Press Releases
Year
Increased Seasonal Influenza Activity Reported in Illinois
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 15, 2008
Contact
Julie Pryde, Administrator
(217) 531-5369 /
Lori A. Holmes, Public Relations
(217) 531-2927
Increased Seasonal Influenza Activity Reported in Illinois
Champaign-Urbana Public Health District Urges Citizens to Take Basic Precautions to Avoid Seasonal “Flu”
Champaign, IL – Common, or seasonal influenza is an illness familiar to everyone. With increased seasonal flu activity reported in Illinois, the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) would like to urge citizens to take basic precautions to avoid contracting and spreading this illness.
Influenza is a respiratory illness with varying symptoms such as high fever, headache, extreme tiredness, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, and body aches. Seasonal influenza is most predominate from October – May. Each year 5% to 20% of the population suffers from seasonal influenza. More than 200,000 people are hospitalized, and about 36,000 people die from influenza. Despite these facts, most people have some immunity to seasonal influenza, and by practicing healthy habits they can avoid becoming ill.
Basic tips for staying healthy and avoiding seasonal influenza include:
1. Get a flu vaccination -
A flu vaccination is the single best way to prevent seasonal flu. October or November is the best time to get vaccinated, but you can still get vaccinated at any point during the flu season.
2. Wash your hands -
Keeping your hands clean is one of the best ways to keep from getting sick and spreading influenza. Wash your hands frequently with warm water and soap, especially after coughing or sneezing. If warm water and soap is unavailable, the use of an alcohol-based sanitizer is recommended.
3. Cover your cough -
Influenza is an airborne contagion; therefore, it is important to cover coughs to avoid spreading the illness to others. Although most people utilize single-use tissues, it is actually better to cough or sneeze into your sleeve. Utilizing your sleeve inhibits the spread of germs through hand-to-hand or hand-to-surface contact.
4. Do not contaminate -
Remember that germs often reside on contact surfaces such as tables, door knobs, writing utensils, etc., and only need the opportunity to cause infection. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. These orifices are very susceptible to the spread of germs.
5. Keep your distance -
Avoid close contact with people experiencing symptoms of influenza. If you are ill, stay home to avoid spreading the illness to others.
6. Maintain good health -
You will be more susceptible to contracting influenza if you are not in good health. Get adequate sleep. Drink plenty of water and eat nutritionally balanced meals with fresh fruits and vegetables. Get regular exercise and attempt to manage stress. Being healthy helps protect you against influenza, or can help you overcome an existing infection without getting too sick. A strong healthy body is a strong defense against disease.
CUPHD currently has influenza planning resources available to the public on the web at www.stock2forflu.com . Additional materials are available at the new CUPHD location at 201 West Kenyon Road in Champaign.
For more information on influenza planning or any other CUPHD program, please contact CUPHD at (217) 352-7961 or visit CUPHD on the web at www.c-uphd.org.
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Champaign-Urbana Public Health District Joins Nationwide Response to AIDS Crisis Among African Americans
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 5, 2008
Contact
Candi Crause, Interim Director of Infectious Disease
(217) 531-5372 /
Lori A. Holmes, Public Relations
(217) 531-2927
Champaign-Urbana Public Health District Joins Nationwide Response to AIDS Crisis Among African Americans
Champaign-Urbana Public Health District Celebrates National Black HIV / AIDS Awareness Day with Special Testing Clinics
Champaign, IL – February 7, 2008 marks the seventh annual observance of National Black HIV / AIDS Awareness Day (NBHAAD). The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) is responding to the impact of HIV and AIDS in local African American Communities by offering special testing clinics throughout the week. Sites will include the Nesbitt Cultural Center at the University of Illinois on Wednesday, February 6 from 9:00am – 2:00pm; the New Life Church of Faith in Danville on Thursday, February 7 from 6:00pm – 9:00pm; and the Decatur Masonic Temple in Decatur also on Thursday, February 7 from 4:00pm – 8:00pm. CUPHD encourages citizens to “Get Educated, Get Tested, Get Treated and Get Involved” with HIV / AIDS as it continues to devastate African American communities.
“HIV is 100% preventable,” said Candi Crause, Interim Director of Infectious Disease for CUPHD. “The key to overcoming this crisis in the African American community is to not only to educate people on the facts as they relate to HIV / AIDS, but to open the door of communication. Like most infectious diseases, HIV spreads through silence and ignorance. Only by working openly together, can we hope to stop this epidemic.”
72 African Americans are infected with HIV everyday. African Americans make up approximately 13 percent of the population of the United States, yet almost half of the total AIDS cases reported in the Country are among members of the African American Community. In 2007, HIV / AIDS was one of the top ten leading causes of death for African Americans between the ages of 25 and 44.
The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District’s Infectious Disease Division offers HIV education, prevention, testing and treatment at their new location at 201 West Kenyon Road in Champaign. Appointments are available Monday thru Friday; 8:00am – 4:00pm by calling 217239-7827. CUPHD also offers “Rapid Testing Tuesdays” from 4:00pm – 5:30pm – no appointment is necessary.
For more information on HIV / AIDS education, prevention, testing and treatment or any CUPHD programs please contact CUPHD at (217) 352-7961 or visit CUPHD on the web at www.c-uphd.org.
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Champaign-Urbana Public Health District Award Winning Dentists to Volunteer at Give Kids a Smile Dental Fair
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 31, 2008
Contact
Alicia Ekhoff, Program Coordinator
(217) 531-4538
Lori A. Holmes, Public Relations
(217) 531-2927
Champaign-Urbana Public Health District Award Winning Dentists to Volunteer at Give Kids a Smile Dental Fair
Champaign-Urbana Public Health District “Healthy Smiles” Dentists to Offer Free Children’s Dental Screenings and Toothbrushes from 2:00pm – 4:00pm in the Marketplace Mall
Champaign, IL – The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) will be participating in the 6th Annual Give Kids a Smile Oral Health Fair on Saturday, February 2, 2008 at the Marketplace Mall. Dr. James Wahl and Dr. Yu-hsien Mandy Huang, recent recipients of the State of Illinois “Healthy Smiles” Award, will be volunteering from 2:00pm – 4:00pm to assist with free children’s dental screenings.
The simple 5 minute screening will be available for all children ages 3-18 that are still enrolled in school. This screening can be used to satisfy the State of Illinois mandated exam, due by May 15, 2008, required for all children in grades Kindergarten, 2nd and 6th. Children identified with dental issues will be referred to local volunteer dentists, CUPHD Dental Division, other partnering agencies, or their personal dentist for appropriate treatment. All participating children will receive a free toothbrush courtesy of IFLOSS and CUPHD. Appointments are not necessary; however, a parent or legal guardian must accompany their child.
“Oral health is a good indicator of a child’s overall health,” said Alicia Ekhoff, Dental Program Coordinator for CUPHD. “Many diseases and deficiencies can be readily identified through a routine oral health screening. Simple daily attention to oral health will produce a healthy body as well as a healthy smile!”
The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District’s Dental Division offers preventative and restorative procedures and simple extractions at their new location at 201 West Kenyon Road in Champaign. Appointments are available Monday thru Friday; 8:00am – 4:00pm by calling 217-531-4279. Children enrolled in the Urbana School District may also be seen at the Urbana School Health Center located in the Urbana High School. Appointments are available Monday thru Friday; 8:00am – 4:00pm by calling 217-239-4220.
Give Kids a Smile is sponsored by the Illini District Dental Society (IDDS) and the Central Illinois Dental Education and Services (CIDES).
For more information on Give Kids a Smile Dental Fair or any CUPHD dental clinics or programs please contact CUPHD at (217) 352-7961 or visit CUPHD on the web at www.c-uphd.org.
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