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Features

[OCT. 15, 2002]  Headlines from the past year reflect a growing youth problem in Logan County. Teenagers injured or killed in alcohol- and drug-related incidents have reached an all-time high. It has brought sorrow to many, brought some to their knees, and has the community as a whole searching for answers.

Concerned parents and community leaders are looking for the means and methods to eliminate teenage alcohol and drug consumption, and to curb the consumption of harmful over-the-counter drugs used for recreational and performance purposes. While many have expressed this same concern, there are currently no real "answers" in this quest.

Kristin Lessen and the staff from Logan-Mason Mental Health, a division of Mental Health Centers of Central Illinois, think that attitudes about drinking and drug use lead the way, and want to gather information which might prove this theory and provide a long-term means of treating this growing threat.

She wants you to TAKE THE SURVEY! Just 20 questions about what your attitude is about drugs and alcohol. Please participate. It could make a real difference.

[Jim Youngquist]

Health Matters

A monthly feature from  Logan County Health Department

Health Department offers
flu shots for the public

[OCT. 9, 2002]  Logan County Health Department has flu and pneumonia immunizations available now. Flu and pneumonia shots can be obtained at the Health Department, 109 Third St., on a walk-in basis during normal business hours, Monday-Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 pm. Please arrive by 4:15 p.m.

The Mobile Medical Van will also have flu and pneumonia immunizations available at all regularly scheduled times of operation in all 14 communities.

It is recommended that the flu vaccination be received by the end of November.

The cost for flu and pneumonia vaccine is $16 per shot. Medicare will pay for both shots. All clients are asked to have their Medicare cards with them when coming to get flu or pneumonia shots.

Influenza is caused by a virus that spreads from people infected to the nose or throat of others. Influenza can cause fever, cough, chills, sore throat, headache, muscle aches in people of any age.

However, people at risk for getting serious cases of influenza are people 65 years of age or older, residents of long-term care facilities, anyone with serious long-term health problems, people with weakened immune system, and health care workers coming in close contact with people at risk of serious influenza.

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People who have had a serious allergic reaction to eggs or previous dose of influenza vaccine, and people with a history of Guillain-Barre Syndrome should consult with a doctor before getting the influenza vaccination.

Pneumonia vaccine protects against pneumococcal pneumonia, a serious lung infection. Symptoms of pneumonia include fever, aches, fatigue, chest pain, cough and confusion. People 65 years of age and older should receive the pneumococcal immunization. Re-vaccination of people at highest risk for serious pneumococcal infection is recommended only once, after five years have elapsed.

For further information, please contact the Logan County Health Department at (217) 735-2317.

[News release]

Red Cross

West Nile Virus

West Nile virus links

LDN articles

• Local authorities watching WNV

Federal websites

• CDC WNV home page

State websites

• State WNV website

• Protect your home against mosquitoes
• State surveillance site
• Logan County surveillance site

Honors & Awards

Announcements

Special Deliveries Sibling Class offered

[OCT. 14, 2002]  The Lincoln Junior Woman’s Club, in conjunction with Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital, is sponsoring a Special Deliveries Sibling Class on Sunday, Oct. 27, from 1 to 3 p.m. in the third-floor education room in ALMH’s Family Maternity Suites, 315 Eighth St.

These classes, which are held quarterly, are designed to help children become more comfortable with a new baby brother or sister. The afternoon will consist of safety tips for children, a tour of ALMH’s Family Maternity Suites, a craft project and refreshments.

All ages are invited to attend. There is no fee for the class, but reservations are required. To register, please call the Family Maternity Suites at (217) 732-2161, Ext. 316.

The hospital is also offering a breast-feeding class for new and expectant mothers. The class will be Sunday, Oct. 27, from 4 to 5:30 p.m. in the third-floor education room in ALMH’s Family Maternity Suites. The class is instructed by a registered nurse and certified lactation counselor. The fee is $5 for those who are not already enrolled in a Lamaze class. For more information or to register for either of these classes, please call (217) 732-2161, Ext. 235.

[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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