top of page

Communicable Diseases

 

Information for Specific Communicable Diseases

​

Prevention

  • Wash your hands with soap and water– use hand sanitizer when soap and water are not available

  • Cover your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing and/or sneeze into the crook of your elbow

  • Discard tissues into the trash can and do not re-use - Try to avoid touching your nose and mouth

  • Clean and sanitize contact surfaces such as door knobs, table and counter tops, faucet handles, etc

  • Do not share personal items and drinks or utensils even with members of your own family

  • Use disposable paper towel instead of cloth hand towels—they can harbor bacteria and spread germs

  • Avoid close contact with ill individuals, decrease your stress level and stop smoking

Mix For Sanitizing Solution

To Sanitize food contact surfaces such as tables, utensils, cups, plates mouthable toys etc:

  • 1 Teaspoon of unscented household bleach to 1 gallon water - Submerge items in sanitizing solution after washing and rinsing for at least 30 seconds and let AIR dry. (Bleach solution is food safe if mixed to the proper concentration). Do not use more bleach for food contact surfaces– if it is to strong and dries onto food contact surfaces it can be toxic.

To Sanitize hard surfaces door knobs, larger toys that are not mouthable by children

  • 3 Teaspoons of unscented household bleach to 1 gallon of water– use a labeled spray bottle to spray the surface with sanitizing solution and let set for 30 seconds. Wipe with disposable towel and discard.

 

Tuberculosis Program

TB testing is provided Monday –Wednesday and most Fridays. TB tests must be read 48-72 hours from administration. TB tests costs are based on the fee for service schedule.

 

Basic TB Facts:

Tuberculosis, also known as "TB" is caused by the bacterium called Mycobacterium Tuberculosis. The bacteria usually attack the lungs, but TB bacteria can attack any part of the body such as the kidney, spine, and brain. TB disease can be fatal if not treated properly.

​

How TB is Spread:

TB is spread through the air from one person to another. The TB bacteria are put into the air when a person with active TB disease of the lungs or throat coughs, sneezes, speaks, or sings. People nearby may breathe in these bacteria and become infected.

 

Latent TB Infection and TB Disease:

Not everyone infected with TB bacteria becomes sick. As a result, two TB-related conditions exist. Latent TB infection and active TB disease.

Latent TB Infection:

In most people who breathe in TB bacteria and become infected, the body is able to fight the bacteria to stop them from growing. This is called latent TB infection or LTBI. People with latent TB infection do not feel sick and do not have any symptoms. The only sign of TB infection is a positive reaction to the tuberculin skin test. People with latent TB infection are not infectious and cannot spread TB bacteria to others. However, if TB bacteria become active in the body and multiply, the person will get sick with TB disease.

TB Disease:

When TB bacteria are active (multiplying in your body), this is called TB disease. People with TB disease may spread the bacteria to people they spend time with every day. Many who have latent TB infection never develop TB disease. For persons whose immune systems are weak, especially those with HIV infection, the risk of developing the TB disease is much higher than for persons with normal immune systems.

 

Related Site --- www.cdc.gov/tb.

​

​

STI/HIV Prevention

HIV and Syphilis testing are provided through the Department of Health and Senior Services. These tests are provided at no cost to you through the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.

 

A urine test for Chlamydia/ Gonorrhea is available but charges do apply based on fee for service schedule, and there is also the laboratory fee that is charged and must be paid for prior to testing.

STI testing is provided:

Monday- Thursday 7:00 AM- 11:30 AM & 1:00 PM - 4:15 PM, and

Friday 7AM- 11:30 AM & 1:00 PM -3:00 PM

Closed 12:30 PM - 1:00PM for Lunch

​

​

Pediculosis Prevention

The Madison County Health Department offers pediculosis (head lice) screenings for any individual requesting this service Monday- Friday 7AM- 5:30 PM. The cost of this service is based on the fee for service schedule.

If live lice or nits are found, education will be provided and treatment options will be explained to clients on how to rid themselves of the lice/nits.

 

Prompt treatment of headlice is necessary, checklist will be given and all items on list need to be performed the same day of treatment . If any step is left out you are at risk for re-infestation. Click here for information on Prevention and Control.

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

bottom of page