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Dr.
Sue Raver, M.D., M.P.H
Health Officer |
Martin
O'Malley
Governor |
John
M. Colmers, Secretary
Department of Health and Mental Hygiene |
May is Lyme Disease Awareness Month in Maryland
As we enter the summer months and prime tick season, the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene is joining with the Maryland Department of Agriculture, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, local health departments, health care providers, veterinarians, community organizations and advocacy groups to raise awareness about Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses. We want to encourage Maryland residents to learn about ticks and the diseases they carry and to take steps to protect themselves against these diseases.
As part of the efforts to increase awareness, DHMH is launching an education campaign featuring the slogan Maryland Get Ticked Off! Visit
www.MarylandTickOff.org for more information.
Visit our Educational Materials section for previous articles on tick safety.
Frequently Asked Questions About MRSA
What is Staphylococcus aureus or Staph?
Staph is a type of bacteria. It may cause skin infections that look like pimples or
boils. Skin infections caused by Staph may be red, swollen, painful, or have pus
or other drainage. Some Staph (known as Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus
aureus or MRSA) are resistant to certain antibiotics, making it harder to treat.
The information on this page applies to both Staph and MRSA.
Who gets Staph infections?
Anyone can get a Staph infection. People are more likely to get a Staph infection
if they have:
- Skin-to-skin contact with someone who has a Staph infection
- Contact with items and surfaces that have Staph on them
- Openings in their skin such as cuts or scrapes
- Crowded living conditions
- Poor hygiene
How serious are Staph infections?
Most Staph skin infections are minor and may be easily treated. Staph also may
cause more serious infections, such as infections of the bloodstream, surgical sites,
or pneumonia. Sometimes, a Staph infection that starts as a skin infection may
worsen. It is important to contact your doctor if your infection does not get better.
How are Staph infections treated?
Treatment for a Staph skin infection may include taking an antibiotic or having
a doctor drain the infection. If you are given an antibiotic, be sure to take all of
the doses, even if the infection is getting better, unless your doctor tells you to
stop taking it. Do not share antibiotics with other people or save them to use later.
How do I keep Staph infections from spreading?
- Wash your hands often or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer
- Keep your cuts and scrapes clean and cover them with bandages
- Do not touch other people's cuts or bandages
- Do not share personal items like towels or razors
If you have any questions about your condition, please ask your doctor.
For more information, please visit: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dhqp/ar_mrsa.html.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
CDC Community Associated MRSA for the public
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dhqp/ar_mrsa_ca_public.html
CDC MRSA Educational Materials
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dhqp/ar_mrsa_ca_posters.html
MRSA Fact sheet
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dhqp/pdf/ar/MRSAPatientInfoSheet.pdf
Construction/Parking
The Allegany County Health Department would like to remind everyone that because of construction, the traffic and parking patterns for the health department have been changed.
The front traffic entrance to the health department has been closed. Due to this closure, health department clients seeking services in the main building must park in the parking lot closest to Allegany College. Clients will only be able to access the front building entrance from this parking lot.
Clients seeking services at the Brook Building should continue to park in the lot in front of the Brook Building. If you have any questions, please call the Allegany County Health Department at (301) 759-5000.
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Employee of the Month
May 2008
Karen Thomas
Karen Thomas is an LPN III who works dayshift on the Massie Unit. Karen began working at the Massie Unit during the month of
July 1980. She was an employee of Memorial Hospital assigned to work at the Massie Unit at that time. Massie Unit nurses became employees of the Allegany County Health Dept. in 1983, and Karen was brought into the state system during that time. The National Consortium of Chemical Dependency Nurses certified Karen in the Specialty Chemical Dependency Nursing in December, 1988.
Karen is part of the Massie Unit’s heart and soul. Her dedication to the unit and our patients is evidenced in her stature with the Massie Unit staff. She is known by her colleagues as a nursing professional on whom you can count. She always knows the necessary information about her patients, and can always contribute valuable ideas to case management and clinical interventions. Her knowledge goes well beyond that of contemporary nursing. During her time at the Massie Unit, Karen has participated in extensive training in addictions medicine, addictions counseling and general psychology courses. She significantly contributes to our achieving the Massie Unit’s mission, through her hard work, talents and sense of duty.
When the volume of work is high, when the patients are demanding, and the cases are complex, there is no doubt that Karen is one
that you want working on
those days.
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 Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Website
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