Communicable Disease / STD

Caldwell County Health Department works to protect the public by providing investigation, surveillance, and prevention activities to control communicable diseases.

The health department tracks "reportable" diseases. All physicians, health care providers, and laboratory personnel are required by law to submit reportable disease information to the health department.

Procedures & Reporting for Health Care Providers

We follow protocols established by the CDC and the NC Department of Public Health. These protocols can be found on the Division's website.

Please use the Confidential Communicable Disease Report-Part 1 in place of the former morbidity card. Physicians or their designee are to complete the one-page form using the Supplemental Instructions (PDF) and FAX it to 828-426-8450.

See Diseases and Conditions Reportable in North Carolina (PDF) with the required reporting time, 24 hours or 7 days, and the revised North Carolina Communicable Disease Manual is available on the General Communicable Disease Control website.

HIV Counseling & Testing

We offer free and confidential counseling and testing for HIV. Patients may call 828-426-8400 to make an appointment.

For more information about HIV visit the CDC webpage. Or view this HIV Fact Sheet (PDF).

Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD)

The Caldwell County Health Department identifies, treats, and reports STDs. All services are confidential. Call 828-426-8400 to make an appointment.

Information on the prevention of STDs

Influenza (Flu)

The CDC recommends a yearly flu vaccine for everyone 6 months of age and older. Getting the flu vaccine as soon as it becomes available each year is always a good idea, and can protect you throughout the entire flu season.

The Caldwell County Health Department will have flu vaccines available throughout the year. We begin distributing the current year's supply at our Annual Flu Drive-Through Clinic. Information regarding this year clinic will be available soon.

In addition, you can take preventive steps everyday such as staying away from sick people and washing your hands to reduce the spread of germs.

Enterovirus D68

Prevention Is Key (PDF) when protecting yourself and your children from Enterovirus D68. Find out more.

Mosquitoes

Viruses can be transmitted by the bite of an infected mosquito. They can lead to serious illnesses in people. These viruses are known as vector-borne diseases or arboviruses.

How can you prevent mosquito bites?

Norovirus

Norovirus is a very contagious virus sometimes called the "stomach bug". It can be transmitted from an infected person, contaminated food or water, or by touching contaminated surfaces. This virus causes your stomach or intestines or both to get inflamed. This will lead to stomach pain, nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting.

Key Facts about Norovirus Illness

Norovirus Information

  1. Ayude a prevenir la propagación de los Norovirus (PDF)
  2. Clean-up and Disinfection for Norovirus (PDF)
  3. Help Prevent the Spread of Norovirus (PDF)
  4. Key Facts about Norovirus Illness (PDF)
  5. Limpieza y desinfección para los Norovirus (PDF)

Pertussis

Also known as whooping cough, Pertussis is a highly contagious respiratory disease. Pertussis most commonly affects infants and young children and can be fatal, especially in babies less than 1 year of age.

Information from NC DHHS

Ticks

These small, blood-sucking arthropods can transmit disease to humans and animals. Most of the tick-borne diseases in North Carolina are from a bacterial infection and can cause flu-like symptoms in people.

If you find a tick attached to your skin, there's no need to panic. There are several tick removal devices on the market, but a plain set of fine-tipped tweezers will remove a tick quite effectively.

TB (Tuberculosis) Skin Test

Cost is $25 for routine tests required for employment, but there is no charge if the client is symptomatic for TB or has been determined to be a contact with someone with active TB. If you have a positive skin test, our Communicable Disease Nurse will offer counseling, chest X-ray, and other services needed. TB control services are provided at no cost to the client.

Tests are administered every day but Thursdays and some days close to holidays. If you receive a TB skin test, you are required to return to the clinic 48 to 72 hours after the skin test is placed and be evaluated by the CD nurse.

If you have had a live vaccine (such as MMR or Chickenpox) within the last 28 days, we will be unable to give you a TB skin test. Doing so may result in a false negative.

Additional information about TB is available from the CDC or the State's website. You may also review the North Carolina Tuberculosis Control Program Policy Manual.