Monthly Archives: December 2016

Handwashing: The ‘do-it-yourself vaccine’

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With all the visiting that occurs during the holiday season, germs can quickly and easily pass from person to person. When it comes to protecting yourself and others and putting a stop to the spread of germs, don’t underestimate the power of handwashing.

On its website, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention refers to handwashing as a “do-it-yourself vaccine.” Regular handwashing, particularly before and after certain activities, is one of the best ways to remove germs, avoid getting sick and keep from spreading germs to others.

Many diseases and conditions are spread by not washing hands with soap and clean, running water. If clean, running water is not accessible, use soap and available water. If soap and water are unavailable, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol to clean your hands.

So, when should you wash your hands? Here’s what the CDC says:

  • Before, during and after preparing food
  • Before eating food
  • Before and after caring for someone who is sick
  • Before and after treating a cut or wound
  • After using the toilet
  • After changing diapers or cleaning up a child who has used the toilet
  • After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
  • After touching an animal, animal feed, or animal waste
  • After handling pet food or pet treats
  • After touching garbage

Visit the CDC’s website for more information on handwashing. Also, view the video below for instructions on how to effectively wash your hands.

New Tide Tables for the New Year

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Ghost Crab at Sunrise

Ghost Crab at Sunrise

A new year is on the horizon, and South Carolinians who want to update their calendars with a new year of tidal information can now get the 2017 Tide Table Poster from the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC).

The Tide Table Posters are produced by DHEC’s Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management (OCRM) to help citizens monitor and plan for tidal events along the coast. The tables provide daily tidal information based on National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) tide predictions, including dates and times of high tides with corresponding water levels, and dates and times of low tides.

Coastal Photography 

DHEC holds its Coastal Photography Contest each year to determine the featured photograph for the new Tide Table Poster and web page. Nearly 100 photos were received during the 2016 contest, and Michael Trotman was selected with his winning photo, Ghost Crab at Sunrise on Isle of Palms. Congratulations, Michael!

Where to Get Your Tide Table Poster

Limited supplies of printed Tide Tables are available at DHEC OCRM offices in Charleston, Beaufort and Myrtle Beach. A foldable, desktop version of the chart is also available online. To learn more about the Tide Tables and to download the 2017 poster, click here.

King Tides Program

king-tide-photoDHEC is leading the South Carolina King Tides initiative to document the effect that extreme tide events have on our state’s beaches, coastal waterways, private property and public infrastructure.

Through the initiative, citizen scientists can submit their photos of king tide events to help DHEC monitor and respond to coastal environmental issues. The photos are included in DHEC’s long-term analysis of coastal vulnerability and planning initiatives with municipalities.

To participate in the South Carolina King Tides Initiative, click here.

 

National Influenza Vaccination Week

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By Linda Bell, M.D.
Director, DHEC Bureau of Disease Control and State Epidemiologist

With the holiday season upon us, please include staying healthy among all the other plans you make for this time of year.  We are already two months into flu season; if you haven’t already done so: Get vaccinated against the flu.

This week is National Influenza Vaccination Week, a timely reminder that your annual flu vaccine is the single best way to protect yourselves and your loved ones from the flu this holiday season — and throughout the year. Catching the flu during the holidays could be more than just an inconvenience; illness with the flu can be life-threatening.  Each flu season is unique; the timing of the peak activity and how severe a season will be are hard to predict making it very important to protect yourself against flu as early as possible.

The Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention and DHEC recommend that everyone six months of age and older get a yearly flu vaccine. Even if you don’t have a regular health care provider the flu vaccine is available in many settings. In addition to DHEC clinics, many local providers — including doctors’ offices, clinics, pharmacies, college health centers, schools and workplaces — now offer flu vaccines. DHEC encourages everyone to find the facility that works best for them.

Why get the vaccine?

  • The flu vaccine gives your body the ability to protect itself against the flu because you cannot predict when you might be exposed to someone who is ill.
  • Flu vaccines are very effective in protecting against several different strains of the flu that circulate each season when well matched to circulating flu strains.
  • While good hand washing practices are always recommended, they only provide temporary protection. Flu vaccines offer lasting protection against the flu for at least six to eight months.
  • The flu vaccine is the only protection shown to reduce hospitalization and deaths caused by the flu.

In addition to receiving an annual flu vaccine, South Carolinians are encouraged to take the following preventive measures:

  • Stay away from people who are sick.
  • Stay home from work and school, as well as refrain from errands, if you are sick to help keep others from getting sick too.
  • Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze. Use a tissue if one is handy. Throw it away immediately after use. Otherwise, use the crook of your elbow to keep germs off of your hands and surfaces that you touch.
  • Wash your hands often and thoroughly to prevent the flu and many other diseases.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs easily enter the body and cause infection when someone touches something that is covered with germs and then touches their eyes, nose or mouth.

Please consider other habits to stay healthy year round, including getting plenty of exercise and sleep, managing your stress, drinking water and eating nutritious foods.

Visit DHEC’s website for more information about the flu and to find a clinic near you www.scdhec.gov/flu.