News Releases
- Influenza Activity on the Rise in Pike County- February 21, 2012
- PRIDE to Perform at the Valentine Gala - February 6, 2012
- February Health Tip: "Warning Signs of a Heart Attack"- February 6, 2012
- January Health Tip: "Birth Defects – What Should You Know?" - January 20, 2012
- Pike County Health Department Reminds Residents to Avoid Hypothermia - January 20, 2012
- Bank of Louisiana Donates to the Home Care & Hospice Foundation - January 19, 2012
- Hospice Volunteers Raise $10,000 Plus for New Building - December 22, 2011
Influenza Activity on the Rise in Pike County
February 21, 2012...An increase in flu activity has been reported in Pike County recently as also seen across the country. Pike County had the first confirmed case in October of 2011 and then the second case reported in January 2012, which appeared to be lower than usual, but the numbers have started to increase since last week with a total of now 12 confirmed cases reported (cases that are tested by a health professional or establishment and reported to the local health department) for this flu season.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is reporting that for the last 2 weeks flu activity across the country has picked up. Despite this has been a relatively "quiet" flu season, people cannot assume they will be able to dodge the disease. Remember, airborne illnesses are easily spread by coughs and sneezes. There is good news in that the influenza strains being reported are contained in this year's flu vaccine (in other words, it's a good match).
If you haven’t been vaccinated this season it’s not too late. The flu season typically peaks in January and February, but no one can predict how long the flu season will last and whether the number of cases will increase across the country. If you don't want flu to interfere with school, work, family trips, activities in March or Easter celebrations, get vaccinated now. It takes a couple of weeks for the vaccine to work, so you need to get it sooner rather than later to be protected.
The Pike County Health Department continues to offer flu vaccine available in shot form and the nasal flu mist. The cost of the vaccine is $17.00. We accept Cash, Check, Medicare and Medicaid. The Health Department walk-in hours are Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 8:00a – 12:00p and 1:00p-4:00p. If another time is needed please call and speak with Rhonda Stumbaugh, RN; Community Health Coordinator to schedule a time at 573-324-2111.
PRIDE to Perform at the Valentine Gala
We are proud to announce the Bowling Green High School PRIDE will be performing on Tuesday, February 14th, at the Home Care & Hospice Foundation of Pike County’s Valentine Gala. You won’t want to miss this performance which begins at 6:15 p.m. PRIDE is the show choir at the Bowling Green High School which consists of 22 select students. The Valentine Gala is a sold out event that will benefit the Pike County Health Department, Home Health & Hospice Building Fund.
February Health Tip: "Warning Signs of a Heart Attack"
Some heart attacks are sudden and intense, where there is no doubt what is happening. But most heart attacks start slowly, with mild pain or discomfort. Often people affected aren’t sure what’s wrong and wait too long before getting help. Here are signs that can mean a heart attack is happening:
- Chest discomfort. Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or that goes away and comes back. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain.
- Discomfort in other areas of the upper body. Symptoms can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.
- Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort.
- Other signs may include breaking out in a sweat, nausea or lightheadedness.
As with men, women’s most common heart attack symptom is chest pain or discomfort. But women are somewhat more likely than men to experience some of the other common symptoms, particularly shortness of breath, nausea/vomiting, and back or jaw pain.
Even if you’re not sure it’s a heart attack, have it checked out. Don’t wait more than five minutes to call 911; fast action can save lives, and calling 911 is almost always the fastest way to get lifesaving treatment. Emergency medical services (EMS) staff can begin treatment when they arrive and they are trained to revive someone whose heart has stopped. Patients with chest pain who arrive by ambulance usually receive faster treatment at the hospital too.
Source: American Heart Association, www.heart.org.
January Health Tip: "Birth Defects – What Should You Know?"
January is designated as "Missouri Birth Defects Prevention and Awareness Month." About one in every 33 babies is born with a birth defect. Birth defects are the leading cause of infant death, accounting for more than one in every 5 infant deaths. In addition, babies born with birth defects have a greater chance of illness and long-term disability than babies without birth defects.
Not all birth defects can be prevented, but a woman can take steps to increase her own chance of having a baby with the best possible health by following a few simple steps:
- Take 400 mcg of folic acid every day, starting at least one month before getting pregnant.
- Don’t drink alcohol, smoke, or use “street” drugs.
- Talk to a health care provider about taking any medications, including prescription and over-the-counter medications and dietary or herbal supplements. Also, talk to a doctor before stopping any medications that are needed to treat health conditions.
- Learn how to prevent infections during pregnancy.
- If possible, be sure any medical conditions are under control before becoming pregnant. Some conditions that increase the risk for birth defects are diabetes and obesity.
If you are pregnant or planning to get pregnant, see your health care provider. Prenatal care can help find problems early in pregnancy so that they can be monitored or treated before birth.
Source: CDC
Pike County Health Department Reminds Residents to Avoid Hypothermia
What is hypothermia? When exposed to cold temperatures your body begins to lose heat faster than it can be produced. The result is hypothermia, or abnormally low body temperature, which affects the brain, making the victim unable to think clearly or move well. This makes hypothermia particularly dangerous because a person may not know it is happening and won’t be able to do anything about it.
Hypothermia occurs most commonly at very cold environmental temperatures, but can occur even at cool temperatures (above 40 degrees F) if a person becomes chilled from rain, sweat, or submersion in cold water.
Read more about who is at risk and warning signs....
Bank of Louisiana Donates to the Home Care & Hospice Foundation
Amber Shafer, President of the Bank of Louisiana, presents a check to Justin Selle, Administrator of the Pike County Health Department, Home Health & Hospice.
The Bank of Louisiana donated $500 to the Home Care & Hospice Foundation of Pike County that will assist with patient needs above and beyond the exceptional care that is provided.
Hospice Volunteers Raise $10,000 Plus for New Building
When the Pike County Hospice volunteers undertook the task of raising $10,000 for a new building to house PCHHH, it was daunting to say the least. However, once the challenge was accepted, the volunteers got to work. Within a few years, the volunteers presented a check to PCHHH. How was the money raised? The volunteers held three Pike County’s Got Talent shows, ran two cakewalks during Heritage Days, sold calendars, trash bags, cookbooks, Mother Earth pillows and local photography. They also sold bracelets at various functions, participated in a Book Fair, and assisted at golf tournaments. By the fall of 2011, the collective efforts of the volunteers had resulted in a check for $10,000, and a little more, being signed by those volunteers and presented to PCHHH.
The volunteers are grateful to everyone who assisted in their efforts, bought products, attended the talent shows, or in any other way contributed to their fundraising efforts.
Pike County Hospice volunteers present a check to PCHHH during their holiday celebration.