JeffCo Health Department Update: March

The past few days have left me with some “spring fever.” The days are getting longer, temperatures are warmer, and I have felt rejuvenated. It is an excellent time to start fresh and refocus on our health and wellness.

My fresh start often begins with spring cleaning. Cleaning and decluttering my home and outdoor space improves my physical environment, boosts my mental health, and allows me more time to enjoy warm-weather activities.

I like to include my medicine cabinet in my spring cleaning. It is a good time to discard expired medications and ointments safely in a drug collection receptacle like those found at our local pharmacy. Jefferson County Health Department offers free Deterra drug deactivation pouches for convenient, safe household trash disposal. Please reach out if you are interested in learning more.

Remember that when cleaning outdoor gear and spaces, you may encounter rodent droppings that can expose you to hantavirus. People can become infected with hantavirus when saliva, urine, or droppings from an infected rodent are stirred up and inhaled — and hantavirus can cause Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome, a severe respiratory illness. The key to reducing risk is to avoid exposure to rodents, their droppings, nests, and any activities that raise dust, such as sweeping or vacuuming, that could lead to inhalation of the virus. For more information on hantavirus and disease prevention, visit the DPHHS website at https://dphhs.mt.gov/publichealth/cdepi/diseases/hantavirus.

Spring cleaning can extend to our health habits and physical environment. It is a great time to check in with those wellness goals we set for ourselves at the beginning of the year. Healthy choices help us enjoy longer days and warmer weather even more. We can get outside, move more, and enjoy the options for fresh seasonal foods. Remember to hydrate, apply sunscreen, and don your sunglasses while soaking up the sun and boosting your vitamin D, a vital nutrient for our physical and mental health.

While allergies can occur in any season, changing weather and flowering plants can heighten symptoms in the spring. Viruses such as influenza, RSV, and COVID-19 are also still circulating. We may wonder if our symptoms are due to allergies or something we can pass on to others. Remember to continue to practice good prevention measures when experiencing symptoms of illness. The updated CDC respiratory illness guidance advises us to stay home for at least 24 hours after symptoms of the illness improve and the fever is resolved.

For more information on respiratory guidance, visit https://bit.ly/3OYWRj9. If needed, check in with your healthcare provider to assess your health, manage your medications, and update any required screenings or vaccinations.

Spring is a season of renewal and growth, and it's the perfect time to focus on our health and wellness. Happy Spring!