The Clay County Health Department has issued an advisory for residents to be aware of several illnesses making their way through the community.
“There are several serious respiratory diseases circulating in our area,” Nancy Mills, Administrator of the Health Department, said in a news release. “We want our residents to know what’s going around and how to protect themselves from becoming sick.”
Here is what to look out for, according to the release:
* Whooping cough (pertussis): There has been a confirmed case of whooping cough in Clay County and also Clay residents were exposed to a case of whooping cough from a Duval County resident. Whooping cough is easily spread person-to-person through close contact with respiratory droplets. The illness can last for many weeks and is typically seen in children who have not been vaccinated for the disease. The symptoms include spasms of severe coughing, whooping and vomiting. Major complications are most common among infants and young children and include hypoxia, apnea, pneumonia, seizures, encephalopathy and malnutrition.
While symptoms in adults are less serious, young children can die from pertussis. Most deaths occur among unvaccinated children or children too young to be vaccinated. Pertussis is caused by a bacterium and is droplet spread. There is a vaccine for pertussis which is given to children called DTaP. However, recent data shows that the protection the vaccine gives a person declines with age and infected adults can spread the illness to unvaccinated children. A vaccine has been made to give older children, adolescents and adults as a one time booster. It is called TDaP and takes the place of one TD (Tetanus-Diphtheria) shot that all adults should get periodically.
People should check with their doctor or local health departments about the availability and cost of these vaccinations. “We strongly recommend that adults with young children in their families, including parents of newborns and friends and family members of pregnant women get a shot of TDaP to protect these vulnerable young children,” Mills said.
* H1N1 Influenza: H1N1 flu is still in Clay County. “We have doctors who are called ‘sentinel physicians.’ They send a certain number of tests from ill patients in to check for flu viruses each week,” Mills said. “We are still finding laboratory confirmed cases of H1N1 flu in Clay County, so it is not too late to get vaccinated against this illness.” The Clay Health Department is offering free H1N1 shot and mist at its Bear Run clinic, 329 Bear Run Blvd., Building B, Orange Park, at 8-11 a.m., 1-4 p.m. Wednesdays (call for an appointment at 213-3202) and 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 20 (walk in - no appointment needed).
* RSV (respiratory syncytial virus): There is an increase in RSV illness in the area. RSV normally occurs November through April in the United States. The symptoms of RSV include cough, sneezing runny nose, fever and decreased appetite. RSV is airborne droplet spread and there is no vaccine available. Those at risk for severe illness from RSV include premature infants, children under 2 with congenital heart or chronic lung disease and children with compromised immune systems due to a medical condition or treatment. Also at risk are adults with compromised immune systems and those 65 and older.
How can people stay healthy? Be sure that adults and children are vaccinated against whooping cough and influenza. Vaccinated or not, people should cover their mouths when they cough and sneeze and wash their hands often with soap and water for 15-20 seconds. Avoid sharing cups and eating utensils with others. Refrain from close contact with sick individuals.
For more information on these and other illnesses, go to www.cdc.gov.