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This Month's Health Tip



SPRING into health!
             
With flowers blooming and birds chirping, spring can be invigorating. Take advantage of the warmer weather to help improve your health.

Take a walk. Walking 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week can decrease your blood pressure, help you lose weight, and give you more energy.

Play ball! Spring means the start of baseball season so get outside and play catch with your children.  Moderate physical activity like playing with your children just a few days a week can improve your health by burning calories and decreasing stress. 

Eat like a hummingbird.  Eating several small meals a day instead of 2 or 3 large meals may help you consume fewer calories and maintain more energy throughout the day.  Snack on healthy items such as raw fruits and vegetables or nuts in between larger meals rather than candy or junk food.   

Get outside! Spring means nicer, warmer weather and fewer excuses to stay inside on the couch.  So turn off the TV and do like your parents told you to when you were a kid and go outside!
  
 
Welcome to the Kanawha-Charleston Health Department
Division of Epidemiology
 

 
  What is Epidemiology?
 
Epidemiology is the study of health and illness in the community and is considered the foundation of public health. 

At KCHD, the Division of Epidemiology tracks infectious diseases, investigates disease outbreaks, educates medical providers and the general public about illness in our community, and most importantly, teaches how to prevent the spread of these diseases.

   Information for the Public        

Click here for information on specific illnesses or diseases and ways you can protect you and your family from getting sick.

   Information for Providers         

Click here for current health news, alerts, and for more information on reporting outbreaks or other communicable diseases.

  Additional Information

Vaccine Information for the Public and Health Professionals

Vaccine Safety

WV Division of Infectious Disease Epidemiology

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)


  What are infectious diseases?
 
An infectious disease is any illness that can be spread from one person to another. Many people may think that such diseases no longer exist in this country but that is not true. Infectious diseases include everything from the very uncommon, such as ebola virus, to the every day common cold.  

Other examples of infectious diseases that we investigate include:
  • Influenza, aka "the flu"
  • Hepatitis A, B, and C
  • Foodborne diseases
    • Salmonella
    • Shigella
    • E. coli
    • Legionella
    • Listeria
    • Campylobacter
    • Giardia
  • Pertussis, aka "whooping cough"
  • Streptococcus pneumoniae
  • Meningococcal disease
  • Rabies
  • Varicella
  • Tuberculosis
  • Malaria
  • Lyme Disease
  • and many more