the eastern United States since early summer 1999.

Water Conservation Tips

(2005-03-16) Indoor Water Conservation Tips General • Never pour water down the drain when there may be another use for it. Use it to water your indoor plants or garden. • Repair dripping faucets by replacing washers. One drop per second wastes 2,700 gallons of water per year!

Bed Bugs Information

Bed bugs (Cimex lectularius) are small, flat, parasitic insects that feed solely on the blood of people and animals while they sleep. Bed bugs are reddish-brown in color, wingless, range from 1mm to 7mm (roughly the size of Lincoln’s head on a penny), and can live several months without a blood meal.

Questions and Answers about Rabies

2003-01-05) What is rabies? Rabies is a viral infection that affects the nervous system of mammals. It invariably causes swelling of the brain and death after a relatively short illness. How is rabies transmitted? The rabies virus is found in the nervous tissue of infected mammals.