Recommendation to Screen Adults for Latent Tuberculosis Infection

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force,  and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as well as public health departments across the country are recommending the screening of adults who are at increased risk for latent tuberculosis infection.  Persons with latent TB infection are not infectious and cannot spread TB infection to others, however, without treatment, about 5 to 10% of infected persons will develop TB disease at some time in their lives.

“There are an estimated 158,000 people living with TB infection in Colorado, and most are unaware of their condition,” said Dr.Daniel Shodell, deputy director of the Disease Control and Environmental Epidemiology Division at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. “At the heart of Colorado's TB elimination plan is the necessity to screen and test people at higher risk for TB and ensure those found to be infected complete an appropriate drug regimen for TB infection.”

Without routine testing, TB is often forgotten by physicians.  Testing for TB by primary care providers will help ensure that people who are infected have the opportunity to take medicine that will prevent them from getting sick.  Preventing the cycle of transmission to others will help Colorado move closer to eliminating TB in the state.

Anyone can get TB. However, some people have a higher risk of getting infected. People at higher risk include:

• Individuals who have traveled to or lived in countries where TB is common. This includes most countries other than the U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Western and Northern European countries.
• Individuals who are immuno-compromised, including those with HIV.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also recommends testing for TB infection for other high-risk groups, including:

• Health care workers and others who work in hospitals, homeless shelters, correctional facilities, nursing homes or residential homes, as well as current or past residents of these facilities.
• Someone who has been in close contact with a person who has infectious TB disease.
• Children, especially those under age 5, if they are in one of the risk groups noted above.
• Please visit the state health department’s TB Program web pages for more information.

Jefferson County Public Health offers screening for Tuberculosis infection at its regular immunization clinics. Please call 303-239-7078 for an appointment.

World AIDS Day

World AIDS Day is held on 1 December each year as an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV, show support for the people living with HIV, and to commemorate those that have died. World AIDS Day was the first ever global health day and the first one was held in 1988.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than half a million people have died of AIDS in the U.S. since the beginning of the HIV and AIDS epidemic– that is equivalent to the entire population of Jefferson County.

Did You Know?

• More than 1.1 million people in the United States are living with HIV infection, and almost 1 in 6 (15.8%) are unaware of their infection.
  
• Gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men, particularly young black/African American MSM, are most seriously affected by HIV.
  
• By race, blacks/African Americans face the most severe burden of HIV. 

CDC estimates that 1,144,500 persons aged 13 years and older in the U.S. are living with HIV infection, including 180,900 (15.8%) who are unaware of their infection. That means the risk of contracting HIV/AIDS is still very much present. So, this December 1st, Put the Red Ribbon back on and join in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

Resources:

Jefferson County Public Health offers screening, diagnosis and treatment for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) at our Arvada and Lakewood locations. If you have ever had a sexually transmitted disease, you may be at risk for HIV infection. JCPH also offers anonymous and confidential HIV counseling and testing. For more information or to make an appointment, call: (303) 232-7078. Also, download the JCPH HIV Testing and Counseling brochure.

For more statistics and information, visit CDC’s HIV in the United States page.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

October 1st is the kick off date for Breast Cancer Awareness month. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC,) breast cancer is the second most common type of cancer in American women. (Skin cancer is the first.) In 2009, over 211,000 women were diagnosed with the disease. By getting the necessary exams, you can increase your chances of finding out early on, if you have breast cancer. Mammograms are the best method to detect breast cancer before it is big enough to feel or cause symptoms. JCPH offers breast examinations during regular visits to the Family Planning Clinic and refers clients out for mammograms as needed. For information on mammograms, or to schedule one, please visit the Women’s Wellness Connection.

Meet My Grandma, She is a Survivor This October, Make Breast Cancer Prevention a Priority

We all know that October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  Jefferson County Public Health (JCPH) reminds us that the best prevention against Breast Cancer is early detection.  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it is one of the leading causes of cancer death among women.  JCPH offers breast cancer screenings to women who qualify. 

If you have not made this life saving appointment  and need a little inspiration, meet Alexia.  

“My Grandma, Antoinette Paniagua, was diagnosed with Breast Cancer 12 years ago.  She then went to nursing school so she could work in the field of Breast Health and Breast Cancer.  She even got certified as a Breast Patient Navigator.  She works at Jefferson County Public Health as a Nurse Case Manager and Patient Navigator in the Breast Program.

My Grandma is a survivor and because of that she is passionate about helping people get mammograms, ultrasounds and biopsies when they are needed.  She tells me "Early detection is the best protection."

If you are uninsured or under-insured, you can call her to see how you can get some help getting a Mammogram. 

Grandma says "October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month but, we need to fight EVERYDAY to find a cure so that my generation won't have to worry about Breast Cancer."  We work hard as a family to raise funds and awareness like participating in the Komen Denver Race for the Cure. I am so proud of my Grandma.”

To contact Antoinette and find out how to get your breast cancer screening, please call 303 239-7044. You can also get more information by visiting JCPH online.

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Breast Cancer Awareness Month

It is October and Breast Cancer Awareness month. Take some time this month to learn more about breast cancer, breast health and the latest research developments. National Breast Cancer Awareness Month is a collaboration of national public service organizations, professional medical associations, and government agencies working together to promote breast cancer awareness and provide greater access to services.   

Jefferson County Public Health offers breast and cervical cancer screenings for women who qualify. Call 303-239-7078 or visit the JCPH cancer screening web page.  

More Information  on Breast Cancer & Getting Screened

•           Komen for the Cure

•           American Cancer Society

•           Women's Wellness Connection - Provides free breast & cervical cancer screening services to eligible women in Colorado.  Call 1-866-951-WELL for more information.