Health & Environment

Starting Oct. 1 the Johnson County Department of Health and Environment added additional service hours at its Olathe health clinic located at 11875 S. Sunset Drive.

The Olathe clinic is open EVERY Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. giving clients additional time for walk-in services and appointments. The Mission clinic is closed on Fridays. Both clinics are open late on Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. 

Directions, hours and a list of walk-in clinic services are available on JCDHE's website. 

CDC recommends that everyone 6 months of age and older get a flu vaccine each year. The flu vaccine is available beginning Sept. 17, 2018 at the Johnson County Department of Health and Environment’s (JCDHE) two walk-in health clinics (11875 S. Sunset Drive, Olathe or 6000 Lamar Ave., Mission). Cost is $30 for the flu vaccine. A High Dose flu vaccine that is formulated for those ages 65 and over is available at $50. JCDHE takes Blue Cross Blue Shield, Coventry, Cigna, and United Healthcare insurance.

“Flu season” in the United States begins as early as October and lasts as late as May. An annual seasonal flu vaccine is the best way to reduce your risk of getting sick with seasonal flu and spreading it to others. When more people get vaccinated against the flu, less flu can spread through the community.

Anyone can get the flu (even healthy people) and serious problems related to the flu can happen at any age, but some people are at a higher risk of developing serious flu-related complications if they get sick. This includes people 65 years and older, people of any age with certain chronic medical conditions (such as diabetes, asthma, or heart disease), pregnant women, and young children.

Due to a water main break in the area, JCDHE clinic services in Mission (6000 Lamar) will be closed for the remainder of the afternoon today. Normal operations should resume tomorrow morning. If the situation continues longer than expected, any changes in operating hours will be posted.

Record-setting temperatures over the Memorial Day weekend are a reminder that citizens who need a place to cool down during hot days are encouraged to visit one of the Johnson County Library’s 13 branches. All of these facilities will be available during normal business hours.

Libraries offer many services in addition to a cool place to rest and restore. You can read books, magazines and newspapers, or access the Internet. Library hours vary by location. Call (913) 826-4600 to check hours of operation for your nearest library branch or visit the Library website at http://www.jocolibrary.org/locations.

The following tips will help you stay safe in the heat:

• Drink more fluids (non-alcoholic), regardless of your activity level. Check with your doctor if you have restrictions related to fluid intake.
• Stay indoors and, if at all possible, stay in an air-conditioned place. If your home does not have air conditioning, go somewhere cool—even a few hours spent in air conditioning can help your body stay cooler when you go back into the heat.
• Electric fans may provide comfort, but when temperatures are in the high 90s, fans will not prevent heat-related illness.
• Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing.
• If you must be out in the heat, limit your outdoor activity to morning and evening hours.
• Exercise in an air-conditioned place and drink two to four glasses of cool, non-alcoholic fluids each hour. A sports drink can replace the salt and minerals you lose in sweat.
• If you have to be outside, try to rest often in shady areas.
• Protect yourself from the sun by putting on sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher and wear a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses.

Although anyone at any time can suffer from heat-related illness, some are at greater risk than others. Be sure to check regularly on:

• People aged 65 or older
• People taking certain medications, including narcotics, sedatives, and diuretics
• Athletes who are not used to working out in warm environments
• People who work outside
• People who have a mental illness or are physically ill, especially with heart disease, high blood pressure or diabetes