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One important thing we do in public health is protect residents of the seven counties we serve from communicable diseases. Communicable diseases include several dangerous diseases that can be spread from one person to another. Diseases such as tuberculosis (TB), AIDS, and other sexually transmitted diseases (STD's) are considered communicable diseases. One of the ways public health protects the community is by making sure that people who have a contagious disease seek and follow through with treatment. Schools and medical providers are required to report the number of patients they treat for about 40 different communicable diseases. Some of the diseases that are reported include meningitis, measles, food poisoning, polio, cholera, STD's, hepatitis, Legionnaires' disease, Lyme disease, rabies, and leprosy. Tuberculosis (TB) - Our nurses investigate every case of TB, as well as people who have had close contact with someone who has active TB. People who have had contact are referred for TB skin testing, and those with a positive skin test are referred for chest x-rays, clinical evaluation, and other culturing as necessary. The nurses at any Southern 7 clinic can help you receive the testing and treatment you need. Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD's) - Our public health nurses have received advanced training in the area of STD testing, diagnosis, and treatment. Any person who thinks they may have an STD can receive an examination for diagnosis and treatment. Any person with a positive lab report for an STD is notified in a confidential manner of the need to return to our clinic for treatment. Treatment of anyone who may have been exposed to an STD is also strongly recommended. AIDS/HIV - At Southern 7 we provide a variety of services related to AIDS and HIV. We offer comprehensive health education about how a person can contract HIV and ways to protect oneself from infection. We also offer confidential HIV testing and counseling services. People coming in for testing receive health education and counseling regarding their HIV status, disease prevention, and precautions necessary to ensure the disease is not spread to others. Fees - There are no fees charged for the above services for people who are contacts of someone with a communicable disease or a person identified or suspected of having the disease. There is; however, a $5.00 charge for TB skin testing of people who are not contacts of those infected. |
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Notice
of Privacy Practices for Southern Seven Health Department
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