Lapeer County Health Department

- How do I know if I should get a TB Test?

Some people that work with the public are required by their employers to have a TB (tuberculosis) test. TB is a disease that usually affects the lungs. It is not easy to 'catch" TB unless a person spends a large amount of time with someone that is infected or a person has a poor immune system from another disease or from taking medications like chemotherapy or being on steroids for a long time.

People with active TB---those who have the disease and can spread it to other people---will often have a cough, feel more tired than usual, have night sweats, a fever, and weight loss. If you have spent a lot of time with someone diagnosed with TB, or you have any other reason to think you may have TB, contact you doctor. If you do not have a doctor or cannot afford to see one, you can be tested for TB at the Lapeer County Health Department. Call 810-667-0448 for more information.

- What do I do if someone is bit by a dog, cat, or wild animal? Or been in a closed room with a bat?

Anyone bit by an animal should be seen by a physician. The wound will need to be looked at and sometimes antibiotics will be given to prevent infection. Animal bites are reported to the Lapeer County Health Department for follow up by a Communicable Disease Nurse. The nurse will contact the person that was bit to get more information. If the person is at risk for getting rabies (a fatal disease caused by an animal bite) the nurse will help them get started on rabies vaccine.

For more information on what is done about the animal that bit someone, contact Lapeer County Animal Control .

>Click here to view Animal Control's Web Page

Bats are one of the leading carriers of rabies in Lapeer County. A person does not have to know for sure that they have been bit by a bat to start on rabies vaccine. Being in a closed room with a bat flying around is enough reason to start rabies vaccine; not all bat bites are noticeable.

- What do I do if I think my child has head lice?

If you child has an itchy head (especially behind the ears and around the back of the head), if you can see tiny insects on the scalp, or you can see small white "bumps" attached to a strand of hair near the scalp, then your child probably has head lice. Head lice are easily spread from person to person by sharing combs, brushes, hats, or any other things that go on, touch, or cover the head.

There are head lice shampoos that can be bought over-the-counter anyplace that has a pharmacy. Follow the instructions carefully! The plastic combs that come with the shampoos do not remove the "nits" (head lice eggs) as well as metal head lice combs. Metal combs are available for a small fee at the Lapeer County Health Department. Also available through the Lapeer County health Department is information and instructions on how to clean bedding, stuffed animals, couch cushions, and other items that may have head lice or nits. A registered nurse will show you how to check your child's head for lice or nits after you use the shampoo and do the combing. For more information, or to have your child's head checked, call 810-667-0448 and ask to speak to the Communicable Disease Nurse.

- What do I do if I think I have food poisoning.

Food poisoning is caused by a bacteria that grows in food that is contaminated or not properly prepared or stored. There is a sudden onset of fever, headache, abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, and sometimes vomiting. Because food poisoning resembles many other stomach or intestinal problems, any one with these symptoms should contact their doctor or go to the nearest emergency or urgent care center. Physicians, hospitals, and urgent care centers report actual or suspected cases of food poisoning to the Lapeer County Health Department. One of our Communicable Disease nurses will call the patient's home and get detailed information about what the patient ate, where they ate it. When they ate it, etc....If it appears that a couple of people ate the same food during the same time at the same place, a Registered Sanitarian from the Environmental Health Division of the Lapeer County Health Department will work with the Registered Nurse to investigate and control the spread of the disease.

For More information on what Environmental Health does to keep the private and public food supply safe. * CLICK HERE for Environmental Health Web Page