|
Where is Public Health? |
|
The Cerro Gordo County Department of Public Health is located at 22 N. Georgia Ave. Suite 300.
We're on the 3rd floor of Mohawk Square in downtown Mason City, Iowa. |
| Career Opportunity |
|
Home Care Aide
Tired of routinely working weekends, holidays, and evenings?
Join our excellent health care team, providing care for individuals in their own home.
Work is normally performed Monday through Friday during the hours of 8:00 a.m.to 4:30 p.m. with incentive pay to occasionally be on call weekends and/or holidays.
This is a part-time position with a minimum of 24 hrs/wk with a possibility of up to 40 hrs/wk. Partial benefits are available. Completion of a 75 hour Certified Nurse Aide course is required.
Applications accepted until position is filled.
Visit our web site and fill out an application:
|
| September is National Preparedness Month |
|
At home or at work, routines can be disrupted with little or no warning by natural disasters, fires or other catastrophic events. Don't wait for an emergency to think about being prepared.
National Preparedness Month is designed to increase public awareness of emergency preparedness. The campaign urges four basic steps:
- Make a kit
- Make a plan
- Be informed
- Get involved
The Cerro Gordo County Department of Public Health is working in partnership with county grocery stores to educate residents about how you can start planning for an emergency.
Most grocery stores are giving away one shopping cart filled with emergency kit items, such as food, water and other basic needs.
Visit our web site to learn about the entire campaign and how you can get involved!
Protect your family by planning today. | |
Greetings!
Flu season is just around the corner. Public Health officials urge you to have your family vaccinated against seasonal flu.
Many people have questions about H1N1 influenza- (swine flu) which is a different type of flu that affects young people more severely. National health officials expect to have enough H1N1 vaccine for those who need it. The H1N1 vaccine is not currently available. When supplies do arrive, Public Health will announce all details to residents through the media, our web site, this newsletter and our Twitter page.
In the mean time, please read about the many ways you can prevent the spread of germs that cause illnesses, such as influenza and H1N1 novel influenza. The prevention messages are the same for all types of influenza. See our tips below. And as always, visit our web site at www.cghealth.com for more complete details of all issues relating to Public Health.
Sincerely,
Michele Appelgate
Cerro Gordo County Dept. of Public Health
|
Seasonal Influenza can be Dangerous
 In an average year, seasonal flu causes 36,000 deaths (mostly among those aged 65 years or older) and more than 200,000 hospitalizations in the United States, according the Center for Disease Control (CDC). The "flu season" in the United States is usually from November through April each year. During this time, flu viruses are circulating in the population. An annual flu vaccine (either the flu shot or the nasal-spray flu vaccine) is the best way to reduce the chances of getting the flu and lessen the chance of transmitting it to others, according to the CDC.
Seasonal flu vaccine will be available at the Cerro Gordo County Department of Public Health Immunization Clinic, 22 N. Georgia Ave. Suite 300, beginning Mon. Sept. 21.
The clinic will open early that first week: 8:00 AM-4:00 PM. Beginning Mon. Sept. 28, the clinic will resume normal business hours: 10:00 AM-4:00 PM. The clinic is closed from 12:00-12:30 for lunch.
Flu Vaccine Options & Cost:
$22 traditional flu shot (ages 6 months and older)
$25 FluMist nasal spray (ages 2-49)
$25 Thimersol-Free Shot (ages 3 and older)
Medicare covers the cost of the vaccine. Public Health will bill Medicare for you as long as you bring your Medicare card to your appointment.
See our complete list of public seasonal flu clinics:
|
How to Prevent Influenza
You can protect yourself and prevent the spread of germs that cause influenza:
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
- Wash your hands in warm soapy water for at least 20 seconds.
- Stay home from work or school when you are sick.
- Avoid touching your eyes, mouth, and nose. (Germs are spread when you touch a contaminated object, and then touch your eyes, nose, or mouth.)
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- When you are sick, keep your distance from other people so you don't spread germs.
- Get plenty of sleep.
- Do NOT share items that spread saliva, such as drinking glasses, toothbrushes, silverware, etc.
- Clean surfaces, such as door handles, frequently.
Learn more on our web site: www.cghealth.com |
|
Cold vs Influenza - How to Tell the Difference
Colds and influenza are both respiratory illnesses caused by different viruses. These two illnesses have similar symptoms, but there are important differences:
- Influenza has an abrupt, significant onset. Colds may come on slowly, with mild symptoms.
- Influenza infections involve a fever of 100 F or greater AND cough AND/OR sore throat. Colds may result in a low-grade fever.
In addition to respiratory symptoms, persons with influenza often have body aches, chills, and extreme malaise. Influenza duration in adults is a few days to two weeks. Colds often linger longer than influenza, but symptoms overall are more mild.
Influenza may result in serious complications like pneumonia, which lead to hospitalization. Colds generally do not.
|
| For Home Care, You Have a Choice - but You Have to Ask for It! Call 1-800-HOMECARE
- even if it's a local call - for public health nursing and home care aide services.
Thank you for choosing Public Health when making your health care decisions. The Cerro Gordo County Department of Public Health has a variety of services for all of your needs. Visit us online to learn more:
Cerro Gordo County Dept. of Public Health
22 N. Georgia Ave. Suite 300
Third Floor of Mohawk Square Mason City , Iowa 50401
Phone: 641-421-9300
Toll Free: 1-888-264-2581
|
|
