Princess Health and Woman stuck by needle faces up to one year of testing for HIV and hepatitis; dirty needles becoming common in public places. Princessiccia

Princess Health and Woman stuck by needle faces up to one year of testing for HIV and hepatitis; dirty needles becoming common in public places. Princessiccia

hepatitis HIV needle exchanges public health public safety

Gusty 20:56 Add Comment

By Melissa Patrick
Kentucky Health News

A Monroe County woman was stuck by an insulin needle found in a pair of sweatpants she purchased at the Walmart in Tompkinsville and now faces up to a year of testing to make sure she hasn't been infected with HIV or hepatitis, Jacqueline Nie reports for WBKO-TV in Bowling Green.

Insulin syringes are commonly used by IV drug abusers

"I had to be tested for HIV and hepatitis and a drug screening," said Mary Crawford, who was stuck by the needle. "I have to go back from that in 30 days and be tested again, and again in 6 months from that 30 days."

"Crawford says through at least these next 7 months, she cannot share anything with her husband or children," Nie repports. Crawford warned others to be careful: "It could happen to anybody, anywhere."

The latest Kentucky Health Issues Poll found that 13 percent of Kentuckians said they knew someone with heroin problems. And insulin syringes and needles are commonly used to inject it.

Clark County Public Health Director Scott Lockard said that while this was the first time he had heard of a needle being placed in an article of clothing in a department store, he said it is not unusual for dirty needles to be found in public.

"Unfortunately it is becoming more common for used needles to be found by the public," Lockard said in an e-mail. "I have had reports of needles being found locally on streets, in parks, public parking lots, unoccupied buildings, and in restrooms in public venues."

The problem is so bad in Northern Kentucky, where 35 percent in the poll said they knew someone with a heroin problem, that they released public service announcements before Easter to remind children to look for needles before eggs. The Northern Kentucky Heroin Impact Response Taskforce organized police and egg-hunt organizers to search parks for needles prior to the hunts, and said it will continue to search public places for needles throughout the summer, Ben Katko reported for WXIX-TV (Fox 19).

One way to keep dirty needles off the street is through needle exchanges, which allow intravenous drug users to exchange dirty needles for clean ones. These programs were authorized in Kentucky by the 2015 anti-heroin bill, but require both local support and funding.

So far, only 14 counties in Kentucky have either approved or are operating needle exchanges: Jefferson, Fayette, Jessamine, Franklin, Clark, Kenton, Grant, Harrison, Pendleton, Carter, Boyd, Elliott, Pike and Knox. Some jurisdictions have rejected exchanges, saying they encourage drug use, despite pleas from experts who say that's not true and the programs lead users to treatment.

"Needle exchanges work," former state health commissioner William Hacker said. "It decreases the spread of infectious diseases. It takes dirty needles off the street. It is safer for the law enforcement and EMS. It also provides an opportunity to interact with people and divert them to effective treatment."

Princess Health and Bill to keep dirty needles out of landfills hijacked with amendment to require needle-exchange programs to be one-for-one. Princessiccia

Princess Health and Bill to keep dirty needles out of landfills hijacked with amendment to require needle-exchange programs to be one-for-one. Princessiccia

health departments legislation needle exchanges public health public safety

Gusty 11:38 Add Comment

By Melissa Patrick
Kentucky Health News

A House bill to educate the public about how to safely dispose of hypodermic needles easily passed was hit with a surprise amendment that would require a one-for-one needle exchange at needle exchange programs.

Rep. Mike Denham

The amended bill, which passed at the March 9 Senate Health and Welfare Committee meeting and now goes to the Senate floor, didn't set well with its sponsor, who said the amendment took him by surprise.

"At first blush, I have real problems with it," Rep. Mike Denham, D-Maysville, said in an interview. He said the amended bill would likely not pass in the House, but said he would review it and then decide whether to concur or not. He said he had already received emails and texts from his constituents telling him they did not support the committee substitute.

The original bill, House Bill 160, would require the state Department for Public Health to establish guidelines for disposal of hypodermic syringes, needles and other sharps used for home medical purposes and disseminate educational materials to pharmacies and the public. It was written to increase the safety of landfill workers who are at constant risk of being stuck by improperly disposed of needles.

Sen. Denise Harper Angel, D-Louisville, while supporting the original bill, voted no on the substitute and told the committee that the Louisville needle exchange program does not have a one-to-one requirement and is working well. "The effort here is to diminish disease," she said.

Sen. Ralph Alvarado

Needle exchanges were approved as part of an anti-heroin bill in 2015. Republican Sen. Ralph Alvarado, a Winchester physician, who voted for the substitute, said in an interview that the intent of the law was to only allow a one-to-one needle exchange. He said many senators would have voted against that measure if they had known exchanges did not have to be one-for-one.

The Office of the Attorney General released a formal opinion Dec. 18 that said needle-exchange programs in the state do not have to have a one-for-one exchange. The opinion was requested by state Senate President Robert Stivers of Manchester, who along with other Republicans, also say that the intent of the law was a one-for-one exchange.

Alvarado criticized then-Attorney General Jack Conway's opinion: "That wasn't how it was presented originally to the state." He added, "The one-for-one encourages more interaction, more opportunity for involvement for the provider to provide treatment for their disorders, to test them for communicable diseases and that sort of thing."

Dr. Sarah Moyer, the interim director of the Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness, said in an e-mail that not requiring a one-to-one exchange has been proven to reduce the spread of HIV and hepatitis C, which is the intent of the program. Kentucky leads the nation in hepatitis C and suffers more than 1,000 drug overdose deaths a year.

�A one-to-one syringe exchange implies that no needle sharing is occurring," Moyer wrote. "We know that is not the case. The �needs-based negation model� is a best practice across the country. Our goals are to prevent the spread of HIV and hepatitis C in our community and to stop intravenous drug users from sharing and reusing needles. The program is working! Participants continue to return used and potentially infected syringes for sterile ones."

She added, "Our latest figures indicate that one syringe is being returned for every 1.3 syringes distributed among returning clients. Overall the rate is 1 to 1.7. We have more than 2,000 participants and the number continues to grow. We�ve tested approximately 500 for hepatitis C and HIV and referred those who test positive to medical treatment. We�ve also referred 143 individuals to drug treatment."

Alvarado said, "Even if the health departments want to do it this way now, that is not how the law was intentionally meant to be passed."

Needle-exchange programs operating or approved in the state are in Jefferson, Fayette, Grant, Pendleton, Carter, Elliott, Franklin and Jessamine counties.

Princess Health and Don't get burned, bitten or bamboozled this summer; here are safety tips for dealing with the sun, insects and sales pitches.Princessiccia

Princess Health and Don't get burned, bitten or bamboozled this summer; here are safety tips for dealing with the sun, insects and sales pitches.Princessiccia

cancer children children's health insects public safety safety skin cancer skin care sunscreen

Gusty 12:35 Add Comment

By Molly Burchett
Kentucky Health News

Summer is finally here, and after one of the coldest Kentucky springs, who doesn't want to be outside swimming, skiing, fishing, barbecuing or soaking up rays on the beach? While summer may bring much-anticipated fun in the sun, it's important to take some  safety precautions to make sure you and your family are not getting too much of a good thing.

Sunscreen can protect you from cancer, but don't spray it

The sun is bad for your skin, and exposure to its harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays can increase your risk for skin cancer, which is the most common cancer in the U.S., says the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It's critical to protect yourself and your children from sun damage because just one blistering sunburn in childhood more than doubles the odds of developing skin cancer later in life, says the Mayo Clinic.

Fortunately, it�s never too late or too early to lessen your risk of sun damage by using sunscreen, and the Environmental Working Group has recently released its 2013 Guide to Sunscreens, which rates more than 1,400 sunscreens, lip balms, and SPF moisturizers and cosmetics for safety and effectiveness.

This year, EWG says 184 sunscreens, 25 percent of those on the market, met its criteria of offering adequate UV protection and posing few safety concerns. You can click here to view that product list, or here to check out the EWG findings for moisturizers, lip balm and makeup.

EWG also created a somewhat surprising list of things NOT to bring on vacation because they are unsafe or do not provide adequate UV protection:

• Spray sunscreen: These sprays may pose serious inhalation risks, and they make it too easy to not apply enough sunscreen or to miss a spot.
• High-SPF sunscreens: These products may tempt people to stay in the sun too long, which can increase the risk of other kinds of skin damage, and EWG recommends that consumers avoid products labeled higher than SPF 50.
• Oxybenzone: Used in half of sunscreen products, this chemical penetrates the skin and can adversely impact health in several ways; in the body, it acts like the female hormone estrogen and can cause allregic reactions.
• Loose powder sunscreen: Tiny zinc particles in these products can also end up in your lungs when you breathe them in during application, which irritates the lungs.
• Retinyl palmitate: Some sunscreens contain this chemical, which is a form of vitamin A, but when applied to sun-exposed skin, it may speed development of skin tumors and lesions.
• Combined sunscreen/bug repellents: Studies show this combination leads to increased skin absorption of the repellent ingredients.
• Sunscreen towelettes: Whether they really work is unknown.
• Tanning oils: They are simply a bad idea and can ultimately lead to behavior that increases risk of developing skin cancer.

So, check the ingredients for your sunscreen, avoid high-SPF's or sprays and make it a habit to wear sunscreen during sports or whenever you're outside. Be sure to reapply often to ensure UV protection, particularly if you get wet or sweaty. Click here to read EWG's "Nine Surprising Facts about Sunscreen."

Hats and clothing: Choose the right kind

Children are more vulnerable to sun damage, so in addition to actual sunscreen, the best sun protections for them are a hat and shirt (which also protect adults). The CDC recommends avoiding straw hats that let sun through the holes, and to wear a hat with UV protection or a wide brim to shield the face, head, ear and neck. If you do chose to wear a baseball cap, protect your ears and neck with clothing, sunscreen (with at least SPF 15) or spend lots of time in shade.

Wear clothing to protect exposed skin. The CDC says loose-fitting long-sleeved shirts and long pants made from tightly woven fabric offer the best UV protection. Darker colors may offer more protection than lighter colors, and a wet t-shirt offers much less UV protection that a dry one.

Sunburn treatment: People with fair skin or light-colored hair are more likely to be sunburned. If you get sunburned, remember that "The skin heals but is forever damaged," writes University of Kentucky nursing Professor Mollie Aheshire. "The more frequent and more severe the burns, the more damage there is," along with risk for cancer and premature aging. "If a sunburn is blistering and covers a large portion of your body; is accompanied by a high fever, extreme pain, confusion, nausea or chills; or does not respond to at-home treatment within a few days . . . see a health-care provider." Mild sunburns can be treated with over-the-counter pain relievers, cold compresses and moisturizing creams � aloe vera or hydrocortisone lotions. "If blisters form, do not break them," Aheshire writes. "Drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration. Treat peeling skin gently. Stay out of the sun until redness and pain resolve." (Read more)

Sunglasses: Not just to help you see now, but to keep you seeing longer

Besides being dangerous for your skin, UV rays are dangerous to your eyes and can cause vision disorders, premature aging of the eyes or even blindness. It is important to wear sunglasses to protect eyes from sun damage, although a new survey from the American Optometric Association shows that only 40 percent of consumers cite this protection as the primary reason for wearing sunglasses, says a Kentucky Optometric Association press release.

To help reduce the risks of harmful UV exposure on the eyes, children and adults should start wearing protective sunglasses as as early as possible, and parents should ensure that babies are protected by sunglasses too, says the release. When choosing sunglasses or protective contact lenses, make sure that they block more than 95 percent of UV-A and more than 99 percent of UV-B radiation, says the KOA, and sunglasses should have a frame that fits close to the eyes so the UV rays can't sneak around the sides.

Insect repellent: Bugs can bug you, but don't over-react to them

Although nothing can ruin a relaxing summer picnic faster than bugs, take precautions to ensure you're using the right type of bug repellent-- one that's been approved by the Environmental Protection Agency -- and that you're using it wisely.

Not only are bugs annoying, they can also carry dangerous diseases, and for the safe and effective use bug repellents, always read the product label before using the product, EPA says. It says to follow these bug-repellent safety tips:

• Repellents should be applied only to exposed skin and/or clothing. Do not use them under clothing.
• Store insect repellents safely out of the reach of children.
• Do not apply near eyes and mouth, and be use sparingly around the ears.
• When using sprays, spray on the hands first and then apply to the face, not directly to the face.
• Never use repellents over cuts, wounds or irritated skin.
• Do not spray in enclosed areas and avoid spraying near food.
• After returning indoors, wash treated skin and clothes with soap and water.
• Do not use any product on pets or other animals
• Most insect repellents do not work on lice or fleas. 
• Click here to search for a repellent that's right for you.

Beware if you want to use a wearable repellent that's not sticky and has to be continuously resprayed, such as Off!'s clip-on mosquito repellent. It works once the cloud of mosquito protection is built around the wearer, says Brighid Moret of The Washington Times, but it's not a good option for an active or young child. The manufacturer warns on the label that a chemical on the product's enclosed disk is harmful if swallowed, directly inhaled or absorbed through the skin, and young children should not wear it.

Whether you're going on vacation or a "stay-cation," these tips can help protect you and your family from the sun and bugs in order to safely make the most of your summer. Click here for more sun safety tips from EWG.