Health

ADPH cautions public to protect themselves from mosquito-borne illnesses

Submitted by Donna Wallace-King, Community Web Producer

Monday, August 13th, 2012, 10:44am

ADPH cautions public to protect themselves from mosquito-borne illnesses

The Alabama Department of Public Health reports that four cases of West Nile virus (WNV) have been reported in the state this summer.

Approximately 1 in 5 people who are infected with WNV will develop symptoms such as fever, headache, body aches, joint pains, vomiting, diarrhea or rash. Less than 1 percent will develop a serious neurologic illness such as encephalitis or meningitis (inflammation of the brain or surrounding tissues).

When a person is infected, early recognition and prompt supportive treatment for these illnesses can substantially lower the risk of developing severe disease. About 10 percent of people who develop neurologic infection due to WNV will die.

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LifeSouth in need of all blood types

Submitted by JoBeth Davis, Community Web Producer

Wednesday, August 8th, 2012, 4:03pm

LifeSouth Community Blood Center is in need of all blood types at this time. The areas of East Alabama and right here in Montgomery are behind in collections of needed types for our hospitals. All collections stay local for our community.

East Alabama Region supplies the Opelika, Auburn, Alex City, Valley, Roanoke, Lake Martin areas and etc.

Montgomery supplies Montgomery County, Crenshaw County, Elmore County, Autauga County, Chilton County and etc.

Information Source: LifeSouth

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McMillan advises horse owners to vaccinate for EEE and West Nile Virus

Submitted by Donna Wallace-King, Community Web Producer

Monday, July 16th, 2012, 2:45pm

McMillan advises horse owners to vaccinate for EEE and West Nile Virus

Agriculture & Industries Commissioner John McMillan announced that since June, several positive cases of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) have been found in Alabama in birds and horses.

“We are entering into the time of year that makes us extremely vulnerable to the spread of mosquito-borne viruses and we need to protect our livestock and ourselves” stated McMillan. “I want to encourage horse owners to vaccinate their horses for both EEE and West Nile Virus as soon as possible.”

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Students ages 11 an older required to have Tdap vaccine

Submitted by Donna Wallace-King, Community Web Producer

Thursday, July 5th, 2012, 10:17am

Students ages 11 an older required to have Tdap vaccine

Pertussis, or whooping cough, is a highly contagious and sometimes fatal bacterial disease which has increased alarmingly in the past decade. To help provide protection, all students 11 years of age and older entering the sixth grade in Alabama schools during the 2012-2013 school year are required to have a tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccine.

Students entering the seventh and eighth grades during the 2012-2013 school year who did not receive the Tdap vaccination during the 2011-2012 school year are required to have the vaccination.

All students including those 11 years of age or older entering the sixth, seventh and eighth grades are required to have an up-to-date certificate of immunization.

The Tdap vaccine helps to protect adolescents from pertussis which will prevent spreading the disease to family members, other students and school staff. The Tdap school requirement will go up by one higher grade each school year.

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Heat safety tips for seniors

Submitted by Donna Wallace-King, Community Web Producer

Monday, July 2nd, 2012, 9:40am

Alabama's high heat is particularly dangerous for older citizens. The Alabama Department of Senior Services is encouraging seniors and their caregivers to take necessary precautions.

Below are some safety tips that you may find helpful in preparing to battle the heat. This would be a good time to check on your elderly neighbors, friends and family.

Some senior centers will be staying open additional hours to provide a place to stay cool. To find a “cool zone” near you call your local Area Agency on Aging at 1-800-AGE-LINE (1-800-243-5463).

HOT WEATHER SAFETY TIPS FOR SENIORS

Stay inside in an air conditioned facility as much as possible.
Avoid strenuous work during the warmest part of the day.
Some medications and health conditions can cause inability to tolerate heat. Discuss these with your doctor.
Call your friends and check on them and hav

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Take extra precautions to avoid heat illness

Submitted by Donna Wallace-King, Community Web Producer

Thursday, June 28th, 2012, 10:24am

Take extra precautions to avoid heat illness

The Alabama Department of Public Health advises the public to be alert to the warning signs of heat illnesses. The National Weather Service offices in Birmingham and Huntsville have issued forecasts for temperatures expected to reach 100 degrees F starting with the western counties of Alabama on Thursday and spreading across all of Central Alabama by Friday. Extremely hot weather is expected to continue through the weekend.

Heat-related illnesses occur when the body’s temperature control system is overloaded. The Alabama Department of Public Health cautions everyone to be alert to the warnings that may signal help is needed.

Heat stroke, sometimes called sunstroke, is the most serious heat-related illness. It occurs when the body becomes unable to control its temperature. The body’s temperature rises rapidly, the sweating mechanism fails, and the body is unable to cool down. Body temperature may rise to 106 degrees F or higher within 10 to 15 minutes.

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Debby puts blood supply at emergency level, says LifeSouth

Submitted by JoBeth Davis, Community Web Producer

Monday, June 25th, 2012, 5:19pm

Debby puts blood supply at emergency level, says LifeSouth

The flooding and storms from Tropical Storm Debby have left local blood supplies at emergency levels. With more severe weather predicted, supplies will continue to drop.

“In many of our cities the shelves at LifeSouth are bare. It is important to have a reserve supply of blood on hand for emergencies, but the weather and the normal summer slowdown have all but wiped out any surplus,” said LifeSouth Vice President of Operations J.B. Bowles. “I ask our donors to please grab an umbrella and come out and donate.”

On Sunday, part of Florida served by LifeSouth received more than five inches of rain, and coastal communities suffered minor flooding. With the storm heading north in the Gulf, the communities in Georgia and Alabama will also feel the effect.

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