- Written by Jennifer King
- Category: Media Releases
National HIV Testing Day is Friday, June 27, and North Georgia Health District 1-2 of the Georgia Department of Public Health is continuing to remind people of all ages to "Take the Test, Take Control".
The health district will provide free rapid HIV testing on June 27 from 8:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. in the Whitfield County Health Department at 800 Professional Boulevard in Dalton. Free prevention supplies will be available along with HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) related information. Any additional testing day events in the health district will be posted here on the district website.
Too many people don't know they have HIV. In the United States, nearly 1.1 million people are living with HIV, and almost one in six don't know they are infected. Getting tested is the first step to finding out if you have HIV. If you have HIV, getting medical care and taking medicines regularly helps you live a longer, healthier life and also lowers the chances of passing HIV on to others.
More information is available on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website at hivtest.cdc.gov/press_files.
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- Written by Jennifer King
- Category: Media Releases
Prevent ALL Mosquito-borne diseases! Remember the 5 Ds:
1-Dusk/dawn - Avoid being outdoors at those times
2-Dress - Wear loose-fitting, long-sleeved shirts and pants.
3-Drain - Dump any water-filled containers around your home
4-Doors - Doors, windows & screens need to fit well
5-DEET - Wear insect repellant containing DEET
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Read more tips on how to avoid bug bites from the CDC: http://bit.ly/avoidbitesCDC
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- Hits: 3299
- Written by Jennifer King
- Category: Media Releases
Dalton (GA) – If there were a vaccine against cancer, it is likely that most parents would get it for their children.
HPV vaccine is protection against most of the cancers caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. HPV is a very common virus that spreads between people when they have sexual contact with another person. About 14 million people, including teens, become infected with HPV each year. HPV infection can cause cervical cancer in women and penile cancer in men. HPV can also cause anal cancer, throat cancer and genital warts in both men and women.
M
arie Smith, Immunization and Child Health Coordinator for the North Georgia Health District, said, “The HPV vaccine is recommended for preteen boys and girls at age 11 or 12 so they are protected before ever being exposed to the virus. If your teen has not yet gotten the vaccine, talk to their doctor or contact your county public health department about getting it for them as soon as possible.”
The HPV vaccine is given in 3 shots. The second shot is given 1 or 2 months after the first shot. Then a third shot is given 6 months after the first shot. It is important that children get all 3 shots for full protection.
For more information about HPV and HPV vaccine, contact your local county health department (find the phone numbers for county health departments in the North Georgia Health District by clicking on the Locations tab above) or log onto the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website at www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd-Vac/hpv/.
- Hits: 3478
- Written by Jennifer King
- Category: Media Releases
Hurricanes
Even here in North Georgia, Hurricanes can have an impact that may include flooding, tornadoes, wind damage and a possible surge of evacuees.
Are YOU prepared for Hurricane Season?
Inspire others to act by being an example yourself, Pledge to Prepare & tell others about it! A hurricane is a type of tropical cyclone or severe tropical storm that forms in the southern Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, and in the eastern Pacific Ocean. A typical cyclone is accompanied by thunderstorms, and in the Northern Hemisphere, a counterclockwise circulation of winds near the earth’s surface.
All Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico coastal areas are subject to hurricanes. Parts of the Southwest United States and the Pacific Coast also experience heavy rains and floods each year from hurricanes spawned off Mexico. The Atlantic hurricane season lasts from June to November, with the peak season from mid-August to late October. The Eastern Pacific hurricane season begins May 15 and ends November 30.
Hurricanes can cause catastrophic damage to coastlines and several hundred miles inland. Hurricanes can produce winds exceeding 155 miles per hour as well as tornadoes and mircrobursts. Additionally, hurricanes can create storm surges along the coast and cause extensive damage from heavy rainfall. Floods and flying debris from the excessive winds are often the deadly and destructive results of these weather events. Slow moving hurricanes traveling into mountainous regions tend to produce especially heavy rain. Excessive rain can trigger landslides or mud slides. Flash flooding can occur due to intense rainfall.
To learn what to do Before, During and After a Hurricane, go to FEMA's website at www.ready.gov/hurricanes.
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