Claudia Blackburn, Director
Fast Facts for Health
Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) November 2007
El SIDA
AIDS is a disease caused by the virus, HIV, that damages the body's immune system and destroys its ability to fight illness.
Anthrax May 2007
Los Hechos Acerca Del Anthrax
Anthrax is a serious disease caused by a bacterium that forms spores. A bacterium is a very small organism made up of one cell. Many bacteria can cause disease. A spore is a cell that is dormant (asleep) but may come to life with the right condition.
Avian Flu August 2007
La Gripe Aviar
Avian Influenza, commonly known as “Bird flu,” is an infectious disease of birds caused by the type A strains of the Influenza virus (H5NI). Type A influenza viruses can infect several animal species including birds, pigs, horses, seals and whales.
Baby Bottle Tooth Decay January 2007
Caries de Biberón
Baby bottle tooth decay is a dental condition that can destroy the teeth of an infant or young child. By taking the right precautions, parents can reduce baby bottle tooth decay.
Blood Pressure October 2007
Consejos Prácticos Para La Presión Arterial
Blood pressure is the force of the blood pushing against the walls of the arteries. Optimal blood pressure for adults is a systolic blood pressure less than 120 and a diastolic blood pressure less than 80. The only way to detect high blood pressure is to have it checked.
Botulinum toxin is the single most poisonous know substance. It is a series illness caused by a nerve toxin. There are three types of botulism: food, wound and infant botulism.
Campylobacter June 2007
Campilobacteriosis
Campylobacter is a bacteria that causes an infection in the small intestine.
Chlamydia March 2008
Chlamydia is the most common STD reported in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control there are more than a million reported cases in the United States.
Cold vs. Flu November 2007
Many people have trouble figuring out if they have the symptoms of a common cold, or something more serious, such as seasonal influenza. Check out this helpful fact sheet for some clear differences between the two.
Community Health Clinics April 2008
An up-to-date list of Sedgwick County Community Health Clinics and their contact information.
Cryptosporidiosis August 2007
Cryptosporidiosis is a diarrheal disease caused by microscopic parasites. Once an animal or person is infected, the parasite lives in the intestine and passes in the stool.
Dengue Fever May 2007
This acute fever is caused by the bite of an infected mosquito. The types of mosquitoes that transmit the Dengue live in tropical urban areas of the world. Dengue cannot be spread directly from person-to-person.
Diabetes July 2007
¿Qué es la diabetes?
Diabetes means that your blood glucose (often called blood sugar) is too high. Your blood always has some glucose in it because your body needs glucose for energy to keep you going. But too much glucose in the blood can cause health problems.
Eat 5 to 9 Fruits and Veggies a Day December 2007
Coma de 5 a 9 frutas y vegetales al día
Research proves that fruit and vegetables are critical to promoting good health. Eating a variety of fruits and veggies everyday can help reduce the risk of: heart disease, high blood pressure, type II diabetes, and certain cancers.
E. Coli June 2007
Los Hechos Acerca De E. Coli
E. coli is a bacteria that can cause severe illness and even death in humans. Infection usually occurs by consuming contaminated food, often due to inadequately cooked beef, raw milk, fruits and/or vegetables which are contaminated with ruminant feces. Waterborne transmission has also been documented. In addition, person to person transmission can occur if hand washing habits are inadequate.
Fifth Disease June 2007
Fifth Disease is a mild rash illness which occurs most commonly in children. Although the facial rash may cause alarm, the disease is mostly harmless.
FirstWatch™ May 2005
FirstWatch™ is an early warning biosurveillance system designed to monitor the 9-1-1 and other public safety systems for abnormalities that may indicate a biological attack or other significant medical trends.
Floodwater Illness October 2007
Floods can increase the transmission of communicable diseases. Click on More Information to learn what you can do to protect your family and self in the situation of a flood.
Giardia June 2007
La Giardia
Giardia is a protozoan, or parasite, that can cause intestinal illnesses. Symptoms may include chronic diarrhea, abdominal cramps, bloating, frequent loose and pale greasy stools, fatigue and weight loss. However, some individuals may be asymptomatic.
Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease May 2008
Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) is a common infant and children’s virus. It begins with a mild fever, poor appetite, sore throat and a general “sick” feeling. One or two days after the fever begins, painful sores develop in the mouth and/or on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet.
Head Lice June 2007
Head lice are parasitic insects found on the heads of people. Having head lice is very common.
Hepatitis A April 2008
Hepatitis A is a liver disease that sets in quickly. Common symptoms include fever, loss of appetite, weight loss, nausea and abdominal discomfort. Hepatitis A goes away on its own; there is not a specific treatment for Hepatitis A.
Hepatitis B April 2008
Hepatitis B is a serious liver disease that can cause lifelong infection, cirrhosis (scarring) of the liver, liver cancer, liver failure, and death. Symptoms may or may not be present and include loss of appetite, nausea, and joint aches. A low-grade fever may occur.
Hepatitis C April 2008
Hepatitis C is a liver disease that can have symptoms and last a lifetime, or can show no symptoms and go away on its own. It is estimated 4.1 million Americans have been infected with Hepatitis C with 3.2 million experiencing the disease chronically, or long-term.
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) January 2008
VPH
The HPV virus can cause changes in the cervix and lead to cervical cancer. In fact, almost all cervical cancers are related to HPV.
Immunizations November 2007
Vacunaciones
Immunizations help the body's immune system do its work. They work by developing protection against future infections, the same as if being exposed to the natural disease. Children under 5 are especially susceptible to disease because their immune systems have not built up the necessary defenses to fight infection.
Influenza September 2007
La Influenza (El Flu)
Anyone can get the flu (even healthy people), and serious problems from influenza can happen at any age. Influenza is a viral infection of the nose, throat, bronchial tubes and lungs.
Lead Poisoning February 2007
Envenenamiento Por Plomo
Ñoäc Toá Chaát Chì
Lead poisoning is a preventable disease that affects children's health. Childhood lead poisoning occurs in all population groups and income brackets. There is not a safe level of lead.
Lyme Disease June 2007
Lyme Disease is a tick-borne infection that normally lives in small animals. The first sign of infection is usually a circular rash. If treated promptly, complete recovery is possible.
Measles (Rubeola) is a contagious disease caused by a virus.
Meningitis July 2007
La Meningitis
Meningococcal meningitis is a severe bacterial infection of the bloodstream and meninges (a thin lining covering the brain and spinal cord). It is a relatively rare disease and usually occurs as a single isolated event.
MMRS February 2008
The Metropolitan Medical Response System (MMRS) is a grant program under the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
Mumps is an acute viral disease caused by the mumps virus.
Nitrate April 2007
Nitrates are a chemical compound that are formed naturally from the combination of nitrogen and oxygen or ozone. High levels of nitrogen-nitrate can be harmful to the health of people when found in drinking water. This is especially true for infants and pregnant women.
Oral Health January 2007
Everyone needs to be concerned about preventing dental disease. Almost 3 of every 10 adults over age 65 have lost all their teeth, primarily because of tooth decay and gum disease.
Oral Health Clinics in Sedgwick County November 2007
Clínicas Dentales para Residentes sin Seguro Médico
This link will help you find oral health care providers available for low income, Medicaid, Medicare and uninsured patients. Most services are available on a sliding scale.
Pandemic Flu August 2007
Learn the basic facts about the avian flu and pandemic flu.
Physical Activity December 2007
Regular physical activity can improve health and reduce the risk of premature death. There are five components of physical activity. They include: cardio respiratory endurance, muscular strength, muscular endurance, body composition, and flexibility.
Plague is an infectious disease that affects animals and humans. It is caused by the bacteium Yersinia pestis.
Rabies July 2007
Rabies is a preventable viral disease of mammals most often transmitted through the bite of a rabid animal.
Radium April 2007
Radium is a radioactive element that occurs naturally in very low concentrations in the earth’s crust. The main use of radium has been as a component in luminous paint used on the dials of watches, clocks, and other instruments. Due to health and safety concerns it is no longer used for this purpose. Long-term exposure to radium increases the risk of developing several diseases.
Recreational Water Illnesses July 2007
Recreational Water Illnesses (RWIs) are spread by swallowing contaminated water from swimming pools, spas, lakes, rivers, floodwaters or oceans. Chlorine in swimming pools does kill germs, but it takes time. RWIs can be diarrheal illness, skin rashes, ear infections, eye infections and respiratory infections.
Ricin is a poison that can be made from the waste left over from processing castor beans and can be in the form of powder, mist, pellet, or it can be dissolved in water or weak acid. It is a stable substance that is not affected much by extreme conditions such as hot or cold temperatures.
Rotavirus May 2007
El Rotavirus
Rotavirus causes severe diarrhea in babies and young children. It is often accompanied by vomiting and fever. The rotavirus vaccine is the best way to protect children against this disease.
RSV August 2007
Virus Sincicial Respiratorio
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the most frequent cause of respiratory disease in infants and young children. Close to 90,000 children are hospitalized each year with RSV.
Salmonella June 2008
La Salmonela
Salmonellosis (salmonella) is a bacteria that is found in contaminated foods. Salmonella grows when foods are improperly handled or prepared.
Secondhand Smoke January 2007
Secondhand smoke is a combination of the smoke exhaled by smokers and the smoke given off by the end of a cigarette, pipe or cigar. This smoke can cause a wide range of illness and disease including cancer.
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) June 2007
Sindrome Respiratorio Agudo Severo
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) is a viral respiratory illness caused by a Corona virus that was first reported in Asia in February 2003.
Shingles February 2007
La Culebrilla
Shingles is a painful skin rash, often with blisters. The rash is caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox. Only someone who has had a case of chickenpox can get shingles.
Shigella August 2007
Shigellosis
The Sedgwick County Health Department (SCHD) is continuing to investigate an unusual increase in the number of shigellosis cases reported in Sedgwick County.
Smallpox May 2007
La Viruela
Smallpox is a very serious disease; it is contagious and sometimes life-threatening. Smallpox is caused by the variola virus, which spreads from contact with infected persons. About 70% of patients infected with smallpox recover. Some are left blind.
Staph Infection and MRSA November 2007
Staphylococcus aureus, often simply referred to as “Staph,” are bacteria commonly carried on the skin or in the nose of healthy people. Approximately 25% to 30% of the population has the bacteria, but it does not harm them. Staph can cause infections. In fact, it is the most common cause of skin infections in the United States.
Stomach Flu (Norovirus) April 2007
Gripe Estomacal (Los Norovirus)
The "stomach flu" (norovirus) is commonly confused with seasonal flu (influenza), although the two are not related. Nausea, diarrhea and vomiting are common with the stomach flu. Influenza is a respiratory illness.
Streptococcus—Group A (Strep Throat April 2008
Strep throat is an infection that can cause throat pain, difficulty swallowing, red and swollen tonsils, a fever, or rash. It is most common in children between the ages of 5 and 15, but affects people of all ages. If not treated, strep throat can develop more serious complications.
Sun Exposure Facts January 2008
Any time the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays are able to reach the earth, you need to protect yourself from excessive sun exposure. UV rays can cause skin damage during any season or temperature.
Syphilis November 2007
La sífilis
Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum. It is passed from person to person through direct contact.
Tetanus
September 2007
Tétanos
Tetanus or lockjaw, is a bacterial infection that affects the nervous system. Because of widespread immunization, tetanus is a rare disease.
Tobacco January 2007
One person dies every 72 seconds from a tobacco-related disease. Tobacco can cause disease throughout the body, not only in the lungs.
Tobacco and Oral Health December 2007
How does tobacco affect oral health and what are the signs and symptoms of oral cancer?
Tuberculosis
May 2007
Tuberculosis
(La TB)
SÖÏ THAÄT VEÀ BEÄNH LAO
Tuberculosis (TB) is a serious infectious disease, which is spread almost exclusively by airborne transmission of bacteria.
Tularemia May 2007
La Tularemia
Tularemia, also known as "rabbit fever," is a disease that is typically found in animals, especially rodents, rabbits and hares. Tularemia is usually a rural disease and has been reported in all U.S. States except Hawaii.
Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers
September 2007
Las Fiebres Virales Hemorragicas
Viral hemorrhagic fevers (VHF's) refer to a group of illnesses that are caused by several distinct families of viruses. Some types of hemorrhagic fevers can causes relatively mild illnesses, however, many of these viruses cause severe, life-threatening disease.
West Nile Virus
September 2007
El Virus del Nilo Occidental
West Nile Virus is spread through the bite of a mosquito. There are several steps you can take to reduce mosquito breeding and avoid mosquito bites. Both of which will help reduce your chances of being bitten by an infected mosquito.
Whooping Cough (Pertusis) July 2007
Tos Ferina
Pertussis is a highly contagious bacterial disease that affects the respiratory system that produces spasms of coughing that may end in a high-pitched, deep inhalation (the "whoop"). However, Pertussis is vaccine preventable and treatable with antibiotics.
© Copyright, 2008 Sedgwick County, Kansas
Please report problems to the webmaster
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED