Celebrating National Public Health Week

National Public Health Week continues for a third day. This time, the topic looks at preventing communicable diseases.

PART 3: preventing communicable diseases

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Sometimes, the smallest changes can make the biggest difference. If we take small actions, our communities, home and families will see the benefits of preventative care and grow the movement. Communicable diseases continue to be a problem for the entire world. In the United States alone, millions of Americans are hospitalized each year and many die from them. However, they can all be prevented with taking some simple steps.

Remember the H1N1 outbreak from a few years back? Ocean County was affected as was the entire Garden State. It seemed it hit epidemic proportions with health officials constantly reminding everyone to wash their hands, cover their coughs and sneezes and to stay home when you're sick. It's the same message even to this day - although the threat of Swine Flu has diminished thanks largely to the vaccines that came out shortly after the outbreak.

Leslie Terjesen with the Ocean County Health Department was instrumental at getting information out to the public during the crisis. She says "many people listened to the warnings. We say it all the time. Wash those hands, cover that cough and if you're sick, call out! It has stuck with many people who joke with me about how many times I said it. We need to spread that message all the time. Also, vaccinate yourself against all diseases including meningitis and whooping cough."

STEPS YOU CAN TAKE

As the warmer weather rapidly approaches, barbecue season will be here before we know it. Cooking your food throughly can help avoid food-borne illnesses. Terjesen says "make sure you cook everything at the correct temperature, wash your hands after handling raw meat and remember that bacteria can multiply quickly. Don't cut the raw meat with a knife and then use it for your onion or something. Be very careful."

The health department has a series of flu shot clinics each year and they also offer vaccines for other diseases. You can check their web site for up to the minute information about health emergencies or where you can get your shot.

Reach the Ocean County Health Department's web site at ochd.org.

You can also call the department and speak to a live person rather than recordings. That number is 732-341-9700.