The City of Laredo Health Department Continues to Offer FLU Vaccine

Laredo, TX – The City of Laredo Health Department continues to encourage the public to get vaccinated against influenza (FLU). Recently, a child was confirmed to have contracted H1N1 influenza and this could have been prevented if vaccinated.  The vaccine protects against both seasonal and H1N1 strains and is the most effective measure towards reducing the impact of influenza, and is particularly important for people who are at increased risk for severe complications from the flu.

 People in the high risk groups include:

·         All children more than 6 months of age to 4 years;

·         People 50 years and older;

·         Adults and children who have chronic pulmonary (including asthma), cardiovascular, kidney, liver, neurological or metabolic disorders (including diabetes);

·         People with compromised immune systems;

·         Women who are or will be pregnant during the flu season;

·         Children age 6 months to 18 years of age who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy;

·         Residents of long-term care facilities;

·         People who are morbidly obese;

·         Household contacts and caregivers of children less than 5 year of age or adults age 50 and above.

 What are FLU symptoms?  “FLU” is sudden and symptoms include:

·         Sudden fever (100.4° F or more)

·         Headache

·         Tiredness, sometimes extreme

·         Dry cough, Sore throat

·         Extreme Body aches

Risks from FLU: In some persons, flu can cause serious complications, including bacterial pneumonia, dehydration, and worsening of chronic medical conditions, such as congestive heart failure, asthma, diabetes or seriously infecting those that are immunocompromised.  Children and adults may develop sinus problems and ear infections; therefore, we also recommend Pneumococcal Vaccine to protect against pneumonia for anyone over 65 years of age.

FLU Season is Still Here! / page 2 of 2

 Where can I get FLU and Pneumonia shots? At your doctor’s office, clinics and at:

 City of Laredo Health Department’s Immunization Programs

(2600 Cedar)

Monday through Friday

8 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.; additionally on Tuesdays from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

or at the Health Department WIC clinics (Call for times)

 The cost is $20 vaccine for adults and $8 for children up to the age of 18

It is free for Medicare Part B Recipients. Please bring your card.                                               

Don’t Let Flu Stop You! Fight Back, Get Vaccinated!

For more information, please contact the City of Laredo Health Department Immunizations Clinic at (956) 795-4906.

Laredo, TX – Laredo, TX – Join Mayor Raul G. Salinas and County Judge Danny Valdez for “A Day of Remembrance,” a special event to commemorate World Aids Day. “AIDS continues to be a public health concern even though there have been great strides in AIDS treatment and management” said Dr. Hector F. Gonzalez Director of the City of Laredo Health Department (CLHD). “We need to make it very clear that AIDS is still a serious and deadly disease if we do not adhere to the therapy regimen and above all reduce at risk factors’ said Manuel Sanchez, CLHD HIV/AIDS Manager.  

With a candle light vigil and proclamation we will highlight AIDS remembrance and honor those that have passed but moreover recognize those living with HIV/AIDS. As we pause to reflect on the toll of HIV/AIDS during this 23^nd anniversary of World AIDS Day, we must not forget that the fight against this devastating disease is far from over.  HIV remains a significant threat to the health and well-being of multiple communities, including Laredo.  The most recent CDC data indicates that more than 1.1 million Americans live with HIV, and half of all new HIV infections in the U.S. are among young Americans under the age of 25. Eventhough there is better treatment; there are several co-morbidities than have made HIV/AIDS even more serious. For Laredo, other infectious diseases (Tuberculosi and Hepatitis) and chronic diseases (Diabetes and Hypertension) add to the seriousness of the disease; therefore, awareness and prevention are key wellness efforts.  This is a community issue and we urge all persons to become more aware. Other partners in this effort include the Laredo AIDS Consortia, PILLAR, SCAN, STCADA, STDC, Laredo Housing Authority, Psychotherapy & Counseling Associates, Women’s City Club and United Way as well as many providers who everyday dedicate themselves to HIV prevention and support.

Activities for World AIDS Day will kick off with the unveiling of a newly created billboard designed by TAMIU student, April Jimerson, winner of the 1^st Annual Latino AIDS Awareness Day Art Contest. 

The CLHD offers HIV testing, evidence based interventions, early intervention services, housing opportunities for persons with AIDS, HIV care services, and HIV/AIDS bi-national services.  Free, anonymous rapid testing is available at CLHD LETS Program on a walk-in basis; results are available within 10 minutes.

For more information about free safe, fast HIV testing, call 795-4905.

1^st Annual Latino AIDS Awareness Day Art Contest Winner Billboard Reveal   Thursday, December 01, 2011 at 9:30 a.m.   1601 Chihuahua Street, Laredo, TX 78040

Courtesy Xochitl Mora,

Laredo, TX—The City of Laredo Health Department (CLHD), in collaboration with the Laredo Health Coalition (LHC), is starting a new program to increase diabetes prevention awareness activities and improve diabetes self management to prevent complications.  Both efforts will improve positive health outcomes.

 Healthy Living/Viviendo Mejor (HLVM) focuses on the family and community at large who are at risk of diabetes by learning to reduce risk factors. Second, it will help persons with diabetes and their family members take control of their chronic disease by educating them about diabetes, its care and therapy.  Through diabetes self management classes, cooking lessons, fitness activities and peer support activities, we can help increase prevention through diabetes risk reduction for the community at large.  HLVM will offer:

·         Increase awareness and knowledge of diabetes and its risk factors

·         Education on prevention of complications associated with diabetes

·         Increase quality of life for people with diabetes by teaching how to manage the disease and delay or prevent complications

·         Decrease the number of Laredoans with undiagnosed diabetes.

·         Increase the number of people who make and sustain effective lifestyle changes to prevent diabetes among people at risk for type 2 diabetes.

 These free interactive classes will be offered to persons with diabetes, their family members and anyone at risk of diabetes and/or who is overweight at the following locations:

For more information about the Healthy Living/Viviendo Mejor initiative, or to sign up call: Zaida Gonzalez, Health Educator Supervisor for the City of Laredo Health Department, at (956) 795-4918.

(Laredo, Tx)- Because healthy kids are better learners, the Laredo Independent School District will be offering free flu vaccines for LISD students.

 Now through November 15th, free flu vaccine clinics are scheduled for eligible students at all LISD campuses.

 Elementary school students have their flu vaccines clinics scheduled at their schools from October 19 through November 4. Parents/guardians must accompany their children.

 Middle and high school students are scheduled for flu vaccines from November 8, through November 15. Students must submit signed parent pre-consent forms with their school nurses. Parents do not need to be present.

 LISD Health Services Director Patricia Keck says the flu shot is recommended for everyone over seven months old. “The flu can be very dangerous for young children who have asthma, neurological conditions, and other long term health conditions,” Keck said. “A flu vaccine is the best way to prevent your child from getting the flu.”

 The flu vaccine will be available in two forms: Flu vaccines can be given to children age six months and older. Side effects of flu shots for kids may include soreness, redness or swelling at the injection site, low-grade fever, and muscle aches. The nasal spray flu vaccine (FluMist) can be given to children age two years and older. Side effects of the nasal spray vaccine for kids may include runny nose, wheezing and headache.

 According to the Centers for Disease Control, whether you choose a shot or nasal spray, keep in mind that children age eight and younger who are receiving the flu vaccine for the first time or who didn’t receive at least one dose of the vaccine last year need two doses of this year’s flu vaccine given at least four weeks apart. One dose is adequate for children age nine and older and younger children who’ve been vaccinated before.

The flu vaccine offers protection from both seasonal flu and H1N1 flu — no additional vaccine is necessary.  Consult your child’s doctor if you have questions about flu protection for kids or wonder which type of flu vaccine would be best for your child. Also check with your child’s doctor if your child has any medical conditions or experienced a severe reaction to a previous flu vaccine.

The Affordable Care Act also includes a historic new insurance that will ensure millions of women receive preventive health services without a co-pay or deductible. These new guidelines require insurance companies to cover certain women’s preventive services, including breastfeeding support, supplies, and counseling. In addition, the ACA amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 by having employers provide reasonable break time and a place, other than a restroom, that is private and clean for a mother to express milk. 

Why Breast Feed:

·        BF is the best way to provide nutrition to infants, and all women who can, should breastfeed.

·        All major health organizations agree that BF is the healthiest choice for babies. Breastfed infants have a decreased risk of several chronic diseases later in life (obesity, diabetes), and maternal child bonding is enhanced.

·        Formula feeding is associated with increased risk of some infectious diseases, ear infections.

·        Mothers who breastfeed their children experience many positive physical effects including decreased risk of breast cancer, ovarian cancer and osteoporosis while mothers who do not have higher rates of iron-deficiency anemia, ovarian and breast cancer.

·        Breast milk requires no resources to produce and leaves nothing in landfills and costs nothing.

 Join us for a “Breastfeeding Shower” from 9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.  Wednesday, August 3, 2011 at the Laredo Medical Center Community Center – 1^st Floor Tower B, 1700 E. Saunders, Laredo, Texas 78041. A proclamation and press conference is scheduled at 10:00 a.m.

For more information contact Monica Elguezabal at (956) 727-9253. For media inquiries please contact Zaida Gonzalez at (956) 795-4918 

Laredo, TX – The City of Laredo Health Department wants to remind the public that to reduce the risk of exposure to rabies and improve pet care and pet responsibility in March 2010 the City of Laredo amended its Animal and Fowl Ordinance. A major change is the pet registration requirement. To assist the public 16 months were used as a transition period to alert and educate the public.

 During this time several veterinarians and pet shop providers worked with the City of Laredo Health Department (CLHD) to register pets (through microchip) at their offices. They in turn provided the CLHD with the information to develop a database of over 15,000 pets to date. We can now attest to these pets being vaccinated appropriately and we can verify pet ownership to promote pet responsibility.

 We now want to remind the public that on August 1, pet registration became mandatory. The public can go to their veterinarian, pet shop or the animal shelter and ask if they are microchipping. The providers may microchip and register the pet and send the information to the health department, they may just microchip and send the persons to register at the health department or they may not microchip at all. The cost for registration of the pet is $5; however the microchip costs will vary by provider.  

 Finally the CLHD is also assessing doing registration (microchip) clinics and will announce them as they are scheduled.

 For further information call the CLHD at 795-4900 or 795-4902.

·        Sports Physicals

·        High Blood Pressure Screenings

·        Diabetic Screenings

·        Vision Exams (Limited)

·        Pharmaceutical Services (Limited)

·        Medical Referrals

·        Preventive Health Education 

·        Immunizations (Administrative fee of $8.00 applies)

·        TB Testing (Administrative fee of $4.00 applies)

LAREDO, TX— The City of Laredo Health Department (CLHD) is proud to announce that Laredo, Texas joins in the celebration of Breastfeeding Awareness Week. This year’s theme is “Talk to me! Breastfeeding – a 3D Experience.” The theme deals with communication at various levels and between various sectors.  Breastfeeding (BF) remains one of the most highly effective preventive measures a mother can take to protect the health of her infant and herself. BF further protects babies from many infections and illnesses, such as diarrhea and pneumonia and children who have been breastfed also have lower rates of childhood obesity. Finally mothers who Breast feed have a decreased risk of breast and ovarian cancers.  Given the importance of breastfeeding, the Surgeon General Dr. Regina Benjamin issued a “Call to Action” to Support BF which outlines steps that can be taken to remove some of the obstacles faced by women who want to breastfeed their babies.

The Affordable Care Act also includes a historic new insurance that will ensure millions of women receive preventive health services without a co-pay or deductible. These new guidelines require insurance companies to cover certain women’s preventive services, including breastfeeding support, supplies, and counseling. In addition, the ACA amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 by having employers provide reasonable break time and a place, other than a restroom, that is private and clean for a mother to express milk. 

Why Breast Feed:

·        BF is the best way to provide nutrition to infants, and all women who can, should breastfeed.

·        All major health organizations agree that BF is the healthiest choice for babies. Breastfed infants have a decreased risk of several chronic diseases later in life (obesity, diabetes), and maternal child bonding is enhanced.

·        Formula feeding is associated with increased risk of some infectious diseases, ear infections.

·        Mothers who breastfeed their children experience many positive physical effects including decreased risk of breast cancer, ovarian cancer and osteoporosis while mothers who do not have higher rates of iron-deficiency anemia, ovarian and breast cancer.

·        Breast milk requires no resources to produce and leaves nothing in landfills and costs nothing.

 Join us for a proclamation and press conference Wednesday, August 3, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. at the Laredo Medical Center Community Center – 1^st Floor Tower B, 1700 E. Saunders, Laredo, Texas 78041.

For more information contact Monica Elguezabal at (956) 727-9253. For media inquiries please contact Zaida Gonzalez at (956) 795-4918

·        Sports Physicals

·        High Blood Pressure Screenings

·        Diabetic Screenings

·        Vision Exams (Limited)

·        Pharmaceutical Services (Limited)

·        Medical Referrals

·        Preventive Health Education 

·        Immunizations (Administrative fee of $8.00 applies)

·        TB Testing (Administrative fee of $4.00 applies)

Laredo, TX—The City of Laredo Health Department is monitoring the large outbreak of Shiga toxin producing Escherichia coli (STEC) O104:H4 infections ongoing in Germany and some parts of Europe. As a result we want the public to know there are no cases in the United States linked to the outbreak in Europe. In addition the U.S. Food Drug Administration (FDA) is in routine contact with the European Union and the U.S Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to monitor the current outbreaks and to track any illnesses in the U.S that may be related to the outbreak.

 The outbreak originated in Germany and the FDA is currently conducting increased surveillance of fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce and raw salads, as well as sprouts and sprout seeds from areas of concern.

 The CLHD is recommending that any person, who has recently traveled to Germany, or other parts of Europe and has signs or symptoms such as stomach cramps, diarrhea (which is often bloody) and vomiting seek medical care.

 Most persons get better within 5-7 days, but some patients develop Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (acute renal damage) therefore we remind persons if they traveled to Europe and get ill to seek medical care.

 Travelers should follow regular food safety measures when handling fruit and vegetables. In addition because of summer we want to remind the public to always practice good hygiene (wash hands before and after going to bathroom) wash before handling food, make sure to maintain food at proper temperatures especially with the heat wave we are going through.