Not too surprisingly, the obvious first step toward treatment and finding a cure is to know what the disease is | Chronic Fatigue Syndrome | Acid Reflux | Heart Disease | Fibromyalgia | Emphysema | Hepatitis |

There are unfortunately many serious diseases in the world. Are you and your loved ones prepared to face up to disease? It's better to be safe than sorry in the long run. PublicHealthClinic.com is here to help you get the disease knowledge and health information you need to know about disease, medicine, drugs and more.

Related Disease Topics: | Infectious Disease | Lyme Disease |

Welcome to the new home of Public Health Clinic!

The Community Public Health Clinics serve all ages, from birth to seniors, and offers a full range of family practice services. Social services are also provided, including assistance with enrollment in eligible medical insurance programs. Most public health clinics will take all forms of insurance. Many public health clinics also serves the Spanish speaking population through its bilingual staff.

Access to basic healthcare is important for children who do not have health insurance - there are place to get the following for free or reduced cost in your area:

• Receive needed shots that prevent disease
• Get treatment for recurring illness such as ear infections and asthma
• Get preventative care to keep them well
• Get sick less often
• Get the treatment they need when they are sick

Breast Exams - Any woman can get breast cancer. You do not have to come from a family with a history of breast cancer to be at risk. In an effort to increase early detection of breast cancer, the Public Health Department offers breast examinations and patient education. Based on the exam, the practitioner may refer patients for mammograms or additional diagnostic services. Uninsured or underinsured women may be eligible for services under the Breast Cancer Early Detection Program.

Cervical Cancer Screening - Cervical cancer is preventable and curable when detected early. A cervical cancer screening (Pap test) can effectively detect pre cancerous lesions and early stage cervical cancer. This service is available to uninsured or underinsured women age 25 or older through the Cancer Detection Program (CDP).

Child Health Screenings - Illnesses and disabilities can be prevented or corrected by early diagnosis and treatment through the Child Health and Disability Prevention Program. Your child can get regular Health Screenings for well-baby and well-child care, Head Start physicals, school entry physicals, teen check-ups, high school sports physicals, regular check-ups, and foster care check-ups. Health Screenings include: head-to-toe physical examinations, growth and development checks, vision and hearing tests, immunizations, tuberculosis tests, necessary laboratory tests (including tests for lead and iron/hemoglobin), and health education and nutritional information.

Family Planning Services - The Family PACT Program helps men and women plan for and have a healthy family. Family planning services include pregnancy testing, women's health assessments, hepatitis B vaccinations, sexually transmitted disease testing and treatment, and birth control information and supplies. All services are provided in a confidential setting by qualified professional health care providers. Birth control methods which are available directly from the Public Health Department include: birth control pills, birth control shots (Depoprovera), diaphragms, condoms, and spermicide. Emergency contraception (the "Morning After" pill) is also available. The Public Health Department can make referrals for sterilization (tubal ligations or vasectomies) if requested.

HIV/AIDS Testing - Confidential HIV testing services are available. Traditional blood tests and OraSure, an oral fluid collection device, are available. OraSure is a convenient, painless test which provides accurate results.

Immunizations - Immunizations prevent the spread of communicable diseases among children and adults. Without immunizations, you or your child are at greater risk of catching one of the vaccine-preventable diseases: Diphtheria/Tetanus, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Haemophilus Influenza B (HiB), Measles/Mumps/Rubella, Pertussis (Whooping Cough), Pneumococcal, Polio, and Varicella (Chickenpox). These vaccines are supplied by the State Department of Health Services and are the same quality as those your doctor gives.

Sexually Transmitted Disease Testing & Treatment - Confidential testing and treatment are available for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), including chlamydia, genital herpes, genital warts, gonorrhea, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), and syphilis. Qualified professional staff provide information and counseling on how to minimize your risk of catching or transmitting STDs.

Senior Health Care Assessments - When you are healthy, you can enjoy an active lifestyle even into your 80's and 90's. The Preventive Health Care for the Aging Program offers free health screening and counseling to county residents 55 years and older. A Public Health Nurse conducts an individualized and comprehensive health assessment. While the assessment does not take the place of regular visits to your doctor, it will help you identify health problems early, find needed health care services, learn preventive health practices, and stay as healthy as possible. Assessments are available in Spanish upon request. The assessments are offered regularly at community sites throughout most states.

Tuberculosis Testing - Tuberculosis (TB) is a serious disease which attacks the lungs and can lead to death if not properly treated. It is spread by breathing in germs from an infected person and can be caught by anyone. The only way to find out if you are infected with TB is to have a PPD skin test. The test is quick and painless. Results are available in two to three days. If you are from a country in which TB infection rates are high, have recently come in contact with active TB, are HIV-positive, or have symptoms of TB (weight loss, loss of appetite, fatigue, cough, night sweats), then a PPD skin test is recommended.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need an appointment? Yes, appointments are necessary for all clinical services.

Who can use Public Health Department services? Anyone can use services offered by the Public Health Department.

How much do services cost? Costs vary from service to service. You may receive free or reduced-cost services if you meet certain criteria (such as income, age, or health insurance status).

Do you offer services in Spanish? Many clinics do offer verbal interpretation.

Are the services at the public health clinic confidential? All services are confidential. The staff at the public health clinic maintains the highest level of confidentiality for all clients.

Does the Public Health Department offer primary health care services? No, they are not a licensed primary health care provider. If you have primary care needs, please consult your physician, the telephone book, or other health care facilities.

I have a sore throat. Can I get a strep throat test at the Public Health Department? No, the Public Health Department does not diagnose or treat strep throat.

My neighbor's child had an earache and you treated her. But when I tried to make an appointment for my sick child, the operator said that you don't treat ill patients. Why is this? Because we are not a primary health care provider, we cannot treat ill patients. However, if during a regularly scheduled health screening, the practitioner finds an earache, dental problem, or other condition, they will either treat it or refer the patient to a provider.