Month: October 2015

Idaho Poison Center can answer your Halloween safety questions

On By idhwmediaIn Public HealthLeave a comment

HalloweenGhostOne of the most common calls to the Idaho Poison Center at this time of year involves glow sticks. Parents often give them to their children to make them easier to see in the dark as they trick-or-treat. However, they are soft to chew on and can break open easily. If the liquid comes into contact with your child’s mouth or the eyes, it can cause stinging and a burning sensation, but there is no need to run to an emergency room. Call the Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222 and a nurse will help.

The Poison Center managed 134 calls about glow sticks last year, and the calls are on track to reach that number again this year. No spells will be cast on young spooks this Halloween with a few sensible tips from the Idaho Poison Center.  Continue reading “Idaho Poison Center can answer your Halloween safety questions” →

Women’s Health Check offers breast and cervical cancer screenings for low-income women in Idaho

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All Idaho women need access to healthcare, no matter their income. The Idaho Women’s Health Check program can provide that healthcare coverage for cancer screenings and diagnosis for women in the state who are eligible.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer for American women — 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer during their lifetimes. Cervical cancer is not as common, but it is the easiest gynecologic cancer to prevent with regular screenings. Even so, around 13,000 new cases of cervical cancer will be diagnosed this year in the United States, and nearly 4,000 women will die from it. Continue reading “Women’s Health Check offers breast and cervical cancer screenings for low-income women in Idaho” →

Explaining the numbers behind Idaho’s expanded access drug program for severe pediatric epilepsy

On By idhwmediaIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

Dr. Christine Hahn M.D., the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare’s Public Health Medical Director, recently reported to the State Health Care Task Force on development of an Idaho program to allow children with severe epileptic seizures to receive an experimental drug derived from the cannabis plant, called Epidiolex.

The newly expanded access program often is referred to as a “compassionate use” program. It is regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, which limits participation. Idaho is allowed up to 25 children for its program.

Dr. Hahn said Idaho does not track Idaho children with severe epileptic seizures so it is difficult to tell how many might be eligible to apply for the program. Continue reading “Explaining the numbers behind Idaho’s expanded access drug program for severe pediatric epilepsy” →

Idaho health officials investigate raw milk as likely source of recent illnesses

On By idhwmediaIn Public Health7 Comments

Idaho Public Health officials are investigating eight illnesses in southwest Idaho likely associated with drinking unpasteurized (raw) milk. To date, four Campylobacter and four E.coli 0157:H7 cases have reported drinking raw milk produced by the Natural Farm Fresh Dairy of Kuna in the week prior to getting sick. The investigation is ongoing with Southwest and Central District Health departments, working in association with the Idaho State Department of Agriculture.

“If people have recently purchased raw milk from this dairy, we advise them not to drink it and to discard it,” says Dr. Leslie Tengelsen, State Public Health Veterinarian with the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare. Continue reading “Idaho health officials investigate raw milk as likely source of recent illnesses” →

Parents in Idaho may want to consider lead poisoning testing for their children

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It’s National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week, so it’s a good time to educate yourself on lead poisoning and have your children tested, especially if you live in a home that was built before 1978. Lead poisoning is considered the most preventable environmental disease among children, but about half a million kids in the United States have dangerous levels of lead in their blood.

The most common way lead gets into our bodies is from dust in older homes and buildings and hobbies like reloading and making bullets. The dust comes from deteriorating lead-based paint and contaminated soil that gets tracked into the places we live and work. Older homes and buildings are the most common places for exposure because of lead-based paint, but the metal also can be found in soil and water and is used to make batteries, bullets and metal products, such as pipes.  Continue reading “Parents in Idaho may want to consider lead poisoning testing for their children” →

Idaho Child Support Services website gets a new look, more features

On By idhwmediaIn Welfare / Self RelianceLeave a comment

child support blog

Child Support Services has launched a redesigned website that makes it easier for parents to:

  • Find information about services
  • See account balances
  • View or print a payment history
  • Access messages from Child Support Services
  • Update contact information

This change will only affect how information is displayed and printed. It does not change  how child support payments are collected or distributed. Continue reading “Idaho Child Support Services website gets a new look, more features” →

Do you know the ABCs of Safe Infant Sleep?

On By idhwmediaIn Public Health1 Comment

It’s scary to think that you could put your baby down for a nap and he might never wake up. But it happens more often than we would like. About 3,500 infants die suddenly and unexpectedly each year in the United States. The cause of death for many of these babies can’t be determined, but there are factors that can put your baby at higher risk.

October is Safe Infant Sleep Awareness Month in Idaho, so it’s a good time to learn the ABCs of Safe Infant Sleep. They are:

A for alone. Babies should sleep alone, not with adults who can roll onto them.

B for back. They should sleep on their backs without blankets, bedding or stuffed animals that could interfere with their breathing.

C for crib. They should sleep in a crib with a firm surface and in a cool room (70 degrees). If you’re worried about whether they are warm enough, keep them comfortable with clothing or put them in a sleep sack.

S for smoke-free. They should sleep in a smoke-free environment. Continue reading “Do you know the ABCs of Safe Infant Sleep?” →

The flu vaccine is your best protection, and it’s time to get it now

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It’s October, which means flu season  is here. And that means it’s time to get vaccinated to protect yourself against the flu. Flu season can run from October to May, so if you haven’t gotten the vaccine yet this year, you should get one as soon as possible. It’s the best way to protect yourself and your loved ones from what can be a serious infection.

Public health officials think this year’s vaccine, which is different from last year’s, is a good match for the flu strains that could be circulating, but it’s difficult to predict so early in the season. Flu viruses are constantly changing. Flu vaccines are updated before the start of flu season each year, based on which influenza viruses are making people sick in other parts of the world. This year’s trivalent vaccine offers protection for two type A influenza viruses, and one type B virus. An additional type B influenza virus is included in the vaccine that offers protection against four strains of the virus; that is called the quadrivalent vaccine. Continue reading “The flu vaccine is your best protection, and it’s time to get it now” →