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Tick Borne Diseases
If you are having any symptoms or have any questions, please call 811 to speak with a registered nurse 24 hours a day. OVERVIEW Tick populations are growing across Nova Scotia. The black legged tick, found throughout the province, is known to spread infections, such as Lyme Disease, Human Granulocytic Anaplasmosis (HGA), Babesiosis, and Powassan…
Pneumococcal Vaccines for Seniors
If you are having any symptoms or have any questions, please call 811 to speak with a registered nurse 24 hours a day. What is a pneumococcal vaccine? A pneumococcal vaccine is an injected medicine that can protect against and often prevent pneumococcal disease. Pneumococcal disease is caused by a bacterial infection from streptococcus pneumoniae,…
Down Syndrome
If you are having any symptoms or have any questions, please call 811 to speak with a registered nurse 24 hours a day. What is Down syndrome? Down syndrome is a naturally occurring chromosomal arrangement. Down syndrome has always existed and is universal across racial, gender, and socio-economic lines. People with Down syndrome have: Some…
Urinary Tract Infections in Young Children
If you are having any symptoms or have any questions, please call 811 to speak with a registered nurse 24 hours a day. OVERVIEW What is a urinary tract infection? A urinary tract infection (UTI) affects the kidneys, bladder, and urethra. Infection occurs when bacteria builds in the urinary tract when waste isn’t removed or…
Teens: How to Stay Healthy
If you are having any symptoms or have any questions, please call 811 to speak with a registered nurse 24 hours a day. The general health of a person is much more than the absence of disease. It is the state of physical, mental and social well-being. Ultimately, it is the key to living a…
Teens and Alcohol
If you are having any symptoms or have any questions, please call 811 to speak with a registered nurse 24 hours a day. Underage drinking is every parent’s concern, whether you are facing the problem now or taking preventive steps for the future. Underage drinking can occur in any family, regardless of income, status, or…
Spina Bifida
If you are having any symptoms or have any questions, please call 811 to speak with a registered nurse 24 hours a day. OVERVIEW What is spina bifida? Spina bifida is a birth defect that happens when a baby’s spine and spinal cord don’t close completely during development. This can cause damage to the spinal…
Swimmer’s Ear (Otitis Externa)
If you are having any symptoms or have any questions, please call 811 to speak with a registered nurse 24 hours a day. OVERVIEW What is swimmer’s ear? Swimmer’s ear is an irritation, swelling, or infection in your ear. It’s often caused by swimming a lot or swimming in unclean water. It can occur suddenly….
Sleep and Pregnancy
If you are having any symptoms or have any questions, please call 811 to speak with a registered nurse 24 hours a day. The amount of sleep you get while you’re pregnant not only affects you and your baby but could impact your labour and delivery as well. Lack of sleep during pregnancy has been…
Vaginal Inflammation (Vaginitis)
If you are having any symptoms or have any questions, please call 811 to speak with a registered nurse 24 hours a day. OVERVIEW What is vaginitis? Vaginitis is a general term used to describe inflammation of the vagina. It is sometimes called vulvovaginitis when it affects the vulva. This is the external part of…