Asthma is a lung disease characterized by inflammation or swelling of the lining of the airways. It causes repeated episodes of wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness, or nighttime or early morning coughing. Asthma is common among children and teens, but anyone can have asthma. Although there is no cure for asthma yet, with proper care people with asthma can lead a healthy, productive, fully active life. Good asthma care includes working with a health care provider to create a written action plan, reducing exposure to environmental triggers, and taking the proper medications. The good news is there are many resources available to help people with asthma right in their own community.  School nurses, local health departments, asthma coalitions and consumer advocacy groups are good places to start.  Learn more about what communities are doing to help people with asthma at www.AsthmaCommunityNetwork.org

According to Montgomery County Health Department officials, no confirmed cases of norovirus have been reported in Montgomery County, contrary to recent media reports.

Public Health Director Jan Chamness said that although there have been complaints of gastrointestinal illness in the community, there are no reports of norovirus. “We see this type of illness every year in our community; however, we have no indication that this season is worse than any other. In speaking with the news media, we were attempting to provide educational information about how to avoid illness. Unfortunately that message seems to have been interpreted incorrectly, and it was reported that Montgomery County has cases of norovirus, when we do not.”

Norovirus is a very contagious virus that can spread quickly and can be contracted through contaminated food or water, or by touching contaminated surfaces. The virus causes stomach and intestinal inflammation and can lead to stomach pain, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. The illness can also cause fever, headache and body aches.

Anyone can be infected with norovirus and get sick, however the virus can be serious, especially for young children and older adults. Health officials said the main danger of norovirus is dehydration. Symptoms of dehydration include decrease in urination, dry mouth and throat and dizziness. Children who are dehydrated may cry with few or no tears and be unusually sleepy or fussy.

Most people with norovirus get better within one to three days.

Norovirus is the most common cause of acute gastroenteritis in the United States. Each year, it causes about 21 million illnesses and contributes to about 70,000 hospitalizations and 800 deaths. Norovirus is also the most common cause of foodborne-disease outbreaks in the United States.

The best way to help prevent norovirus is to practice proper hand washing and general cleanliness.

For more information about norovirus visit the CDC website at http://www.cdc.gov/Features/Norovirus/

Beginning Tuesday, Jan. 15, the health department will offer the Cooper Clayton Method to Stop Smoking, a 12-week program to help people quit. The support group is facilitated by trained professionals who can offer support and provide tools such as nicotine replacement therapy products, educational materials and other information. Classes will be held from noon to 1 p.m. and from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the health department.

According to Rachel Ragland, a health educator at the health department and a facilitator for the smoking cessation program, nicotine in tobacco is one of the most powerful addictive agents. “There are a lot of people who would like to quit smoking on their own, but it is just too hard. Most people need some type of support, medication or counseling to be successful.” Ragland said that according to data from the Kentucky Department for Public Health, as few as 5 percent of people trying to quit on their own will be successful. Research indicates that 70 percent of smokers want to quit, and 50 percent of those will make at least one attempt each year to quit.

Tobacco use and dependence is the leading preventable cause of death in Kentucky and the nation. Nearly 8,000 Kentuckians die each year because of tobacco-related diseases. Eighty-five percent of all lung cancers are caused by cigarette smoking, and Kentucky leads the nation in lung cancer deaths. Smoking is a major risk factor for the four leading causes of death: heart disease, cancer, stroke and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

To register for the Cooper-Clayton class or for more information about quitting, call Rachel Ragland at 497-2438.

The Department for Public Health reported today that flu activity is now widespread in the state.  There have been lab confirmed cases in at least 8 of the 15 regions and increased influenza like illness in every region.  This is occurring earlier this year than in the past.  Widespread flu activity is usually not seen until January and last year didn’t occur until Feb/March.    Please encourage employees, family, friends to:

• Get the Flu vaccination.  Flu vaccinations can be obtained from many places in the county, including pharmacy’s, many local physician/clinician offices, and the health department.  It takes 2 weeks from the time of vaccination to develop protection against the flu.
• Practice good hand hygiene by washing your hands often with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand rub.
• Stay home from work, school and community activities for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone if you are sick with flu-like illness….don’t spread it to others!!

A list of actions to fight the flu including CDC recommendations for the flu vaccine is available at http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/preventing.htm.

Happy New Year!  This year marks the 10th anniversary of the creation of the Medical Reserve Corps, which was announced during President George W. Bush’s 2002 State of the Union address, and officially launched as a demonstration project in July of 2002. Over these past ten years, we have seen the program grow to over 200,000 volunteers in almost 1,000 units across the country—ready to respond to emergencies and building resiliency in thousands of local communities through prevention, preparedness and public health activities.

As you know, MRC units can play a large role in carrying out the National Prevention Strategy, recognizing that good health comes not just from receiving quality medical care but from stopping disease before it starts. MRC units have met that challenge with public health activities ranging from flu vaccination clinics and smoking cessation initiatives to obesity prevention programs through the “Let’s Move” campaign and Bodyworks, a program that targets parents and caregivers of adolescents as resources to improve family eating and activity behaviors.

We will commemorate and celebrate the MRC’s 10^th anniversary and our decade of accomplishments throughout the coming year, and we encourage you to get the word out in your communities as well.  The anniversary year is a great opportunity to highlight your unit’s activities and successes by reaching out to your local media, community leaders, and to prospective partners and volunteers. As part of our awareness plan, we intend to highlight National Health Observances that are tied to the MRC’s prevention mission, such as the Great American Smokeout, National Nutrition Month, and National Hurricane Preparedness Week, and we will send you the upcoming observances for the month.  You can also find them at this link:  http://www.healthfinder.gov.

State public health officials are encouraging Kentuckians to get the flu vaccine now to reduce the spread of illness this coming flu season.
“We recommend that Kentuckians get their flu vaccine now to protect themselves and their families as we move into flu season,” said Steve Davis, M.D., acting commissioner of the Kentucky Department for Public Health (DPH). “Getting the flu vaccine each year is the best way to protect against the flu’s spread and severity.”

• Children age 6 months to 19 years;
• Pregnant women;
• People 50 years old or older;
• People of any age with chronic health problems;
• People who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities;
• Health care workers;
• Caregivers of or people who live with a person at high risk for complications from the flu; and
• Out-of-home caregivers of or people who live with children less than 6 months old.

Healthy, non-pregnant people age 2-49 years can receive either the flu shot or the nasal vaccine spray. Children younger than 9 years old who are being vaccinated against flu for the first time should receive a second dose four or more weeks after their first vaccination.
Local health departments and private health care providers are expected to have adequate supplies of flu vaccine on hand for this year’s season. Kentuckians should contact their health care provider or local health department for more information.
Infection with the flu virus can cause fever, headache, cough, sore throat, runny nose, sneezing and body aches. Flu is a very contagious disease caused by the flu virus, which spreads from person to person. Approximately 23,000 deaths due to seasonal flu and its complications occur on average each year in the U.S., according to recently updated estimates from the CDC. However, actual numbers of deaths vary from year to year.
“We also recommend good health habits to prevent illness, such as washing hands often with soap and water, and avoiding touching your eyes, nose or mouth. And if people are sick, we recommend they stay home from work or school,” said Dr. Davis.
In addition to the flu vaccine, officials encourage all adults 65 or older and others in high-risk groups to ask their health care provider about the pneumococcal vaccine. This vaccine can help prevent a type of pneumonia, one of the flu’s most serious and potentially deadly complications.
For more information on influenza or the availability of flu vaccine, please contact your local health department or visit healthalerts.ky.gov.