Cerro Gordo County Department of Public Health
22 N. Georgia Ave.  Suite 300  .  Mason City, IA 50401  .  Phone: 641-421-9300  .  Toll Free: 1-888-264-2581  .  Fax: 641-421-9350

 

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Health News


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RSV Infections Rise in Iowa: High activity may last several weeks

The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) reports Respiratory Syncytial Virus, commonly called “RSV” activity is at high levels, and several more weeks of high activity are expected.

Other states are seeing similar levels of activity. This is the typical time of year that RSV causes respiratory illnesses. RSV can occur at any age, but almost all children are infected with RSV by age 2. It is the most common cause of bronchiolitis (inflammation of the small airways in the lung) and pneumonia in U.S. children under age 1.

RSV is spread from person-to-person in the same way colds and influenza are spread. There is no vaccine to prevent RSV. However, you can take these steps to protect yourself and prevent the spread of germs:

  • Cover your cough/ sneeze with a tissue. Throw the tissue away and wash your hands, or cough into your sleeve.

  • Wash your hands often with warm soapy water, especially before meals. If water and soap are not available, use a gel hand sanitizer.

  • Stay home when you are sick.

  • Avoid sick people.

  • Do not share drinking glasses, utensils, etc. with people who are sick.

These are the same prevention tips Public Health officials encourage all people to use during flu season.

Illness usually begins four to six days after exposure with a runny nose and decreased appetite. Coughing, sneezing and fever typically follow and wheezing sometimes occurs. In very young infants, irritability, decreased activity and breathing difficulties may be the only symptoms.

Most otherwise healthy infants infected with RSV recover in one to two weeks without complications. However, a health care provider should be seen right away if a child’s condition worsens. Warning signs in children include:

  • Fast breathing or working hard to breathe
  • Bluish skin color
  • Not drinking enough fluids
  • Not waking up or not interacting
  • Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
  • Flu-like symptoms that improve but then return with fever and worse cough
  • Fever with a rash
  • Being unable to eat
  • Having no tears when crying

RSV is not tracked on a case-by-case basis in Iowa. However, up to 125,000 children in the U.S. are hospitalized each year due to RSV infection. Read this RSV fact sheet.

H1N1 Vaccine: Now available at the Health Department. It's FREE!

The remaining public H1N1 vaccine clinics scheduled in February have been cancelled. H1N1 vaccine is now available at the Cerro Gordo County Department of Public Health:

22 N. Georgia Ave. Suite 300 in downtown Mason City.
We're on the 3rd floor of Mohawk Square.

Things to Consider

  • Anyone age 6 months and older is eligible for this free vaccine, regardless of their county of residence.
  • Children 9 years and younger should receive a second dose at least 28 days after the first dose.
  • It is not necessary to bring any insurance or Medicare paperwork with you to the clinic. Once at the clinic, people will fill out a simple form that is provided at the clinic.

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How many H1N1 vaccine doses have been distributed by the Cerro Gordo County Department of Public Health?

Through Feb. 4, 2010:

Public Clinics:

12,962 doses

Daycares/Preschools/Schools:

  5,237 doses

Total

18,199 doses

There is NO CHARGE for the H1N1 vaccine if you get it through Public Health!

Learn more about H1N1 influenza and seasonal influenza.

We are out of seasonal flu vaccine and DO NOT expect to receive any more.

 

Slow Cookers and Food Safety

Opening the front door on a cold winter evening and being greeted by the inviting smells of beef stew or chicken noodle soup wafting from a slow cooker can be a diner's dream come true.

But are slow cookers really safe? Learn more.

 
 
 

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Call 1-800-HOMECARE today!

The Cerro Gordo County Department of Public Health offers complete home care services with Public Health Nurses and trained, professional Home Care Aides.

Read what our clients have to say about us!

What does Public Health do for you?

The foundation of a healthy community is having healthy people and a healthy environment. That's why we work with community partners - 365 days a year - to build healthy communities.

Public Health is building healthy communities by making sure that:

Public Health is also working to prevent tobacco use among our youth.

Whether you're at home, work or at play, it's important for you to know the status of your health now. That way, you can make improvements for a healthy future.

Public health - we're working with you to build healthy communities - one day at a time.

What is Public Health? You can review all of our services by clicking on any of our Service Sections, which are listed on the left side of this web page.

Updated March 10, 2010ate --> --> -->

 
 
© 2004 • Cerro Gordo County Department of Public Health