Happy February! Valentine’s Day is just about upon us!

That means chocolates, flowers, fancy dinners, exchanging cards and letting your significant other know how much you care.

There’s also another way to illustrate how much you respect not only your partner but also yourself. It’s also one that doesn’t get discussed as much as the others: looking after your sexual health.

What does that mean? In 2019, there are several ways to do that. Use a condom. Limit your number of sexual partners. Remember that alcohol or drugs can lower your ability to make good decisions. And utilize Monongalia County Health Department’s free testing and treatment for sexually transmitted diseases.

Or as they used to be known, venereal diseases, as in VD. And the fun salutation for schoolkids at the time, “Happy VD Day!”

But we know there is nothing happy about having VD, aka, STDs.

Here are some facts from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

•    CDC estimates that youth ages 15-24 make up a little more than one quarter of the sexually active population, but account for half of the 20 million new sexually transmitted infections that occur in the United States each year.

•    Untreated chlamydia can cause serious damage to a woman’s reproductive system, making it difficult or impossible to have children. Chlamydia can also cause a potentially fatal ectopic pregnancy and be passed on to a baby during childbirth.

•    In 2017, 1,708,569 cases of chlamydia were reported to CDC from 50 states and the District of Columbia, but an estimated 2.86 million infections occur annually.

•    Untreated gonorrhea can cause health problems in both men and women. Having it also increases the chances of getting HIV, the virus that can lead to AIDS.

•    Nearly 80 million Americans—about 1 in 4—have human papilloma virus (HPV). In some instances, HPV can lead to a variety of cancers, including of the cervix, vulva, vagina, penis or anus.

•    When the AIDS crisis emerged in the 1980s, the disease was pretty much an automatic death sentence. Now that HIV is treatable, many younger people do not remember those times, causing some to let their guard down when it comes to taking measures to prevent HIV.

•    In 2016, according to the CDC, West Virginia had nearly three times the rate of Hepatitis B—at 14.6—than the state with the next-highest rate, Kentucky, at 5 percent. Hepatitis B can be transmitted in several ways, including by having sex with an infected individual.

Sure, these topics aren’t the romantic ones you necessarily want to turn to as Valentine’s Day approaches. But as noted in a recent MCHD STD testing and treatment campaign: “Romantic comedies never mention STDs. But movies aren’t real life.”

There are real ways, however, to protect yourselves from STDs. Prevention is the first goal.

Then there is testing. The CDC offers recommendations for when and how often to test for STDs.

Also, while it is suggested that the HPV vaccine be administered to both girls and boys at around ages 11 or 12, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently raised the upper age limit from 26 to 45. If you thought you were too old to get the HPV vaccine, you might want to reconsider it now.

In the meantime, know that if you would like to begin making STD screening a regular habit, or if you want to clear your mind of any worries you might have, the free STD testing and treatment at MCHD Clinical Services means no insurance is billed. Your privacy is protected, and our nurses like to note that they are judgment-free no matter what your situation might be.

Call 304-598-5119 for an appointment. Because in 2019, VD Day is out. Happy Valentine’s Day is in.

It’s not a coincidence that Valentine’s Day falls in February and that it’s also a month filled with heart-based health observances.

And of course, no one should consume too much chocolate, although some studies point to some of its benefits to heart health, although probably not enough to make up for the weight gain, acne and other issues it can contribute to.

But it is a day to indulge, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has prepared some advice on how to do that in a healthier way.

First of all, if you have time, participate in a physical fitness activity, which can control your weight and also help to prevent some cancers as well as heart issues. After all, Valentine’s Day is all about hearts, right?

And if you go out to eat, it’s suggested that you check out the eatery’s most recent inspection report. We’ve made that easy to do at the Monongalia County Health Department (listed as Mon Co Health Dept), with our smartphone app that can be downloaded to Android devices and iPhones. After all, MCHD’s Environmental Health sanitarians are the ones who inspect restaurants at least twice a year.

If you go to a chain restaurant, you also can often peruse its website in advance and check out nutritional information of various dishes. When you do, watch out for sodium. More than 40 percent of the sodium we consume comes from these common foods: breads and rolls, cold cuts and cured meats, pizza, poultry, soup, sandwiches, cheese, pasta dishes, meat dishes and snacks. Ask your server if lower sodium options are available.

Also ask about dishes such as Caesar salads, custards and some sauces, which might contain raw or undercooked eggs. That could be a source of salmonella. You also might want to consider asking for any meat, poultry or fish dishes to be cooked thoroughly to make sure all harmful bacteria have been killed.

As this is supposed to be a romantic evening, you also might want to get one entrée to share. After all, restaurant portions are pretty big these days. But if not, feel free to take leftovers home—and get them in the fridge fast. If you won’t be home within two hours, or one hour if it’s more than 90 degrees Fahrenheit, leave the doggy bag at the restaurant.

But going out is not your only option. Staying in and avoiding the crowds can be nice too. If you decide to make your own meal, choose a healthy recipe to cook. Spice up your meal with seasonings and avoid prepackaged mixes that may contain a lot of salt. Or look for low-sodium or salt-free versions.

Your cooking method is key. Roasting, grilling and steaming are much healthier than frying, let alone deep frying.

Once you’ve cooked food, hold it at an internal temperature of 140 degrees Fahrenheit or more. Keeping food warm—between 40 degrees and 140 degrees Fahrenheit—actually encourages growth of germs that cause foodborne illness, or food poisoning. Use a food thermometer to make sure your meal stays out of the danger zone.

At the same time, cold foods should be kept at 40 degrees Fahrenheit or lower. And follow the two-hour rule: Throw away all perishable foods, such as meat, poultry, eggs and casseroles that have been left at room temperature longer than two hours, or one hour if the temperature outside is warmer than 90 degrees Fahrenheit. And just like leftovers from a restaurant, whatever you don’t eat, put in the fridge in a timely manner to eat within three or four days, or freeze them if you think it would be longer before you get to it.

And a glass of wine is fine, but remember that excessive alcohol can lead to long-term health problems.

If you follow at least some of these guidelines, you’ll feel better about your health, especially if you decide to dig into a gooey dessert or if your love brings you chocolates to enjoy. Sometimes it’s just a matter of making a few different choices.

Happy Valentine’s Day.

 When planning to buy a home there are steps you take to ensure your safety as well as anyone living under your roof.

You must assess your financial stability, find a real estate agent, buy the house, install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, secure it with locks and keep it clean.

Of course, you were already aware of how much work goes into becoming a homeowner. Now imagine that your body is a new home you’re preparing for a baby.

The first home your child will ever know is you. It is important to take the right steps to create a healthy and safe environment for your unborn baby.

January is National Birth Defects Prevention Month. In the United States, 1 in 33 babies are born with a birth defect. Some of the more common defects are cleft lip or palate, congenital heart defects and spina bifida.

You can’t always prevent birth defects in your baby. But if you’re pregnant or thinking about having a baby, here are steps you can take to help reduce the risk of birth defects and improve your chances of having a healthy baby:

•    Take folic acid before and during early pregnancy. This can help prevent birth defects of the brain and spine in your baby. Before pregnancy take a multivitamin that has 400 micrograms of folic acid in it every day. Also, leafy green vegetables and citrus fruits are great sources of folic acid.   

•    The March of Dimes notes that a visit to your doctor for a preconception checkup is key to make sure you are healthy enough to have a baby. This is especially important if you have already had a baby with a birth defect. Your health care provider will check that your vaccinations are up to date and make sure any medicines that you take are safe to keep taking during pregnancy.

•    Don’t drink alcohol during pregnancy. Drinking alcohol during pregnancy makes your baby more likely to have a premature birth—before 37 weeks of pregnancy. Alcohol can cause problems for your baby at any time during pregnancy, even before you know you’re pregnant. So if you are trying to have a baby, consider cutting down or eliminating alcohol in addition to stopping once you get pregnant. The same goes for smoking. Smoking during pregnancy can also cause low-birth weight babies as well as other problems.

•    Protect yourself from common infections, notes the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Wash your hands often, especially after using the bathroom, sneezing or coughing, changing a diaper or preparing food. Don’t eat raw or undercooked food including lunch meats. Cook meat, chicken and fish until done. Wash food before you cook or eat it. Don’t touch cat feces or change a cat’s litter box to protect you from toxoplasmosis.

•    The CDC also recommends getting tested for Group B strep. An expectant mother with Group B strep can be given IV antibiotics in order to lower the chance of passing it to the baby.

•    Get up to take on vaccinations for flu, Hepatitis B, MMR (measles, mumps and rubella), and whooping cough, also known as pertussis, with a Tdap vaccine. For more information about vaccinations during and after pregnancy click here: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pregnancy/index.html

•    Don’t travel to a Zika-affected area unless it’s absolutely necessary. Zika virus infection during pregnancy can cause a birth defect called microcephaly and other problems. If you do travel to a Zika-affected areas, protect yourself from mosquito bites. If your male or female sex partner may be infected with Zika, don’t have sex. If you do have sex, use a condom. If you work in a health care setting, follow safety rules to protect yourself from exposure to Zika. To find a list of locations affected by Zika, click here:

Of course, not every pregnancy is methodically planned, but if you find yourself pregnancy, take plenty of folic acid and schedule a doctor visit as soon as possible to ensure you’ve created a safe place for your baby.

Taking these preventative steps does not always ensure a child is born without birth defects, but you can rest easy knowing you’ve taken careful preventative steps.

It’s probably just a coincidence that just before the start of National Drug & Alcohol Facts Week, the West Virginia Senate Health Committee approved a bill that would ban the use of e-cigarettes in schools. The bill went on to the next committee and has the chance to become a law before the end of the 2019 state legislative session.

In late 2017, the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Services released good news: The adult smoking rate in West Virginia, consistently one of the highest in the United States, had dropped from 28.6 percent in 2011 to 24.8 percent in 2016.

Furthermore, much of this decline was attributed to the success of anti-tobacco school programs in West Virginia and those non-smoking students then aging into adulthood.

Still, it’s not a completely rosy picture. West Virginia just edges out Kentucky to hold the title of the state with the highest percentage, at 14.4 percent, of smoking teens, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  

And, at around a quarter of the population, West Virginia still prevails as the state with the highest rate of smokers in general.

Now, vaping has become an issue. According to the CDC, e-cigarettes are sometimes called “e-cigs,” “vapes,” “e-hookahs,” “vape pens” and “electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS).” Some e-cigarettes look like regular cigarettes, cigars, or pipes. Some look like USB flash drives, pens and other everyday items.

Whatever form they come in, they still can contain the following substances:

• Nicotine
  
• Ultrafine particles that can be inhaled deep into the lungs
• Flavoring such as diacetyl, a chemical linked to a serious lung disease
  
• Volatile organic compounds
• Cancer-causing chemicals
• Heavy metals such as nickel, tin, and lead

The CDC notes that e-cigarettes can be helpful in helping some individuals quit smoking. However, scientists are still looking into the effects of vaping, and several groups, including children, teens and pregnant women, are advised to avoid the habit altogether.

According to state Sen. Ron Bollings, D-W.Va., who introduced the bill, about 4 million students under the age of 18 in the United States currently vape. Bollings was quoted in the Dominion Post.

National Drug & Alcohol Facts Week, sponsored by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH), runs through Sunday. The goal is to highlight what can happen when smoking, drinking and drug use begin at an early age and to convince teens not to start at all.

According to a booklet released by NIDA in 2010 and revised in 2015, most people who smoke started before the age of 18. Product placement in movies and TV shows contributes to the idea that smoking is cool, which prompts teens to start lighting up even when faced with the facts on how addictive it is and how bad it is for their health.

The booklet calls on their common sense as well as their vanity to convince them otherwise. Cigarette smoking can lead not only to lung cancer, mouth cancer, throat cancer and heart disease, but also wrinkles, yellow teeth, cataracts and skin disease.

Then there is drinking. About 1 in 4 of the teens who begin drinking before age 15 become alcoholics.

Alcohol can lead not only to a slew of medical problems but to bad judgment and impairment. Those conditions can cause a teen to drive while drunk, get into a car with a driver who is drunk, take other drugs or to uninhibited sex that can lead to sexually-transmitted diseases, some of which, such as HIV, are not curable.

In fact, according to NIDA, behaviors associated with drug misuse are among the main factors in the spread of HIV infection in the United States.

If you have a teenager in your life, make sure they know that alcohol, smoking and drugs are not all fun and games and have real-life consequences.

Last year, NIDA released an animated version its booklet, "Drugs: Shatter the Myths." It’s worth sharing it with the teens in your life.

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

The statistic is staggering. Nearly 80 million Americans are infected with some type of HPV, or human papillomavirus. That’s almost one-quarter of the country’s population.

What’s more, there are about 14 million new infections each year.

Here’s another statistic: Each year, HPV causes about 33,700 new cancers. And the HPV vaccine can prevent about 31,200, which is nearly 93 percent of them, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

HPV can evolve into cervical cancer in women as well as a variety of cancers in men.

The HPV vaccine, which is available at Monongalia County Health Department, is ideally is given to both girls and boys at around age 11 or 12, before they even become sexually active and have the opportunity catch HPV.

Getting the HPV vaccine is just one way to observe Cervical Health Awareness Month, which takes place in January.

In fact, the HPV vaccine helps prevent other types of cancers, including:

•    cancers of the vagina and vulva in women (in addition to cervical cancer);
•    cancers of the penis in men; and
•    cancers of the anus and back of the throat, including the base of the tongue and tonsils (oropharynx), in both women and men.

While the goal is to give the HPV vaccine to girls and boys at around ages 11 or 12, it can be administered up through the age of 46 to both women and men. Until last fall, the age limit was 26 but the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) broadened the range on Oct. 5, 2018.

The HPV vaccine is a great way to help children avoid these types of cancers when they become adults. Once a woman turns 21 at least through the age of 65, it’s also important for her to get screened for cervical cancer through the Pap test.

The Pap test looks for cellular changes in the cervix that could evolve into cancer. Woman with normal results generally should get the test every three years, although health care providers can offer a more specific schedule to suit each individual’s situation.

At the same time, the cells collected during the Pap test can be tested for HPV so that it can be monitored and treated.

In this day and age, there is no reason why any women should go without testing. To make things easier, MCHD Clinical Services is a participant in the West Virginia Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening Program.

The WVBCCSP provides clinical breast examinations, mammograms and Pap tests for eligible women, as well as diagnostic testing for women whose screening outcome is abnormal. The program helps woman who are uninsured or underinsured who meet income guidelines.

Because the early stages of cervical cancer often do not cause symptoms in women, these preventative measures are important to take. In the latter stages of the disease, a woman might experience bleeding or discharge that is not her period.

Other ways to lower the risk of cervical cancer is to avoid using tobacco products, use condoms during sex and limit the number of sexual partners.

Cervical cancer and others caused by HPV are very easy to prevent. Cervical cancer also can be detected early and often treated successfully. Follow these steps so you can be around to celebrate Cervical Health Awareness Month for years to come.

And to make an appointment for an HPV vaccine or a Pap test, call MCHD Clinical Services at 304-598-5119.