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Health Department

Show All Answers

1. Do you accept walk-ins?

We have open access appointments each day. Open access appointments are for same day, so you would have to call in the morning for one of these appointments. We do accept walk-in appointments for immunizations. If you would like more information, please feel free to contact us at 336-651-7450.

2. How can I get dental care?

You can contact the Wilkes Public Health Dental Clinic at 903-9399 or WYO in Yadkin County at 462-2073 both of these clinics see self-pay patients.

3. How do I download a Sports Form?

If you are looking for sports physical forms or information concerning sports physicals and Mobile Expanded School Health (MESH) services, please visit the MESH page.

4. What is a sports physical?

A sports physical is a physical exam completed by a doctor or nurse practitioner that enables the student/child to be able to play sports. The required sports physical form from the North Carolina Athletics Association is completed.

5. I am a temporary resident of North Carolina. How can I get a refill on a prescription without an appointment?

Here are a couple of suggestions:
- Contact the doctor that prescribed your medication and see if they will call a refill into a North Carolina pharmacy.
- Since you are going to be in North Carolina temporarily, see if an urgent care would refill this medication for you.

6. I am concerned about a pregnant mother using illegal drugs. What do I do?

Contact DSS, at 336-651-7400, if there is a concern regarding drug abuse and a small child in the home. There is nothing legally that can be done while a person is pregnant in North Carolina. DSS can flag a chart and follow-up after the infant is born but cannot do anything while the person is pregnant.

7. Are there any free services for Alzheimer’s patients and/or their care-givers?

Depending on the type of services that you looking for, the Alzheimer’s Association has numerous resources. You might also contact a social worker at any of the three skilled nursing facilities (nursing homes) in the county; Wilkes Senior Village, Westwood Hills, or Avante. The social worker might have additional resources they could share.
Alzheimer’s Association website

8. Where are the public email accounts of all your employees?

Please contact Debbie Nicholson at 336-651-7461 and she will assist you with your question.

9. How do you refer someone to your services? And is this Health Department for profit or non profit?

To make a referral for services, call us at 336-651-7450 for more information. We are a non-profit organization.

10. Why do I always experience chest pain, my neck tightening, wheezing, fatigue, and difficulty breathing when I smell cigarette smoke?

This could be an allergic reaction to cigarette smoke. You should avoid being in contact with cigarette smoke.

11. Are electronic cigarettes safe to use?

Electronic cigarettes are not regulated, although the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is considering regulations now. Without any type of regulation, it is hard to know exactly what is in the e-liquids used in these products. Manufacture of e-liquids can be done without providing consumers information about what is actually in the liquid. E-cigs are a relatively new product, so there are not many studies that provide information on the effects of vapor on health. E-cigs still contain the addictive component of nicotine which, has its own set of ill health effects, including heart disease and hampered brain development in children and adolescents.

“ENDS” (Electronic Nicotine Delivery System), is a name that refers to all electronic cigarettes (e-cigs) and any other device that may be considered a “vapor product.”

“Since ENDS are not yet regulated as tobacco products under the Tobacco Control Act, we have very little information about the ingredients of liquids (purity, impurities or stability), or the approximate exposure to harmful and potentially harmful constituents when using electronic cigarettes over the short-term or long-term. To date, manufacturers are not required to publish what chemicals are in the ENDS solution, or to perform or reveal results from systematic testing. Studies have demonstrated wide variability in design, operation, and contents and emissions of carcinogens, other toxicants, and nicotine from ENDS. Depending on the brand, ENDS cartridges typically contain nicotine, a component to produce the aerosol (e.g., propylene glycol or glycerol), and flavorings (e.g., fruit, mint, or chocolate). Potentially harmful constituents also have been documented in some ENDS, including: irritants, toxins that can change genes, and other ingredients that have been shown to cause cancer in animals.”

“Because of the risks associated with nicotine, the 2014 Surgeon General’s Report concluded that ‘the evidence is sufficient to provide cautionary messages to pregnant women and women of reproductive age as well as adolescents about the use of nicotine-containing products such as […] electronic cigarettes, and newer forms of nicotine-containing tobacco products, as alternatives to smoking.”

- Letter of Evidence, Tim McAfee MD, MPH Director on Smoking and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, May 13, 2014

12. How do I quit smoking?

For assistance and information on how quit smoking you can call 800-784-8669 or visit the QuitlineNC website.

13. Do you offer services for opiate addicts?

Please contact Synergy Recovery at 336-667-7191.

14. Is it ok to bake and sell cupcakes from my home or do I need to use an industrial kitchen?

To bake and sell cupcakes in your home you need approval from the North Carolina Department of Agriculture. They may be reached at 919-733-7366

15. Are “shot bloks” good to eat when sick and low on energy?

I would not recommend the shot bloks from Cliffbar for sickness and low energy alone. The bloks are meant to be used for and “instant” fuel source to the muscles during time of long term (greater than 1 hour) moderate to vigorous physical activity. For times of sickness and low energy I would focus on maintaining adequate fluids through water first and then if necessary a beverage to replace electrolytes. Also focusing on fruits as a source of food and fluid.

16. How long does a stomach bug last?

It varies depending on what is causing the upset stomach. It can last from 24 hours up to several days. You should contact your doctor for guidance on how to manage the stomach bug since he/she knows your medical history and can make the best recommendation for your care. If you do not have a medical doctor and are uninsured, contact Armando Limon at 336-651-7386 for assistance with finding a medical doctor.

17. Can a person be seen in your dental clinic, if they live in another county?

Yes, the dental clinic will see patients from counties other than Wilkes. For more information you can contact the Wilkes Public Health Dental Clinic at 336-903-9399 or 336-903-7300. For more information, you can also visit the Wilkes County Dental Clinic website.

18. Does Health Department help individuals with eye doctor vouchers?

We do not provide eye exam vouchers, but we can help with an eye exam through our Health Care Connection program, if you qualify for the program. Please call the coordinator of the program, Armando Limon at 336-651-7386.

19. Who qualifies for placement in a nursing home/assisted living facility?

Placement in a nursing home or another facility begins with a conversation with the physician of the person seeking placement. Speaking with the physician and letting them know your concerns and talking about options is the best place to start. When selecting a facility, such as a nursing home, assisted living facility, etc, it is always best to tour the facility. It is recommended to do a “drop by visit” and see how the facility operates before scheduling the tour.

It is also recommended to view the facility’s last state survey results. The facility will also have the results readily available upon request. If you have any questions with the survey results have the administrator review it with you. For more information regarding assisted living facilities or skilled nursing facilities please visit the North Carolina Divison of Health Service website.

20. How do I get a birth certificate?

You will have to contact the Wilkes County Register of Deeds.

21. Does the Health Department keep a full death certificate for individuals? How do I get a copy?

The Health Department does not keep the full death certificate of an individual. All death certificates and birth certificates are sent to vital records in Raleigh. If you need a copy please contact the Register of Deeds at 336-651-7351, contact the Health Department at 336-651-7450, or visit the North Carolina Vital Records website.

22. Can someone from another county sign a death certificate?

A death certificate is signed by a the Medical Examiner, a MD, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant from the county in which the person died. So for example, a person who lives in Wilkes County dies in Forsyth County, then the Medical Examiner, a MD, nurse practitioner or physician assistant from Forsyth County would sign their death certificate.

23. What do you do if you have a Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)?

If you think you might have an UTI, then an appointment needs to be scheduled as soon as possible with your doctor. A UTI could potentially be a dangerous diagnosis, sepsis can possibly be developed if left untreated. If diagnosed with a UTI, then your doctor will take the proper course of treatment, this is usually prescribing an antibiotic.