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Get tested for HIV on World AIDS Day because "Knowledge is power"

11/23/2021

 
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Get tested for HIV on World AIDS Day because "Knowledge is power"

By Mary Wade Burnside 

As with many tasks in life, when it comes to HIV testing, the waiting is sometimes the hardest part. 

That’s one reason why Wednesday, Dec. 1, will be a convenient time to get an HIV test at Monongalia County Health Department at the Access for All Clinic. 

Participants will be offered the chance to get a rapid HIV test.  A quick finger stick and 30 minutes later, the individual will know the results.

“If someone is borderline or positive, that is followed up with a blood test,” said Chantry Michael, RN, of MCHD Clinical Services.

And if that individual would like to talk to someone about treatment or to get help anonymously contacting partners, a West Virginia Bureau for Public Health disease investigation specialist will be on hand to help.

In addition to HIV, individuals can also get screened for chlamydia and gonorrhea, via a urine sample, and syphilis and hepatitis B and hepatitis C, which requires a blood draw. Individuals can also choose to just have a regular HIV test as well.

“If someone is high-risk, we’ll do the hepatitis B test,” Michael said. “Most times, the full panel is everything but hepatitis B.”

This seemed like a good year to commemorate World AIDS Day with a large clinic. After all, MCHD Clinical Services has been reopened for more than a year now since the pandemic began, and while the world has been focusing on COVID, we need to remember to test and treat for other illnesses as well. 

Also, our public health nurses have been working hard to reduce the stigma surrounding sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and also recently underwent Safe Zone training through the West Virginia University LGBTQ+ Center to learn ways to care for patients from that community more effectively and empathetically. 

“Anyone who calls and schedules an appointment, we always try to make them feel comfortable,” Michael said. “We’re here for them with no judgment. It doesn’t matter what brought you here. We want to do what’s best for our patients.”

Also, STI rates have been on the rise, even syphilis, once considered to be a disease of the past. Especially when caught early, syphilis can be easily cured with antibiotics, which is also the treatment for chlamydia and gonorrhea. 

We’ll also have other incentives to draw participants, including Kroger and Walmart gift cards provided by the WVU Medicine Positive Health Clinic, which is also supplying the rapid result HIV tests. 

Also, in addition to appointments, which can be made by calling MCHD Clinical Services at 304-598-5119, walk-ins will also be welcome during the event, which will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Dec. 1. 

The Access for All Clinic also helps to illustrate that, just like going to the dentist or your primary provider, STI screenings should be part of your regular health care routine.

Conceived by the World Health Organization (WHO), the first World AIDS Day was held on Dec. 1, 1988, in the midst of the pandemic that emerged earlier in the decade.

The idea was to highlight human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which, if left untreated, usually led to AIDS, or acquired immune deficiency syndrome, and also death.

Treatments for the virus have vastly improved the outlook for individuals with HIV since then, said Mark Liptrap, MCHD’s social worker and counselor.

“The advancements in HIV research have been remarkable and treatments are very effective,” Liptrap added. “Individuals who test positive for HIV these days and begin treatment early can have a very normal and healthy life.”

And knowledge is power, Liptrap noted. 

​So call 304-598-5119 to make an appointment or the Access for All Clinic, or even just walk on in to be tested.

Mary Wade Burnside is the public information officer at Monongalia County Health Department.

Quit for a day, quit for life. It's the Great American Smokeout.

11/17/2021

 
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Quit for a day, quit for life. It's the Great American Smokeout.

By Jhanvee Patel

Smoking is the most preventable cause of death and disease in the U.S. In fact, smoking leads to more than 480,000 deaths annually. West Virginia has the highest smoking and tobacco usage rate in the U.S. The national smoking rate is 15.9% of adults. The rate for West Virginia is 23.8% of adults. Are you contributing to this statistic? 

Smoking causes damage to almost every organ in your body. It leads to heart disease, stroke, diabetes, respiratory diseases, cancer and more. People who smoke have on average a 10-year shorter lifespan. Quitting smoking leads to a healthier, happier and longer life. You can find more statistics here and facts here.

As the end of the year approaches, smokers in West Virginia should be encouraged to consider quitting. Always held on the third Thursday in November, the Great American Smokeout falls on Nov. 18 this year. This annual intervention by the American Cancer Society urges smokers to try quitting for one day. 

The truth is that quitting is difficult. However, it is not impossible. The point of the Great American Smokeout is that if you can quit for one day, you can see how it is possible to quit for two days, three days, a week, a month, a year and a lifetime. 

If you don’t want to quit for just the day, take the time to plan. Making a comprehensive plan and sticking to is crucial in ensuring your success. Here are tips to help you plan:

• Write down why you are quitting on a piece of paper and keep it with you while you are going through the process. When you struggle, look at the piece of paper.
• Plan your quit day on an important day like a birthday or anniversary to make it special. If the day has significant meaning, it can motivate you to keep going.
• Gather support from your loved ones. Surround yourself with people who believe in you and will keep you on track. Stay away from others who might tell you otherwise such as smokers who don’t want to quit. This will keep you determined.

Consider how to fight cravings. There are many techniques, such as the 4D’s — such as drinking water, deep breathing, doing an activity or delaying. Wait for five minutes… and then another five and keep on going.

Finding what works for you could be critical in fighting the urge to smoke.

At Monongalia County Health Department, we take smoking cessation seriously. A visit to MCHD Dentistry includes a thorough mouth exam and tobacco cessation education. Staffers at the MCHD Women, Children's, and Infants (WIC) program also emphasize not smoking to pregnant, postpartum and breastfeeding participants.

There are many resources in West Virginia to assist you as well. A quick internet search will result in millions of options. One of the resources is the WV Tobacco Quitline. You can get counseling and quitting aids. You can also visit the Great American Smokeout website for resources as well. There are also resources for you if you want to support someone. 

You are not alone in your struggle. You’ll be joining thousands who also want to change their lifestyle on Nov. 18. New Year’s is around the corner as well. If you have the motivation to quit smoking, consider making it your New Year’s resolution. Remove yourself as a statistic in West Virginia. Take a step forward in your journey towards a smoke-free life. 

Jhanvee Patel is an intern in the public information office at Monongalia County Health Department.

MCHD Dentistry is the BOM!

11/10/2021

 
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MCHD Dentistry is the BOM!

By Mary Wade Burnside

At MCHD Dentistry, we like to think we’re the best in Morgantown.

After all, we’ve got a lot going on. 

We’ve grown so much this year after legislation made it possible for adult Medicaid recipients to use their benefits for dental work that we’re getting ready to expand MCHD Dentistry by two more operatories, with plans for another two down the road. This is thanks to a $50,000 grant from the Highmark West Virginia Charitable Fund for Health.

We launched MCHD Smile Express three years ago to take tooth care on the road to those without dental insurance, and we also hold two events annually for that same target group: Give Kids a Smile!, for kids 18 and under without insurance, in February; and Healthy Smiles Day, its counterpart for adults 18 and up.

Our third one is actually coming up, on Wednesday, Nov. 24, so if you qualify, you can call 304-598-5108 to make an appointment. 

This past summer, we introduced same-day crowns, which can be created in-house using a digital scanner and a 3D milling machine. That means you no longer have to have a bunch of gunk shoved in your mouth to make an impression of your teeth, get a temporary crown and then come back when the real one is ready.

And while you’re getting work done, you can watch whatever you want on TV.

For these reasons and more, we’re hoping you will like us enough to vote for us for Best Dental Practice in Morgantown Magazine’s annual Best of Morgantown (BOM) contest. 

You can do that by going to the Health + Wellness category and voting for MCHD Dentistry.

You can vote daily through Sunday, Nov. 21. So this is a situation in which we really can say, “Vote early and vote often.”

MCHD Dentistry was established in 1974 and it’s the only full dental practice housed in a West Virginia health department. Since 2010, our practice has grown tremendously. Back then, we had one dentist and one registered dental hygienist. Now we have three full-time and one part-time hygienists, plus three dental assistants. 

After the departure of one of our dentists in September, Dr. Youseph Kassar, has been serving as interim program manager and will be joined soon by a second dentist.

“And, with more operatories, it opens up the possibility to bring on a third dentist in the longer term, while also adding on more hygienists and assistants to match the growth,” Dr. Kassar says.

Our patient count has grown along with us. In 2010-11, providers saw 2,160 patients at MCHD Dentistry. That number rose to 4,304 in 2016-17, and in the first nine months of 2021 alone, it skyrocketed to 6,200.

And MCHD Dentistry offers many of the same treatments as other practices, including  comprehensive exams and cleanings, oral cancer screenings, digital X-rays, fluoride treatments, dental sealants, bridges, same-day crowns, dentures and partials, implants, root canals, simple extractions, bleaching and whitening, porcelain veneers and Invisalign clear aligners.

We also take most dental insurances as well as CHIP, Medicaid and CareCredit, and we have a new patient special and a sliding scale fee.

There are so many reasons we think we’re the BOM. You can check us out on our website, our Facebook and Instagram pages, and TikTok.

But don’t take our word for it. Listen to our loyal patients. 

Like this one:

“MCHD is lucky to have Dr. Kassar. Such a great and humorous guy. Great with his patients.”

And this one: 

“Accompanied my elderly mother here today and was so pleased with the kindness and respect she was shown by all staff members. The office was clean, bright, and cheerful. She was seen quickly and treated with sincere kindness. I wish more area health care providers would provide this level of service.”

And this: 

“This is a fabulous dentist situation. They look into my gum health, which my previous dentist didn't do. It's a much more thorough exam. I never had such a thorough dental exam until I came here.”
​

So please consider going to BOM right now and vote for us, early and often, through Nov. 21!

Mary Wade Burnside is the public information officer at Monongalia County Health Department.

Diabetes: An epidemic in the state of West Virginia

11/3/2021

 
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Diabetes: An epidemic in the state of West Virginia

By Jhanvee Patel 
If you or someone you know has diabetes, you know how difficult it can be to live with the condition. For people who don’t know anyone with diabetes, it is hard to understand not only the physical effects but the mental ones. 

Diabetes is considered an epidemic in the state of West Virginia. 

In the United States, diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death. According to the CDC, 34 million people in the U.S have diabetes. West Virginia has a greater percentage: 15.7%. We have the highest rate in the country. More than 1 in 10 adults is affected by diabetes in West Virginia. Find more information on West Virginia and diabetes here. 

In rural areas of the state, it is difficult to gain access to information and treatment of diabetes. November is American Diabetes Month. Every year, communities affected by diabetes come together to bring awareness to the condition that impacts so many. In West Virginia, the first step in addressing this issue is education.

Diabetes is a chronic medical condition that affects the breakdown of sugars in your body. In ds type 1 diabetes, the pancreas is unable to make insulin, which is needed to regulate blood sugar. Type 2 diabetes is considered milder and is a result of the body being unable to respond to insulin and breakdown sugar. Prediabetes is a condition where an individual’s blood sugar is consistently high. It can lead to type 2, however, it is also reversible. 

After understanding what diabetes is, it is crucial to learn how to prevent and manage diabetes. 

There are many risk factors such as having a direct relation with the condition or being overweight. Find a comprehensive list here. Signs of diabetes include increased thirst, urination and hunger. If you are at risk, there are plenty of ways to prevent the onset. The main pointers are to ensure you are physically active and eating healthy. Here are more specific steps you can take to mitigate risks. It is important to see a doctor if you have concerns.

If you are living with someone who has diabetes, it is critical to know how diabetes causes social, psychological, physical and financial distress. While diabetes can be managed, over time complications can arise. Physically, diabetic patients are at increased risk for heart disease, kidney damage and other life-threatening damage. 

Psychologically, people with diabetes are at increased risk for depression, anxiety and eating disorders. Patients require having both their mental and physical needs met. Here are some resources for people struggling mentally with diabetes. 

Diabetes can also be costly, which prevents people from treating it. Patients must manage their diet and pay for medication. Here are some tips for saving money if you have diabetes. WVU Medicine has a Diabetes Education Center. Be sure to look for resources and reach out if you or a loved one is affected by diabetes.

Many people with diabetes go undiagnosed because they fear the lifestyle consequences or do not have resources. As a West Virginia resident, during the month of November, educate your community about diabetes. With proper access to information on diabetes, we can work together to decrease West Virginia’s diabetes percentage. 

Jhanvee Patel is a public information office intern at Monongalia County Health Department.

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Lee B. Smith, MD, JD
Health Officer
Monongalia County
Health Department

453 Van Voorhis Road
Morgantown, WV 26505
Hours M-F 8:30-4:30
(304) 598-5100


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