Streetvibes July 2007 Edition

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Streetvibes July, 2007

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Streetvibes Month July is Streetvibes Month! As part of the celebration, Streetvibes will be

participating in the Northside Fourth of July parade. The parade begins at noon and is sure to provide fun and entertainment for the whole family. We will be walking the parade route with a float and passing out information about the Streetvibes program. Come out to show your support for Streetvibes, and remember to pick up the latest issue of our award-winning paper from on-hand vendors. Also, remember that Streetvibes has posters and T-shirts that can be purchased for $15. Thank you for your continued support of Streetvibes - we look forward to seeing you at the parade!

Homeless Exposed to Tuberculosis

by Lynn Kilbane, RN, BSN Clinic coordinator Hamilton County Tuberculosis Control During the fall of 2006, a homeless man with tuberculosis (TB) disease in his lungs (also called pulmonary tuberculosis) spent time in Over-the-Rhine. This individual stayed at the Drop Inn Center for 17 nights. He did not realize he had tuberculosis and was not taking any medication for TB at the time. When this person talked, coughed, or laughed germs flew into the air and other people breathed in those germs. Since that time seven other individuals, who were homeless also, contracted active TB disease. Hamilton County TB Control estimates that there were 800 residents plus staff at the Drop Inn Center who received significant exposures to the 7 individuals with active pulmonary TB disease. The staff has been screened; but only approximately 250 residents

AHA (Affordable Housing Advocates) Welcomes New Staff Person Having moved recently to the United States and to Cincinnati, I am currently a graduate student at the University of Cincinnati. I have training in urban and human settlements. My interest in housing lies in addressing development issues geared towards prosperity for all. In the past, I have researched and gained experience with central and local governments in issues ranging from preparation of development plans, guiding and advising on urban development issues and assessing alternative ways of financing urban services. I believe that my experiences fit very well with the mission of the Affordable Housing Advocates. I am excited to join a group that is motivated to influence policy making in housing

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of the Drop Inn Center were located for testing. The seven pulmonary TB cases stayed at the Drop Inn Center between October 12, 2006 and February 7, 2007. If you stayed at the Drop Inn Center during this time period you were exposed to contagious tuberculosis and need TB testing. We know, from the TB skin testing we performed, that many people breathed in the TB germs and now have a positive skin test. That is why we are recommending that all persons staying or working in shelters or frequenting social service agencies and soup kitchens in Over-the-Rhine be screened for TB at least yearly. You can be screened with a TB skin test. A skin test will tell you whether or not you have TB germs in your body. If you have a positive skin test (TB germs in your body) then you need aimed at changing living conditions of the disadvantaged in society. I am married and have a daughter who is four and a half. In my free time I enjoy watching comedy movies and reading books. If you have any questions about AHA or myself please contact me at 513.421.7803 x 19.

Kenneth Cheruiyot

a chest x-ray to make sure your body has “walled off” the germs and made the germs go to sleep. If the germs are not “walled off” then they multiply and cause disease in your body. A chest x-ray determines whether or not the germs are growing in your lungs. Screening is available free of charge, if you are unemployed, at Hamilton County Tuberculosis Control or through the Homeless Med Van of the Cincinnati Health Department. If your TB skin test was positive in the past, it will always be positive and you will need a chest x-ray to make sure your lungs are clear. All other persons, who have never been tested, do not know whether they are positive or negative, or have a history of a negative skin test should be skin tested at least yearly. There is medication you can take if your TB skin test is positive to prevent you from getting active TB disease. Hamilton County TB Control provides this medication free of charge. If you are HIV positive or have certain other chronic health problems you have a higher risk of developing active TB disease once you are exposed to persons with active TB disease and are strongly urged to receive TB screening. Taking medication for TB germs is the best way to prevent you from getting active TB disease if you have a positive skin test. If you have had health problems lasting for more than 3 weeks with either cough, chest pain, coughing up blood, shortness of breath, fever, chills, night sweats, tiredness, losing weight or a poor appetite, please make sure you get tested. For questions about TB, please call Hamilton County TB Control: 946–7614 or 946–7618. Hamilton County TB Control is located in the Job and Family Services building on the corner of McMillan and Highland on the McMillan side of the building. There is a large green “Tuberculosis Clinic” sign above our door. Please get tested and be sure to call us for any concerns.

STREETVIBES Page 1 The Greater Cincinnati Coaltion for the Homeless


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