HEALTH NOTES
Take care around ticks
The Oklahoma City-County Health Department urged residents who plan to spend time outdoors to take precautions to avoid tick bites.
The department has reported an increase in reports of Rocky Mountain spotted fever, a tick-borne illness. It causes a high fever, headache and rash, but can be treated with antibiotics. Ticks also can transmit Lyme disease and other conditions.
Ticks tend to latch onto people and pets who brush against them in grass or bushes. If you’re going to be in overgrown areas, wear long pants, a long-sleeve shirt and sturdy shoes, and use an insect repellent containing DEET. Check yourself for ticks regularly while outdoors.
Grief support group offered
Integris Hospice will offer a free program with a certified grief specialist on Thursday evenings in June and July. The group meets at 6 p.m. Thursdays from June 7 to July 12 at Integris Cancer Institute, 5911 W Memorial. The group will use a step-by-step approach to resolve issues related to loss. Some people respond to grief with changes in appetite, difficulty sleeping, feelings of guilt or regret, mood changes, trouble concentrating, numbness or crying. To sign up, call 603-1708. The program is free, but space is limited.
Health academy is coming up
The Wellness Now coalition will hold its annual FaithBased Health Academy on June 9.
The sessions will run from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Oklahoma City-County Health Department’s northeast campus, 2600 NE 63. Participants will learn how to be a “health ambassador” in their faith community. All faiths are welcome. For more information, email tamara_ braxton@occhd.org.
HAZMAT class offered
The Oklahoma Center for Poison & Drug Information will offer an Advanced HAZMAT Life Support course June 21 and 22 at the Robert M. Bird Health Sciences Library, 1105 N Stonewall.
The course will train medical responders to provide care during incidents like chemical spills. It is free to Oklahoma residents who are first responders or registered nurses. The course provides 16 hours of continuing medical education credits.
For more information, go to www.ahls.org, or call Shirley Christie, 405-271-5062.