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The Grundy County Health Department will hold a Safe at Home Class on Monday March 11 from 1:00 to 2:30 pm at the Grundy County Health Department Education Annex (1307 E. 17th Street). Safe at Home is a 90-minute program designed for students in grades 4-6 to prepare them to be safe when they are home alone for short periods of time. Students learn how to practice safe habits, how to prevent unsafe situations, and what to do when faced with dangers such as power failures or weather emergencies. Class fee is $5 per person, a light snack is included. Class is open to girls or boys in grades four through six. Register online at https://hipaa.jotform.com/230395008772154. Deadline for registration is March 6. For questions, call 660/359-4196 or email safesitter@grundycountyhealth.org.

The Grundy County Health Department will hold a Safe Sitter Class on Friday, March 8 from 9:00 am to 3:30 pm at the updated Grundy County Health Department Education Annex (1307 E. 17th Street). Safe Sitter is designed to prepare students in grades 6-8 to be safe when they are home alone, watching younger siblings, or babysitting. The course is led by certified instructors and includes practice of rescue skills like CPR and choking rescue. Class fee is $20 per person, lunch is included. Class is open to girls or boys in grades six through eight. Register online at https://form.jotform.com/221935444718158. Deadline for registration is March 6. For questions, call 660/359-4196 or email safesitter@grundycountyhealth.org.

Wright Memorial Hospital will once again offer free sports physical exams for Grundy County students planning to participate in athletic/cheerleading activities during the 2024-25 school year. Wright Memorial Physicians’ Group will visit area schools to perform the physicals onsite at the school throughout the day. IMPORTANT: Parents/Guardians do not have to accompany the student, but the paperwork must be completed and signed by the parent/guardian. If the form is not completed and signed, the student will NOT receive a physical. Details for completing the Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA) form are outlined below. Students who wish to receive a free sports physical exam need to do the following: 1. Obtain the MSHSAA sports physical examination form. (available at school, health department, and online at grundycountyhealth.org) 2. Parent/guardian to complete the form with the student prior to the exam. 3. Return the completed forms to your school prior to the physical date. Each year there are students that do not pass the sports physical exam. If your student does not pass, they will be referred to their primary care provider. We are excited about the opportunity to provide this service to area students once again at no cost. The health and wellness of the student is our primary goal. Please contact Wright Memorial Physicians’ Group at 660-358-5750 if you have any questions.

Effective January 1, 2024, the cost of our blood draws will increase $2-$4 per test. The adjustment is due to the increased cost of nursing supplies (tubes, needles, etc.), postage, and individual tests by Quest Laboratories. The last time we raised our screening prices was in 2020. Although package prices have increased accordingly, the packages are $2-$4 cheaper than if you purchased each test individually. We understand the importance of providing affordable screening options and regret the inconvenience this may cause.

The Grundy County Health Department has the adult RSV vaccine available. RSV stands for respiratory syncytial virus. When an adult gets RSV infection, they typically have mild cold-like symptoms, but some may develop a lung infection or pneumonia. RSV can sometimes also lead to worsening of serious conditions such as: Asthma Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) – a chronic disease of the lungs that makes it hard to breathe Congestive heart failure – when the heart can’t pump enough blood and oxygen through the body Older adults are at greater risk than young adults for serious complications from RSV because our immune systems weaken when we are older. Adults at highest risk for severe RSV infection include: Older adults Adults with chronic heart or lung disease Adults with weakened immune systems Adults with certain other underlying medical conditions Adults living in nursing homes or long-term care facilities If you are over age 60, visit with your doctor about whether the RSV vaccine is right for you. The RSV vaccine is covered by private insurance or Medicare Part D. Call for an appointment.

The Grundy County Health Department has the updated COVID-19 vaccine available. GCHD is offering the Pfizer vaccine for all ages. The Grundy County Health Department has flu vaccine for all ages including the high dose vaccine, which is recommended for people age 65 and up. Flu shot are given on Fridays during October and November; appointments are recommended but not required. Individuals should bring their Medicare, Medicaid, or health insurance card for billing purposes. Call (660) 359-4196 to make an appointment for vaccination.

The Grundy County Health Department has free COVID-19 tests available for pick-up at our office. There is also an option to order free tests and have them shipped to your home. Starting September 25, you can order four free test kits per household through COVIDtests.gov. The tests will detect the currently circulating COVID-19 variants and are intended for use through the end of 2023. The kits will include instructions on how to verify extended expiration dates. Many kits have had their expiration dates extended beyond what may be printed on the packaging. You don’t have to pay for shipping, and you’ll never be asked for a credit card or bank account number. You only need to give a name and shipping address. If you’d like an email confirmation and delivery updates from the U.S. Postal Service, you can submit your email address. Anyone who asks for more information than that is probably a scammer. Only go to COVIDtests.gov to order your free test kits from the federal government. When you click to order, you’ll be redirected to special.usps.com/testkits. [If you’re following a link from a news story, double-check the URL that shows in your browser’s address bar]. No one will call, text, or email you from the federal government to ask for your information to “help” you order free kits. Don’t give out your credit card, bank account, or Social Security number.

Do you have a knack for baking you'd like to turn into a small business? Do you have honey to sell from your local hive? Certain foods prepared at home can be offered for sale directly to the end consumer if certain food safety and labeling guidelines are followed. The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services has prepared a Food Safety Guidebook for Foods Prepared in Home Kitchens. The guide covers what foods may be sold under the Missouri Cottage Law and how products should be labeled and also covers foods that are exempt from the Missouri Food Code. The Guide is available in a PDF format from the Missouri DHSS website. To obtain a printed copy, stop by the Grundy County Health Department.

Hepatitis means inflammation of the liver. The liver is a vital organ that processes nutrients, filters the blood, and fights infections. When the liver is inflamed or damaged, its function can be affected. Heavy alcohol use, toxins, some medications, and certain medical conditions can cause hepatitis. Hepatitis is most often caused by a virus. In the United States, the most common types of viral hepatitis are hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C. Although all types of viral hepatitis can cause similar symptoms, they are spread in different ways, have different treatments, and some are more serious than others. When someone is first infected with the hepatitis C virus, they can have a very mild illness with few or no symptoms or a serious condition requiring hospitalization. Many people who get infected will develop a chronic, or lifelong, infection. Left untreated, chronic hepatitis C can cause serious health problems including liver disease, liver failure, liver cancer, and even death. For reasons that are not known, less than half of people who get hepatitis C are able to clear, or get rid of, the virus without treatment in the first 6 months after infection. Treatments are available that can cure most people with hepatitis C in 8 to 12 weeks. Grundy County Health Department offers FREE Hepatitis C testing every month by appointment. Remaining 2023 dates are: December 13

Bicycle helmets are essential for protecting children from head injuries while cycling. Studies have shown that wearing a helmet can reduce the risk of head injury by up to 85 percent. By providing a cushion against impacts and are a simple yet effective way to safeguard children's well-being and ensure their enjoyment of cycling while minimizing risks. The availability of free bicycle helmets provide physical protection and help foster a culture of safety for young riders. Stop by the Grundy County Health Department to receive a FREE bicycle helmet for your child.

Cardiac arrest is a leading cause of death in the United States, and every minute counts when it comes to saving a life. The Grundy County Ambulance, Grundy County Health Department, and the Trenton Fire Department are partnering to offer a Hands-Only CPR class, which teaches participants how to perform CPR without mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. The Hands-Only CPR class is a 30-minute session that covers the basics of CPR, including how to recognize the signs of cardiac arrest, how to call for help, and how to perform chest compressions. Participants will have the opportunity to practice these skills on a mannequin under the guidance of a certified instructor. Hands-Only CPR is recommended for use on adults who collapse suddenly and are unresponsive. By immediately starting chest compressions, blood is circulated throughout the body, which can help maintain vital organ function until emergency medical services arrive. The Hands-Only CPR class is open to the public and is suitable for individuals of all ages. The class is free; no registration is required. Dates: Monday, June 5 at noon Tuesday, June 6 at 5:00 pm Location: Grundy County Health Department (lower level) 1716 Lincoln Street, Trenton, Missouri

The Grundy County Health Department is partnering with Cleaver Dermatology to offer free skin cancer screenings. The screenings will take place on Friday, May 19 from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm at the Grundy County Health Department located at 1716 Lincoln Street in Trenton. This is a screening procedure only. It will not be a full body exam and does not replace a thorough dermatologic exam. During this screening event, a physician will examine specific skin spots that patients have identified as a concern. What type of skin spots might constitute cause for concern? Check the ABCDEs of skin cancer detection, look for – Asymmetrical shape, Borders that are irregular or poorly defined, Color that is varied, Diameter of the spot (greater than a pencil eraser), or Evolving mole or skin lesion, one that looks different from the rest or is changing in size, shape or color. If you have a mole or lesion on your skin with one of the ABCDEs, consider having a physician from Cleaver Dermatology take a look at it during our free May 19th skin cancer screening. Those wishing to participate are encouraged to call early to secure an appointment.