475 Western Ave., Suite A
Chillicothe, OH. 45601
Phone: 740-779-9652
Fax: 740-779-0744
ITCH MITES: Recently a number of Ross County residents have reported mysterious bites and rashes. Pyemotes herfsi, or itch mites, are the suspected culprits. If you are experiencing unexplained bites or a rash, it may be wise to visit a physician. However, the rash can also be treated with calamine lotion or other type of hydrocortisone or oral antihistamine. The bites are not dangerous, but scratching the site can lead to a bacterial infection, so treatment that eliminates the itching is recommended. For more information click on one of the links below:
Fact Sheet, Illinois Health Department
U. of Nebraska at Lincoln Extension PageKansas St. University Dept. of Entomology Paper
WOMEN'S HEALTH CONFERENCE: This year's conference will be held on September 26, 2008 at the Ross County Service Center. For a brochure listing speakers and an agenda, click here . For other information contact Michelle Treber at 779-9346, ext. 224, or via Email .
QUIT SMOKING NOW: Smoking can be a deadly habit. If you smoke and want to kick the habit, call the Ohio Quite Line at 1-800-QUIT-NOW, or click on any of the links below.
National Cancer Institute
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
U.S. Surgeon General
American Cancer Society
American Lung Association
For Teens
CHILD VACCINATION SCHEDULE: The recommended child vaccination schedule for 2008 is out. A note for parents with children who will be starting kindergarten in the fall: State law requires children entering school have the Polio, Hepatitis B, Chicken Pox and DTaP vaccines. All of those vaccines are $6 each and are available at the health district's Nurse of the Day Clinic, which is open Monday-Friday, 8-11:45 am, and 1-4 pm. This is a walk-in clinic and no appointment is necessary. For a schedule of all childhood vaccines, click below for the appropriate ages.
HANDWASHING: Regular handwashing can keep you safe from germs and the sickness they can cause. For information click on any of the links below.
Handwashing guide from the CDC
Handwashing guide for children
WEST NILE: At this time of year we need to be aware of mosquitoes and the diseases they can spread to humans. Locally, forms of encephalitis such as St. Louis and La Crosse can be tranmitted by infected mosquitoes, but the most common issue is the West Nile virus. Most infections are mild and some even go undetected. However, some cases are more severe and can even be life threatening. For more information from the Ohio Department of Health click below.
Del Nilo Occidental de viajero en espanol
SERVSAFE TRAINING: The Ross County Health District’s Environmental Health Division will offer ServSafe training for local restaurant and food service establishment employees on September 30 and October 1, with the exam to be given on October 2. ServSafe is a nationally recognized program that provides training and certification in food safety and sanitation. To register or for more information contact the Environmental Health Office at 740-775-1158. The deadline to register is September 1. The training will be held at the Ross County Service Center, Conference Room A, 475 Western Ave., Chillicothe, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days, with the exam taking place on Oct. 2 at 9 a.m.
ROSS COUNTY MEDICAL RESERVE CORPS: In the event of a disaster we need your help. If you are an active or retired doctor or nurse, a paramedic or an EMT, dentist, mental health professional, chiropractor, midwife, pharmacist, or just someone interested in helping our community, please consider volunteering for Ross County's Medical Reserve Corp Unit. If you want to join click here for a form you can print, fill out and return. Or if you'd like more information call us at 779-1039, or visit the Ohio Medical Reserve Corps page.
MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD: You can make a difference by voting in the upcoming election. Register now to vote in the November election. For more information visit:
The Ohio Secretary of State's Web site
HEY KIDS: Click on the link below for a site that is full of fun and great health information.
FLOODING: Floods cause $4.6 billion in damage in the United States every year. Flooding can occur at any time, but it is most common in the spring and early summer. For a brochure from the health district that can be printed or viewed, click here. For information from other sites click on the links below:
PERTUSSIS: Pertussis, or whooping cough, is a very contagious respiratory infection caused by the bacteria Bordetella pertussis. It can be especially dangerous for infants and very young children. Below are a number of fact sheets. Click to access.
CHLAMYDIA: Chlamydia is the most common sexually transmitted disease in Ross County and in the United States. It is most common in men and women aged 15-24. Its symptoms can be very mild or non-existent, but it can lead to serious long term health issues in women. For more information click here or visit:
MENINGITIS: Meningitis is an infection of the fluids in the spinal cord or the fluids that surround the brain. It can be one of two types: bacterial - which is the more serious - or viral. For a fact sheet on either, click:
MRSA: Community acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or ca-MRSA, is a bacterial infection of the skin. It first became an issue in healthcare settings, but has begun to become more and more common in people outside of the hospital setting. It has been most often reported in schools and in youth who take part in organized athletics. For more information try the links below.
CDC (for schools)
ODH Fact Sheet (for schools)
RADON: Radon is a naturally occurring gas that is the result of uranium breaking down in the soil, rock and water. It is invisible and cannot be detected by sight or smell. It is one of the leading causes of lung cancer. Click on the link below for more information.
MEDICAL RESERVE CORPS: If you are interested in being a part of Ross County's Medical Reserve Corps, click here for the form. Simply print the form and fill it out, then mail it to us or drop it off at the Ross County Health District, 475 Western Ave., Suite A, Chillicothe, OH. 45601.