Latest news with #NorfolkHealthDepartment
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Hampton Roads STI problem expected to worsen in summer season
NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — As the summer season rolls in, there is the chance of an increasing spread of in Hampton Roads. Why is the risk higher this time of year? Dr. Annie Williams with the Norfolk Health Department describes STI's as a 'social entity.'The warmer months present the opportunity for more social gatherings, whether meeting someone during a trip to the beach, music festival or a more intimate occasion. 'The transmission has increased because people are not aware of their status,' she said. 'The one thing I think the public doesn't understand is that the majority of STIs have no symptoms. So it's not as if you would know. So the nicest, most pleasant person that you might meet during spring break or at the beach or wherever you socialize, may be carrying one of the germs that causes an STI.' She said there's a distinct pattern in terms of, gender and age in the southeast region. In terms of which age group is experiencing the spread more than others, doctors are seeing a bimodal distribution. In our region, according to Williams, what's most commonly being transmitted is syphilis and HIV. There data shows syphilis is highest in older women as a result of not getting routine health care as frequently. There is also an elevated rate in men ages 18 to 26. Chlamydia and gonorrhea are being seen in younger age groups, also. 'In the Eastern Region, which encompasses all of Hampton Roads, we are very high,' she said. 'In fact, we are probably higher than any other region in the state, sometimes comparable to Northern Virginia, but, extremely high rates here in Hampton Roads, which is why we offer free testing in the afternoons and we go out into the communities.' Williams recommends getting tested for sexually transmitted infections in 90-day testing is offered at the Norfolk Health Department. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Norfolk Health Department hosts community conversation abouts vaccines
NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — The Norfolk Health Department director spoke with the public about vaccines during an event Tuesday night. 'Public Health Science Explained: Vaccines' was a community conversation hosted by the department's director, Dr. Susan Girois. Girois answered questions and talked about topics such as vaccine development, the science behind the COVID vaccine and the concern of vaccines causing autism. 'It really is a conversation where we're going to share some ideas, share thoughts, share what our understanding is of vaccines,' Girois said. Girois said the idea for this came after a recent measles outbreak in Texas. 'I realized that, actually, there are a lot of questions out there, about not only measles, but a lot of vaccines, and some generalizations about vaccines overall,' Girois said. The ultimate goal was to help people understand the science behind vaccines. 'A lot of folks are hearing things outside,' she said. 'They're talking to people with experiences, but sometimes just understanding what is the science behind how vaccines are developed, what's the safety profile, how they're reviewed and actually how they work, can help people understand and process what they're hearing a little bit better.' The event came just hours after . Girois said she hopes this conversation gave attendees a better understanding of all vaccines, COVID included. 'How it was made, what's an mRNA vaccine? Is it dangerous or not? And also understand why the FDA might make some specific target populations, which could be a change from before,' Girois 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Norfolk Health Department hosts free talk on vaccine science
NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — The Norfolk Health Department is getting ready to host a free public conversation on vaccine science on Tuesday. The talk, also called 'Public Health Science Explained: Vaccines,' will be led by the department's director, Dr. Susan Girois, and will take place from 5-7 p.m. at the Norfolk Department of Public Health, located at 830 Southampton Avenue. Organizers said the event is designed for the vaccine curious, community members and influencers seeking a deeper understanding of vaccine science. During the talk, Dr. Girois will use historical data, public health trends and modern scientific principles to clear up common misconceptions on vaccines. Some of the topics that will be discussed include: The processes involved in vaccine development and rigorous testing The vital role of placebo-controlled trials in ensuring vaccine safety and efficacy The science behind mRNA vaccines and the advancements this technology offers A discussion addressing the historical concerns surrounding the MMR vaccine and autism An open forum to discuss any other vaccine-related questions and topics raised by the audience Casual attire is encouraged for the event. Light refreshments will also be provided. While registration is not required for the event, those who wish to RSVP can do so through the link here. For more information, visit the Norfolk Health Department's website here. Continue to check for updates. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Hampton Roads health leaders look to combat rise in syphilis cases
(WAVY) — Syphilis, a disease with origins stretching back to the 1400s, is surging in Hampton Roads, and it's enough to catch the eye of the Norfolk Department of Health, which is taking steps to spread the word on treatment and prevention. Once a rare disease, syphilis is now becoming more common in our area of the Commonwealth. 'In Norfolk, we're seeing four or five a week that come through the clinic,' said Dr. Susan Girois, director of the Norfolk Health Department. It was practically nonexistent in the 1990s. But health experts noticed an upward trend in 2016. 'We don't know for sure, but probably because people's practices have become a little more lax,' Girois said. If left for years without being treated, syphilis can cause blindness, deafness, dementia, stroke and even death. Prevention, she said, is simple — safe sexual practices by limiting sexual partners. There's now even an antibiotic similar to a 'morning after' drug called DoxyPep that reduces the risk of infection. Treating syphilis is also easy. 'For most cases, it's one shot, one injection of penicillin,' Girois said. The increase, she said, is among the senior population, and, alarmingly, in newborns — as it's passed on from pregnant mother to unborn child. 'We've had 35 babies born with syphilis, with diagnosed syphilis in Virginia in the past year in 2024,' Girois said. 'Half of those were in this region, the Eastern Region.' It can cause stillbirths, premature births or worse. 'Can have bone defects, can have a neurologic defect, can have eye defects — it can just be really debilitating,' she said. 'A lot of disability, both intellectual disability as well as physical disabilities.' She urges screenings before it gets to that point. And treatment is simple — just one shot of penicillin for most cases, even if you're already pregnant. 'And people who have an allergy to penicillin, we have an option for that as well,' she said. 'So, it is so treatable and there's no reason not to get tested, because then it can be treated.' Getting screened is simple. Any urgent care will have the test — and health departments have what's called a rapid test. 'So, you can go in and get a finger stick,' Girois said. 'Within 15 minutes, know if you have syphilis. And shoot, get treated before you leave the room.' Over the past year, the Norfolk Department of Health has been building up an initiative with regional hospitals and several organizations to combat and reverse the rise in syphilis. 'All coming together to say we can stop this,' Girois said. 'If each of us does our part, if we talk to people who come and see us and trust us, advise them to get tested, or offer testing if we can, and then we can get them treated and then we can really stop this trend that's going on.' The Norfolk Department of Health will be holding a public forum to raise awareness of syphilis at Old Dominion University from 3 to 5 p.m. April 29. It's free, but they would like you to register, visit Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
