National Infant Immunization Week (NIIW) is an annual observance to promote the benefits of immunizations and to improve the health of children two years old or younger. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the week-long observance established to remind parents and caregivers how important it is to protect children against 14 vaccine-preventable diseases through immunization.

Several important milestones already have been reached in controlling vaccine preventable diseases among infants and adults worldwide. Vaccines have greatly reduced infant death and disability caused by preventable diseases in the United States. In addition:

• Through immunization, we can now protect infants and children from 14 vaccine-preventable diseases before age two.
• In the 1950s, nearly every child developed measles and unfortunately, some even died from this serious disease. Today, few physicians just out of medical school will ever see a case of measles during their careers.
• Routine childhood immunization in one birth cohort prevents about 20 million cases of disease and about 42,000 deaths. It also saves about $13.6 billion in direct costs.
• The National Immunization Survey has consistently shown that childhood immunization rates for vaccines routinely recommended for children remain at or near record levels.

It’s easy to think of these as diseases of the past. But the truth is they still exist. Children in the United States can — and still do — get some of these diseases.  For example, in 2012, preliminary data from CDC reports more than 41,000 cases of whooping cough (pertussis) in the US, including 18 deaths. Most of these deaths were in children younger than 1 year old. This was the highest number of pertussis cases in any one year in the US since 1955.

Our Health Director, Dr. Lloyd Hofer, is a pediatrician.  In this video he shares how he has seen a decrease in preventable diseases as a result of vaccinations.

All Gwinnett, Newton and Rockdale County Health Department locations will be closed on Monday, April 28. We will reopen during regular business hours on Tuesday.

Click here to find a location near you and the hours of operation.

World Meningitis Day is recognized to raise awareness of meningitis and emphasize the importance of prevention.

Meningitis is a disease caused by the inflammation of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord known as the meninges. The inflammation is usually caused by an infection of the fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord.

Meningitis may develop in response to a number of causes, usually bacteria or viruses.

Bacterial Meningitis

Bacterial meningitis is caused by bacteria, like Neisseria meningitidis and Streptococcus pneumoniae. It can be a life-threatening infection that needs immediate medical attention.

The most effective way to protect you and your child against certain types of bacterial meningitis is to complete the recommended vaccine schedule. More information on bacterial meningitis is available on the CDC’s website: http://www.cdc.gov/meningitis/bacterial.html

Viral Meningitis

Viral meningitis is often less severe than bacterial meningitis and usually resolves without specific treatment. Most viral meningitis cases in the United States, especially during the summer months, are caused by enteroviruses; however, only a small number of people with enterovirus infections actually develop meningitis.

There are no vaccines for the most common causes of viral meningitis. Thus, the best way to prevent viral meningitis is to prevent the spread of viral infections. Prevention measures include:

• Wash your hands thoroughly and often, especially after changing diapers, using the toilet, or coughing or blowing your nose.
• Disinfect frequently touched surfaces, such as doorknobs and the TV remote control.
• Avoid kissing or sharing cups or eating utensils with sick people; avoid sharing with others when you are sick.
• Make sure you and your child are vaccinated on schedule. Vaccinations included in the childhood vaccination schedule can protect children against some diseases that can lead to viral meningitis. These include vaccines against measles and mumps (MMR vaccine) and chickenpox (varicella-zoster vaccine).
• Avoid bites from mosquitoes and other insects that carry diseases that can infect humans.

More information on viral meningitis is also available on the CDC’s website: http://www.cdc.gov/meningitis/viral.html

1. Is TB still a public health problem worldwide and in the United States?

Fact: TB is one of the world’s deadliest diseases. One-third of the world’s population is infected with the bacteria that causes TB, and each year, over 9 million people around the world become sick with TB disease. Almost 2 million deaths worldwide occur each year from TB.

In the United States, 11,545 TB cases were reported during 2009. While TB rates in the United States have been declining slowly since 1993, there remains a disproportionate burden of TB among racial and ethnic minorities. TB rates are higher for some racial and ethnic groups, probably because a greater proportion of people in these groups have other risk factors for TB.

2. Does everyone who becomes infected with TB bacteria get sick?

Fact: Not everyone infected with TB bacteria becomes sick with TB disease. People who become infected, but are not sick have what is called latent TB infection (LTBI). People who have LTBI do not feel sick, do not have any symptoms, and cannot spread TB bacteria to others. But some people with LTBI go on to get TB disease. People who have TB disease do feel sick, have signs and symptoms, and may spread TB bacteria to others. Learn more about the difference between LTBI and TB disease.

3. Can some people get TB disease easier than others?

Fact: While anyone can get TB disease, some people who get infected with TB bacteria are more likely to get sick. You have a higher chance of getting TB disease if you

• Have HIV infection
• Have been infected with TB bacteria in the last 2 years
• Have other health problems that make it hard for your body to fight disease
• Abuse alcohol or use illegal drugs
• Were not treated correctly for TB infection or TB disease in the past

4. What kinds of tests can detect TB infection?

Fact: Two Tests: A skin test or a TB blood test can be used to detect TB infection.

The Mantoux tuberculin skin test is performed by injecting a small amount of fluid (called tuberculin) into the skin in the lower part of the arm. A person given the tuberculin skin test must return within 48 to 72 hours to have a trained health care worker look for a reaction on the arm.

The TB blood test measures how the person’s immune system reacts to the bacteria that cause TB.

Not all people need a TB test. You should get a TB test if you are at increased risk. Conditions or activities that place you at increased risk are:

• You have spent time with a person known to have TB disease or suspected to have TB disease; or
• You have HIV infection or another condition that puts you at high risk for TB disease; or
• You have signs and symptoms of TB disease; or
• You are from a country where TB disease is very common; or
• You live or work in the United States where TB disease is more common, such as a homeless shelter, migrant farm camp, prison or jail, and some nursing homes; or
• You use illegal drugs.

5. How are latent TB infection and TB disease treated?

Fact: LTBI and TB disease can be treated by taking medicine. It is very important that people take the drugs exactly as they are told. If you stop taking the drugs too soon, you can become sick again. If you do not take the drugs correctly, the bacteria that are still alive may become difficult to treat with those drugs. You should take medicine as recommended by a doctor. Learn more about TB treatment.

Daylight saving time ends Sunday, March 9, 2014. Don’t forget to “Spring Forward.” Is your emergency preparedness stockpile up to date?

When it’s time to change your clocks because of daylight saving time, use it as a reminder to check your preparedness kit to make sure your emergency stockpile isn’t missing any items and that the food hasn’t expired. APHA’s Get Ready: Set Your Clocks, Check Your Stocks campaign is reminding people to refresh their emergency supplies before a disaster occurs.

If you haven’t created a stockpile yet, now is the time to create one! (And as always, don’t forget to check the batteries in your smoke alarms.) Read these Frequently Asked Questions for more information about building your stockpile.

This information is good year-round: You don’t have to wait for the clock change to update your stockpile. So think about having these materials at your next health fair or community meeting!

Click here for more information about Emergency Preparedness and for local preparedness and safety information written by our Emergency Preparedness team.

Gwinnett, Newton, and Rockdale Health Departments

Inclement Weather Notice for Our Patients

UPDATED:  FEBRUARY 14, 2014

ALL LOCATIONS WILL BE OPEN FROM 10 a.m. UNTIL 4 p.m.
ON FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14.

All Gwinnett, Newton & Rockdale County Health Department offices and clinics will open at 10:00 a.m. and close at 4 p.m. on Friday, February 14.

Please drive carefully and use caution when navigating roadways in your area.

The week of February 3-7, 2014, has been declared Severe Weather Awareness Week in Georgia.  This is a great time to learn about weather-related topics, such as thunderstorms, tornadoes, lightening and floods.

While we cannot prevent severe weather, we can be better prepared for it.  Creating a family emergency plan is the first step.  Good information on how to do this can be found at ready.ga.gov.

Take some time this week to ensure that you are ready for the spring storm season.  Get more information on severe weather through the links below and watch for our updates on Twitter and Facebook.

1. Monday, February 3 – Family Preparedness/NOAA Weather Radios
2. Tuesday, February 4 – Thunderstorm Safety
3. Wednesday, February 5 – Tornado Safety (Statewide Tornado Drill)
4. Thursday, February 6 – Lightning Safety
5. Friday, February 7 – Flooding Safety