Feb. 9, 2016 Public Health Update

zika
virus update

People who have traveled to an area with Zika virus
should be aware of new Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment
recommendations pertaining to pregnant women, testing for the virus and sexual
activity:

Pregnant women who report two or more
symptoms consistent with Zika virus disease (rash, joint pain, conjunctivitis,
muscle pain and headache) during or within two weeks of travel, should be
tested for Zika virus infection.

If
you’ve traveled to an area with Zika virus and are pregnant, you should be
tested for the virus between 2-12 weeks after returning from travel, even if
you don’t have symptoms.

Only one in five people infected with
Zika virus become ill and develop symptoms.

Limited information is available on
the risk of sexual transmission of Zika virus, but men who have traveled to an area of active Zika virus transmission
that have a pregnant partner should abstain from sexual activity or correctly
use condoms during sex for the rest of the pregnancy.
The mosquitoes that transmit Zika
virus are not established in Colorado.
There is no vaccine to prevent or
specific medicine to treat Zika virus infections.
If you have Zika virus:

Get plenty of rest.
Drink fluids to prevent dehydration.
Take medicine such as acetaminophen to
relieve fever and pain.
Do not take aspirin and other
non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
Always consult your health care
provider before taking additional medication.
Mesa County Health Department will
continue to update residents as new developments surrounding Zika virus arise.

Sexually transmitted infections increase in
Mesa County

Following the national trend, rates of
chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis in Mesa County increased from 2014 to 2015.
Nearly 85% of all chlamydia cases
affected teens and young adults between the ages of 15-29 years old, with 40%
of those affecting 20-24 year olds.
The majority of gonorrhea cases
affected teens and young adults between the ages of 15-29 years old (72.5%).
Following at least five years with no
reported cases, Mesa County documented four cases of syphilis in 2015.

This jump in cases is alarming because
syphilis is known as “the great imitator.” It has many possible
symptoms – many of which look like symptoms from other diseases. Syphilis
can lead to permanent blindness and can also be fatal.

Undiagnosed sexually transmitted
infections cause 24,000 women to become infertile each year.
In 2013, an estimated 40% of Mesa
County high school students reported ever having sex.
Positive parent-teen communication is
vital in preventing sexually transmitted infections. Young people are more
likely to develop positive, healthy attitudes about themselves when they feel
connected with their parents.
Parents who
need help starting the conversation can call the MCHD Public Health Clinic for
tips at 248-6900, or visit mesacountyteenhealth.org.