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Important health guidelines from Medical Director Dr. Jennifer Mullendore as we recover from Hurricane Helene.
Tetanus
Wound Care
Vaccination
Signs & Symptoms of Mold-Related Illness
Signs & Symptoms of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Tetanus
- Tetanus is a rare but very serious disease that requires immediate medical treatment.
- You may know it better as “lockjaw.”
- Tetanus is caused by a toxin produced by a type of bacteria that is found in the environment, including in soil, dust, and feces.
- The bacteria can get into a person’s body through broken skin, like when there is an injury.
These bacteria are more likely to infect someone when:
- Their wound is contaminated with dirt, feces, or saliva (like from an animal bite).
- They have a penetrating or puncture wound, like one caused by a nail or needle
- The injury involves dead tissue like may be seen after a burn, crush injury, or frostbite.
Symptoms of tetanus typically appear 3 to 21 days after someone is exposed to the bacteria that causes tetanus.
The first sign is typically spasms of the jaw muscles, or “lockjaw.”
Other symptoms can include:
- Sudden involuntary muscle spasms, often in the stomach
- Painful muscle stiffness all over the body
- Seizures
1 out of 10 people in the U.S. with tetanus end up dying from it.
Vaccination and wound care are the best ways to prevent tetanus.
Wound Care
- Immediately after an injury, clean the wound using clean water and mild soap.
- Clean water includes bottled water or water that was boiled and cooled if you are still under a boil water notice or advisory.
- Remove any visible dirt or debris from the wound.
- Then cover the wound with a clean bandage.
See a healthcare professional if the wound:
- Is deep or gaping
- Is from a puncture injury, like a nail
- Has dirt, wood, metal, or something else stuck in it
- Is caused by an animal bite
- Involves dead tissue like can occur after a burn, crush injury, or frostbite
- Becomes red, swollen, oozes, or if you have other signs of infection like fever, increased pain, shortness of breath, a fast heart rate, or confusion
Vaccination
Tetanus vaccination is recommended in anyone who:
- Has an unknown vaccine history, or
- Is unvaccinated, or
- Did not have at least 3 prior doses of tetanus vaccine, or
- Has a clean or minor wound and received their last tetanus vaccine 10 or more years prior, or
- Has a dirty or major wound (wounds contaminated with dirt, soil, feces, or saliva; puncture wounds; avulsions; wounds resulting from crushing, burns, and frostbite) and received their last tetanus vaccine 5 or more years ago.
No tetanus vaccination is needed if you:
- Have had at least 3 doses of tetanus vaccine, AND
- Received your last tetanus vaccine less than 5 years ago.
The Buncombe County Health and Human Services Board has waived fees for vaccinations for flu, COVID, Tdap, and hepatitis A for adults.
Signs & Symptoms of Mold-Related Illness
Mold spores normally are found in the air we breathe.
Flood-damaged homes and businesses are at risk for increased mold growth.
Exposure to moldy environments may cause a variety of health effects, or none at all.
Although symptoms can vary, the most common symptoms seen in people exposed to mold indoors include:
- Stuffy nose and sinus congestion
- Itchy or burning eyes
- Red, watery eyes
- Cough, wheezing, difficulty breathing
- Sore or irritated throat
- Skin rash
- Headache
People with asthma or other lung issues or who are allergic to mold may have severe reactions.
People with weakened immune systems and people with chronic lung disease may get infections in their lungs from mold.
You should discuss your health concerns with your healthcare provider because the symptoms of mold exposure could be caused by other exposures and illnesses.
- Ideally, to reduce the risk of mold exposure, before moving back into a flood-damaged building:
- The building must be completely dry.
- Dirt and trash left by the flood should be removed from the building.
- Moldy or mildewed items must be completely cleaned and disinfected or thrown away. If not, mold and mildew will return and possibly cause health problems.
- Remove and discard drywall and insulation that was flooded.
- Items that cannot be cleaned & dried well or quickly enough to prevent mold and mildew from growing must be thrown away. This includes items like carpet, carpet padding, mattresses, rugs, and upholstered furniture.
- Clean mold on hard surfaces using a mixture of 1 cup of household bleach in 1 gallon of water.
- Wear googles; vinyl, nitrile, or rubber gloves; and an N95 respirator.
- Never mix bleach with ammonia or other cleaners. This will produce a poisonous gas.
- Remember to never use bleach in a closed space – open doors and windows first to ensure that enough fresh air is available to prevent eye, nose, or throat irritation.
- People at risk of severe health problems from mold exposure should not take part in cleaning up. This includes:
- People with allergies to mold
- People with weakened immune systems or underlying lung disease
- People with chronic respiratory diseases like asthma or COPD.
Signs & Symptoms of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas that can cause sudden illness and death when breathed in.
Carbon monoxide is produced when fuel is burned in things like vehicles, gas- and oil-burning furnaces, gas stoves & grills, portable generators, charcoal grills, and fireplaces.
The most common symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are:
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Weakness
- Upset stomach
- Vomiting
- Chest pain
- Confusion
If you breathe in a lot of carbon monoxide, it can make you pass out or even die.
People who are sleeping can die from carbon monoxide poisoning before they have any symptoms.
While everyone is at risk for carbon monoxide poisoning, some people are more likely to get sick from it, including infants, the elderly, and people with chronic heart & lung problems or anemia.
To reduce the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning:
- Never heat your house with a gas oven.
- Never burn charcoal indoors.
- Never use a portable gas camp stove indoors.
- Never use a generator inside your home or garage, even if doors and windows are open.
- Only use generators outside, more than 20 feet away from your home, doors, and windows.
- Install carbon monoxide detectors in your home, near every sleeping area.
- Just like with smoke detectors, check the batteries in your carbon monoxide detector every 6 months.