Communicable Diseases and Health Topics

The West Nile Virus and Dolores County

West Nile Virus has been detected in animals and mosquitoes in Dolores County previously, so it is important for local residents to know the symptoms of the disease. Early intervention is very important!
West Nile Virus is a disease that can be transmitted from mosquitoes to humans. Although it is very rare for humans to catch this disease and some may not even get sick, for others it can be fatal. A human vaccine is being developed, but won't be available for several years.
West Nile Virus risk is highest in August and September.Tips for avoiding exposure include: wear insect repellant when you are in a mosquito-prone area, remove standing water from your property, do not over water your lawn, and drill drainage holes in any outdoor furniture or items which may hold water. Mosquitoes lay their eggs in still water and the eggs can hatch within 7-10 days.
Symptoms include: high fever, neck stiffness, muscle weakness, tremors, disorientation, convulsions, and otherwise-unexplained coma. People over 50 are at highest risk. Symptoms generally appear 3-14 days after exposure.
If you have concerns about a possible exposure, contact DCNS.
For more information about WNV, visit www.fightthebitecolorado.com.

Hantavirus

Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome was first recognized in the Southwest in 1993. Cases occur mostly in the western United States. The virus is passed to humans through contact with urine, feces or saliva from an infected rodent. Breathing contaminated dust is the most common form of transmission. Surveys have detected hantaviruses in deer mice and other rodents in Colorado. The virus is not contagious (passed from person to person) and is not transmitted by dogs or cats that catch and eat rodents.
The Deer Mouse is commonly found throughout the Southwest. It is a small mouse approximately 2 to 4 inches long with a hairy tail and large ears. It is pale gray to deep red or brown in color with white belly, chest and feet. Deer mice are active year round, but are more likely to move inside in the early spring and fall.

RISK FACTORS

• Living in dwellings with indoor rodent populations
• Disturbing rodent-infested areas
• Cleaning cabins, barns, and other outbuildings
• Cleaning other areas contaminated with rodent droppings
• Planting or harvesting field crops
  Note: the greater number of mice, the greater chance of acquiring this disease.

SYMPTOMS
Early symptoms begin 1 to 6 weeks after exposure, and include a fever and body aches, particularly leg and back aches. Nausea, vomiting and headache may also be present. A cough and shortness of breath develop 2 to 5 days later. A sore throat, sneezing, runny nose and sinus congestion are not typical hantavirus symptoms.
A blood test for a platelet level should be done by your doctor during the first few days of symptoms. Early diagnosis and treatment are important. If you have any doubts, go to the local emergency room!

OUTDOORS

• Avoid direct contact with rodents, rodent burrows and nests.
• Do not enter rodent-infested cabins or shelters, don't pitch tents in areas where there are numerous rodent burrows or mouse feces, and do not sleep on the bare ground.

RESOURCES
Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, 24 hour HOTLINE (303) 692-2667
Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, to request brochure 1-800-866-2759

Health Topics A-Z

Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding gives babies the best possible start in life.
Breast milk provides optimum nutrition for infants during the first six months of life, and continues to be an important component of an infant's diet for at least the first year.
Evidence is increasing about the benefits of breastfeeding for both mother and baby. Recent studies indicate that breastfeeding for more than two months is associated with a decreased lifetime risk of breast cancer. Infants fed breast milk receive numerous special substances that protect them from illness, therefore they experience fewer health-related problems than bottle-fed babies. The illnesses breast fed babies are often protected against include:

• diarrhea
• respiratory infections
• ear infections
• stomach problems

Population studies have also produced strong information suggesting that breastfeeding an infant for four months or longer provides protection against childhood-onset diabetes and childhood cancer.
Breastfeeding enhances the mother-infant bond. It is also convenient since breast milk requires no measuring, mixing or heating. Fewer cans, bottles, and nipples to throw away makes breastfeeding also good for the environment by creating less trash and pollution.
WIC provides food and nutrition information and is working to meet the needs of breastfeeding women. Because breastfeeding is recognized as the best form of infant nutrition, our goal is to motivate women to choose to breastfeed when their baby is born and then continue to breastfeed their infants for at least six months.
Women who participate in the WIC program and breastfeed their infants exclusively (using no formula supplementation) receive the most food benefits to meet the increased caloric demand of a nursing mother. They may remain on the WIC program for up to one year after their baby is born. WIC also has breast pumps available for loan to WIC clients with specific needs related to maintaining their supply of breast milk. Breastfeeding is a simple and loving way to give babies the best possible start in life.

Flu (Influenza) Information from the CDC website

Influenza (the flu) is a contagious disease that is caused by the influenza virus. It attacks the respiratory tract in humans (nose, throat, and lungs). The flu is different from a cold. The flu usually comes on suddenly and may include these symptoms:

• Fever
• Headache
• Tiredness (can be extreme)
• Dry cough
• Sore throat
• Nasal congestion
• Body aches

These symptoms are usually referred to as "flu-like symptoms."

Anyone Can Get the Flu, But the Disease Is More Severe for Some People
Most people who get the flu will recover in 1 to 2 weeks, but some people will develop life-threatening complications (such as pneumonia) as a result of the flu. Millions of people in the United States - about 10% to 20% of U.S. residents - will get the flu each year. An average of about 20,000 people per year in the United States die from the flu, and 114,000 per year have to be admitted to the hospital as a result of influenza. Anyone can get the flu (even healthy people), and serious problems from flu can happen at any age. People more than 65 years old, people of any age with chronic medical conditions, and very young children are more likely to get complications from flu. Pneumonia, bronchitis, and sinus and ear infections are three examples of complications from flu. The flu can make chronic health problems worse. For example, people with asthma may experience asthma attacks while they have the flu, and people with chronic congestive heart failure may have worsening of this condition that is triggered by the flu.

How the Influenza Virus Is Passed Around
The flu is spread, or transmitted, when a person who has the flu coughs, sneezes, or speaks and sends flu virus into the air, and other people inhale the virus. The virus enters the nose, throat, or lungs of a person and begins to multiply, causing symptoms of the flu. Flu may, less often, be spread when a person touches a surface that has flu viruses on it - a door handle, for instance - and then touches his or her nose or mouth.

The Flu Is Contagious
A person can spread the flu starting one day before they feel sick. Adults can continue to pass the flu virus to others for another 3-7 days after symptoms start. Children can pass the virus for longer than 7 days. Symptoms start 1-4 days after the virus enters the body. Some persons can be infected with the flu virus but have no symptoms. During this time, those persons can still spread the virus to others.

How To Know if You Have the Flu
Your respiratory illness might be the flu if you have sudden onset of body aches, fever, and respiratory symptoms, and your illness occurs during November through April (the usual flu season in the Northern Hemisphere). However, during this time, other respiratory illnesses can cause similar symptoms and flu can be caught at any time of the year. It is impossible to tell for sure if you have the flu based on symptoms alone. Doctors can perform tests to see if you have the flu if you are in the first few days of your illness.

What You Should Do If You Get the Flu

• Rest
• Drink plenty of liquids
• Avoid using alcohol and tobacco
• Take medication to relieve the symptoms of flu

Influenza is caused by a virus, so antibiotics (like penicillin) don't work to cure it. The best way to prevent the flu is to get an influenza vaccine (flu shot) each fall, before flu season.

Do Not Give Aspirin To a Child or Teenager Who Has the Flu
Never give aspirin to children or teenagers who have flu-like symptoms - particularly fever - without first speaking to your doctor. Giving aspirin to children and teenagers who have influenza can cause a rare but serious illness called Reye syndrome. Children or teenagers with the flu should get plenty of rest, drink lots of liquids, and take medicines that contain no aspirin to relieve symptoms.

The Myth of the "Stomach Flu"
Many people use the term "stomach flu" to describe illnesses with nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea that are not caused by the flu virus, but can be caused by many different viruses, bacteria, or even parasites. However, while vomiting, diarrhea, and being "sick to your stomach" can sometimes be related to the flu - particularly in children - these problems are rarely the main symptoms of influenza. The flu is a respiratory disease and not a stomach or intestinal disease.

This information is intended for general knowledge only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for specific medical conditions. You are advised to seek prompt medical care for any specific health issues.

Heart Disease

Heart disease and stroke are, respectively, the first and third leading causes of death in the United States. They are the principal causes of cardiovascular disease death and are also major causes of disability. There are three steps people can take to help lower their risk of heart disease and stroke.

1. Don't smoke cigarettes or cigars or chew tobacco. If you already do, stop. The first Surgeon General's report connecting smoking and heart disease was published in 1964. Between 1965 and 1995 smoking among adults decreased by about 40 percent.
2. Reduce the amount of fat in your diet. National consumption of saturated fat and cholesterol has decreased since 1909, and CDC data suggests that decreases in the percentage of calories from fat and the levels of cholesterol coincide with decreases in blood cholesterol levels.
3. Get regular exercise. Even 30 minutes a day of moderate activity like walking or gardening can help increase circulation, metabolism and muscle mass, and make it easier to lose excess weight. Reducing body fat decreases the heart's workload, making for a healthier overall system.

This information is intended for general knowledge only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for specific medical conditions. You are advised to seek prompt medical care for any specific health issues.

Rape/Sexual Assult Information from RAINN (Rape Abuse and Incest National Network)

What should I do if I am sexually assaulted?

• Find a safe environment - anywhere away from the attacker. Ask a trusted friend to stay with you for moral support.
• Preserve evidence of the attack - don't bathe or brush your teeth. Write down all the details you can recall about the attack & the attacker.
• Call the National Sexual Assault Hotline, operated by RAINN, for free, confidential counseling, 24 hours a day: 1-800-656-HOPE or in Durango area, call the Rape Intervention Team hotline at 970-247-5400.
• Get medical attention. Even with no physical injuries, it is important to determine the risks of STDs and pregnancy. To preserve forensic evidence, ask the hospital to conduct a rape kit exam.
• Report the rape to law enforcement authorities. A counselor can provide the information you'll need to understand the process.
• Remember it wasn't your fault.
• Recognize that healing from rape takes time. Give yourself the time you need.
• Know that it's never too late to call. Even if the attack happened years ago, the National Sexual Assault Hotline can still help. Many victims do not realize they need help until months or years later.

How can I help a friend who has been sexually assaulted?

• Listen. Be there. Don't be judgmental.
• Encourage your friend to seriously consider reporting the rape to law enforcement authorities. A counselor can provide the information your friend will need to make this decision.
• Be patient. Remember, it will take your friend some time to deal with the crime.
• Let your friend know that professional help is available through the National Sexual Assault Hotline and local counselors. Encourage him or her to call the hotline, but realize that only your friend can make the decision to get help.

What can I do to reduce my risk of sexual assault?

• Don't leave your beverage unattended or accept a drink from an open container.
• When you go to a party, go with a group of friends. Arrive together, watch out for each other, and leave together.
• Be aware of your surroundings at all times.
• Don't allow yourself to be isolated with someone you don't know or trust.
• Think about the level of intimacy you want in a relationship, and clearly state your limits.

How can I protect my child from sexual abuse?

• Communicate, communicate, communicate.
• Speak to your children using the proper names for their body parts. Armed with information, children are better able to report abuse to you.
• Teach your children about safe and unsafe touches, as well as what is appropriate physical affection.
• Let your children know that respect for elders doesn't extend to an adult that has made your child uncomfortable. It's OK to say no and it's OK to leave the situation.
• Trust your own instincts. If your instincts tell you something is wrong, follow up.
• For information about Internet safety, download A Parent's Guide to Internet Safety from the FBI. The materials are available in English & Spanish.

Poisoning

If you have a poisoning emergency, call 1-800-222-1222. This number should be posted on or near the telephone. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call 911.

What's the problem?
Millions of people are exposed to poisons each year in the United States. In 2000, poison control centers reported approximately 2.2 million poison exposures, 920 of which resulted in death. Nearly all poison exposures (more than 90%) happen in the home and involve common household items such as cleaning products, detergents, medicines, vitamins, cosmetics, and plants.

Who's at risk?
Of the more than 2 million poison exposures reported in 2000, 52.7% occurred among children younger that six years. Adolescents are also at risk for poisonings, both unintentional and intentional: approximately half of all poisonings among teens are classified as suicide attempts.

Can it be Prevented?
Children can be protected if all potentially toxic substances (e.g., medicines, cleaning products, pesticides, and automotive chemicals) are stored in child-resistant containers, locked out of children's reach.
Parents and guardians must take every precaution possible - it only takes seconds for a poisoning to happen. Supervision is extremely important - particularly when children are visiting friends or family who may not have a child-safe home.
Getting expert advice by calling the poison center immediately after a poison exposure is the best way to prevent serious effects from a poisoning.