Essential Health Update: Top Tips for Food Safety, HIV Prevention, and Preparing Your Child for School Physicals

Keep Your Summer Celebrations Safe with Food Safety Tips

As summer kicks into full gear, many of us are excited to enjoy outdoor gatherings. However, it’s important to remember that warm weather can increase the risk of food poisoning. The Henry and Stark County Health Departments have shared some essential tips to keep your picnics and cookouts safe.

Smart Shopping: When you’re at the grocery store, pick up meat and poultry last. Make sure to bag them with cold items and get them home quickly. Leaving these foods in a warm car can lead to bacteria growth.
Safe Storage: Store your meat and poultry in the fridge as soon as you get home. If you’re not using them soon, wrap them well and freeze. Never thaw meat at room temperature; use the fridge or microwave instead.
Cleanliness Counts: Wash all surfaces, cutting boards, and utensils with hot, soapy water before and after using them for raw foods. It’s also crucial to wash your hands before and after handling raw meat.
Pack Smart: When packing for a picnic, keep perishable foods like hot dogs and cheese in a well-insulated cooler, filled with ice, and keep it in the shade. Only open the cooler when you need to.
Leftovers: Try to pack up food right after your meal. If perishable items sit out for more than two hours, they should be thrown away. If it’s hot outside, aim for one hour.

Food poisoning can often feel like the flu, with symptoms like nausea and diarrhea. If you suspect you have food poisoning, check in with a healthcare professional.

Implementing these food safety measures can help you enjoy a fun and healthy summer. For more information, you can visit the Henry and Stark County Health Department’s website.

Celebrate Safely: HIV Prevention Resources During Pride Month

June is Pride Month, and it’s a great time to talk about health resources available to our community. The Henry and Stark County Health Departments offer a comprehensive PrEP/HIV Prevention program. Here’s what they provide:

Confidential safe sex education.
HIV testing, both for screening and post exposure.
Individual risk assessments and potential PrEP treatment options.
Counseling and prescribing of medications to reduce HIV risk.

It’s important to know that the cost of these services can be covered, depending on your insurance status. Medicaid fully covers treatment, while financial assistance is available for those without insurance.

For more details, you can contact First Choice Healthcare at:

Kewanee: 309-852-5272
Colona: 309-792-4011
Toulon: 309-852-3115
Or check out their website at henrystarkhealth.com.

Get Ready for School: Affordable Physicals and Immunizations

August is just around the corner, which means it’s back-to-school time. First Choice Healthcare is offering school and sports physicals for just $40 at all their clinics. If you have insurance, remember to bring your information.

The clinics are located in:

Kewanee: 110 N. Burr Blvd.
Colona: 103 1st St.
Toulon: 120 E. Court St.

Students from kindergarten to high school are eligible. Arriving with completed physical forms will help reduce wait times.

Don’t forget to check if your child is up to date on immunizations! Additionally, if you need a certified copy of a birth certificate for your child, you can request one from the Health Department.

For more information, visit henrystarkhealth.com.

Enjoy the summer safely and stay healthy!

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