I just received information from the Pa Dept of Health that a state wide clinic for H1N1 will be held January 8th and 9th, 2010 for all Pennsylvanians. There are 33 locations throughout Pa. You can find out the nearest locations at H1N1inpa.com, clicking on “What’s Hot” or call 1-877-724-3258 for an appointment.
Every household should have a well stocked medicine cabinet in the event of emergencies. Advil and/or Tylenol (generic is good too), antibiotic ointment, peroxide or antiseptic cleaner, bandaids (several sizes), gauze pads, ace bandages, caladryl (for rashes) are items that should be in every home. These items can be used for basic first aid care of injuries and illnesses. A thermometer is also useful as the forehead method is not an accurate way to determine if a person is running a fever. Simple remedies are sometimes the best such as gargle with warm salt water for a sore throat, cold water for a burn, clear liquids for a person with vomiting or diarrhea.
Have a safe, restful Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
The Dept of Health is having a public clinic on Nov 20, 21, 22 for the distribution of the H1N1 vaccine. It will be available at the Williamsport office. The target groups are pregnant women, children ages 6months to 24 years, health care workers and ems, people under 65 years with underlying health problems, and household members and caregivers of children under 6months. The dates and times are: Friday Nov. 20th from 2pm to 8pm, Saturday Nov 21st from 8am to 2pm, Sunday November 22nd from 2pm to 8pm. You can sign up on the web site www.h1n1inpa.com or call the toll free number 1-877-724-3258.
The clinic for Milton is still tentative as the vaccine has not been delivered yet.
I am sure everybody has heard most of what I will post but here it is one more time. The Dept of Health and CDC both are excellent resources for information on h1n1, symptoms, how to care for ill individuals. Watch family members for the symptoms such as high temp (100 or above), sore throat, cough,body aches, stuffy/runny noses, tired. Sometimes these symptoms come on suddenly. Start treating symptoms quickly with Tylenol or Advil for temps or cold/sinus meds for stuffy/runny noses, warm salt water gargles help sore throats. Encourage extra fluids especially water and juices, avoid sodas as they are high in sugar. Encourage family members to get extra rest, eat healthy, drink water, wash hands or use hand sanitizer, avoid ill individuals, consider starting vitamins if not already taking them. Also consider getting family members immunized at least with the seasonal flu vaccine. Contact your family physician if you have specific questions or concerns. You may get further advice from the physician’s office.
Seventh grade students are required by the Dept of Health to have a dental exam, either by their family dentist or the school dentist. This year the Mobile Dentist will be here seeing students on October 30th. Letters and forms have been mailed to parents/guardians of all seventh grade students. If you want your student seen by the Mobile Dentist, please complete the form and return it to the school nurse by October 5th. Students can not be seen without completed paperwork. If your student has been seen by a family dentist recently, please return a completed dental form to my office. The dental forms are on the web site.
