Tyler Clonts

Maricopa county in Maricopa, Az is the county where I grew up.  I spoke with the secretary named Sarah and one of her superiors, in the department of public health emergencies.  She told me that the most recent issues have included things such as: Influenza in the youth, shingles in the elderly, outbreaks of pertussis (whooping cough).

1.    Influenza is a disease that effects the entire population and hits yearly around the winter season.  The Department of Health is very good at publicizing the need for vaccinations.  They also are very good at informing the city of precautions that they can take.  They try and get out as many vaccines as they can and to as many people as they can. 

2.    Shingles is a viral disease characterized by a painful skin rash with blisters in a limited area on one side of the body, often in a stripe.  They have had quite a few calls about elderly folk who have developed shingles.  The aims of treatment are to limit the severity and duration of pain and do the best they can to shorten the duration of shingles.

3.    STD’s are sexually transmitted diseases.  The lady I talked to mentioned this is one of the most common calls.  The departments try and stress prevention and precautions when it comes to sex.  There are also certain vaccines that people can receive to help protect against certain STD’s.

4.    Pertussis is also known as the whooping cough.  She mentioned that there has been a few outbreaks.  Infants are usually protected well since they are easy targets for this illness.  Antibiotics are usually encouraged because they help speed up recovery.

5.    Mosquitos are also highly monitored.  They have been known to cause outbreaks when they are in high numbers.  Mosquito traps are set up and precations are made all of the county.