World Tuberculosis Day: March 24th

World Tuberculosis Day is observed on March 24th each year to commemorate the date in 1882 when Dr. Robert Koch announced his discovery of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacterium that causes Tuberculosis (TB). Back then, TB killed one out of every seven people living in the United States and Europe. And while diagnosis and treatment have come a long way since the 1800’s, TB is still very much an issue in today’s world. World TB Day is all about bringing awareness to the devastating disease and promoting efforts to end the worldwide TB epidemic.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the United States reported 7,882 TB cases and an incidence rate of 2.4 cases per 100,000 persons in 2021. Around the world, TB incidence is much higher, and in many developing countries, TB is much deadlier as well. The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that a total of 1.6 million people died from TB in 2021.

TB bacteria usually attacks the lungs, but it can also attack any part of the body such as the kidney, spine, and brain. Symptoms of TB disease depend on where in the body the TB bacteria are growing.

When TB bacteria grow in the lungs (pulmonary TB) symptoms may include:

  • A bad cough that lasts 3 weeks or longer

  • Pain in the chest

  • Coughing up blood or sputum (phlegm from deep inside the lungs)

  • Other flu-like symptoms such as chills, fever, night sweats, appetite loss

Not everyone infected with TB bacteria becomes sick. As a result, two TB-related conditions exist: latent TB infection (LTBI) and TB disease. Latent TB infection occurs when the TB bacteria lives in the body without making a person sick. People with latent TB infection may have a positive TB skin test reaction or a positive TB blood test but cannot spread the TB bacteria to others. Though one may not necessarily feel sick, treatment for LTBI is still extremely important in order to prevent LTBI from progressing to TB disease.

People with TB disease are sick from TB germs that are active, meaning that they are multiplying and destroying tissue in their body. TB bacteria become active if the immune system can’t stop them from growing. Some people develop TB disease soon after becoming infected (within weeks) before their immune system can fight the TB bacteria. Other people may get sick years later, when their immune system becomes weak for another reason. People with TB disease of the lungs or throat can spread germs to others. Thankfully, TB is a treatable and curable disease, but it may be fatal if not treated properly.

There are two types of tests for TB infection: the TB skin test and the TB blood test. Do you think you may have had contact with a person diagnosed with active TB disease? Call your local health department to schedule either type of TB test. Testing should occur as soon as possible after exposure. JCHD can also answer any questions you may have about TB, TB testing, or possible TB disease exposure.

JCHD works with the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services to coordinate case management for those diagnosed with Active TB disease and LTBI.

Help us spread awareness this March 24th and join the fight to end TB!

Week 11 Respiratory Update

Influenza Summary: This week, we are reporting 8 additional flu cases for a season total of 3,517 cases. There are 6 flu deaths reported this season. Flu vaccination is the best way to prevent the spread of flu. CDC recommends everyone 6 months and older get an annual flu vaccine especially those at a higher risk of serious complications.

COVID-19 Summary: This week, we are reporting 108 new COVID cases, an increase in cases from last week, for a season total of 5,352. There is one additional COVID death, bringing the season total to 46 COVID deaths. Currently, Jefferson County is in the MEDIUM COMMUNITY LEVEL (yellow). If you are at high risk of getting very sick, wear a high-quality mask or respirator (e.g., N95) when indoors in public. If you have household or social contact with someone at high risk for getting very sick, consider self-testing to detect infection before contact, and consider wearing a high-quality mask when indoors with them. Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines, including recommended booster doses. Maintain ventilation improvements. Avoid contact with people who have suspected or confirmed COVID-19. Follow recommendations for isolation if you have suspected or confirmed COVID-19. Follow the recommendations if you are exposed to someone with COVID-19.

Week 10 Respiratory Update

Influenza Summary: This week, we are reporting 9 additional flu cases for a season total of 3,509 cases. There are 6 flu deaths reported this season. Flu vaccination is the best way to prevent the spread of flu. CDC recommends everyone 6 months and older get an annual flu vaccine especially those at a higher risk of serious complications.

COVID-19 Summary: This week, we are reporting 48 new COVID cases, a 69.81% decrease in cases from last week, for a season total of 5,202. There are two additional COVID deaths, bringing the season total to 45 COVID deaths. Currently, Jefferson County is in the MEDIUM COMMUNITY LEVEL (yellow). If you are at high risk of getting very sick, wear a high-quality mask or respirator (e.g., N95) when indoors in public. If you have household or social contact with someone at high risk for getting very sick, consider self-testing to detect infection before contact, and consider wearing a high-quality mask when indoors with them. Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines, including recommended booster doses. Maintain ventilation improvements. Avoid contact with people who have suspected or confirmed COVID-19. Follow recommendations for isolation if you have suspected or confirmed COVID-19. Follow the recommendations if you are exposed to someone with COVID-19.

Eat More and Move More for Heart Health

Often times when we think about improving our eating habits we immediately focus on the choices we know we should be cutting back on. Instead, I encourage you to focus on the positive choices you are making and how to build upon these. Below are a few things we can include more of to benefit our heart health.

  • Try a new source of unsaturated fats

    • Fat is a necessary component of our diet- it is a source of energy and helps in the absorption of vitamins and minerals. Sources of the unsaturated fats that we want to focus on consuming include nuts and nut butters, seeds, vegetable oils such as canola or olive oil and certain types of fish such as salmon, trout, oysters and sardines. If you have a good routine of including fish in your meals, challenge yourself to try a new variety (sardines are supposed to go great on pizza!). If you find yourself grabbing for pretzels or chips as an evening snack, swap these out for some pistachios or any other nut variety a couple days per week.

  • Aim for 150 minutes of movement per week

    • Guidelines recommend 150 minutes of moderate activity such as brisk walking per week as well as two days of strength training. These 150 minutes of moderate activity can be swapped for 75 minutes of vigorous activity such as jogging weekly. Do these numbers sound overwhelming? Start with a small goal and once you are confident in achieving that, slowly add in more activity working towards those bigger numbers. Start with 10 minutes at a time at whatever capacity you are able- some exercises from a chair could include seated marching, leg extensions, or overhead presses with light objects around your home.

  • Eat more of your favorite high fiber foods

    • Most of us should be aiming for somewhere around 25-35g of fiber per day. This can be tough to reach; keeping a journal to identify your starting point can be useful information. One of the best sources of fiber is dried beans such as black beans or garbanzo beans (also knows as chickpeas and what hummus is made out of). Try sprinkling some beans into your salad or replacing some of the meat in a recipe with beans to up the fiber content. Fruits that contain seeds or a peel tend to be the options highest in fiber (raspberries have about 8g per cup) so be sure to eat the skin or peel on your produce after washing! If cereal is a go-to breakfast option in your house, spend a few minutes the next time you are grocery shopping to compare labels and choose an option that contains more fiber such as a shredded wheat.

If you are interested in discussing your specific nutrition concerns, please reach out to our Registered Dietitian at: 636-797-3737 x 124

Week 9 Respiratory Update

Influenza Summary: This week, we are reporting 8 additional flu cases for a season total of 3,500 cases. There are 6 flu deaths reported this season. Flu vaccination is the best way to prevent the spread of flu. CDC recommends everyone 6 months and older get an annual flu vaccine especially those at a higher risk of serious complications.

COVID-19 Summary: This week, we are reporting 160 new COVID cases, a 17.85% decrease in cases from last week, for a season total of 5,156. There are three additional COVID deaths, bringing the season total to 43 COVID deaths. Currently, Jefferson County is in the MEDIUM COMMUNITY LEVEL (yellow). If you are at high risk of getting very sick, wear a high-quality mask or respirator (e.g., N95) when indoors in public. If you have household or social contact with someone at high risk for getting very sick, consider self-testing to detect infection before contact, and consider wearing a high-quality mask when indoors with them. Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines, including recommended booster doses. Maintain ventilation improvements. Avoid contact with people who have suspected or confirmed COVID-19. Follow recommendations for isolation if you have suspected or confirmed COVID-19. Follow the recommendations if you are exposed to someone with COVID-19.