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· CALENDAR
WIC Checks: 2, 5
WIC Recerts: 1, 11, 12, 15, 18, 22, 26, 26, 29, 31
Immunizations: 10, 25
Family Planning: 9, 17, 23, 30
Willow Clinic: 3
M View Clinic: 24
Cholesterol Screenings: 2, 16
Holiday’s: 8th-Columbus Day-CLOSED
HAPPY HALLOWEEN!
Halloween Treats!
This year instead of the usual Halloween candy try one of these healthier options:
*boxes of raisins
*bags of peanuts
*cheese sticks
*pretzels
*popcorn
*granola bars
*oranges
*apples
*bananas
*small boxes of cereal
*sugarless gum
*fresh fruit cups
*100% juice boxes
*baked chips
*beef jerky sticks
*trail mix
You can also give stickers, pencils or silly toys.
Your little ghosts and goblins will be healthier and you will feel good about helping to reduce the childhood obesity rates!
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Howell Co Health Dept Free Flu Shots to:
Howell County Residents
October 26 at West Plains Civic Center - 8:30am until vaccine is gone
October 31 at United Methodist Church in Willow Springs – 9:00am until vaccine is gone.
November 15 at St Francis Hospital, Suite 3 in Mtn View –9:00am until vaccine is gone.
Seasonal Influenza (Flu)
The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. Flu viruses spread from person to person through coughing or sneezing of infected people. People may become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it, and then touch their mouth or nose. Healthy adults are able to infect others from 1 day before symptoms develop to 5 days after they become sick. Children may be infectious several days before onset to more than 10 days after onset of the illness.
Symptoms of Flu include:
Fever Dry cough
Headache Extreme tiredness
Sore Throat Runny or stuffy nose
Muscle Aches
Each year, the seasonal influenza vaccine contains 3 influenza virus strains. There is one influenza A (H3N2), one influenza A (H1N1), and one Influenza B virus. The influenza virus strains are selected each year based on information gathered from the previous year.
The single best way to prevent seasonal flu is to get a flu vaccination each year. You will start to develop protective antibodies in about 2 weeks after your receive your shot.
A confirmed case of rabies has been reported to the Howell County Health Department by the Missouri State Public Health Lab in Jefferson City. The case involved a rabid skunk exposing the virus to individuals in the city limits of West Plains.
Although rabies is transmitted to humans almost entirely through bites from rabid animals, contamination of open wounds or mucous membranes with saliva or nervous tissue from a rabid animal could potentially constitute an exposure. Due to the human contact, each individual with this exposure must now begin a series of anti-rabies shots to protect each exposed person from developing rabies, which is almost invariably fatal in humans.
To date in 2007, this is the first confirmed case of rabies in Howell County. In 2006, Howell County had a total of 3 positive rabies cases, all occurring in skunks. Howell County ended 2005 with a total of 7 Rabies cases.
Rabies is a viral disease of mammals and is transmitted primarily through bites. Annually, 7,000 to 8,000 rabid animals are detected in the United States, with more than 90 percent of the cases in wild animals. Rabies is found naturally in Missouri, occurring primarily in bats and skunks, although other animals are also found rabid each year, including domestic species such as dogs, cats, horses, and cattle.
Community Prevention
- Ensure dogs and cats are up-to-date on rabies vaccinations. Vaccinations are also available for ferrets, horses, cattle, and sheep. Keep pets under control; do not allow them to run loose.
- Avoid contact with stray pets and wild animals; do not keep wild animals or wild animal crosses as pets.
Actions Following a Potential Rabies Exposure
· Domestic animals: Identify and, if possible, confine the biting animal. Dogs, cats, and ferrets may be quarantined for ten days (if animal has had rabies vaccination within 12 months, healthy and depending on other circumstances), or they may be euthanized and tested for rabies.
· Wild animals: Identify and, if possible, confine the biting animal for rabies testing. No quarantine period is recognized for wild animals.
· Wash the wound immediately and thoroughly with soap and water for 10 to 15 minutes.
· Consult with a physician to: have a rabies risk assessment accomplished, including determining if the anti-rabies series of shots is warranted.
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The Food Factor:
Around 30% of all cancers are thought to be linked to diet. A high-fat diet, particularly animal fat, may slightly increase the risk but only when eaten very frequently. Some studies have suggested a diet high in red meat may increase the risk of breast cancer.
Get Moving:
About 8% of breast cancer cases in the UK may be attributable to being overweight or obese, particularly after menopause. Some studies suggest that regular exercise and a healthy diet could reduce the risk of breast cancer.
This information was provided by the Breast Cancer Care press office, for more info contact them at press@breastcancercare.org.uk
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Breast Cancer Awareness Month
This October marks the 22nd anniversary of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. It began in 1985 as a mere weeklong event to increase the public's awareness of the importance of early breast cancer detection. Now, the month long campaign involves a myriad of supporters from professional associations, government agencies, and national public service organizations.
Each year more than 200,000 Americans are diagnosed with breast cancer and 40,000 people in this country die from breast cancer yearly (men as well as women!) Approximately one in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime. The good news is that early detection of breast cancer increases the chance of survival dramatically. The five-year survival rate for breast cancer is 98% for those persons whose cancer has not spread beyond the breast at the time of diagnosis. In fact, the death rate for breast cancer has actually shown a decline in recent years though the incidence of new cases has gone up. This decline in the death rate is felt to be directly attributable to early detection of the disease. Programs such as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month have played a major role in facilitating that early detection.
The month includes nationwide opportunities to hear noted speakers discuss the topic of breast cancer detection and treatment. There are also wealth of fundraisers such as cancer walks that not only raise awareness through active participation, but also generate money to support cancer research and patient services. Support groups and resource programs are also promoted to help those dealing with the issues of breast cancer.
Here are the recommendations of the American Cancer Society for breast cancer screening:
- Every woman age 40 and older should have an annual mammogram and a clinical breast exam by a health care professional every year.
- Women between the ages of 20 and 39 should have a clinical breast exam by a health care professional every 3 years.
- Women 20 and older should perform breast self-examinations every month.
Great strides are being made in the area of breast cancer detection and treatment. But nothing is more important in the battle against breast cancer than early detection of the disease. Awareness is the key. Programs such as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month are crucial to keeping all of us mindful of the need for taking charge of our health.
For more information on activities related to this program, contacting the American Cancer Societywould be a great place to start. Good health is all of our responsibility! |
