2008 Year in Review

Health Department Working to Reduce STD Rate

Whiteside County Health Department is taking steps to reduce the number of teenage girls who test positive for a sexually transmitted disease.

Nationally the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has announced one in four American teenage girls has an STD, such as Chlamydia, gonorrhea and HPV (human papillomavirus). “Locally, Whiteside County Health Department is seeing large numbers of STD’s particularly in adolescents between 15 to 19 years old. We know there are many cases that are not being diagnosed in a timely fashion because some persons do not have symptoms,” said Joan Saunders, Whiteside County Health Department infectious disease coordinator.

Of the more than 2,700 sexually active females seeking services at the Health Department, 30 percent were teens. In 2007, Whiteside County had 40 reported cases of gonorrhea. In response to this gonorrhea outbreak, Whiteside County Health Department initiated a progressive educational campaign.

“Teens have been really receptive to learning how they can avoid getting an STD,” said Evette VonHolten, Health Department women health coordinator. Health Department staff teaches abstinence along with education on safe sexual behavior.

“Whiteside County Health Department is continuing to encourage STD testing for sexually active males and females. Counseling is provided for people who are diagnosed with an STD. Also, the Health Department is providing sex partner notification and referrals for further testing and treatment,” VonHolten said.

The Health Department offers the HPV vaccine, a series of three shots over six months, to females 21 years old or younger. The first shot must take place before a woman turns 21. HPV vaccine prevents the virus that may lead to cervical cancer.

For more information about the HPV vaccine or STD’s, please call Whiteside County Health Department at (815) 626-2230.

by  Editor, theCity1.com
April 11, 2008