The Monroe County Health Department is committed to improving the health of all people. Nurses and Community Health Workers employed by the Monroe County Health Department are trained to provide health screenings and referrals for health and social support services. Outreach screening events are available to meet the needs of people with limited access to transportation systems. Please call 812-803-6364 for more information.
A1C:
The A1C test is a common blood test for diagnosing diabetes. The A1C test measures what percentage of hemoglobin in the blood is coated with sugar, also called glycated.The higher the A1C level is, the poorer the blood sugar management. And the higher the risk of having health concerns related to diabetes.A1C test results appear as a percentage. A higher A1C percentage means higher average blood sugar levels. Results are as follows:
- Below 5.7% is healthy
- A result of 5.7% to 6.4% means prediabetes
- A result of 6.5% or higher on two separate tests means diabetes
For most adults living with diabetes, an A1C level of less than 7% is a common treatment target. Some people may have lower or higher targets.
The target of less than 7% is linked to a lower risk of health concerns related to diabetes, also called complications. If your A1C level is above your target, your healthcare team may suggest a change in your diabetes treatment plan.
Glucose:
A blood glucose test mainly screens for diabetes by measuring the level of glucose (sugar) in your blood.
MCHD offers a Capillary blood glucose test. A healthcare provider collects a drop of blood — usually from a fingertip needle prick. For an infant, a provider pricks their heel. This test involves a test strip and glucose meter. You get the result within seconds.
Results are as follows:
- A healthy blood glucose level for someone without diabetes is 70 to 99 mg/dL (3.9 to 5.5 mmol/L).
Values between 50 and 70 mg/dL (2.8 to 3.9 mmol/L) for people without diabetes can be “normal,” too.
- If your blood glucose level is 100 to 125 mg/dL (5.6 to 6.9 mmol/L), it usually means you have prediabetes. People with prediabetes have up to a 50% chance of developing Type 2 diabetes over the next 5 to 10 years. But you can take steps to try to reverse prediabetes.
- If your fasting blood glucose level is 126 mg/dl (7.0 mmol/L) or higher on more than one testing occasion, it usually means you have diabetes. People with Type 1 diabetes usually have very high blood glucose levels (200 mg/dL, or 11.1 mmol/L, or higher).
Cholesterol:
The cholesterol test checks your levels of:
- Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) or "bad" cholesterol. Having high levels of LDL cholesterol can lead to plaque buildup in your arteries and result in heart disease or stroke.
- High-density lipoprotein (HDL) or "good" cholesterol. HDL is known as "good" cholesterol because high levels can lower your risk of heart disease and stroke.
- Triglycerides, a type of fat in your blood that your body uses for energy. The combination of high levels of triglycerides with low HDL cholesterol or high LDL cholesterol levels can increase your risk for heart attack and stroke.
- Total cholesterol, the total amount of cholesterol in your blood based on your HDL, LDL, and triglycerides numbers.Learn more about LDL and HDL cholesterol and glycerides.
Blood Pressure:
Blood pressure is a measure of the force of blood inside your arteries. Each time your heart beats, it pumps blood into a large artery called your aorta. This happens 60 to 100 times a minute, 24 hours a day. Your aorta connects to other arteries that deliver oxygen and nutrients to all your organs and tissues.
Your blood pressure doesn’t stay the same all the time. It changes based on what you’re doing. When you’re exercising or excited, your blood pressure goes up. When you’re resting, your blood pressure is lower. Your blood pressure can also change because of medicines you take, shifts in your body position and aging.
Blood pressure matters because it can have a big effect on your health. For example:
There are two numbers that make up your blood pressure reading:
- High blood pressure (hypertension) is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Severely high blood pressure, known as a hypertensive emergency, can be life-threatening.
- Low blood pressure (hypotension) can cause dizziness, fainting and fall-related injuries. Severely low blood pressure limits blood flow to major organs and can lead to life-threatening complications like shock.
- Systolic blood pressure: This is the top/first number. It’s the pressure in your arteries when your heart is beating and sending blood into your arteries.
- Diastolic blood pressure: This is the bottom/second number. It’s the pressure in your arteries when your heart is at rest between beats.
Tuberculosis Testing and Treatment:
Although Tuberculosis does not pose the threat that it did many years ago, it remains an active disease in our nation and community. The Monroe County Health Department provides routine skin testing for possible Tuberculosis patients, as well as the provision of Tuberculosis medication.
Tuberculin Skin Test
A small amount of liquid (called tuberculin) is injected under the skin on the forearm. This produces a small bump that gradually disappears. The individual being tested must return in 48-72 hours to have the area checked for a reaction.
Almost anyone can be tested using this method, including infants, children, pregnant women, individuals living with HIV, and those who have had the BCG vaccine. People who have had a severe reaction to a previous TST should not receive another TST.
All positive reactions require further follow-up with a physician.
What is TB and how is it spread?
Tuberculosis (TB) is a disease that is spread through the air from one person to another. When someone who is sick with TB coughs, speaks, laughs, sings, or sneezes, people nearby may breathe TB bacteria into their lungs. TB usually attacks the lungs but can also attack other parts of the body. Additional information is available at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website https://www.cdc.gov/tb/.
There are Three Classifications of TB
- Latent TB Infection: This occurs when TB bacteria live in a person’s body but does not make them sick. They have no symptoms and they cannot spread TB bacteria to others.
- TB Disease or Active TB: People with TB disease feel sick and can spread TB bacteria to others. Symptoms include fever, night sweats, prolonged cough, and weight loss. Individuals who have Latent TB can go on to develop TB disease.
- Presumptive TB: Refers to a patient who presents with symptoms or signs suggestive of TB.
Both Latent and Active TB must be reported to the Indiana State Department of Health.
For more information or for forms to report a TB case, visit: https://www.in.gov/isdh/19662.htm.
Lead screening:
Lead tests are offered to the public, by appointment only. Please call 812-803-6366 for more information. Testing is free for children under the age of 7 years, and $25 for children older than 7 years.
Vaccinations:
The Monroe County Health Department (MCHD) offers vaccines to all ages. Appointments are currently available Monday and Wednesday from 1:00pm-4:00pm and Tuesday and Thursday from 8:30am-12:00pm.
Requirements to be Seen
- Children 0-18 years:
- Please bring any shot record you have, regardless of which language it is in.
- A child must be brought by an adult 18 years of age or older. The adult may be:
- The child’s parent (step-parent is not considered a legal parent without paperwork)
- Legal guardian with appropriate legal paperwork from DCS or the Courts
- Any other adult with written and signed consent by the parent/legal guardian.
- If you have health insurance coverage, you must bring your insurance card to the appointment.
- Adults 19 years and older:
- A complete shot record is not always required, but is always helpful in determining which vaccines are needed
- If certain vaccines are needed for school, work, or immigration, please bring the paperwork indicating which vaccinations are needed.
- If you have health insurance coverage, you must bring your insurance card to the appointment
- Bring Photo ID if you have one
Insurance, Fees, & Eligibility
- If you have insurance coverage (including Medicaid), fees will be billed to your insurance
- If you do not have health insurance coverage, a $15 per vaccine administration fee is charged. Fees are payable at the time of service. Those who cannot pay will never be turned away.
- Patients can be seen if they meet one of the following:
- Medicaid
- No health insurance coverage for vaccines
- Children (0-18 years old) who are American Indian or Alaskan Native
- Some Private Insurance
- MCHD currently uses a 3rd party billing company (VaxCare). Not all insurance plans are accepted. Patients are responsible for knowing their insurance coverage and are responsible for all fees charged through VaxCare.
Hints for Locating Shot Records
If you do not have your shot record, the following may be helpful places to check:
- Current and previous healthcare providers
- Current and previous schools attended
- Current and previous employers
- MyVaxIndiana
- If your shot record is located outside the United States:
- We can accept pictures of the record if you have the ability to receive a text message or email with a picture of the vaccine record
- If you do not have access to the record in any way, a vaccination plan will be discussed at your appointment.
Adult Vaccines Available
HAV, HBV, TDaP, Shingles, MCV4, MenB, HPV, MMR
Varicella, PCV15, PCV20, PCV23, MPox, COVID, RSV
Children’s Vaccines Available
Hib, DTaP, HAV, HBV, HPV, IPV, Kinrix, MCV4, MenB, MMR
PCV13, PCV15, Flu, Pediarix, Vaxelis, Pentacel, Rotavirus, TDaP
Varicella, MMRV, COVID, RSV
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