I CAN Breastfeed My Baby On Cue Rather Than On A Schedule Do babies need to be fed on a schedule? Absolutely not! All babies are different and so are all mothers. Babies feed best when they are hungry. Feeding your baby when he/she cues to feed, helps mothers maintain a good milk supply and ensures that your baby will … Read More
Itchy Head? Think Head Lice
With colder weather fast approaching and everyone back in school, we are likely to see the return of head lice. Some helpful tips to avoid head lice include: Check hair 1-2 times a week during the school year Avoid head to head contact Do not share personal items and head gear like combs, hats, and scarves Tie back long hair or braid … Read More
This rash is itchy-Could I have Scabies?
What are the symptoms? A rash caused by tiny insects called mites that burrow into the skin. The rash is itchy and has small, red, raised spots that appear on the fingers, elbows, armpits and abdomen. The itching is usually worse at night. Follow-up with your health care provider for appropriate diagnosis. How is it spread? Scabies is spread person-to-person … Read More
Healthy Smiles Card Expire July 31, 2019
Is your Healthy Smiles Ontario card expiring July 31st, 2019? Be on the look out for a new card coming in the mail. If you did not get one or have any questions please call Oral Health Services at Chatham-Kent Public Health- 519-355-1071 Ext. 5700
Hand, foot and mouth disease
Did you know that people with hand, foot and mouth disease are most contagious during their first week of illness? Symptoms of hand, foot and mouth disease include: fever sore throat decreased appetite lack of energy blister like sores in the mouth rash of flat red spots that may blister on the palms of the hands, the feet and sometimes … Read More
Your Vaccine Is Protected
Did you know that the Chatham-Kent Public Health plays an important role in making sure that the vaccines you receive are safe and effective? Public Health Nurses in Chatham-Kent inspect every location that stores publicly funded vaccine. This is called a Cold Chain Inspection. Inspections occur at all doctors’ offices, long term care facilities, retirement homes, pharmacies and hospitals at … Read More
I need a TB Skin Test for school….HELP!
Are you entering post-secondary education and require a Tuberculin Skin Test (TST)? For students in Community Studies, Health Sciences or other programs where the placement site requests pre-placement health clearance will require a 2-step TST. Check your program requirements for specifications. The Mantoux TST is a standard method of determining if a person has been infected with the Mycobacterium … Read More
Emergency Preparedness for Children
Are you and your family prepared for an emergency? Children in particular can feel extremely vulnerable and stressed during an emergency. It is important to remember that your child looks to you for guidance and comfort. Help kids cope by: Keeping calm Talk openly and honestly about what is happening Take their fears seriously and tell them it’s okay … Read More
After Immunization…in case you didn’t know
Side effects of immunization are mostly mild, such as a sore arm or mild fever for a day. But there is no way to absolutely predict how a person may react to a shot. If a more serious reaction or adverse event is suspected, you should report it to your healthcare provider or Public Health Unit — wherever the vaccine was given. … Read More
Do you have a child enrolled in a childcare centre?
Chatham-Kent Public Health is required by law in Ontario to maintain immunization records for every child attending a licensed childcare centre. The health unit assesses immunization records to ensure they are accurate and up to date. This is done to protect your child in the event of an outbreak of a vaccine preventable disease. Many parents think their healthcare … Read More
What is Pertussis and how can I prevent it?
Pertussis (also called whooping cough) is a respiratory infection that can cause spells of violent coughing for weeks or months. It is spread easily through coughing and sneezing. Pertussis can also cause pneumonia, ear infections, seizures, swelling of the brain and death. Children younger than one year of age have the highest risk of complications. However, pertussis protection is … Read More
My TB skin test came back positive… Now what?
When someone has a positive TB skin test, often their first question is “now what?”. After receiving positive results the first step is for the individual to get a chest x-ray to make sure there is not an active infection going on in the lungs. If the chest x-ray is clear and they are not having any symptoms, chances … Read More