What are some general considerations to remember when using insect repellents?
Always follow the recommendations appearing on the product label. Use enough repellent to cover exposed skin or clothing. Don't apply [...]
Where can I find these repellents?
Most of these repellents are sold at multiple retail, discount and drug stores. A wider selection may be available at [...]
What is permethrin?
Certain products which contain permethrin are recommended for use on clothing, shoes, bed nets, and camping gear, and are registered [...]
How can you know which active ingredient a product contains?
Check the product label if you have questions-–repellents must specify their active ingredients. In some cases you will note the [...]
How does the percentage of active ingredient in a product relate to the amount of protection it gives?
Typically, the more active ingredient a product contains the longer it provides protection from mosquito bites. The concentration of different [...]
Which mosquito repellents work best?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends using products that have been shown to work in scientific trials [...]
How does mosquito repellent work?
Female mosquitoes bite people and animals because they need the protein found in blood to help develop their eggs. Mosquitoes [...]
How often should repellent be reapplied?
In general you should re-apply repellent if you are being bitten by mosquitoes. Always follow the directions on the product [...]
When should I use mosquito repellent?
Apply repellent when you are going to be outdoors. Even if you don’t notice mosquitoes there is a good chance [...]
Why should I use insect repellent?
Insect repellents can help reduce exposure to mosquitoes that may carry viruses such as West Nile virus, which can cause [...]
Is a woman’s pregnancy at risk if she is infected with or becomes ill with chikungunya?
According to a study done in France on 1,400 pregnant women in 2006, there was no observable effect on pregnancy [...]
Are there any precautions I need to take?
To protect yourself and your family from any mosquito borne infection, eliminate breeding sources like standing water from your yard. [...]
Can you get chikungunya from another person?
Chikungunya is not spread person to person. You can become infected when you are bitten by a mosquito infected with [...]
If I visit an area where mosquitoes with chikungunya have been reported and I get bitten am I likely to get sick?
While there is no way to tell for certain, a majority of people who become infected with chikungunya virus will [...]
Is there a vaccine?
Currently, there is no vaccine or medications to treat chikungunya.
How do I get tested?
A healthcare provider would have to order a blood test to see if you have chikungunya or other mosquito-borne illnesses. [...]
How do I know if I have it?
The symptoms of chikungunya virus usually begin three to seven days after you have been bitten by a mosquito that [...]
Can I get chikungunya from an infected person?
Chikungunya is spread by the bite of an infected mosquito and is not transmitted person to person. If you are [...]
How is it treated?
There are no antiviral medications to treat chikungunya virus. Most patients feel better within a week, and some might develop [...]
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms of chikungunya are fever and severe joint pain. Symptoms can occur three to seven days after being bitten by [...]
Where is chikungunya found?
Chikungunya is found in two species of mosquitoes that have been found in many parts of the world. Outbreaks of [...]
What is Chikungunya?
Chikungunya is a virus that is transmitted by mosquitoes to people. Mosquitoes become infected when they feed on a person [...]
How can MDR TB be prevented?
The most important way to prevent the spread of MDR TB is to take all medications exactly as prescribed. No doses should be missed, and treatment should not be stopped early. Patients should tell the doctor if they are having trouble taking the medications. If patients plan to travel, they should make sure they have enough medicine to last while they are away.
How does drug resistance happen?
Resistance to anti-TB drugs can occur when these drugs are misused or mismanaged. Examples include when patients do not complete their full course of treatment; when health care providers prescribe the wrong treatment, the wrong dose or length of time for taking the drugs; when the supply of drugs is not always available; or when the drugs are of poor quality.
What is extensively drug resistant tuberculosis (XDR TB)?
Extensively drug resistant TB (XDR TB) is a rare type of MDR TB. XDR TB is defined as TB that is resistant to isoniazid and rifampin, plus resistant to any fluoroquinolone and at least one of three injectable second-line drugs.
Where can I get more information?
The Tuberculosis Treatment & Control Clinic is located at 280 S. Decatur Blvd., Las Vegas, NV, 89107. The Clinic is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. (Closed for legal holidays/weekends) Appointments are highly recommended and can be scheduled by calling (702) 759-1370.
What is directly observed therapy (DOT)?
DOT is the standard of care for taking TB medication. All TB patients are placed on directly observed therapy, which enables us to watch you closely for side effects and ensures medicines are taken properly, not forgotten, and that you successfully complete a full course of therapy.
How does drug resistance happen?
Resistance to anti-TB drugs can occur when these drugs are misused or mismanaged. Examples include when patients do not complete [...]
What is multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR TB)?
Multidrug-resistant TB (MDR TB) is TB that is resistant to at least two of the best drugs used to treat TB, isoniazid and rifampicin. These drugs are considered first-line drugs and are used to treat most people with TB disease.
What if I have active TB disease of the lungs or throat?
If you have active TB disease of the lungs or throat, you are probably infectious. You will need to stay home from work or school, so you don’t spread TB bacteria to other people. When people are in your home, you will need to wear a mask over your mouth and nose to prevent spreading the disease.
How is active TB disease treated?
Active TB can almost always be cured with medicine, but the medicine must be taken as directed or you risk the bacteria becoming resistant to the medicine. Several medications are used at the same time because there are so many TB bacteria to be killed. TB bacteria die very slowly; it takes at least 6 months for the medicine to kill all of the TB bacteria.
What is active TB disease?
TB bacteria become active if the immune system can’t stop them from growing. The active bacteria begin to multiply in the body and cause active TB disease. The bacteria attack the body and destroy tissue. If this occurs in the lungs, the bacteria can actually create a hole in the lung.
What is latent TB infection?
In most people who breathe in TB bacteria and become infected, the body is able to fight the bacteria to [...]
How is TB spread?
TB is spread through the air from one person to another. The bacteria are put into the air when a person with active TB disease of the lungs or throat coughs or sneezes. People nearby may breathe in these bacteria and become infected.
Who should get tested for TB?
You should get tested for TB if you have any of the following risk factors:
What if I test positive for TB?
If you have a positive reaction to the TB test, the Health District will schedule a chest x-ray. A test of the phlegm you cough up may be required after your X-rays are reviewed.
How do they test for TB?
The TB skin test is used to find out if you have TB infection. A small amount of testing fluid is injected just under the skin on the underside of the forearm. After two or three days, you must return to have your skin test read by a health care worker to determine if it is positive or negative. A positive result usually means that you have been infected by someone with active TB disease. If you miss the skin reading, the entire test will have to be given again.
What are symptoms of TB?
Symptoms depend on where in the body the TB bacteria are growing. TB bacteria usually grow in the lungs. TB in the lungs may cause symptoms such as:
What is Tuberculosis (TB)?
TB is a disease caused by bacteria called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The bacteria usually attack the lungs. But TB bacteria can [...]
What is the Health District doing about Aedes mosquitoes?
The Health District’s Vector Surveillance program has been looking for this species of mosquito since 2014. In addition to Southern [...]
Are they in other states?
The Aedes mosquito species has been found in several states including California and Arizona. In addition, it has been identified [...]
How do I get rid of Aedes mosquitoes in my yard?
Mosquitoes only need about one cup of water to breed. The Health District recommends eliminating breeding sites around your yard. [...]
If I live in an area or visit an area where mosquitoes with Zika have been reported and I am bitten am I likely to get sick?
While there is no way to tell for certain, a majority of people who become ill with Zika or other [...]
If I’m bitten by an Aedes mosquito, will I automatically get sick with Zika or one of the other diseases?
Not all mosquitoes carry diseases. Most people who are bitten by an Aedes or any other mosquito will not get [...]
What kinds of illnesses does the Aedes mosquito spread?
Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus can spread Zika virus, dengue fever and chikungunya diseases. While many people who are infected [...]
How do I know if the mosquitoes at my house have Zika, West Nile or St. Louis Encephalitis or some other virus?
Unless mosquitoes are trapped by Vector Surveillance and tested at the Department of Agriculture, it would be impossible to [...]
How do I know if I have the Aedes mosquitoes in my yard? Will the Health District test mosquitoes in my yard?
If you are experiencing mosquito activity, especially daytime biting mosquitoes at your home, please contact the Vector Surveillance Program at [...]
How is the Aedes different from other mosquitoes?
Aedes mosquitoes are different in that they bite during the daytime hours. In some places, Aedes mosquitoes have been found [...]
Does it mean more illness in the community?
The arrival of the Aedes mosquitoes in Clark County does not necessarily mean more illness in the community, but [...]
What does it mean that the Aedes mosquitoes have been found here?
The Aedes mosquito can transmit viruses like Zika, dengue fever and chikungunya. If you have been to an area where [...]
If they are found on one side of town, does it mean that there are no mosquitoes on the other side of town?
Mosquitoes can travel. Some can fly over a mile. Although Aedes aegypti are not strong fliers, it does not mean [...]
How many mosquitoes were found?
Three mosquitoes were found in the initial trap set. This is a new species identified in Nevada and one of [...]
Where was it found?
The Aedes mosquito species has been found in 89032 ZIP code. The Health District’s Vector Surveillance program has trapped [...]
What is the aedes mosquito?
The Aedes aegypti mosquito has been identified in Clark County and can spread viruses like Zika, dengue, chikungunya.
Where can I obtain additional information?
Additional information about BSE or vaccines manufactured with bovine-derived materials from countries on the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s list can [...]
Why is FDA leaving vaccine on the market that did not follow its own recommendations regarding sourcing of bovine derived materials?
The FDA has looked at the benefit of vaccines and the risk of vCJD from vaccine use. Vaccines have a [...]
Should I delay an immunization order to reduce the chances of being exposed to the BSE agent?
No. The Public Health Service (PHS) recommends that all persons continue to be vaccinated according to current schedules. No evidence [...]
When will vaccine manufactures finish replacing cow-derived materials in vaccines with materials obtained from countries free of BSE?
All of the affected manufactures have agreed to implement these changes or have already done so. FDA anticipates that most [...]
Why is the Food and Drug Administration now requiring that vaccine manufacturers not use bovine-materials from cattle born, raised, or slaughtered in countries where BSE is known to exist or where there is a risk that BSE may exist?
The FDA is taking this action as a precautionary measure. This action is intended to reduce even the remote risk [...]
My child was just immunized. Should I be worried?
No. The Public Health Service (PHS) recommends that all persons continue to be vaccinated according to current schedules. No evidence [...]
What steps has the FDA taken to ensure that people are not exposed to the BSE agent in vaccines?
FDA has taken a number of measures to minimize any chance that the BSE could be introduced into biologic products [...]
How did FDA derive its risk estimates and decide the risk of vCJD from vaccines was remote and theoretical?
Scientists, regulatory authorities in Europe and the pharmaceutical industry of the U.S. have considered the risk of BSE in pharmaceutical [...]
What is the risk of getting vCJD if a vaccine contained the BSE agent?
There is no evidence to date that vaccines have contributed to the cases of vCJD seen in Europe. Nor is [...]
What is the chance/risk that a vaccine on the market in the US contains the BSE agent?
Both the FDA and its joint advisory committee concluded that the risk for vCJD posed by vaccines is theoretical and [...]
Which countries are on the U. S. Department of Agriculture list of countries where BSE is known to exist or where a substantial risk for BSE exists?
Initially, the USDA list included only countries and other regions in which BSE was known to exist, such as the [...]
Does all bovine material have the same risk of transmitting the BSE agent?
Scientists have found that different bovine tissues contain different amounts of the BSE agent. It is generally believed that the [...]
Which bovine derived materials are used in vaccine manufacture?
Animal-derived products used in vaccine manufacture can include: Amino acids Glycerol Detergents Gelatin Enzymes Blood Cow milk is a source [...]
Why are animal products used in the manufacture of vaccines?
Vaccines contain either killed or weakened forms of disease-causing bacteria or viruses, or components of these that stimulate a response [...]
What is the association between BSE in cattle and vCJD in humans?
Some cases of variant Creutzfeldt- Jakob disease have been attributed to, among other possibilities, eating beef products from cattle infected [...]
What is variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD)?
Variant Creutzfeldt- Jakob disease (vCJD) is another rare and fatal human neurological disease that falls into the category of transmissible [...]
What is Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD)?
CJD is a slow degenerative human disease of the central nervous system. It is classified as a transmissible spongiform encephalopathy [...]
Does BSE or a similar disease occur in humans?
Yes. The human diseases are very rare and occur sporadically worldwide at a rate of about one case per one [...]
What is Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE)?
BSE (bovine spongiform encephalopathy) is a progressive neurological disorder of cattle, and has been called “mad cow disease.” Its symptoms [...]
Where can I get more information?
Visit the HPV webpage for more information on HPV and cervical cancer. Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [...]
Should people be screened before getting vaccinated?
No. People do not need to get an HPV test or PAP test to find out if they should get [...]
Will females who have been vaccinated still need cervical cancer screening?
Yes. There are three reasons why women will still need regular cervical cancer screening. The vaccine will NOT protect against [...]
What kind of government programs may be available to cover HPV vaccine?
The Southern Nevada Health District participates in the Vaccines for Children (VFC) federal health program which covers the HPV vaccine. [...]
Will the HPV vaccine be covered by insurance plans?
While some insurance companies may cover the vaccine, others may not. Most large insurance plans usually cover the costs of [...]
Does this vaccine contain thimerosal or mercury?
No. There is no thimerosal or mercury in the HPV vaccine. It is made up of proteins from the outer [...]
Will people be protected against HPV and related diseases, even if they don’t get all three doses?
No studies have shown whether or not one or two doses protect as well as getting three doses, so it's [...]
What does the vaccine not protect against?
Because the vaccine does not protect against all types of HPV, it will not prevent all cases of cervical, penile, [...]
How long does vaccine protection last? Will a booster shot be needed?
The length of vaccine protection (immunity) is usually not known when a vaccine is first introduced. So far, studies have [...]
Should pregnant women get the vaccine?
The vaccine is not recommended for pregnant women. There has been limited research looking at vaccine safety for pregnant women [...]
Why is the HPV vaccine only recommended for people ages 9 to 26?
The vaccine has been widely tested in people 9 to 26 years old. But research on the vaccine’s safety and [...]
Will sexually active people benefit from the vaccine?
People who are sexually active may also benefit from the vaccine. But they may get less benefit from the vaccine [...]
Why is the HPV vaccine recommended at ages 11 or 12 years?
Ideally, people should get the vaccine before they are sexually active. This is because the vaccine is most effective in [...]
Who should get the HPV vaccine?
The HPV vaccine is recommended for 11 to 12 year-olds, and can be given to people as young as nine. [...]
Does the Southern Nevada Health District offer the HPV vaccine?
Yes. Visit the Immunizations webpage for clinic locations and hours.
Where can I get more information?
Pregnant women who test positive for hepatitis B or want additional information on the Perinatal Hepatitis B Prevention Program, [...]
Why do my sex partner and people living in my home need to be tested?
Since hepatitis B can be passed to them by blood or body fluid exposure, they should be tested to [...]
How can my child get hepatitis B?
Hepatitis Bis spread by contact with blood or body fluids from an infected person. Children can get infected by:Contact with [...]
What if my child was not given HBIG and the first dose of hepatitis B vaccine at birth?
It is recommended that your child receive treatment within 12 hours of birth, however, they can receive the vaccine [...]
Can I breast-feed my baby if I’m hepatitis B positive?
Yes. Breast-feeding is acceptable when your baby has received HBIG and the first dose of hepatitis B vaccine in [...]
What if my baby does not get the hepatitis B vaccine?
Up to nine out of 10 babies born to infected mothers will end up being carriers for the rest [...]
Is the hepatitis B vaccine safe?
The hepatitis B vaccine is safe and effective for everyone: newborns, adolescents and adults.Vaccine reactions are generally mild and don’t [...]
What does the hepatitis B vaccine do for my baby?
The vaccine helps your baby make antibodies, which protect him or her from hepatitis B. These antibodies will help fight [...]
What are some of the effects of hepatitis B on children?
Up to 90 percent of babies infected at birth with hepatitis B become carriers.Carriers of hepatitis B can pass it [...]
What is hepatitis B virus?
Hepatitis B is a serious infection of the liver caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). It can sometimes lead [...]
Where can I get more information?
For more information contact your health care provider or the Immunization Clinic at (702) 759-0850.
What should I do if I have side effects from the flu shot?
Severe allergic reactions are very rare, but if they occur it would be a few minutes to just a few [...]