Summer

Foodborne Illness
Foodborne disease is caused by consuming contaminated foods or beverages.  Many different germs can contaminate food, so there are many different types of foodborne infections.  More than 250 different foodborne diseases have been described.  Most of these diseases are infections, caused by a variety of bacteria, viruses, and parasites.  These different diseases have many different symptoms, so there is no one "syndrome" that is foodborne illness.  Common symptoms associated with foodborne illness are nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps and diarrhea.  See the below related links for information regarding the most common food and waterborne illnesses. 

Information about restaurant inspections and food safety
Learn more about Campylobacter
Campylobacter FAQs
Learn more about E. Coli 
E. coli information from the USDA and FoodSafety.gov
Learn more about Giardia 
Learn more about Hepatitis “A”
Learn more about Salmonella 
Learn more about Shigella

Rabies
Rabies is an almost always fatal disease that affects the nervous system of humans and other mammals. However, this disease is fully preventable with timely vaccinations and Immune globulin (IG) after an expsoure. Most commonly people get rabies from the bite of a rabid animal. In other cases, people can contract rabies if any infectious material from a rabid animal (such as saliva) comes in contact with one's nose, mouth an open wound or gets directly into the eyes.

Learn more about rabies
Download our flyer: Bats - The Good, The Bad and The Ugly
Watch our video: Bat Safety and Awareness

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Fall

Back to School Health
With summer winding down it’s now time to focus on back to school.  To keep children healthy, make sure they have plenty of rest and a nutritious diet.  Make sure they have appropriate clothes for the different seasons.  Show your child the proper way to wash their hands and to do it frequently throughout the day.  Make sure to use soap & water and to rub hands together for at least 20 seconds.  Limit touching areas such as the eyes, nose or mouth.  Teach your child to cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or their arm.  Minimize the time your child spends with others who are ill.  Avoid sharing personal items such as hats, brushes, combs, lip balms or towels.  Should your child come down with an infectious condition such as strep throat, chickenpox, scarlet fever, pertussis, head lice, etc., it is important to notify the school.

Learn more about Group “A” Strep
Human Parvovirus B-19 (Fifths Disease) Q&A
Sick day guidelines for Parents
More information on immunizations

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Winter

Norovirus
Noroviruses are a group of viruses that cause gastrointestinal illness or "stomach flu." Norovirus, which is most common during the winter months, is highly contagious and can spread easily. Outbreaks occur where there are more people in a small area, such as nursing homes, restaurants, catered events and cruise ships. Good hygiene practices are important to prevent transmission from person to person. Steps that can help you avoid noroviruses include:

• Frequently wash your hands, especially after toileting or changing diapers and before eating or preparing food.
• Carefully wash fruits and vegetables, and steam oysters before eating them.
• Thoroughly clean and disinfect contaminated surfaces immediately after an episode of diarrhea or vomiting by using a bleach-based household cleaner.
• Immediately remove and wash clothing or linens that may be contaminated with the virus after an episode of illness (use hot water and soap).
• Flush or discard any vomit and/or stool in the toilet and make sure that the surrounding area is kept clean.
• Persons who are infected with norovirus should refrain from food preparation while they have symptoms and for three days after they recover from their illness.

Information on Norovirus and Food Handlers
Additional Information on Norovirus from IDPH
Norovirus prevention tips

Influenza
Influenza (the flu) is a contagious, viral respiratory illness. Symptoms can range from mild to severe. In order to reduce the risk of getting the flu it is important to get the flu vaccination each fall.

In Lake County, the flu season typically lasts from November through April. The Health Department's Immunizations Program conducts public flu vaccination clinics throughout the county each year. The Health Department also works in conjunction with hospitals, other health care providers, and schools regarding tracking of disease occurrence, prevention, treatment, disease control and public education.

Additional information in influenza.

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Health Care Providers
There are approximately 66 reportable diseases in Illinois.  Some such as Anthrax and Botulism need to be reported immediately (with 3 hours) to the Lake County Health Department.  Examples of 24 hour reportables are Hepatitis A and Rabies exposure.  Salmonella and Shigella are reportable within 7 days. 

All reportable diseases (except STD’s & TB) should be reported to the Communicable Disease program at (847) 377-8130 or fax to (847) 360-7365. Sexually Transmitted Diseases are to be reported to (847) 377-8521 and Tuberculosis is to be reported to the TB Clinic at (847) 377-8700. More information on reportable diseases.

Reportable Diseases in Illinois
Drug Resistant Information 
     MRSA
     MRSA in Illinois: Guidelines for the Primary Care Provider (IDPH)
     Community-Associated MRSA Information for Clinicians (CDC)
     Klebsiella Pneumonia
Bloodborne Pathogens
Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease Resource List
Communicable Disease Reporting Form (Health Department)
LCHD Chicken Pox Reporting Form (not for Shingles)

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Schools and Child Care
Exposure to groups of children increases the risk of infectious diseases.  This fact has important personal, public health, economic, and social consequences.  Pediatric health professionals are the primary source of information for caregivers and teachers regarding the management of infectious diseases.  Caregivers, Teachers, pediatric health professionals, and parents frequently disagree about which conditions require a child to be excluded.  The Lake County Health Department CD program and Child Care Nurse Consultant offer guidance to our school and child care providers on these issues.   
 
Health Department sample letters to parents (English & Spanish)
Health Posters: Handwashing, Rashes
Cough Assessment Tool
Illinois Department of Public Health - Communicable Disease Guide (2002)
ISBE – “Management of Chronic Infectious Diseases in Children” 
LCHD Chicken Pox Reporting Form (not for Shingles)