As many are aware, there has been a rise in measles cases around the country. As of right now, Illinois has one case. The risk of measles transmission for the general public in Illinois remains low.

Measles is one of the most contagious diseases. It often starts with cold-like symptoms followed by a rash a few days later. It can lead to serious complications, especially for young children and those with weakened immune systems.

Our best defense against measles is vaccination. The measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine is safe, effective, and provides long-lasting protection against all strains of measles. If you are vaccinated, you have great protection against measles; however, if you are unsure if you have been vaccinated or know you are not vaccinated, talk to your healthcare provider today.

Visit the CDC for more information about measles.

On May 1, Operation Dropbox began accepting donations at locations throughout Lake County. Operation Dropbox is a donation drive supporting local veterans. The month-long drive will run until May 31, taking place across Lake County at participating businesses, churches, and organizations.

The following items (new and unexpired) will be accepted at participating dropsite locations:

Mental Health Awareness Month

Mental Health Awareness Month aims to break down stigma, raise awareness, and promote mental health and well-being. Just like physical health, mental health is important to a person’s overall well-being and can impact how one thinks, feels, and acts.

This year, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) aims to highlight the resilience and diverse experiences that shape mental health journeys within our community through their “In Every Story, There’s Strength” campaign. NAMI’s campaign celebrates the power of storytelling to fuel connection, understanding, and hope for those navigating their own mental health path.

It’s important to remember that working on your mental health takes time and is personal—what works for someone else may not work for you. Change won’t happen overnight. Explore different practices and treatments to find what best fits your unique needs. Visit the NAMI and Mental Health America for more information about Mental Health Awareness Month. 

For those in a mental health crisis visit the Crisis Care Program. Visit Behavioral Health Services to learn more about the services that Lake County offers. 

Lyme Disease Awareness Month

It’s that time of year again where we find ourselves spending more time outside enjoying the nice weather. Unfortunately, ticks also become more active during warmer months. Ticks may be small in size, but we still need to protect ourselves, our families, and our pets against the diseases they can carry, especially Lyme disease.  

Lyme disease is spread through the bite of infected ticks. In most cases, the ticks that are attached 36 hours or more may transmit infection. The most common symptom of Lyme disease is the bullseye rash; however, other symptoms can include fever, headache, and fatigue.  

Steps you can take to prevent Lyme disease include:

• Dress: Wear long sleeves, pants, and closed-toe shoes when outdoors to cover your skin
• Defend: Use insect repellent when outdoors and avoid tick habitats
• Check: Check your entire body for ticks after being outdoors, including your children and pets
• Remove: Use fine-tipped tweezers to promptly remove ticks

To learn more about protecting yourself and your loved ones from tick-borne diseases and to know what to do if you are bitten by a tick visit FighttheBiteNow.com. 

Skin Cancer Awareness Month

Did you know that over 5 million cases of skin cancer are diagnosed each year in the United States? Skin Cancer Awareness Month aims to educate and raise awareness about the most common and preventable type of cancer. To lower your skin cancer risk, protect your skin from the sun and avoid indoor tanning. Sun protection is important all year round; even if it's cool and cloudy, you still need protection. UV rays, not temperature, do the damage.

Protect your skin when outdoors by:

• Staying in the shade, especially during the late morning through mid-afternoon. 
• Wear a lightweight long-sleeved shirt or cover-up.
• Wear and reapply sunscreen at least every two hours.

Early detection is also key—make sure to perform regular skin self-exams and schedule an annual appointment with your dermatologist to get checked for skin cancer.

Visit the CDC for more information about skin cancer.

Healthy Vision Month

During Healthy Vision Month, people are encouraged to take steps to protect their sight. Regular eye exams are an important part of eye health. Many eye diseases do not have symptoms in their early stages, so without an eye exam, you may not know you have a problem. Scheduling regular eye exams, including dilation, can help diagnose common vision problems and eye diseases. If it has been a while since your last eye exam, we encourage you to schedule an appointment this month. 

Take steps to prevent vision loss by:

• Getting a comprehensive eye exam
• Wear protective eyewear
• Eat a balanced diet
• Know your family’s eye health history

Visit the CDC’s Taking Care of Your Eyes and Preventing Vision Loss pages for more information.

World Hand Hygiene Day

World Hand Hygiene Day is celebrated every year on May 5. The World Health Organization’s (WHO) global campaign “SAVE LIVES: Clean Your Hands” promotes that all healthcare workers should clean their hands at the right time and in the right way. This year’s theme, “It might be gloves. It’s always hand hygiene,” aims to highlight that hand hygiene is always critical, even when using gloves in healthcare settings while also raising awareness about when glove use is truly necessary to avoid overuse or wastefulness.

Hand hygiene is relevant to all health workers, patients, and their families at every single healthcare encounter. Having proper hand hygiene can prevent a range of infectious diseases.

Visit WHO and the CDC for more information about how to protect yourself and loved ones from the spread of germs by cleaning your hands often.