San Mateo County Health

12/20/2025

Cozy up to new curriculum by having Environmental Health Services lead a lesson in household hazardous waste and its effect on the environment. To book an appointment or learn more about the program visit smchealth.org/hhw-school-education.

12/19/2025

The latest edition of the Health Education newsletter is out! 📰✨

This month is all about the Norovirus, a highly contagious stomach virus often called the “winter vomiting bug.” Keep yourself informed and stay safe!

➡️ English: http://eepurl.com/jueriQ
➡️ Spanish: http://eepurl.com/juewMk

12/18/2025

Give the gift of sharing this winter by starting a School Share Table on your campus. Learn how to save cafeteria food from the trash by visiting smchealth.org/sharetable.

12/17/2025

Q: Can I test for STIs at home?

A: Yes! TakeMeHome is a free home testing program that offers HIV, STI and PrEP panel tests where available. Test in the privacy of your home without going to a clinic.

Visit takemehome.org to see if you qualify and order your kit in minutes. Results are shared securely online.

12/15/2025

We're very proud that San Mateo Medical Center's campus has been revamped and expanded to offer medical care and other supportive services from of San Mateo - Government in a warm, welcoming and beautiful facility.

The campus, located on 37th Avenue in San Mateo, houses San Mateo Medical Center, the County Coroner’s Office, the Public Health Laboratory and a range of social and administrative services that support patients across the county. San Mateo Medical Center serves as the County’s primary safety-net hospital, caring for residents who are uninsured, underinsured or otherwise unable to access private health systems.

Every improvement made here expands access for the people who rely on us most,” said Colleen Chawla, chief of County Health. “This project ensures that our public hospital and other safety-net programs can continue to support our local community safely and effectively for decades to come.”

Read more: https://www.smcgov.org/ceo/news/san-mateo-medical-center-health-campus-completes-major-renovation-expansion

12/13/2025

Give the gift of safety and sustainability this season by knowing where to recycle your single-use propane cylinders. Never dump empty cylinders in the trash as this can cause injury to our waste haulers. Instead, make the pledge to switch to reusable propane cylinders and be entered to win a reusable 1-lb. propane cylinder at smchealth.org/refuel.

12/11/2025

Celebrate the season by serving up the safest sport-caught fish this winter. Find free multilingual guides at smchealth.org/fishsmart.

12/11/2025

Warm up to the idea of using reusable 1-lb. propane cylinders. Keep yourself safe & warm by knowing where to recycle single-use cylinders responsibly & where to pick up reusables. Make the pledge to switch & be entered to win a free reusable cylinder at smchealth.org/refuel.

12/10/2025

Health advisory — Warning on Wild Mushroom Poisoning

The California Department of Public Health has confirmed 21 cases of poisoning in recent weeks — including one death and multiple cases of severe liver damage — after people consumed wild mushrooms they collected themselves. Most cases involve toxic mushrooms such as Amanita phalloides (death-cap), which are easily mistaken for edible varieties.

Even if cooking or drying mushrooms, the toxins are not destroyed. Early symptoms often begin 6–24 hours after eating — nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or stomach pain — and may briefly improve before rapidly worsening into life-threatening liver damage 48–96 hours later.

For your safety:
Do not forage for wild mushrooms.
Only eat mushrooms obtained from reputable stores or trusted commercial sources.
If you or someone you know ate wild mushrooms and experiences symptoms — or even mild discomfort — contact the California Poison Control System at 1-800-222-1222 or seek medical care immediately.

For more information, read the full CDPH advisory:

The California Department of Public Health is dedicated to optimizing the health and well-being of Californians

12/08/2025

Parents: Protect your newborn — give the first dose of hepatitis B vaccine at birth

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH), along with the West Coast Health Alliance and leading medical organizations, continues to recommend offering the hepatitis B vaccine to all newborns

Hepatitis B is a serious liver infection that can lead to chronic disease, liver cancer or death. The “birth dose” offers crucial early protection. Delaying or replacing the first dose with only blood-tests provides no proven benefit.

County Health strongly recommends parents of newborns follow this guidance to ensure your baby gets the best protection possible. If you have questions about timing or safety, please talk with your health care provider.

For more information, read the full CDPH press release:

The California Department of Public Health is dedicated to optimizing the health and well-being of Californians

12/08/2025

This holiday season, give the gift of a cleaner community.
🌟 Request a free pocket ashtray for anyone who smokes ci******es
🌟 Free bags for anyone who wants to help pick up cigarette butt litter and recycle them through TerraCycle.

Email pollutionprevention@smcgov.org with your mailing address. Thank you for helping keep our community beautiful!

12/04/2025

Wow! Get household products AND save money! We give detergent, cleaning products, paint, car wax, and more a new life. Check out unused or slightly used products available at San Mateo County's Household Hazardous Waste Product Giveaway Program. Visit smchealth.org/productgiveaway