Fitima Garcia, Biological Scientist with the Epidemiology Program with the Department of Health for Monroe County, joined Good Morning Keys on KeysTalk 96.9/102.5FM this morning to talk about communicable diseases.
Campylobacteriosis is a bacteria found in raw and undercooked poultry, unpasteurized milk and contaminated water.
Garcia said, “Symptoms include diarrhea, fever, abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. While most people recover without treatment, it can be severe in young children, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems.”
How can this be prevented?
Garcia said, “Make sure your food is cooked to the right temperature and avoid cross contamination by using separate cutting boards for meat and vegetables, and always wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after handling raw meat.”
When should you seek medical attention if you think that you may have been infected by this bacteria?
Garcia said, “If you’re experiencing severe symptoms, such as a persistent high fever, bloody diarrhea or dehydration, you should definitely seek medical attention. Good kitchen hygiene and proper food handling can significantly reduce the risk of infection and that’s what we want.”
Giardia is a tiny parasite that lives in the intestines of people and animals.
Garcia said, “It spreads through contact with infected fecal matter. This can happen by drinking contaminated water, swimming in contaminated pools or lakes, or through person to person contact, especially in childcare setting. But we normally see this when people are traveling to different countries.”
What are some of the symptoms?
Garcia said, “The symptoms can include diarrhea, gas, stomach cramps, nausea and dehydration. Some people can be infected and have no symptoms at all, but they can still spread the infection to others. Everything can be spread through the fecal matter. So that’s why it’s important to wash your hand wash your hands. Hand washing, especially after using the bathroom, changing diapers and before handling food, and then avoid drinking waters from lakes, rivers, springs, ponds or streams unless it can be filtered or chemically treated.”
What is the impact of giardia on public health?
Garcia said, “While Giardia is usually not life threatening, it can be unpleasant and can contribute to the spread of other diseases due to weakened health. You can get something else while suffering with giardia.”
Lead poisoning is also something to be careful of.
Garcia said, “Lead is a toxic metal that can harm the nervous system, brain, kidneys and other organs and children are particularly vulnerable to lead poisoning as they’re developing bodies absorb lead more readily than adults.”
What is the source for lead poisoning?
Garcia said, “At this time, it’s still going to be lead based paint in older homes and buildings. It could also be from contaminated soil, waterpipes, certain toys or cosmetics. Also some jobs and hobbies, lead weights if you’re fishing and your children like to play with the lead weights. And even jewelry.”
What are the health impacts of lead poisoning?
Garcia said, “Lead poisoning can lead to developmental delays, learning difficult difficulties, behavior problems, and even irreversible brain damage in children.”
How can it be prevented?
Garcia said, “We need to ensure that children are washing their hands frequently, especially after playing outdoors or handling soil and it’s important to get the blood lead tests done. They are required under some providers for children at age one year and again at age two. And then for children up to the age of six, your doctor or nurse should ask you at every well child visit about when your child may have had exposure to lead, and then those children should have their blood tested for lead.”
What happens if there are high levels of lead in the blood?
Garcia said, “You’ll get a call from your local health department, and we’ll talk to you about ways to protect your child and then recommend the lead testing be done every one to three months to ensure that the lead level is dropping.”
Traveling can make a person susceptible to certain diseases.
Garcia said, “Because certain countries that we may visit, they may not treat their water how we would like it to be treated and they become ill and come home. We do recommend they go to their primary care physician or the emergency room if their symptoms are severe. Then normally, the lab will send their results to us, and that’s when we follow up with them.”
For more information, click here: https://monroe.floridahealth.gov/index.html