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
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
Every Child Needs Protection
Children in Ontario receive immunizations to help protect them from serious childhood diseases. Vaccines help the immune system learn how to recognize and fight the germs that causes diseases. Children begin immunizations at the age of 2 months. Many vaccines require more than one injection before they can offer protection, so it is important to receive all shots. Any immunization … Read More
Mind your “Business”
Mind Your “Business” The Action Canada for Sexual Health and Rights team is looking to raise awareness about this connection during Sexual and Reproductive Health Awareness Week from February 12-16th. This year’s theme for the week is Mind Your “Business,” and the goal is to address and raise awareness to the connection between sexual health and mental health and the … Read More
Stop! Clean Your Hands!
Hand cleaning is very simple. It is the best way to reduce the spread of bacteria and viruses such as the flu and MRSA after you’ve touched a potentially contaminated surface at the gym, at work or school, or at home or if you are dealing with a nasty cold. www.handhygiene.ca recommends that we clean our hands for at least 20 … Read More
Winter is Fast Approaching: Are You Prepared?
Winter can mean bitter cold and storms that bring high winds, icy rain or heavy snowfall. Are you prepared for whatever the season will bring? Do you have an emergency plan for you and your family? It only takes about 20 minutes to make a family emergency plan online. Before starting, think about: Identifying meeting places to reunite with family … Read More
Prevent Antibiotic Resistance At Home
Do you know that certain antibiotics no longer work on certain bacteria? This is because we often use antibiotics incorrectly and too often. We need to prevent this problem from getting worse. What can we do? As a patient, ask if tests will be done to make sure the right antibiotic is prescribed. Take antibiotics exactly as the doctor tells … Read More
Vaccines are Important!
Parents want to do everything possible to make sure their children are healthy and protected from preventable diseases. Vaccination is the best way to do that. Vaccination protects children from serious illness and complications of vaccine-preventable diseases which can include amputation of an arm or leg, paralysis of limbs, hearing loss, convulsions, brain damage, and death. Vaccine-preventable diseases, such … Read More
How to Safely Dispose of Needles
Finding needles in community areas such as parks is a health and safety concern for everyone. Used syringes should be disposed of properly in order to protect others from injury and infections like Hepatitis C and HIV. It’s important to remember that the risk of becoming infected with one of these infections through a needle-stick injury is very low. Prevention … Read More