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Features

Health Matters

A monthly feature from  Logan County Health Department

TB elimination: Now is the time!

[JULY 1, 2002]  While tuberculosis is an ancient disease, it is also one of the world’s deadliest. Each year, 8 million people around the world become sick with TB. One-third of the world’s population is infected with the TB bacillus. Each year, there are over 2 million TB-related deaths worldwide. TB is the leading killer of people who are HIV-infected, accounting for one-third of AIDS deaths worldwide. TB causes more deaths among women worldwide than all causes of maternal mortality combined.

What is tuberculosis? TB is caused by an organism called myco bacterium tuberculosis. When a person with active TB disease coughs or sneezes, tiny particles containing M. tuberculosis may be expelled into the air. If another person inhales air that contains these particles, transmission from one person to another may occur. However, not everyone infected with the TB germ becomes sick; as a result, two TB-related conditions exist: latent TB infection and active TB disease — both of which are treatable and curable.  [See comparative chart.]

If your doctor feels you need treatment for LTBI or active TB disease, it is very important to take all of medicines as directed. If you are noncompliant, it can become a drug-resistant strain of TB that can be very hard to treat.

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TB skin testing is recommended for certain areas of employment and for certain high-risk groups. TB skin testing is also required for children in some day-care programs and preschool programs. TB skin testing is also recommended before traveling to and after returning from a high-risk country. When the TB skin test is given it will need to be checked in two to three days. This requires two visits from the client.

TB skin tests are given free of charge to residents of Logan County. These tests are available from the Logan County Health Department Monday through Friday, 7:30 to 4:30, on a walk-in basis. TB skin tests are also available on the rural medi-van. If you have any questions, please call Logan County Health Department, (217) 735-2317.

[News release]

Red Cross

Red Cross blood drives in July

The American Red Cross will have two blood drives at the Lincoln Sports Complex in July. They will be sponsored by Lincoln Printers, Inc. On July 3, hours will be from noon until 6 p.m. Hours on July 17 will be from noon until 5 p.m.

Also on July 17, Faith Lutheran Church will host a drive from noon until 6 p.m.

Atlanta Christian Church will be the site for a drive from noon until 6 p.m. July 18.

St. Peter Lutheran Church in Emden will host a drive on July 26, with hours from 2 until 6 p.m.

During June, the following people reached milestones in their blood donations: Willard Emmons, 13 gallons; Joe Reichle, 12; Nancy A. Lahr, seven; Larry J. Lessen, six; W.B. Franz, five; Richard D. Martin, three; Beverly Lessen, two; Paul Eckert, two; Thomas Steiner, two; Carolyn Follis, one; and Ruth A. Fredericks, one gallon.

Honors & Awards

Announcements

U of I Extension offers diabetes cooking school

[JUNE 25, 2002]  If you have diabetes, choosing and preparing foods can be a real challenge. At the "Dining with Diabetes" cooking classes sponsored by University of Illinois Extension, you can learn how to cook foods that are low in sugar, fat and sodium.

"Those attending will learn how to cook with artificial sweeteners, low-fat products, herbs and spices," explains Jananne Finck, nutrition educator with the U of I Extension in Springfield. "We’ll have cooking demonstration and taste several different recipes. "

"Everyone will get recipes to help them plan healthy meals at home," adds John Fulton unit leader for Logan County Extension.

"Dining with Diabetes" consists of three sessions, July 8, 15 and 22, at the Logan County Extension office.

The $10 registration fee includes class materials, recipe booklets and taste testing. Space is limited and advance registration is required.

For more details or if you need reasonable accommodations to participate in this program, please contact the Logan County Extension office, (217) 732-8289.

[News release]

The Rural Health Partnership has announced the schedule for its mobile health unit for 2002.

For more information on the mobile health unit schedule and services, contact Dayle Eldredge at (217) 732-2161, Ext. 409.

Community resource list

This family resource list to save and use is provided by the Healthy Communities Partnership and the Healthy Families Task Force, 732-2161, Ext. 409.         

(updated 2-15-02)

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