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In this issue: |
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Click image to watch “How To Respond An Overdose With Naloxone.”
If you witness an overdose or suspected overdose, you can help! Studies have shown that when community members administer naloxone, the odds of survival and eventual recovery are greatly improved.
In OHA’s “How To Respond To An Overdose With Naloxone” video, volunteers from the Mental Health & Addiction Association of Oregon demonstrate how to identify a person experiencing an overdose, administer naloxone and perform rescue breathing while waiting for first responders. The participants are not actors. They have lived experience with substance use and recovery, as well as personal histories of overdose survival and saving lives with naloxone.
Naloxone is available to the public without a prescription at most pharmacies. It costs less than $50 for a box that contains two naloxone doses. OHA recommends anyone who uses drugs, or who lives with people who use drugs, should carry naloxone, even if the at-risk individual is not currently using. Naloxone is often stocked in schools, public libraries and other places drug overdoses are known to happen, where staff can administer the medication.
This printable one-page guide provides a synopsis of the steps described in the video. Learn more about harm reduction in Oregon on the Save Lives Oregon website.
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A new study from researchers at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) suggests the 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccine can help protect people from emerging COVID-19 variants.
The 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccine was designed based on the Omicron XBB.1.5 strain of SARS-CoV-2, and the study shows the vaccine appears to generate antibodies that can neutralize the currently predominant JN.1 variant, at least in laboratory tests.
The findings suggest a clear benefit to receiving updated COVID-19 vaccines each time a new formula for the vaccine is developed, especially for a virus that mutates as rapidly as SARS-CoV-2 does.
“The virus is still circulating, it’s continuing to evolve, and it remains dangerous,” said co-senior author Fikadu Tafesse, Ph.D., associate professor of molecular microbiology and immunology in the OHSU School of Medicine. “Sooner or later, there will be another variant that evades the immunity we have already built up. Our study demonstrates that it’s worthwhile to update our immune repertoire.”
Media questions should be directed to Erik Robinson, OHSU senior media relations specialist, at 503-494-8231 or robineri@ohsu.edu.
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Research shows people may not think they’re at risk for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), even if they engage in higher risk sexual behaviors. As a result, they don’t take steps to protect themselves. Additionally, some people report that condom use or conversations about risk are unrealistic “in the moment,” especially when sex is unplanned. These types of barriers can put anyone of any age who is sexually active at risk of an STI.
It’s STI Awareness Week in the United States, which is a great time to learn about STIs and take steps to protect yourself and your partner. Nearly 1 in 5 people in the United States have an STI, and all STIs are preventable.
Here are some steps to help keep sex healthy:
- Take this brief quiz to see if you’re at risk for an STI.
- Make a game plan before you play. Let’s face it, sex isn’t always planned, which can make it difficult to talk about things like STI testing or using condoms.
- Add a conversation badge to your dating profile to let others know sexual health is important to you and invite like-minded matches to talk about STIs and protecting each other.
- Learn how to have a conversation with your partner and health care provider, such as being respectful, nonjudgmental and honest about your history with STIs and the sexual partners you have.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) 2022 STI Surveillance Report shows more than 2.5 million cases of syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia were reported in the U.S. that year. Syphilis is currently causing the most concern among public health officials--Oregon had the 10th highest rate of early infectious syphilis in the country in 2022. Check out OHA’s interactive data dashboards for STI activity in Oregon.
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Health notes |
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The number of people seeking substance use and recovery services in Oregon has reached new highs.
As providers continue to establish and expand services using Measure 110 funding, the latest data show a 346% increase in the number of people seeking services for the first time, as well as a 258% increase in people accessing peer services. Many peer service providers reported meeting people in their homes or in community settings and using other measures to lower service barriers such as providing childcare and transportation.
The highest overall gain is with people seeking employment services, at 422%.
“The recent data show that Measure 110 networks are continually adapting to the growing needs of people seeking substance use health services,” said OHA Behavioral Health Director Ebony Clarke. “The Measure 110 networks are helping to close existing service gaps.”
The latest report covers activities from July 1 through Sept. 30, 2023. Collectively, Measure 110 providers have now reported five quarters of data and expenditures, which can be found on OHA’s interactive Measure 110 data reporting dashboard.
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OHA answers your questions |
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Questions are answered by experts at OHA and other state agencies or community partners.
Q: I received both doses of the Shingrix vaccine in 2019. In 2021 I had chemotherapy for CLL (chronic lymphocytic leukemia) which was truncated after 5 weeks due to severe side effects. This January I got shingles and am still dealing with post herpetic pain. I asked my doctor about revaccination for shingles since the chemotherapy could have wiped out the shingles antibodies. She did not have an answer for me. My question is whether I should be revaccinated for shingles at this point? – Shirley, Portland
A: Shirley, we’re sorry to hear about your bout with shingles and lingering pain. In general, people should receive any recommended vaccinations before undergoing chemotherapy or radiation (it sounds like you got Shingrix well before your chemo) and don’t need to be revaccinated afterwards. According to “General Best Practices for Immunization” from the CDC, with respect to Shingrix and most other non-live vaccines:
“In general, revaccination of a person after chemotherapy or radiation therapy is considered unnecessary if the previous vaccination occurred before therapy and not during therapy, with the exception of recipients of HSCT [stem cell replacement therapy]... Determination of the level of immune memory and the need for revaccination should be made by the treating physician.”
CDC recommendations also state that if someone does receive such vaccination too close to, or during, immunosuppressive therapy such as chemotherapy or radiation, they should wait three months after treatment ends, when the immune system has regained its strength, to get revaccinated.
All that said, given that you contracted shingles despite your pre-chemo vaccination, we recommend you discuss with your physician your likely “level of immune memory and the need for revaccination.”
More on the Shingrix vaccine for immunocompromised individuals can be found here.
If you have questions about health topics in Oregon, submit your question here. Although we are unable to answer every question, we try to address those of interest to a broad audience. Please understand that we are unable to provide specific medical advice for personal medical conditions.
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If you need mental health support for any reason, help is out there.
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