Latest news with #KnoxCountyHealthDepartment
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Knox Co. health department warns public about Hepatitis
KNOX COUNTY, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — May is Hepatitis Awareness Month, and a local health department is educating the public on what they say is a silent disease. Hepatitis is a disease that can damage the liver and has three types: Hepatitis A, B and C. Hepatitis A and B can be prevented with vaccines, but there is no vaccination for Hepatitis C. Hepatitis A is spread through contaminated food or water, or by being in close contact with someone who has the virus. While B is spread through contact with blood or bodily fluids. Finally, C is most commonly spread by sharing needles or equipment used to inject drugs. Knox County Health Department Immunization Nurse, Kelly Neighbors, said awareness month is important for prevention, treatment and testing. 'It is basically a silent disease. There are millions of people walking around in this world that do not have the knowledge of Hepatitis or don't even know that they have Hepatitis. So, it's a good idea to get tested, especially if you don't know,' said Neighbors. The Knox County Health Department is open Monday through Friday, and they do accept walk-ins. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Woman raises awareness about rare bacterium after son's death
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — After her son died in 2024 from septic shock from a rare bacterium, a mom is speaking out, hoping to raise awareness about potential dangers in rivers and lakes. Alison Henderson, who currently lives in Alabama, said she believes the bacterium came from Douglas Lake after her three-year-old son Damon choked on water while swimming on vacation. He died in the hospital one week later. In a letter to the family, Damon's doctor explained he died from septic shock, but they believe his illness was caused by Chromobacterium Violaceum, which is commonly found in soil and freshwater. Knoxville woman who faced eviction due to daughter's behavior given more time to find new home 'We had parked our boat and they were playing in the soil and kicking it up, and when Damon was on the soil he choked on it, it went down the wrong way, but he was fine, like we were all getting ready to run to him, and then he just started playing again after he got it up, but it did go down into his lungs, the muddy water did,' said Henderson. The next day she said Damon was in the hospital. According to the Knox County Health Department, out of the 150 cases ever reported, there is a 50% mortality rate. 'So incredibly, incredibly rare,' said Knox County Health Officer, Megan Edwards. 'The organism does live around the world that it lives in subtropical and tropical areas from Tennessee to India. It's in the soil. It's in the dirt. Everybody's probably encountered it at some point if you live in those areas.' While it rarely causes disease in humans, Edwards said once it is contracted health can deteriorate rapidly. REAL ID: When you need one and when you don't 'So this organism is actually related to several organisms that we already know about, things like Neisseria Meningitis and Neisseria Gonorrhea,' she said. 'These are conditions that people know and treat every day, Neisseria Meningitis, its cousin, can also cause the very severe rapid sepsis that can lead to death.' When it comes to rare conditions, Edwards said underlying immune deficiencies can also play a role. While that information cannot be determined through an autopsy, Henderson said Damon was a healthy kid. New static shelter in Blount County provides greater support to homeless families 'He just bounced off the walls. He was very, very energetic and had so much energy, and he was sweet,' she said. 'He was the sweetest thing and he was funny and he was my baby.' Despite the rarity of his infection, she and her family are hoping other parents can learn from their experience. 'It is one death. You don't think it can happen to you, but it can,' said Henderson. 'It should be your choice if you let your kids get in it, and you need the option to know that it's there. Because if you know it's there maybe you don't want to let them get in. And if you know it's there and you do get in, then you knew.' ▶ See more top stories on The Knox County Health Department said the chances of contracting this bacterium is very low, and most people have strong immune systems that would combat this. Edwards added while someone's age could factor into a lower immune system, since this is such a rare bacterial infection, it is hard to identify who is the most at risk. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Knox County Health Department celebrates National Nutrition Month
VINCENNES, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV)— The Knox County Health Department teamed up with local organizations to celebrate National Nutrition Month. The Healthy Food Festival was an event featuring a variety of activities, like hands-on healthy snack demonstrations and interactive games. The purpose of this festival is to promote healthier eating habits and provide knowledge to make nutritious choices. Community Health Nurse Susan Yochum said it's important to be aware of what we're eating. 'I feel like there's so much information out there on what people should eat and what they shouldn't eat,' said Yochum. 'And then we go to the store or we go to a restaurant and we don't necessarily know what we're putting in our bodies. And there's lots of chemicals and there's lots of different preservatives.' For those who weren't able to make the event can call the Knox County Health Department for more information. That phone number is 812-882-8080. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
24-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
‘Prevent it from spreading' Measles survivor encourages vaccination after case confirmed in Tennessee
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — With the Tennessee Department of Health confirming the state's first measles case in 2025 in a Middle Tennessee resident, the Knox County Health Department shares what symptoms you can look out for. 'Measles starts like the usual cold that we're seeing a lot of allergies right now, a runny nose, cough, feeling tired. That can start up to four days before that classic rash. The classic rash starts at the head and moves downward,' said Dr. Megan Edwards with the Knox County Health Department. Police investigating Knoxville auto shop that customers say held cars for months or years Measles spreads through the air. 'The thing with measles is it hangs in the air for up to two hours after the person leaves, so somebody can come into a restaurant have that cold cough, but not have the rash yet and then someone else could come in two hours later and contract measles,' said Edwards. Carol Harp, a mother and grandmother, had measles as a child prior to the vaccine. 'I was around 5, so I don't remember much but there were five children in the family and all five of us got it,' Harp said. While there's only one confirmed case in Tennessee, Hamblen County mother Elizabeth Brown fears the data is underreported. 'Every family is unique, everyone is in perhaps challenging circumstances, unfortunate circumstances, some folks are scared to seek treatment, they don't have the means,' Brown said. If you do have measles, treatment can vary depending on the person. 'Unlike things like COVID or Flu, we don't have great anti-virials for measles,' Edwards said. 'The treatment is mainly supportive so many people can recover at home, but some do need hospital care.' Meet the 24-year-old developer building 50+ housing units in Knoxville Edwards told 6 News the best way to treat measles is to prevent it. 'The measles vaccine is one of the best vaccines we have ever made, with just those two doses you can have 97% protection your entire life,' she explained. Harp shares a similar sentiment, 'That more people will go and get vaccinated that are able to, so that you can possible prevent it from spreading.' The Knox County Health Department tells 6 News that if you unsure whether or not you have received the measles vaccine you can call 865-215-5150. Per vaccination recommendations, children should get the first dose at 12 through 15 months; and the second between 4 and 6 years old. The Tennessee Department of Health has noticed a drop in the MMR — or measles mumps and rubella — vaccination rate for children between 2 and 3 years old. Do you need a measles booster amid rising cases? As of March 20, the CDC has confirmed 378 measles cases in at least 18 jurisdictions this year, including Alaska, California, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York City, New York State, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, Vermont, and Washington. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
