GNR Public Health | The health department that serves Gwinnett, Newton and Rockdale counties

Vaccinate Your Child

Posted on April 25, 2012 by admin

Children deserve our best. We invest our time, our energy, and our love into our young ones. That investment deserves protection. Did you know that one of the best ways to protect your children is to make sure they have all of their vaccinations?

Immunizations are safe and effective, and they can ultimately save your child’s life. Vaccines are only given to children after a long and careful review by scientists, doctors, and healthcare professionals. Safety and wellbeing are at the heart of these studies. Serious side effects following vaccination, such as severe allergic reactions, are very rare. The prevention benefits of getting vaccinated are much greater than the possible side effects for almost all children.

The vaccines available in the US today offer protection again more diseases than ever before. Some diseases that once injured or killed thousands of children, have been eliminated completely and other are close to extinction – all because of vaccination.

At The Gwinnett, Newton and Rockdale County Health Departments, we are committed to protecting your family. Your child will not be the only one who benefits from these vaccines. Some babies are too young to be completely vaccinated and some people may not be able to receive certain vaccinations due to severe allergies, weakened immune systems, or other reasons. To help keep these vulnerable people safe, it is important that everyone who is able to get vaccinated be fully immunized.

Again, you can turn to the Health Department to help you do this. We are able to provide your children with all of the vaccines necessary to keep them safe. Do not forget that some schools and daycares require certain vaccinations before admission is allowed. If you would like more information on these practices feel free to contact your closest health center.

For more information, visit the CDC’s Immunization Guide for Parents.

Posted in News | Tagged children, immunizations, infants, vaccinate, vaccines |

What is norovirus?

Posted on February 27, 2012 by admin

Norovirus is a stomach and intestinal illness that causes vomiting and diarrhea. You may hear people refer to it as the “stomach flu.” But norovirus is not related to the influenza virus, which is primarily a respiratory illness.

Every year – especially from November to March – we will see an increase in incidents of norovirus. So what are the symptoms? And what can you do to stay healthy?

The symptoms of norovirus illness usually began 12 hours to 2 days after being infected. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and headache. Severe disease such as high fever and bloody diarrhea are uncommon, but dehydration can be seen among the very young, the elderly and persons with weakened immune systems. Most people recover within 1–2 days but may continue to be contagious for as long as 2 weeks after recovery.

People can become infected with the virus by eating food or drinking liquids that have been contaminated with norviruses, touching surfaces or objects that have been contaminated with norviruses then putting their hand in their mouth, or having direct contact with someone who is ill with norovirus.

Outbreaks of norovirus infections are very common because it is extremely contagious and easily spread from person-to-person. Both stool and vomit are infectious. Outbreaks can occur in schools, daycares, and nursing homes as well as restaurants, catered events, and cruise ships. Undercooked oysters harvested from contaminated water can also be a vehicle for norovirus infection.

Norovirus is a particularly hardy virus and is resistant to most household cleaners. To kill
the virus on surfaces, you must use either a cleaner that is EPA certified to kill norovirus or a particular concentration of bleach depending on the surface to be cleaned.

Proper and frequent hand washing paired with prompt and adequate disinfection of contaminated surfaces are essential to stopping the spread of the virus.

Remember – good health starts with clean hands.

Click here to watch a short video on how to properly wash and dry your hands.

Posted in News |

Family Emergency Preparedness

Posted on February 6, 2012 by admin

Family Preparedness

The Other Guy’s Bad Luck

We are the luckiest people in the world because severe weather never affects us, only the other guy. To help that “Other Guy,” this article was written to prepare him to survive a weather emergency. You might find it interesting, too.

American’s live in the most severe-weather prone country. Each year a startling 10,000 thunderstorms, 2,500 floods, 1,000 tornadoes, and 10 hurricanes impact the United States. Potentially deadly, severe weather impacts every American.

Severe weather disasters can strike quickly and without warning. They can force you to evacuate your neighborhood or confine you to your home. What would you do if basic services – water, gas, electricity, or telephones – were cut off?

Being prepared can help you cope with fear, anxiety, and losses that accompany disasters. The following steps are the minimum actions you should take to help safeguard you and your family:

Be Informed. Find out what the threats are and the risk involved in your local area. Gather information to create a plan. Know how local authorities will warn you of a pending disaster. Learn about The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio and its alerting capabilities. Know your schools’ and works’ emergency plans.
Make a Plan. With your family, discuss what you would do, when you would do it, and where you would go if you needed to evacuate. Also discuss what you would need if you had to shelter-in-place (stay where you are) during the emergency situation. Let a family member or friend be the contact point if you are separated from family and trying to reunite. Practice evacuating the home and meeting at a known point.
Make a Kit. If you need to evacuate at a moment’s notice and take essentials with you, you probably will not have the opportunity to shop or search for the supplies you and your family will need. You need a smaller “Go Kit” for your car and a “Shelter Kit” if the disaster prevents you from leaving home. Some important items would be 3 days of water for each person, food, medicine, flash light, portable radio, and important papers. Don’t forget about items for your pets.

The likelihood that the “Other Guy” survives the weather disaster has been increased not because of Lady Luck, but by applying these 3 actions before severe weather arrives.

http://emergency.cdc.gov/preparedness/

http://www.ready.ga.gov/Prepare/Ready-Checklists

Posted in News | Tagged Awareness, Disaster, Family, Prepare, Preparedness, Severe, Weather |

National Wear Red Day

Posted on January 31, 2012 by admin

BE THE DIFFERENCE!

PARTICIPATE IN NATIONAL WEAR RED DAY (February 3, 2012):

This year, Go Red For Women is asking women to participate in the 9th Annual National Wear Red Day^® on Friday, February 3, 2012, to make ending heart disease a reality. Show your support by wearing red on National Wear Red Day to build awareness and inspire action.

The facts are clear. More women die of heart disease than all forms of cancer combined. Unfortunately, the killer isn’t as easy to see. Heart disease is often silent, hidden and misunderstood.

The truth is: our lives are in our hands. We can stop our No. 1 killer together by sharing the truth. We can be the difference between life and death.

WHY TAKE ACTION?

More women die of heart disease than all forms of cancer combined.
While one in 31 American women dies from breast cancer each year, one in three dies of cardiovascular disease.
Currently, some eight million women in the U.S. are living with heart disease, yet only one in six American women believes that heart disease is her greatest health threat.
Ninety percent of women have one or more risk factors for developing heart disease.
Only 43 percent of African American women and 44 percent of Hispanic women know that heart disease is their greatest health risk, compared with 60 percent of white women.
In women, heart disease is too often a silent killer – less than a third of women in a recent survey reported any early warning signs such as chest pain or discomfort before a heart attack, compared with most men.
Only slightly more than half of women are likely to call 911 if experiencing symptoms. And yet, 79 percent of women said that they would call 911 if someone else was having a heart attack.

WHY GO RED?

Research shows that women who Go Red are more likely to make healthy choices.

More than one-third have lost weight.
Nearly 50 percent have increased their exercise.
Six out of 10 have changed their diets.
More than 40 percent have checked their cholesterol levels.
One-third have talked with their doctors about developing heart health plans.

^®National Wear Red Day is a registered trademark of HHS and AHA.

Posted in News | Tagged Awareness, Disease, Go Red, Go Red for Women, Heart, Heart Truth, National Wear Red Day, Red, Wear Red, Wear Red Day, Women |

How Can You Reduce Your Chances of Catching the Flu?

Posted on January 6, 2012 by admin

Did you know that the very simple activity of frequent hand washing is one of the most effective and inexpensive ways to prevent the spread of the influenza virus and to keep yourself healthy? Although people around the world clean their hands with water, very few use soap to wash their hands.

What is the right way to wash your hands?

Wet your hands with clean running water (warm or cold) and apply soap.
Rub your hands together to make a lather and scrub them well; be sure to scrub the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.
Continue rubbing your hands for at least 20 seconds. Need a timer? Hum the “Happy Birthday” song from beginning to end twice.
Rinse your hands well under running water.
Dry your hands using a clean towel or air dry.

Click here to watch a short video on how to properly wash and dry your hands.

When should you wash your hands? Here are a few examples of when you should wash your hands:

After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
Before and after caring for someone who is sick
Before, during, and after preparing food
Before eating food
Before and after treating a cut or wound
After using the toilet
After changing diapers or cleaning up a child who has used the toilet
After touching an animal, animal feed, or animal waste
After touching garbage

Posted in News | Tagged Flu, Hand Washing, Health, Prevent, Reduce |

Quick Preparedness Tip: Simple Emergency Kit for your car

Posted on December 9, 2011 by jlazarus

Quick Preparedness Tip
A small bag of essentials in your car is really all you need should you have a flat tire or be stranded for an extended period of time. Here are a few things to keep on hand in your car, in case of an emergency.

Flashlight: To avoid having to remember to change the batteries, purchase a battery free model that shakes or cranks to light up.

Garbage bag: This makes for a great poncho to protect from rain or road grime while changing a tire — simply poke holes for arms and head. It can be used as a blanket to keep in body heat. You can also use it to carry water or remove waste.

Bottled water: But, do watch the dates…even water expires.

Crackers or energy bars are good, non-perishable snacks. Watch out for things that melt.

Whistle: The sound travels further, lasts longer and is more recognized as a call for help than your voice.

Tool kit: including pocket knife & tape.

Gloves: to protect your hands while performing maintenance.

Posted in News | Tagged Emergency, Kit, Preparedness, Simple |

Gwinnett, Newton & Rockdale County Health Departments Launch New Website

Posted on December 7, 2011 by jlazarus

GWINNETT – The Gwinnett, Newton, and Rockdale County Health Departments announces the launch of its new agency website – www.gnrhealth.com. The new website has a fresh look and a wide range of improved site features to better serve as a source of information to the public.

Highlights of the new website include:

Improved Naviagion: Based on research, the new site offers the most important information on the homepage in an easy-to-navigate layout. Much of the information that is frequented on the site can be reached within one click.

Downloadable Forms: Forms can be easily accessed, downloaded, and completed prior to your first visit.

About Gwinnett, Newton, & Rockdale County Health Departments:

The Gwinnett, Newton, & Rockdale county Health Departments work to promote, protect, and ensure the health of those who work, live, and play in our community and continually strive to meet the vaied health needs of residents and visitors….Read More

Posted in News | Tagged County, Departments, Gwinnett, Health, Launch, New, Newton, Rockdale, Website |