The Communicable Disease Control Program provides ongoing surveillance and control of significant infectious diseases, such as meningitis, pertussis (whooping cough), e-coli, and hepatitis. Our staff works with medical providers, hospitals, and laboratories to: Detect and report cases of significant infectious disease. Investigate the circumstances of each case. Provide pertinent information to families and communities. Recommend and implement measures to control the spread of disease. Provide infection-control training to community agencies and organizations. The population of Washington County is highly mobile, which increases the probability and the spread of communicable diseases in our communities. In addition, many newly emerging diseases (e.g., hepatitis C, hantavirus) have contributed to the complexity of disease surveillance and control in Washington County.
To report a communicable disease, please call or .
To report a communicable disease after hours or on weekends, please call 1-800-362-2736.
H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu):
Information for Concerned Parents and Caregivers
(April 29, 2009, 7:15 PM ET)
What are the symtons?
In most children, the symptoms of H1N1 (swine flu) are similar to the symptoms of regular flu. They include:
Fever Cough
Sore throat Body aches
Headache
Chills and fatigue
Occasionally, vomiting and diarrhea
Young children may not have typical symptoms, but may have difficulty breathing and low activity. Little is known about how H1N1 (swine flu) may affect children. However, we think the infection may be similar to other flu infections. Typically, flu infections cause mild disease in children, but children under 5 years old are more likely to have serious illness than older children. Although rare, severe respiratory illness (pneumonia) and deaths have been reported with flu infections in children. Flu infections tend to be more severe in children with chronic medical conditions.
How to keep from getting it:
Flu viruses spread from person to person mainly through the coughing or sneezing of a sick person. Flu virus may also be spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with the virus and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth. We think H1N1 (swine flu) spreads the same way as other flu viruses. Right now, there is no vaccine to protect against H1N1 (swine flu), but there are everyday actions that can help prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses like H1N1 (swine flu):Teach your children to wash their hands frequently with soap and water for 20 seconds. Be sure to set a good example by doing this yourself.
Teach your children to cough and sneeze into a tissue or into the inside of their elbow. Be sure to set a good example by doing this yourself.
Teach your children to stay at least six feet away from people who are sick.
Children who are sick should stay home from school and daycare and stay away from other people until they are better.
In communities where H1N1 (swine flu) has occurred, stay away from shopping malls, movie theaters, or other places where there are large groups of people.
What to do if your child is sick:
Unless they need medical attention, keep children who are sick at home. Don’t send them to school or daycare.
Have them drink a lot of liquid (juice, water, Pedialyte ®).
Keep the sick child comfortable. Rest is important.
For fever, sore throat, and muscle aches, you can use fever-reducing medicines that your doctor recommends based on your child’s age. Do not use aspirin with children or teenagers; it can cause Reye’s syndrome, a life-threatening illness.
If someone in your home is sick, keep him or her away from those who are not sick.
Keep tissues close to the sick person and have a trash bag within reach for disposing used tissues.
If your child comes in contact with someone with H1N1 (swine flu), ask your doctor if he or she should receive antiviral medicines to prevent getting sick from H1N1 (swine flu).
If your child experiences any of the following warning signs, seek emergency medical care:
Fast breathing or trouble breathing
Bluish or gray skin color
Not drinking enough fluids
Not waking up or not interacting
Being so irritable that he or she does not want to be held
Not urinating or no tears when crying
Their symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
For more information call 1-800-CDC INFO, or go to:
For Novel Influenza Update:
For Novel Influenza Fact Sheet:
For Proper Handwashing:
For information in Spanish:
For Novel Influenza Fact Sheet:
For Novel Influenza Update: