West Nile Virus Back.

The Jasper County Health Department was notified June 25, 2004 of the first positive West Nile Virus (WNV) test this year. The positive results were from a bird collected in the 64836 zip code. The test confirmed the assumption that WNV is active in the Jasper County area once again. Now that a bird has tested positive, due to the high cost of testing, no other birds this year will be accepted for testing from the 64836 zip code.

Although no human cases have been reported so far, some of the signs and symptoms that may indicate WNV are fever, headache, muscle aches, skin rash and swollen lymph glands. More severe symptoms that may indicate WNV Encephalitis include severe headache, stiff neck, stupor, disorientation, convulsions and paralysis. WNV Encephalitis is the inflammation of the brain due to West Nile. WNV is most often carried by the Culex mosquito commonly known as the house mosquito.

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services it is important to remember that very few people are actually at risk for contracting WNV. Most at risk are the very young and older population along with those with a low immune system. Less than 1% of persons infected will develop sever illness.

The Jasper County Health Department says the community can protect itself in many ways. Cleaning out the gutters, draining off pool covers and adding chlorine to pool water can prevent breading. Changing water in birdbaths, pet dishes, and swimming pools at least every seven days takes away water needed for mosquitos to multiply. Wearing long sleeves, pants and mosquito repellent with Deet when ever possible can reduce the risk of being bit, along with removing old tires, unused containers and flower pots and repairing torn screens and other openings in the home. At dawn and dusk is when mosquitoes are out the worst. Continually monitoring the home each time outside during warm weather and after every rain is recommended.

I see where a librarian on the east coast was concerned because a new clock used IIII instead of IV to show the 4.

After some research it was discovered that either can be considered correct. Just goes ta show ya.

‘Course I would have argued that the IV was correct. It fits with the general scheme of the Roman numerals and that’s the way I learned it.

I also discovered a few years back that either collectible or collectable is acceptable spellin’ of that particular word. Who’d a thunk it? I’m assumin’ both are pronounced the same.

I’ve always been confused by the word sweat. What’s that "a" doin’ in there?

Then maybe it was eight I et.

This is some fact but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

by

McCune Brooks Hospital

TO YOUR GOOD HEALTH

By Paul G. Donohue, M.D.

Drugs Aren’t Only Way to Lower Cholesterol

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: My son, age 48, has a cholesterol reading of over 700 (18.13). He is now on Lipitor. Why is his reading so high? He seems to be in good health otherwise. Can stress be a big factor in this? — Anon.

ANSWER: Do high cholesterol readings run in either your spouse’s or your family? Heredity can be a major influence for such a high cholesterol level.

The goal for cholesterol is a reading below 200 mg/dL (5.18 mmol/L). Lipitor is an excellent drug, and he’ll know in a short time if it works for him.

If it doesn’t, his dose of Lipitor can be raised. Furthermore, there are other cholesterol drugs that can be used in combination with it. A new one is Zetia. It has an entirely different action on cholesterol. It blocks cholesterol’s absorption, while drugs like Lipitor stop liver production of cholesterol. This is only one example of drug combinations that can be used.

Your son’s number puts him at high risk for a heart attack at a young age. He must do more than take medicine. He has to change the way he lives life. He must go on a diet where fruits, grains and vegetables are the major calorie sources and where meats, dairy products (except low-fat dairy products) and fried foods are de-emphasized.