LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – It’s flu season and the Lake County Public Health Division has announced its community influenza vaccination clinic schedule.
Getting vaccinated is a great way to avoid getting the flu. Anyone 6 months of age or older is encouraged to get a flu vaccine.
Being careful to use good hygiene is another way to protect yourself and those around you. If you cough or sneeze, cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or the crook of your arm instead of your hands.
A virus can easily be passed from your hands to the things you touch. Wash your hands often and use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer when soap and water aren’t available. Try not to touch your face with your hands.
A virus can enter your system through the membranes of your eyes, nose and mouth. Protect yourself by avoiding close contact with anyone who is sick.
Choosing a healthful lifestyle can also help to keep you well. Getting enough sleep, eating nutritious foods, drinking plenty of water and staying physically active can help to maintain a healthy immune system. Together, we can help to decrease the spread of influenza in our community.
The symptoms of the flu include a temperature of over 100 degrees F combined with a cough, sore throat, body aches, headache and a lack of energy. If you are ill, stay home to keep from infecting others.
They will also be offering Tdap (Tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis) vaccines. Due to the Valley fire, these vaccines are currently available at no cost.
This vaccine is recommended for those that have never had a Tdap vaccine or if it has been 10 years or longer since their last tetanus vaccine. It is also important for adults who will be in close contact with young infants.
Supplies are limited, so these vaccines will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Seasonal flu vaccines are $2. Tdap vaccines are FREE while supplies last.
Lake County Public Health Clinic schedule for the seasonal flu vaccines is as follows:
– Spring Valley: Tuesday, Oct. 20, from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Spring Valley Community Center, 3000 Wolf Creek Road, Clearlake Oaks.
– Clearlake: Thursday, Oct. 22, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Senior Community Center, 3245 Bowers Ave.
– Lucerne: Tuesday, Nov. 3, from 10 a.m. to noon at the Northshore Community Center, 10th and Country Club Drive.
– Hidden Valley Lake: Wednesday, Nov. 4, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Greenview Restaurant and Cafe, 19210 Hartmann Road.
– Middletown: Wednesday, Nov. 4, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at the Middletown Library, 21256 Washington St.
– Lakeport: Tuesday, Nov. 10, from 2 to 3:30 p.m., and Thursday, Nov. 12, from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Public Health Division, 922 Bevins Court.
Flu vaccinations are also available in a variety of locations such as your primary care provider and local pharmacies.
The Lake County Public Health Division wishes you all a healthy and happy fall and winter season.
Please call 1-800-794-9291 or 707-263-1090 with questions or concerns.
SACRAMENTO – California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Director and State Public Health Officer Dr. Karen Smith has warned consumers with allergies to milk and soy not to eat the following bakery items manufactured by Kelley’s Kookies.
The cookies contain undeclared allergens:
· Kelley's Kookies Shortbread (contains undeclared milk);
· Kelley’s Kookies Chocolate Dipped Macadamia (contains undeclared soy).
People who have milk, and/or soy allergies risk life-threatening reactions if these products are consumed.
To date, no illnesses have been reported.
Kelley’s Kookies, of Stanton initiated a voluntary recall of these products after a routine inspection by CDPH identified the labeling deficiency.
The cookies are packaged in clear bags with a rectangle-shaped, white label on the front.
The shortbread is sold in 7-ounce Units; and the chocolate dipped macadamia cookies in 6-ounce units.
The products were distributed to retail stores statewide.
Consumers in possession of these products should return them to the place of purchase for refund, or dispose of them in the trash.
Consumers that have experienced an allergic reaction after consuming this product should contact their health care provider.
Anyone observing the product being offered for sale, without the corrected labeling that identifies the allergens is encouraged to call CDPH’s toll free complaint line at 800-495-3232.
LAKEPORT, Calif. – Sutter Lakeside Hospital is the proud recipient of the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association (AHA/ASA) Silver Plus “Get With the Guidelines” quality award and the Target Stroke Honor Roll quality award.
Every year the American Heart Association and the American Stroke Association, in partnership with U.S. News and World Report, recognize hospitals across the country for meeting quality metrics and improving patient outcomes.
The Associations set measurable standards for hospitals that choose to participate in the Get With the Guidelines program and award participating organizations according to level of achievement.
Award-winning hospitals are recognized by state in an exclusive publication dedicated to distinguishing outstanding institutions.
“The entire team at Sutter Lakeside Hospital has worked together to create smooth pathways and collaborative processes to ensure that every patient receives the best care. Our nurses and staff are the reason we can provide award-winning care,” said Siri Nelson, chief administrative officer, Sutter Lakeside Hospital. “Our employees work hard every day to breathe life into our mission of serving our community with compassion and excellence.”
The Joint Commission certified Sutter Lakeside Hospital as a Primary Stroke Center in January of this year.
The certification recognizes centers that follow best practices for stroke care using standardized methods that support patient self-management, customize treatment and intervention to individual needs, and continually improve treatment plans.
“Quality health care can be described as striving for and reaching high standards of care that can be compared and measured in improved patient outcomes,” said Nancy Brown, chief executive officer of the AHA/ASA in a letter to Sutter Lakeside. “Quality awards mean more than a badge of distinction; they also mean that health care professionals are dedicated to being the best they can be in their quest to provide preeminent heart and stroke care.”
For more information about Sutter Lakeside Hospital, visit www.sutterlakeside.org or call 707-262-5085 to schedule a tour.
California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Director and State Health Officer Dr. Karen Smith is urging Californians to get the influenza vaccine as soon as it becomes available.
“Unlike some other infections, a person with influenza may be contagious and infect others before they have or show any symptoms,” said Dr. Smith. “Annual vaccination is the most reliable way to protect against infection and, therefore, stop transmission of influenza to others.”
Each year, flu causes millions of illnesses, hundreds of thousands of hospitalizations and thousands or sometimes tens of thousands of deaths in the United States.
To reduce this threat, CDPH recommends the annual flu vaccine for everyone six months of age and older, including pregnant women.
Two of this season’s vaccine components, the influenza A (H3N2) and influenza B (Yamagata lineage) strains, have been updated to match the viruses Californians are likely to face during the upcoming flu season.
Flu can cause severe disease across all ages. According to the California influenza surveillance report recently published, there were 78 influenza-associated deaths reported in persons under 65 years of age in California during the 2014-15 influenza season.
Common symptoms of the flu include fever or feeling feverish, a cough and/or sore throat, a runny or stuffy nose, chills, fatigue and body aches. Children may also have nausea, vomiting or diarrhea.
To stop the spread of flu and other respiratory illnesses, Californians should also:
· Stay home when sick;
· Cover a cough or sneeze with a tissue and properly dispose of the used tissue;
· Wash hands thoroughly with soap and warm water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer;
· Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
Dr. Smith encourages Californians to contact their health care provider, physician office, clinic or pharmacy about obtaining the flu vaccine. Some local health departments may also offer low- or no-cost flu immunizations.
For more information about the flu visit the CDPH influenza Web page.
To find a flu vaccine location near you, visit www.flu.gov .