Swine Flu: NOT just for Miss Piggy!


What you need to know about Swine Flu. . .

Yes Grandma, this is what I do! For the many people that always scratch their heads when I describe to them that I study Public Health this is what the people that I work with do! They make sure there is a reason to alert you, and I am the one that communicates it to you!

Swine Flu DOES NOT come from Pork Products!

The tricky thing about the little devil is that it “feels” like your typical seasonal flu.

DO & DON’ts

DO check out the Centers for Disease Control aka CDC’s website @
http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/key_facts.htm

I know they may sound a little old school but let me tell you. . . THEY KNOW WATS UP. They are the ones that spend all the time in the lab with the microscopes, testing to make sure the information that they are giving you is solid. They work long hours and CONGRESS does not give them enough money EVER.

DO NOT go to work if you are sick with flu like symptoms. Tell people that you work with to GO HOME if they are sick- I do it all the time! (I know in theory it is not that easy. . but try and work it out)

DO cover your mouth when you cough

DO WASH YOUR HANDS all the time! I always have alcohol swab wipes- I am basically nuts so I am always wiping down surfaces. . . ya that woman on the metro won’t be lookin at me funny anymore will she now?!!!

DO watch your local news. They will give you information about where to go and what to do. If you are confused CALL your local health department.

DC Department of Health: by phone @ 202 442 5955 or e-mail doh@dc.gov

MD Department of Health: by phone @ 410 767 6500

or e-mail me and I can direct you! nwtose@gmail.com

Here is a nice video the CDC put out. . it does a nice summary. . .

Swine Flu: NOT just for Miss Piggy!


What you need to know about Swine Flu. . .

Yes Grandma, this is what I do! For the many people that always scratch their heads when I describe to them that I study Public Health this is what the people that I work with do! They make sure there is a reason to alert you, and I am the one that communicates it to you!

Swine Flu DOES NOT come from Pork Products!

The tricky thing about the little devil is that it “feels” like your typical seasonal flu.

DO & DON’ts

DO check out the Centers for Disease Control aka CDC’s website @
http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/key_facts.htm

I know they may sound a little old school but let me tell you. . . THEY KNOW WATS UP. They are the ones that spend all the time in the lab with the microscopes, testing to make sure the information that they are giving you is solid. They work long hours and CONGRESS does not give them enough money EVER.

DO NOT go to work if you are sick with flu like symptoms. Tell people that you work with to GO HOME if they are sick- I do it all the time! (I know in theory it is not that easy. . but try and work it out)

DO cover your mouth when you cough

DO WASH YOUR HANDS all the time! I always have alcohol swab wipes- I am basically nuts so I am always wiping down surfaces. . . ya that woman on the metro won’t be lookin at me funny anymore will she now?!!!

DO watch your local news. They will give you information about where to go and what to do. If you are confused CALL your local health department.

DC Department of Health: by phone @ 202 442 5955 or e-mail doh@dc.gov

MD Department of Health: by phone @ 410 767 6500

or e-mail me and I can direct you! nwtose@gmail.com

Here is a nice video the CDC put out. . it does a nice summary. . .

STD Awareness Month: Bacterial Vaginosis aka Bacteria in the Vagina

Bacterial Vaginosis OR. . .

BACTERIA IN THE VAGINA!



THE FACTS
  • Bacterial vaginosis (/back TEER ee el/ /va gin NO sus/) (BV) is a condition in which there is an overgrowth of some kinds of bacteria in the vagina.
  • BV can cause symptoms such as vaginal discharge.
  • BV is common in women of childbearing age.
  • Washing the genitals, urinating, or douching after sex will not prevent BV or any sexually transmitted disease (STD).

How can I lower my risks for Bacterial Vaginosis?

Scientists do not fully understand BV and do not know the best ways to prevent it. However, it is known that having a new sex partner or having more than one sex partner increases your risk of getting BV.

To lower your risk of getting BV:

  • Do not have sex. (Just like my best friend Marcus said. . . :)
  • If you decide to be sexually active, limit the number of partners you have.
  • Do not douche.
  • Use all the medicine prescribed to treat BV, even if the symptoms go away.

How do women get BV?

Doctors don’t fully understand how people get BV. The disease may spread between women who have sex with women. Any woman can get BV, but you’re at higher risk of getting it if:


Women
do not get BV from toilet seats, bedding, or swimming pools or from touching objects around them. Women who have never had sex rarely get BV.

How can I find out if I have BV?

A doctor must examine you and take a sample of fluid from your vagina to determine if you have BV.

What are the symptoms of BV?

Some women with BV don’t know they have it because they have no symptoms. If you do have symptoms, you might notice:

  • An unusual discharge, with a strong fish-like smell, from your vagina. You are most likely to notice this after you have sex.
  • Itching around your vagina.

When should I be tested?

You should be tested for BV if you have any symptoms (like a vaginal discharge) or if your female sex partner has BV or symptoms that could be BV.

Can I get BV again after I’ve been treated?

Yes, you can get BV again.

What happens if I’m pregnant?

If you’re pregnant and have BV:

  • You’re more likely to give birth prematurely.
  • Your baby is more likely to be underweight (less than 5 pounds at birth).

How is BV treated?

  • BV can be treated and cured with antibiotics.
  • Finish all of your medicine to be sure you are cured.
  • Do not share your medicine with anyone. You need all of it.
  • If you still have symptoms after treatment, go back to see your doctor.

What happens if I don’t get treated?

  • You may have a higher risk of getting another STD, such as chlamydia or gonorrhea.
  • You may have a higher risk of getting HIV infection if you have unprotected sex with an HIV-infected partner.

If I have BV, what does that mean for my partner?

Male partners do not need to be treated for BV, but BV may spread between women who have sex with women. This means that if you have BV and you have a female sex partner, your partner may have BV too.

A message for everyone
PROTECT YOURSELF AND YOUR PARTNER.

Talk openly and honestly with your partner about STDs.

For more information
* Talk to your doctor.

* Call 1-800-CDC-INFO.
* Visit www.cdc.gov/std/bv

STD Awareness Month: Bacterial Vaginosis aka Bacteria in the Vagina

Bacterial Vaginosis OR. . .

BACTERIA IN THE VAGINA!



THE FACTS
  • Bacterial vaginosis (/back TEER ee el/ /va gin NO sus/) (BV) is a condition in which there is an overgrowth of some kinds of bacteria in the vagina.
  • BV can cause symptoms such as vaginal discharge.
  • BV is common in women of childbearing age.
  • Washing the genitals, urinating, or douching after sex will not prevent BV or any sexually transmitted disease (STD).

How can I lower my risks for Bacterial Vaginosis?

Scientists do not fully understand BV and do not know the best ways to prevent it. However, it is known that having a new sex partner or having more than one sex partner increases your risk of getting BV.

To lower your risk of getting BV:

  • Do not have sex. (Just like my best friend Marcus said. . . :)
  • If you decide to be sexually active, limit the number of partners you have.
  • Do not douche.
  • Use all the medicine prescribed to treat BV, even if the symptoms go away.

How do women get BV?

Doctors don’t fully understand how people get BV. The disease may spread between women who have sex with women. Any woman can get BV, but you’re at higher risk of getting it if:


Women
do not get BV from toilet seats, bedding, or swimming pools or from touching objects around them. Women who have never had sex rarely get BV.

How can I find out if I have BV?

A doctor must examine you and take a sample of fluid from your vagina to determine if you have BV.

What are the symptoms of BV?

Some women with BV don’t know they have it because they have no symptoms. If you do have symptoms, you might notice:

  • An unusual discharge, with a strong fish-like smell, from your vagina. You are most likely to notice this after you have sex.
  • Itching around your vagina.

When should I be tested?

You should be tested for BV if you have any symptoms (like a vaginal discharge) or if your female sex partner has BV or symptoms that could be BV.

Can I get BV again after I’ve been treated?

Yes, you can get BV again.

What happens if I’m pregnant?

If you’re pregnant and have BV:

  • You’re more likely to give birth prematurely.
  • Your baby is more likely to be underweight (less than 5 pounds at birth).

How is BV treated?

  • BV can be treated and cured with antibiotics.
  • Finish all of your medicine to be sure you are cured.
  • Do not share your medicine with anyone. You need all of it.
  • If you still have symptoms after treatment, go back to see your doctor.

What happens if I don’t get treated?

  • You may have a higher risk of getting another STD, such as chlamydia or gonorrhea.
  • You may have a higher risk of getting HIV infection if you have unprotected sex with an HIV-infected partner.

If I have BV, what does that mean for my partner?

Male partners do not need to be treated for BV, but BV may spread between women who have sex with women. This means that if you have BV and you have a female sex partner, your partner may have BV too.

A message for everyone
PROTECT YOURSELF AND YOUR PARTNER.

Talk openly and honestly with your partner about STDs.

For more information
* Talk to your doctor.

* Call 1-800-CDC-INFO.
* Visit www.cdc.gov/std/bv

UPDATE! James Duncan III Missing Howard Student FOUND Unharmed!

Black College Wire Reported
April 14, 2009

“The university community was relieved when the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced on April 14 that missing Howard University student James Duncan III had been found. According to a university press release, Duncan was located Tuesday unharmed in an undisclosed location.”

James, I just wanted to let you know that I personally am very glad that you are safe. I just tried to look you up on facebook and I didn’t have any luck finding you. If this post finds you please know that people care about you. I care about you and the people the DC community does care about you.

God Bless.

UPDATE! James Duncan III Missing Howard Student FOUND Unharmed!

Black College Wire Reported
April 14, 2009

“The university community was relieved when the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced on April 14 that missing Howard University student James Duncan III had been found. According to a university press release, Duncan was located Tuesday unharmed in an undisclosed location.”

James, I just wanted to let you know that I personally am very glad that you are safe. I just tried to look you up on facebook and I didn’t have any luck finding you. If this post finds you please know that people care about you. I care about you and the people the DC community does care about you.

God Bless.