Health Advisories

  • Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD) Treatment Guidelines: Key Updates

    Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD) Treatment Guidelines: Key Updates

    Treatment of Uncomplicated Gonococcal Infections of the Cervix, Urethra, Pharynx, and Rectum Recommended treatment regimen is dual therapy with Ceftriaxone 250 mg IM in a single dose plus Azithromycin 1 gm p.o. in a single dose. Doxycycline is no longer recommended for use in conjunction with Ceftriaxone to treat gonorrhea. If Ceftriaxone is not available,…

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  • West Nile Virus

    West Nile Virus

    Background and Epidemiology WNV infection first became a public health problem in the United States in the late 1990s. WNV is a mosquito-borne flavivirus in the same family as yellow fever, dengue fever and St. Louis encephalitis. In rare situations, blood transfusion, organ transplant, transplacental, breastfeeding and percutaneous injury of laboratory workers can transmit the…

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  • MRSA Resources for Schools

    MRSA Resources for Schools

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    What is MRSA? Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a type of bacteria resistant to many forms of antibiotics. Many people carry it in their nose or on their skin. Most infections affect the skin, but MRSA can also infect other organs. Without treatment, infections can be life threatening, causing severe complications like sepsis or endocarditis.…

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  • New Website Tutorial

    New Website Tutorial

    Learn how to use your new site.

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  • Flu Symptoms Checklist

    Flu Symptoms Checklist

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    Should my child stay home from school? ☐ Yes     ☐ No     Does your child have a sore throat, bad cough or runny nose? ☐ Yes     ☐ No     Does your child have body aches and chills? ☐ Yes     ☐ No     Does your child have a  fever of 100°F or higher?   If no thermometer, does your…

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  • Opiate Overdose Resources

    Opiate Overdose Resources

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    Schools can prepare for opiate overdose. “In 2016, about 3,621 Washington State 12th graders had tried heroin at least once and even more (about 4,526) use pain killers to get high in any given month.” If a student overdoses, a medication called naloxone could save their life. To prevent and prepare for opiate overdose, schools…

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  • School Opiate Overdose Resources

    School Opiate Overdose Resources

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    Schools can prepare for opiate overdose. About 2,500 Washington State 12th graders had tried heroin at least once and even more (about 3,500 ) use pain killers to get high in any given month. Almost one in 10 teens believe prescription drug misuse carries little to no risk. –2018 Health Youth Survey If a student…

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  • Provider Training Opportunities

    Provider Training Opportunities

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    These webinars include information for healthcare providers on HPV vaccination. Details and registration are available below. Getting Parents to “Yes!” One-hour recorded webinar by #PreteenVaxScene Webinar #11 NIAM Edition: Vaccine Conversations That Work for Providers & Parents Dr. Sharon Humiston, Academic Pediatric Associations; Dr. Nathan Boonstra, pediatrician; Dr. Margot Savoy, family physician You Are the…

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  • Fentanyl Safety Recommendations for First Responders

    Fentanyl Safety Recommendations for First Responders

    You can protect yourself from fentanyl exposure. The abuse of drugs containing fentanyl is killing Americans. First responders are likely to encounter fentanyl when responding to overdose calls, conducting traffic stops, arrests and searches. Inhalation of airborne powder is harmful. Wear gloves when you suspect the presence of fentanyl. Print Standard Size Print Poster

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  • Cryptococcus gattii

    Cryptococcus gattii

    What is it? C. gattii is a fungus closely related to C. neoformans that can infect the pulmonary and central nervous systems of both animals and humans. Until recently, C. gattii was only found in certain subtropical and tropical environments. In 1999 it emerged on Vancouver Island, British Columbia (BC), Canada. Between 1999 and 2006,…

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  • Travel-Associated Illness

    Travel-Associated Illness

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    Ask About Travel Outbreaks of Ebola virus disease and Middle East Respiratory Virus in 2014 and 2015 have increased awareness of the importance of asking patients about travel. Asking about travel has always been important when evaluating patients who present with possible infectious diseases. Many diseases, including measles, hepatitis A, typhoid fever and many types…

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  • Free Immunization E-Course

    Free Immunization E-Course

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    There Never Was an Age of Reason: Vaccines, Vaccine Hesitancy and Vaccine Decision Making This e-course offers continuing education credits, is hosted by WithinReach and funded by Kaiser WA. Click here to register Objectives Describe the impact of modern vaccines on individual & public health. Identify factors other than hesitancy that contribute to under-immunization. Discuss…

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