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About The Siuslaw news. (Florence, Lane County, Or.) 1960-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 20, 2019)
6A | WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2019 | SIUSLAW NEWS STI Testing from page 1A While there’s no outbreak of HIV in the region, Hep C is still a major concern. Nationally, the disease is making a comeback, with rates increasing 400 percent in younger populations be- tween 2004 and 2014, ac- cording to a 2017 report by the Center for Disease Control (CDC). That rise is happening in younger popu- lations, due primarily to the rise in opioid use. The Hep C virus, which can last in the system for decades before becoming dangerous, is transmitta- ble by blood, and can sur- vive outside of the body for weeks. Because of that, individuals who share nee- dles can spread the disease easily, which is causing the increase. Although one of the HIV Alliance’s main focuses on Hep C testing is drug users, it’s still important for the overall region, particularly in a retirement communi- ty like Florence. The CDC reported that most of the people living with Hep C are Baby Boomers, born be- tween 1945 and 1965. “We’ve tested people who’ve had it for 20, 30 years and didn’t even know,” Miley said, adding that in the past, “Hep C wasn’t even discov- ered, they just said non-A and non-B. And they didn’t realize that it was passed through blood, so they didn’t know it could be passed through blood transfusions from blood donation.” Testing for Hep C and HIV is important, and Miley showed, simple. “If we’re testing for both HIV and Hep C, what we do is just a quick finger stick,” she said. “A little lancet, take the blood out of the finger, and then we have a rapid test that takes 20 minutes to give you the results.” Miley will then hand the patient a small card with the results and date of testing. “If they have a new part- ner, they can say, ‘Here you go.’ I’ve had people who’ve come and get tested while they’re on a date. It’s really kind of awesome when you see that,” she said. The actual test is easy. But talking about the need for testing? That’s the hard part. For younger generations, talking about STIs has be- come somewhat routine. “Younger people know more, because they grew up with it,” Miley said. And it’s easier to tell when something is suddenly wrong. Pfaff, who works at the walk-in clinic, stated that the majority of the patients she talks to about STIs are younger. “I would say 20- to 40-year-olds are who is com- ing in,” she said. “I do think in that population there’s a lot of drug and substance abuse. That tends to make people uninhibited, and more likely to have an en- counter that they normally wouldn’t have.” The majority of STIs Pfaff sees in the walk-in clinic are chlamydia, gonorrhea and herpes, and “sometimes we get rashes coming in that are HPV (human papillomavi- rus), which is a lesser talked about infection,” she said, all of which can give off symp- toms that can be rather star- tling for younger patients. “For example, somebody comes in having burning with urination,” Pfaff said. “They’re worried about an infection that may lead to vaginal symptoms. If you’re having vaginal symptoms, does that mean you’re sexu- ally active, or does it mean something else is happening there? For men, it’s rashes and urinary tract health or prostate symptoms.” If a patient is in their 20s and has no previous histo- ry with these symptoms, it can lead to questions such as “Are you concerned be- cause you have a new part- ner?” Pfaff said. “So those problem-focused visits lead you to ask those certain type of questions. … I do think the younger population has had more of that be part of their norm when it comes to talking about sexual health, so they’re much more open to seek care.” However, for older pa- tients, these symptoms can be shared with other com- mon maladies that are the natural part of aging. Some- times, the conversation doesn’t happen. “It takes a certain amount of rapport,” Pfaff said. “Old- er people may be offended if they get asked, especial- ly coming from a younger provider. ‘Are you suggest- ing that I’m promiscuous or unfaithful?’ You have to approach that delicately. But you can’t assume that people aren’t having sex. If they’re physically able to have sexu- al relations with their spouse or significant other, that’s something they may enjoy, and they just may not tell you about it.” In 2007, the New York Times reported on a study published by the New En- gland Journal of Medicine that attempted to overturn the stereotypes regarding aging and sex. Some of the results included: More than half of those aged 57 to 75 said they gave or received oral sex, as did about a third of 75- to 85-year-olds. Sex with a partner in the previous year was reported by 73 percent of people ages 57 to 64; 53 percent of those ages 64 to 75, and 26 percent of people 75 to 85. Of those who were active, most said they had intercourse two to three times a month or more. Only 22 percent of women and 38 percent of men had discussed sex with a doctor since age 50. “When you’re 70, the world is a different place,” Miley said. “I feel that some- times they put themselves at a higher risk because they aren’t using condoms, or they’re not worried about testing. If they’ve only had one partner and they’ve been negative, that’s fine. But if all of a sudden, they’ve lost their partner and they’ve been out, had multiple part- ners and they didn’t use condoms, they need to be tested. They’re not sure what they’re exposing themselves to. Older men have talked to me about certain issues as they age. Condoms are hard- er to use because, well, you know …” The New England Jour- nal of Medicine found that one out of seven men used Viagra or other substances to improve sex. Miley continued, “There are other options that you can use like internal con- doms — which was the fe- male condom, they changed the name of it. That can be used if someone has an erec- tion or not. So, there’s dif- ferent ways. Sometimes you have to be a little creative. I’ve tested people into their 80s who are still active. May- be they were married for 40, 50 years. Spouses have passed away, situations have changed. And they’re not al- ways aware of things.” Or, they just don’t know they should be worried. The majority of STIs have be- come manageable through medication, even HIV, which can lead to someone not caring if they get an in- fection. “But at 70, it can be far worse than it is at 25, be- cause you may have other health issues that it may impact,” Miley said. “If you get HIV, it may be harder to treat because maybe you already have heart issues, or kidney issues. Then it’s going to make it more challenging for a doctor to know what works, because they have to look at what medications will counteract with other medications. As you age, it becomes harder to manage. The more health issues you have, the more complicated it can make your medical care. We can help people survive, they can thrive, they can live a great life. But it is still a lot of work to do. If you don’t have to do that, why put yourself through that?” And, as Pfaff pointed out, this way of thinking can also be unfair to a person’s part- ner(s). “It affects everybody, espe- cially when there’s multiple partners involved. There are people in very short-term relationships who move from one partner to another. That has a much bigger risk, and not knowing what your medical history is and not getting tested is a big thing,” she said. While STIs can be difficult The best kept secret in Florence, also has the best view of the Bay and Siuslaw River in town. to talk about no matter what age group, it is still important to talk about it. “If you have a concern, come in and talk, be open, and share what’s going with your life,” Pfaff said. “Not just medically, but, ‘By the way, I have a new partner.’ Talk about that.” And get tested when nec- essary. HIV Alliance offers free testing, no appointment needed, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the second and fourth Fridays of every month. The testing is located at the Peace Harbor Oregon Cardiology building, located at 310 Ninth St. For more information, visit hivalliance.org. The nonprofit Friends of Volunteer Florence, which provides free bus transportation for cancer is seeking volunteer for Friends patients, drivers. A commercial driv- license is not required. For of Florence er’s more info, call 541-997-8663. RETIREMENT RECEPTION JODI Monday, February 25th 4:30-6:30 Abel Insurance will be hosting a retirement re- ception for Jodi to receive farewell wishes from her clients. Please join us at the Florence Senior Center on Kingwood. Light appetizers and desserts will be served. HOPE YOU CAN JOIN US ~ALSO~ Stop by our office and meet SHARI, who will help you with your life & health insurance needs. FEATURED HOME OF THE WEEK 2151 ROYAL ST. 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Steak Seafood Pasta Happy Hour Monday-Friday 3:00pm to 5:00pm 7 201 - F Th ursday - All you can eat cod & chips from 5:00 to 8:00. 1297 Bay Street Florence • 541-997-1133 www.bridgewaterfi shhouse.com GARLIC OR BLACKENED SHRIMP SKEWERS FOR $12.95 BEST O E Wednesday - Wine Wednesday - 50% off all bottles Monday-Sunday 11am to Close - Monday - All veterans or active service people get 10% off their entree Mo’s Restaurant F LO E N C R Reservations • Take Out 1285 Bay Street in Old Town, Florence (541) 902-8338 and for dessert... SNICKER OR PEANUT BUTTER PIE FOR $5.95 Mo’s Old Town, Florence • Daily 11 am - 8 pm Serving Bowls of comfort for Over 50 Years