New Public Health recommendations make a syphilis test routine for women 45 and under

November 28, 2022.Reading time 8 minutes.

Small, clear test tube marked "Syphilis - Test"

There has been a nearly 5-fold increase in syphilis in cisgender women since 2015 (cisgender means one’s gender identity corresponds to one’s sex assigned at birth). All sexually active women 45 and under in Washington state who have not had a syphilis test since January 2021 are being advised to test for syphilis.

New report released today indicates HIV outbreak in people who inject drugs in King County appears to be over, though population’s vulnerability persists

December 16, 2020.Reading time 4 minutes.

While the decrease in new cases is welcome news, much can still be done to lower risk for HIV transmission and assure that those who are HIV-positive are able to live healthy lives. Early diagnosis is critical to get people on treatment and virally suppressed. In King County, 85% of people with an HIV diagnosis are virally suppressed. People with virally suppressed HIV generally feel well and are unable to spread the virus to others.

6 Things You Don’t Know (But Should) about STIs

February 20, 2020.Reading time 15 minutes.

This blog comes to us courtesy of its author, McKenna Princing, and was originally published on Right as Rain by UW Medicine. QUICK READ | Demystifying sexually transmitted infections -STIS are on the rise in the United States.-Many STIs don’t cause symptoms.-STIs can infect someone’s throat, not just their genitals.-Some STIs, especially gonorrhea, are becoming […]

This Cervical Health Awareness Month, protect yourself with a screening and a vaccine

January 27, 2020.Reading time 6 minutes.

As Cervical Health Awareness Month comes to a close, we encourage everyone to consider the different ways that you can protect yourself and the ones you love from cancer. Cervical cancer is one of the most common cancers found in women and is one of the most preventable. Every year, nearly 14,000 people are […]

The state of HIV in King County

December 6, 2019.Reading time 10 minutes.

On the heels of this month’s World AIDS Day, this week we released our annual HIV/AIDS Epidemiology Report, a joint effort between Public Health – Seattle & King County and the Washington State Department of Health. The report summarizes HIV epidemiological data and prevention efforts for our region in 2018. Below, we’ve outlined key highlights about […]

Local high school students boost cancer-preventing vaccinations for HPV

November 12, 2019.Reading time 7 minutes.

High school students from across King County are carrying a powerful health message to their peers. They are talking about human papillomavirus (HPV), the cancers it can cause, and why it is so important for teens to get vaccinated against HPV. The HPV Vaccine Champion Summit, recently hosted by Public Health – Seattle & King […]