Doddridge County Health Department accompanied by Doddridge County Board of Health celebrate Christmas 2022

Thursday, December 15, 2022, Doddridge County Health Department accompanied by Doddridge County Board of Health held their annual Christmas Dinner at Doddridge County Park. It was an evening full of food, friendship, laughter, and family time. The last few years have been challenging, but with everyone working together and the good Lord above we are finally getting somewhat back to normal. From each of us and our families we would like to wish everyone a very Blessed Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

National Influenza Vaccination Week December 5-9, 2022

“It’s Not Too Late to Vaccinate”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) established National Influenza Vaccination Week (NIVW) in 2005 to highlight the importance of continuing flu vaccination through the holiday season and beyond. Previous flu vaccination coverage data have shown that few people get vaccinated against influenza after the end of November. The CDC and its partners choose December for NIVW to remind people that even though the holiday season has begun, it is not too late to get a flu vaccine. Here’s why:

*As long as flu viruses are spreading and causing illness, vaccination should continue throughout flu season in order to protect as many people as possible against flu.

*Vaccination efforts should continue through the holiday season and beyond. It’s not too late to vaccinate.

*While vaccination is recommended before the end of October, getting vaccinated later can still be beneficial during most seasons for people who have put it off.

*Even if you have already gotten sick with the flu, you can still benefit from vaccination since many different flu viruses spread during flu season and most flu vaccine protects against four different flu viruses.

 

Doddridge County Health Department has flu vaccine for ages 6 months and up. Appointments can be made by calling 304-873-1531.

 

The Burden of Flu

Flu isn’t just a “bad cold.” It can result in serious health complications, such as pneumonia, bacterial infections, and can lead to hospitalization. Flu can sometimes even lead to death.

-Most people who get the flu will recover in a few days to less than two weeks, but some people will develop serious flu complications.

-All people are at risk of developing serious flu complications and certain groups are at higher risk. For people at higher risk, flu is more likely to lead to serious flu complications that can result in hospitalization or even death.

-People at risk of serious flu complications include young children, pregnant women, people with certain chronic health conditions like asthma, diabetes, heart disease or lung disease, and people 65 years and older.

-Anyone who gets the flu can pass it to someone at high risk of severe illness, including children younger than 6 months who are too young to get a flu vaccine.

 

Getting your flu vaccine becomes extra important before families gather for the holiday events.

 

National Handwashing Awareness Week December 4-10, 2022

December 4-10, 2022 is observed as National Handwashing Awareness Week. According to the CDC, keeping hands clean is one of the most important steps we can take to avoid getting sick and spreading germs to others especially as we continue going through the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Many diseases and conditions are spread by not washing hands with soap and clean, running water.

Making a habit of good hand hygiene is an easy, effective way to prevent infections and sicknesses. If you’re someone that chooses to skip the handwashing once in a while, read these mind-blowing statistics and you might think again next time!

*80% of communicable diseases can be transferred by touch

*Washing your hands a few times a day can reduce diarrhea rates by 40%

*Touching your face with dirty hands spreads sicknesses pneumonia, a cold and the flu.

*Pneumonia is the number one cause of childhood death and is preventable by regular handwashing.

The two most important times to wash your hands are before and after preparing food, and after going to the bathroom.

 

Doddridge County Health Department Closed December 23, 2022 and December 26, 2022 in observance of Christmas

Doddridge County Health Department will be closed December 23, 2022  and December 26, 2022 in observance of Christmas.

We will operate normal business hours on December 27, 2022.

If you have a medical emergency please call 9-1-1.

 

The staff of Doddridge County Health Department would like to wish everyone a Safe, Blessed, Very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

 

Chron’s and Colitis Awareness Week

This week is Chron’s and Colitis Awareness Week! Like many diseases, patients may not look “sick” to the outside eye, but are dealing with a painful, incurable disease that attacks the digestive system, causing symptoms including abdominal pain, persistent diarrhea, rectal bleeding, fever, and weight loss. Learn more ways to advocate at: https://www.crohnscolitisfoundation.org/awarenessweek    

Safe Toys and Gifts Month

When buying toys for Christmas, remember these safety tips:
-Choose age-appropriate toys that match the child’s interests and abilities. Always read and heed the label to determine whether a toy is age-appropriate for the child.
Consider the ages of all the children in the household, as toys with small parts, projectiles, sharp edges and other hazards can harm the younger siblings.
-Get safety gear, including helmets, for scooters and other riding toys. Helmets should be worn properly at all times and be sized to fit.
-Keep small balls and toys with small parts away from children younger than age 3, as these are choking hazards. Supervise older children as deaths have occurred with small balls.
-Ensure high-powered magnets and button cell or coin batteries are kept away from young children who might mistakenly, or intentionally, swallow them, as these items pose ingestion hazards.
-Keep balloons away from children younger than 8 years old, especially latex balloons as they can present a choking hazard.
-Take note of safety warnings, information and labels.
-Properly dispose of thin plastic bags and packaging, as children can suffocate.
-Before purchasing a new or used toy, be sure the toy has not been banned or recalled. Consumers can check online at www.cpsc.gov/recalls If possible, consumers should register the toy with the company after purchase, so they can receive recall notices directly from the company.

Children’s Omicron Booster Now Available at Doddridge County Health Department

Children’s Omicron Booster Now Available at Doddridge County Health Department by appointment ONLY!!

Every Monday 3-3:30PM

Ages 5-11 years old

Call 304-873-1531 for more information or to schedule appointment

 

Clinics:

Monday, November 28, 2022

Monday, December 12, 2022

Monday, December 19, 2022

 

 

Did you wash your hands? Five Common ways germs are spread…

Five common ways germs are spread

*Nose, mouth, or eyes to hands to others:
Germs can spread to the hands by sneezing, coughing, or rubbing the eyes and then can be transferred to other family members or friends. Simply washing your hands can help prevent such illnesses as the common cold or eye infections.

*Hands to food:
Usually germs are transmitted from unclean hands to food by an infected food preparer who didn’t wash his or her hands after using the toilet. The germs are then passed to those who eat the food. This is easily prevented by always washing your hands after using the toilet and before preparing food items.

*Food to hands to food:
Germs are transmitted from raw foods, such as chicken, to hands while preparing a meal. The germs on the hands are then transferred to other uncooked foods, such as salad. Cooking the raw food kills the initial germs, but the salad remains contaminated.

*Infected child to hands to other children:
Germs are passed from a child with diarrhea to the hands of the parent during diaper changing. If the parent doesn’t immediately wash his or her hands, the germs that cause diarrhea are then passed to others.

*Animals to people:
Wash your hands after petting animals or touching any surfaces they come into contact with.

 

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that’s related to changes in seasons. SAD begins and ends at about the same times every year. If you’re like most people with SAD, your symptoms start in the fall and continue into the winter months, sapping your energy and making you feel moody. These symptoms often resolve during the spring and summer months. Less often, SAD causes depression in the spring or early summer and resolves during the fall or winter months.
Treatment for SAD may include light therapy (phototherapy), psychotherapy and medications.
Don’t brush off that yearly feeling as simply a case of the “winter blues” or a seasonal funk that you have to tough out on your own. Take steps to keep your mood and motivation steady throughout the year.
Signs and Symptoms of SAD:
-Feeling listless, sad or down most of the day
-Losing interest in activities you once enjoyed
-Having low energy and feeling sluggish
-Having problems with sleeping too much
_Experiencing carbohydrate cravings, overeating and weight gain
-Having difficulty concentrating
-Feeling hopeless, worthless or guilty
-Having thoughts of not wanting to live
-Agitation or anxiety
-Increased irritability
-Poor appetite
-Trouble sleeping (insomnia)
People who have bipolar disorder are at increased risk of seasonal affective disorder. In some people with bipolar disorder, episodes of mania may be linked to a specific season.
It’s normal to have some days when you feel down. But if you feel down for days at a time and you can’t get motivated to do activities you normally enjoy, see your health care provider. This is especially important if your sleep patterns and appetite have changed, you turn to alcohol for comfort or relaxation, or you feel hopeless or thing about suicide.