National HIV Testing Day Encourages Awareness, Prevention, and Early Detection

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Each year on June 27, National HIV Testing Day highlights the importance of knowing your HIV status and taking steps to protect your health. The annual observance encourages individuals to get tested, learn about prevention options, and connect with care and treatment services if needed. According to HIV.gov, HIV testing is the first step in prevention, treatment, and living a healthy life, and everyone between the ages of 13 and 64 should be tested for HIV at least once as part of routine healthcare.

“The North Georgia Health District is committed to helping end the HIV epidemic and ensuring our communities have easy access to the services they need,” said K. Mills McNeill, MD, PhD, District Health Director. “National HIV Testing Day is the perfect opportunity to start a conversation about getting tested and taking control of your health.”

HIV testing is available year-round through all seven of our public health department locations across the six-county North Georgia Health District, comprised of Cherokee, Fannin, Gilmer, Murray, Pickens, and Whitfield counties, as well as through The Living Bridge Center (TLBC) Ryan White HIV Clinics in Canton, Dalton, and Gainesville. This service is fast, confidential, and available at little to no cost at each of our clinics.

Find locations and Monday-through-Friday hours of operation for our county health departments and The Living Bridge Center clinics by clicking the county and city names linked above.

Also visit www.nghd.org to learn about the full range of public health services offered through our health district and county health departments, and go to nghd.org/tlbc-home to find the state-of-the-art public health HIV prevention, testing, and treatment services provided at The Living Bridge Center (TLBC) clinics.

Learn more about National HIV Testing Day at www.hiv.gov/events/awareness-days/hiv-testing-day.

By working together, we can ALL help end the HIV epidemic and support healthier futures for everyone.

⚠️🍔 𝗕𝗘𝗙𝗢𝗥𝗘 𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗕𝗨𝗬, 𝗞𝗡𝗢𝗪 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗥𝗜𝗦𝗞! 🥤⚠️

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This summer, as roadside food vendors become more common in North Georgia, it's important to think about food safety before making a purchase.

There are numerous permitted mobile food units in Georgia, such as food trucks and food trailers. However, you should be aware that food and beverages sold from 𝘂𝗻𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗺𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗿 𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗿𝗼𝗮𝗱𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀 may not be prepared, stored, or served under the food safety standards that help protect public health.

Potential risks for Foodborne Illness from UNPERMITTED or UNINSPECTED Roadside Food Vendors may include:

✅ Improper food temperatures that allow harmful bacteria to grow
✅ Lack of handwashing and restroom facilities for food handlers
✅ Unsafe food preparation or storage practices
✅ Exposure to insects, dust, animals, or environmental contaminants
✅ Unknown sources of food ingredients or water used in beverages

Consuming contaminated food or drinks can lead to foodborne illnesses that may cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, dehydration, and other serious health complications.

Protect yourself and your family by purchasing food and beverages from permitted establishments and vendors that follow required food safety regulations and are subject to routine inspections.

When in doubt about whether a roadside vendor is permitted or not, call 706-529-5757 to speak with your local Environmental Health office. You can find additional contact information here: nghd.org/eh-contact.

Learn more about food safety in North Georgia on our Environmental Health website at nghd.org/eh.

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North GA - It is essential for parents and caregivers to ensure their children are up to date on vaccinations and health screenings before the new school year begins. These services are available at our local county health departments and at upcoming events in the North Georgia Health District!

Georgia state law mandates that children enrolling in nursery, childcare, pre-kindergarten, Head Start programs, or private or public schools (kindergarten-12th grade) must have three key documents on file:

1. Georgia Immunization Certificate (*Form 3231): Parents can obtain this form from their local health department or physician's office after ensuring that their child has received all necessary immunizations. If the child has been vaccinated in another state, proper documentation from that state may be required.

2. Georgia Certificate of Vision, Hearing, Dental, and Nutrition Screening (*Form 3300): This certificate must be completed by a healthcare professional and submitted to the school for all children enrolled in pre-kindergarten or public school.

3. Certified Birth Certificate: Parents must provide a certified copy of their child's birth certificate to the school. Vital records offices in North Georgia Health District facilities are located in the Cherokee County Health Department‘s Woodstock Health Center and in the Whitfield County Health Department in Dalton.

For rising seventh- and eleventh-graders, certain vaccines are required to be submitted to the school along with the updated *Form 3231:

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Our Tuberculosis Services in North Georgia

What is Tuberculosis (TB)?

Tuberculosis (TB) is a bacterial infection caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It primarily affects the lungs but can spread to other parts of the body. TB is transmitted through the air when a person with active TB disease coughs or sneezes. While TB disease can be serious, it is preventable and treatable with proper medical care. Some people may have latent TB infection (LTBI), meaning they carry the bacteria but do not feel sick and cannot spread it. Without treatment, LTBI can develop into active TB disease.
Click to watch this YouTube video and help END TB!

Our Services

TB Screening & Testing 

• TB Skin Test (TST) and TB Blood Test (IGRA)
• Testing services for individuals with TB symptoms or those exposed to someone with active TB
• Screenings for healthcare workers, students, and high-risk individuals

Evaluation & Diagnosis

• Clinical assessment for those with positive TB test results
• Chest X-rays and laboratory testing to confirm TB infection or disease
• Evaluation of individuals with symptoms such as prolonged cough, fever, night sweats, or weight loss

Treatment & Case Management

• Free medications for eligible patients diagnosed with latent or active TB
• Directly Observed Therapy (DOT) to ensure effective treatment for TB cases, suspects and children <15 yrs of age with LTBI
• Case management, including support from nurses and health professionals

Contact Investigations & Prevention

• Identification and screening of individuals exposed to TB cases
• Preventive treatment for latent TB infection (LTBI) in high-risk contacts to reduce the risk of developing active TB
• Public health outreach and education to prevent TB transmission

Education & Community Outreach

• Information sessions on TB prevention and treatment
• Resources for schools, employers, and healthcare facilities

WHO SHOULD GET TESTED?

You may need a TB test if you:
✅ Have been in close contact with someone diagnosed with active TB
✅ Have symptoms of TB, such as a persistent cough, fever, or night sweats
✅ Work in healthcare, correctional facilities, or other high-risk settings
✅ Were born in or traveled to a country with a high rate of TB
✅ Have a weakened immune system due to medical conditions or medications

Please reach out to one of our county TB nurses if you think you might need testing.

HOW TO ACCESS OUR SERVICES

To schedule a TB test, evaluation, or consultation, contact the Health Department in your county of residence.

For more information about tuberculosis and how to protect yourself and others, visit the CDC’s TB Information Page.

REPORTING

Reporting Requirements

In Georgia, certain individuals with tuberculosis (TB) must be reported immediately to the public health authorities, which include County Health Departments, District Health Offices, or the State TB Program. Physicians, hospitals, laboratories, and other health care providers are required to report any of the following:

• Any person with confirmed active TB disease
• Any person presumed to have active TB disease
• Latent TB infection (inactive TB) in children under the age of 6 years

How to Report:

• Report cases electronically through the State Electronic Notifiable Disease Surveillance System (SENDSS)
• Call or fax to the North Georgia Health District Health Office, TB Program Coordinator. (Ph: 470-863-5700, fax: 706-529-5752)
• Call 1-866-PUB-HLTH (1-866-782-4584)

𝗙𝗹𝘂 𝗶𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝙬𝙞𝙙𝙚𝙨𝙥𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝙨𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝗮𝗰𝗿𝗼𝘀𝘀 𝗚𝗲𝗼𝗿𝗴𝗶𝗮, making it especially important for anyone who has not yet been vaccinated to do so as soon as possible.

𝗦𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗳𝗹𝘂 𝘃𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵-𝗱𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝗳𝗹𝘂 𝘃𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗲 (𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗴𝗲𝘀 𝟲𝟱+) are available through 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗗𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗡𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗵 𝗚𝗲𝗼𝗿𝗴𝗶𝗮 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘁.

Getting vaccinated is one of the best ways to protect yourself, your loved ones, and our community during a severe flu season.

𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝗬𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗙𝗹𝘂 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘁 𝗮𝘁 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝘁’𝘀 𝗮𝘃𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗬𝗢𝗨!

Find our locations and contact information here on our home page at www.nghd.org.

—En Español:

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