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· CALENDAR
WIC Checks: 6, 10
WIC Recerts: 7, 12, 13, 14, 17, 20, 27, 31
Immunizations: 3, 28
Family Planning: 4, 11, 18, 19
Willow Clinic: 5
M View Clinic: 26
Cholesterol Screenings: 13, 27
Holiday’s: CLOSED Dec 24 & 25 (Christmas Eve & Christmas Day)
Staphylococcus aureus, or “staph,” are bacteria
commonly carried on the skin or in the nose of healthy
people. Approximately 25% to 30% of the population
is colonized (when bacteria are present, but not
causing an infection) in the nose with staph bacteria. Sometimes, staph can cause an infection. These bugs are one of the most common causes of skin infections in the United States. Most of these skin infections are
minor (such as pimples and boils) and can be treated
without antibiotics. However, staph also can cause serious infections (such as surgical wound infections, bloodstream infections, and pneumonia).
Some staph are resistant to antibiotics. Methicillin Resistant Staph aureus or MRSA is a type of staph that is resistant to a family of antibiotics commonly used to treat staph infections that |
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
State Health Department and State Division of Fire Safety Urge
Missourians To Take Precautions Against Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
With the weather turning colder, more people are closing up their homes
and turning on their furnaces and other heat sources. But in doing so
they may also be increasing their risk of carbon monoxide poisoning,
according to officials with the Missouri Department of Health and Senior
Services (DHSS) and the Division of Fire Safety.
“The threat of carbon monoxide poisoning can come from a variety of
sources such as furnaces, heaters, stoves, generators, and vehicles,”
said Randy Maley, environmental public health specialist at DHSS.
“Carbon monoxide is invisible, odorless, tasteless and, in high
quantities, deadly. Now is a good time to check to make sure your carbon
monoxide detectors are working properly,” Maley added.
According to Maley, carbon monoxide is produced when anything burns.
Fossil fuels such as gasoline, natural gas, propane, and kerosene all
produce carbon monoxide when burned, as well as charcoal and wood.
Gas-powered cars, boats, lawn mowers and other motorized equipment all
produce carbon monoxide; even ethanol-powered and hybrid vehicles
produce carbon monoxide. Inside a home, carbon monoxide is produced
from natural gas-fueled furnaces, water heaters, clothes dryers, space
heaters, and gas ranges, as well as from kerosene heater, fireplaces,
and wood stoves.
"The first line of defense against carbon monoxide is to make certain
that all fuel-burning appliances operate properly," said State Fire
Marshal Randy Cole. Cole also urged Missourians to use carbon monoxide
detectors.
The early symptoms of carbon monoxide exposure include headaches,
dizziness, weakness, sleepiness, nausea, and vomiting; people with heart
disease may develop an irregular heartbeat. Exposure to higher
concentrations can cause disorientation, coma, convulsions, and death.
“Waiting for early symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning is not a
substitute for making sure possible carbon monoxide producing sources
are working properly. If you wait for symptoms to become noticeable, it
may be too late to call for help. You need to get out of the building or
away from the vehicle,” said Maley.
In the last five years, there have been over 3,000 illnesses and 212
deaths reported in Missouri caused by carbon monoxide. Physicians and
laboratories are required to report cases of carbon monoxide poisoning
to their state or local public health agency.
“Anyone who suspects they are suffering from carbon monoxide
poisoning should immediately get fresh air and seek medical help,”
said Maley.
The following are some precautions to help prevent carbon monoxide
poisoning:
·Be sure gas-fueled appliances are installed and used according to
manufacturer’s instructions; if an appliance pilot light goes out, do
not attempt to re-light the pilot light, but instead contact a
professional;
·Have your home heating system and chimneys, flues, and vents checked
each year;
·Do not use gas-fueled appliances such as an oven, cooking stove, or
clothes dryer to heat your home; these appliances are not designed for
heating a home, even for a short time;
·Do not burn charcoal inside a house, garage, vehicle or tent for
heating or cooking, not even in a fireplace;
·Do not use un-vented gas or kerosene heaters in closed spaces -
especially near or in sleeping areas; even opening a door or window does
not allow enough fresh air to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning;
·Never leave an automobile running in a closed garage or in a garage
attached to the house even with the garage doors open;
·Do not operate any gasoline-powered engines such as mowers, weed
trimmers, chainsaws, power washers or generators in enclosed spaces;
·Be aware that boat motors are a source of carbon monoxide; do not
allow any swimming near the motor exhaust; especially keep children away
from the boat motor;
Do not leave the rear window or tailgate of a vehicle open while
driving; and
·Repair leaking exhaust pipes and mufflers on automobiles.
“Carbon monoxide detectors are similar to smoke detectors, are
relatively inexpensive, and can be purchased at department or hardware
stores and on-line,” said Cole. “Many fire departments will offer
advice and help if someone has a problem with their carbon monoxide
detector.”
For more information about preventing carbon monoxide poisoning or to
report persons suffering from or who have been tested for carbon
monoxide poisoning, see the Department of Health and Senior Services’
Web Site http://www.dhss.mo.gov/CO/.
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include methicillin,
oxacillin, nafcillin, penicillin and amoxicillin. While
25% to 30% of the population are “colonized” or are
carriers of staph; about 1% of the population are
colonized with MRSA.
You can best prevent these infections by
practicing good hygiene:
1. Keep your hands clean by washing thoroughly with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
2. Shower after working out.
3. Keep cuts and scrapes clean and covered with a bandage until healed.
4. Avoid contact with other people’s wounds or bandages.
5. Avoid sharing personal items such as towels or razors.
6. Use a barrier (e.g., clothing or a towel)
between your skin and shared equipment
(e.g., exercise equipment in a gym), and wipe the surfaces of the equipment before and after use.
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By Sherry Wiles, Nutritionist
As a new mother, you may have heard many things about how to feed your baby. You may know breastfeeding is the best way to give your baby a healthy start in life, and wonder how to fit it into your life. Mothers everywhere have found that breastfeeding CAN work. Your WIC peer counselor can help!
WHO IS YOUR WIC PEER COUNSELOR?
A peer counselor is a WIC mother just like you. She lives in your community and has breastfed her own baby. She has been carefully selected by WIC to help give new mothers information about feeding their babies. She is here to give you support to meet your own goals for feeding your baby.
HOW CAN A PEER COUNSELOR HELP YOU?
Your WIC peer counselor can give you:
Ø Tips for how to breastfeed comfortably and discreetly, even in public;
Ø Ways you can stay close to your baby through breastfeeding after you return to work or school;
Ø Ideas for getting support from your family and friends;
Ø Ways to get a good start with breastfeeding;
Ø Secrets for making plenty of breast milk for your baby; and
Ø Help with breastfeeding concerns.
WHAT DOES A PEER COUNSELOR DO?
Ø Listens to you.
Ø Contacts you during your pregnancy to answer your infant feeding questions and helps you prepare for having a new baby.
Ø Answers any questions or concerns you might have after your baby is born.
Ø Shows you how to get more help from other healthcare professionals, if needed.
“Being a peer counselor has allowed me the opportunity to help new moms do the best they can to give their babies the healthiest start possible. When a mom tells me how helpful I was, it makes me proud to have made a difference in her life.”
-WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselor
For more information contact the WIC Department at the Howell County Health Dept at 417-256-7078.
From the staff at the Howell County Health Department
“You get more joy out of the giving to others, and should put a good deal of thought into the happiness you are able to give.”
Eleanor Roosevelt |
