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Do you have time for HIV???
9 ½ minutes.
That's how often someone in the United States gets HIV...one person every
9 ½ minutes. That person could be you, one of your family members, a friend, or a co-worker. Of the estimated one million people in the United States that are living with HIV, about one out of five does not know they are infected. Undetected HIV infection not only jeopardizes the health of the person infected, but may jeopardize the health of their sex partners as well.
It is recommended that everyone between the ages of 13 and 64 be tested for HIV at least once in their lifetime. Testing should be done once a year or more for people with multiple sexual partners, men who are gay or bisexual, injection drug users, or those with other high risk behaviors. Pregnant women should be tested early in pregnancy, so steps can be taken to prevent transmission to the baby. Despite these recommendations, a 2009 survey of American adults ages 18-64 showed that 50% of Caucasian people and 27% of African Americans have never had an HIV test.
15 minutes. That's how long a rapid HIV test takes. The test is a simple finger poke and results are read in 15 minutes. Many places, such as Cerro Gordo County Department of Public Health offer testing free of charge for high risk individuals.
63 years. That's the average life expectancy of a 20 year old with HIV. This is a great improvement from the early years of HIV when most people succumbed to the disease within 10 years of diagnosis. The key to the increase in longevity is early detection and early treatment. Since most people newly infected with HIV will have few symptoms, the best way to know your HIV status for sure is to get tested.
June 27, 2011 is National HIV Testing Day. When was the last time you were tested? Have you ever been tested? Don't you owe it to yourself to take the time?
Just 15 minutes.
For more information on HIV testing or to schedule an appointment, call the Cerro Gordo County Department of Public Health at 641-421-9320. For more information, go to: www.cghealth.com.
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Department Quick Links...
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NATIONAL MOSQUITO CONTROL AWARENESS WEEK 2011
The week of June 26 - July 2, 2011 has been declared the fifteenth annual "National Mosquito Control Awareness Week" by the American Mosquito Control Association. The Cerro Gordo County Department of Public Health maintains a mosquito surveillance program to help experts detect diseases that may be carried by the mosquitoes. The program consists of the following parts:
Mosquito Traps
At four locations throughout Cerro Gordo County, "New Jersey Light Traps" are set to collect mosquitoes for counting and tabulation of various species. Certain species are more likely to carry disease while other types are more likely to be nuisance mosquitoes.
Sentinel Chickens
To monitor for the presence of Arboviruses (West Nile, St. Louis Encephalitis, Eastern Encephalitis, Western Encephalitis, and Lacrosse Encephalitis), weekly blood samples are taken from locally kept chicken flocks. The avian (bird) populations provide early detection for Arboviruses.
Collection of Birds -
No bird collection
Since West Nile Virus has been present in Iowa for many summers now, the Cerro Gordo County Department of Public Health will not be collecting dead birds this year.
Larvae Surveillance
If our Environmental Health Specialists find a large amount of culex mosquitoes in local mosquito traps, Environmental Health Specialists will monitor stagnant water pools and treat them accordingly. This involves a health inspector placing a larvacide tablet into the standing water, which will inhibit mosquito eggs from hatching into adult mosquitoes. Using the larvacide tablets in areas where mosquito larvae are detected is much more effective and less expensive than trying to combat the mosquito population once they have hatched. The larvacide does not pose a threat to humans.
Public Awareness Campaign
The Cerro Gordo County Department of Public Health will be providing periodic public awareness information through the media.
There are many ways you can prevent mosquitoes. Check around your property and empty containers holding water for more than four days. This may include bird baths, old tires, buckets, toys, and other items. For more information, go to www.cghealth.com
This is a picture of a New Jersey Light Trap.
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Hello and Happy Summer!!
My name is Nola Aigner and I would like to take this chance to introduce myself as the new Public Information Officer for the Cerro Gordo County Department of Public Health. My educational background includes a bachelor's degree from the University of Northern Iowa (UNI) in Public Relations with a minor in Marketing. I also have a master's degree from UNI in Communication Studies with an emphasis on Organizational Communication. As a long time resident of the area, I am honored to provide members of the Cerro Gordo community with accurate and current information concerning their health, wellness, and safety.
Summer is finally here! We will be your health resource to ensure you and your family have a fun and safe summer! In this issue, we provide: summer grilling and food safety guidelines, how to protect your family from mosquitos,what Public Health is doing for National Mosquito Control Awareness Week, and the Wellness Corner. June 27,2011 marks HIV Testing Day. Stay up-to-date with the current facts concerning HIV.
Best wishes,
Nola Aigner
Public Information Officer
Cerro Gordo County Department of Public Health |
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Eat safe this summer!
The month of June brings us beautiful weather and we want to enjoy it by having picnics or grilling out with family and friends. Yet, the month of June also marks Food Safety Month. Before you lay that steak on the grill or whip up a bowl of your famous potato salad, make sure there is enough ice in the cooler to keep your potato salad cold and you have a stem thermometer handy to indicate your steak is thoroughly cooked. Here is some helpful advice to ensure safe grilling and proper food preparation tips:
Grilling Safety
Cook food thoroughly- Meat and poultry cooked on the grill often brown quickly on the outside. Use a stem thermometer to make sure food has reached a safe internal temperature.
- Whole poultry should reach 165 degrees F.
- Chicken breasts should reach 165 degrees F.
- Hamburgers made of any ground meat or poultry should reach 160 degrees F.
- Beef, veal and lamb steaks, roasts and chops can be cooked to 145 degrees F.
- All cuts of pork should reach 145 degrees F.
- NEVER partially grill meat or poultry and finish cooking it later. Cook food completely to destroy harmful bacteria.
Keep hot foods hot- After cooking meat and poultry on the grill, at home, or at a picnic, keep it hot until it's served. Keep it hot by setting it to the side of the grill rack, not directly over the coals where the meat could become overcooked.
Keep cold foods cold- When having a picnic, avoid opening your cooler lid, which lets out cold air and lets in warm air. Pack beverages in one cooler and perishables in another cooler or container. When handling raw meat, remove from the cooler only the amount that will fit on the grill. Use an insulated cooler and fill it one-third full of ice or ice packs to keep the food at 40 degrees.
Marinate foods in the refrigator- NEVER marinate on the counter top. Do not reuse marinade unless it has been boiled.
Serving the food- NEVER put your cooked meat on the same platter that held raw meat. Any bacteria present in the raw meat juices could contaminate the safely cooked meat or other grilled foods. During hot weather food should never sit out for more than ONE HOUR.
Storing leftovers- Once the food has been removed from the grill, it should be refrigated within two hours. Avoid using picnic leftovers since the temperatures at the picnic are questionable.
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Wellness Corner
The summer months for most North Iowans are generally filled with a bit more physical activity, especially outdoors under the sun! Yet, with warm weather, comes the increased risk of dehydration, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke. Make sure to pay attention to the signs, symptoms, and ways to treat the previous warm weather related illnesses.
Dehydration
Symptoms: No early symptoms, painful muscle cramps (abdominal and exhausted muscles), brief fainting, dry mouth, and weaknesses
Signs: Normal body temperature, loss of work capacity, and increased response time (slow reaction time)
Treatment: Drink water or fluid + salt replacement beverage
Heat Exhaustion
Symptoms: Blurred vision, fatigue, weakness, dizziness, and headache
Signs: High pulse rate, profuse sweating, low blood pressure, pale face, and slightly raised temperature
Treatment: Lie down in cool environment, drink water, and loosen clothing
Heat Stroke
Symptoms: Irritability, chills, and restlessness
Signs: Red face, euphoria, shivering, collapse, convulsions, and high temperature >104 degrees
Treatment: Immediate cooling and medical attention |
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Help us promote Public Health services. Forward this electronic newsletter to your friends, family, co-workers and associates. Thank you for choosing the Cerro Gordo County Department of Public Health! Our Mission Statement:
Dedicated to enhancing the health status of our communities through public health initiatives.
Our Vision Statement:
Driving public health system change through strong and directed leadership.
Our Value Statement:
We believe in disease prevention, human dignity, respect for individual choices, promotion for wellness and personal safety, protection of the environment, prevention of disease and access to quality health services.
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