What is Pneumococcal Disease? Pneumococcal disease is an infection caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria, sometimes referred to as pneumococcus. Pneumococcus can cause many types of illnesses. There are vaccines to prevent pneumococcal disease in children and adults. Pneumococcus is the most common cause of bloodstream infections, pneumonia, meningitis, and middle ear … [Read more...]
Head Lice
Grant County Health Districts Communicable Disease program offers limited technical consultation on head lice to school and child care professionals only. What are head lice? Human head lice (Pediculus humanus captis) are parasitic insects that infest the hair on people’s heads and necks, and rarely on their eyebrows and eyelashes. Head lice feed on human blood … [Read more...]
Hand, Foot & Mouth Disease
Hand, Foot & Mouth Disease - (English) Letter for schools and childcare providers. Hand, Foot & Mouth Disease - (Spanish) Letter for schools and childcare providers. What is hand-foot-mouth disease (HFMD)?Hand-foot-mouth disease is a common, mild viral illness of humans. The disease causes fever, blister-like sores in the mouth, and a skin rash. In … [Read more...]
Giardia Infection
What is Giardiasis? Giardiasis (GEE-are-DYE-uh-sis) is a diarrheal illness caused by a microscopic parasite. Once a person or animal has been infected with Giardia, the parasite lives in the intestine and is passed in feces (stool). Because the parasite is protected by an outer shell, it can survive outside the body and in the environment for long periods of time. Giardia … [Read more...]
Enterovirus
What is an enterovirus? Non-polio enteroviruses are very common viruses; there are more than 100 types. It is estimated that 10 to 15 million people get enterovirus infections in the United States each year. Most people infected with enteroviruses have only mild symptoms or none at all, but some infections can be serious. Most enterovirus infections in the United … [Read more...]