Increase of New HIV Cases in Coos County
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Increase of New HIV Cases in Coos County!
Coos County typically has 1 or 2 new cases of HIV a year. In 2017, Coos County had 4 new cases. And in the first 6 months of 2018, there have been 6 new HIV cases reported to Coos Health & Wellness-Public Health.
HIV is a virus that weakens a person’s immune system by destroying important cells that fight disease and infection. HIV is most often transmitted by injection unsafe drug use and unprotected sex. If undetected and untreated, the body’s immune system can become badly damaged and lead to AIDS.
Currently, only 37% of adult Oregonians have ever been tested for HIV. All adults should be tested at least once in their lifetime.
Testing is Easy
HIV Alliance offers free HIV and Hepatitis C testing on the 2nd & 4th Fridays of the month from noon to 4pm at Coos Health & Wellness, 281 LaClair St, Coos Bay. For more information call 541-266-6700.
Prevention Works
Prevention programs on syringe exchange, education, and condom distribution have helped Oregon maintain low levels of new HIV infection. Pre-exposure prophylaxis (or PrEP) is when people at very high risk for HIV take HIV medicines daily to lower their chances of getting infected.
Treatment Saves Lives
With early testing and treatment, people who are infected are leading longer, healthier lives. 86% of persons newly diagnosed with HIV in Oregon are linked to care within 90 days and 92% are linked within a year. It is estimated that if all Oregonians who know they are HIV infected were virally suppressed, it could prevent over two-thirds of new HIV infections.
For more information go to https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/basics/whatishiv.html
Lena Hawtin
Clinic Supervisor
281 LaClair Street Coos Bay, OR 97420
541-266-6747 | Lena.Hawtin@chw.coos.or.us
Crisis Line: 541-266-6800
Coos County is an Affirmative Action/EEO | TTY Relay: 7-1-1