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News
September 30, 2022
State health officials urge public to recognize symptoms, seek testing after increase in syphilis cases statewide
By News Staff

Officials with the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) are working to reverse a sharp increase in syphilis infections across the state by encouraging individuals to recognize the symptoms and seek free, confidential testing when needed.

Syphilis is a bacterial infection which can easily be treated with antibiotics. However, symptoms can often be mistaken for common skin irritations. Symptoms usually appear as a painless lesion, a sore that can be misidentified as a pimple, or an ingrown hair or skin irritation that could be mistaken for a rash or dry skin. The sore will eventually heal and go away, but the infection remains and can still be passed on without proper treatment.

“It‚s vitally important that people understand the signs and symptoms of syphilis,” said Terrainia Harris, director of the OSDH Sexual Health and Harm Reduction Service. “Treatment can cure the infection, but it can‚t undo the damage that has already been done. We need to ensure that people get tested and receive treatment quickly.”

Testing is important, especially for those who are or may become pregnant. The infection can pass to an unborn baby, known as congenital syphilis, which can result in neurological and developmental problems, blindness, deafness, seizures, low birth weight and even stillbirth.

Left untreated, syphilis in adults can cause blindness, severe neurological damage, bone damage and even death.

Testing for syphilis and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can be done free and confidentially at any county health department.

Health officials encourage all sexually active individuals to get tested for STIs at least once. Those who are at higher risk of infection – those not in monogamous relationships, have multiple sexual partners or engage in higher risk behavior should test more frequently.

The CDC reports congenital syphilis continues to be a consequence of the U.S. syphilis epidemic. In 2021, over 2,600 cases of congenital syphilis were reported. Those at higher risk for a syphilis infection include young people ages 15-24, gay and bisexual men, pregnant people and racial and ethnic minority groups.

More information can be found at oklahoma. gov/health/syphilis.

In addition to free STI testing at county health departments, the Oklahoma HIV and Hepatitis Planning Council have created a program that allows Oklahoma residents to order free condoms online at endinghivoklahoma.org.

‘Shattered Dreams’ documentary makes debut as prevention tool
A: Main, Main...
‘Shattered Dreams’ documentary makes debut as prevention tool
By Lynn Adams Staff Writer 
November 30, 2023
Wednesday at the Wheeler Event Center in Sallisaw, there was a screen, a movie, an audience, popcorn and soft drinks. And for the three dozen people — mostly high school students — who showed up for t...
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Sallisaw woman named in federal drug conspiracy indictment
A: Main, Main...
Sallisaw woman named in federal drug conspiracy indictment
By Amie Cato-Remer Editor 
November 30, 2023
A Sallisaw woman is one of 13 individuals who was indicted on Nov. 13 with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl, according to Christopher J. Wilson, United Stat...
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Commissioners approve expenditures … maybe
A: Main, Main...
Commissioners approve expenditures … maybe
By Lynn Adams Staff Writer 
November 30, 2023
Sequoyah County Commissioners might spend $192,927 for a steel span bridge on North 4790 Road. They may also pay thousands of dollars for inmate ambulance transportation from two years ago. But before...
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Jeremiah Johnson
A: Main, Just Folks...
JUST FOLKS
Jeremiah Johnson
By Amie Cato-Remer Editor 
November 30, 2023
Jeremiah Johnson, 38, of Vian has deep roots in Sequoyah County. Named after his late grandfather, Benny Johnson, of the Johnsonville/ Blackgum community near Lake Tenkiller, his birth name is actuall...
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Fishing Report for November 29, 2023
Sports
Fishing Report for November 29, 2023
November 30, 2023
EUFAULA: Nov. 24. Elevation is 1.5 feet below normal and stable, water temperature 55 degrees and stained. Largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass fair on crankbaits, jigs, lipless baits and plastic b...
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No time like the present to go quail hunting
Columnists, Sports
KILGORE'S CORNER
No time like the present to go quail hunting
November 30, 2023
If quail hunting is your bag of oats, there’s no better time than the present to pick up your shotgun, grab a box or two of shells and, by all means, if you have a good bird dog, bring him or her alon...
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Spring rains give pheasant numbers slight bump
Sports
WILDLIFE NEWS
Spring rains give pheasant numbers slight bump
By TELL JUDKINS ODWC UPLAND GAME BIOLOGIST 
November 30, 2023
Ring-necked pheasants remain a popular upland game species among Oklahoma hunters. The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation monitors the pheasant population by conducting two annual surveys: s...
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Sooners lose to Tennessee, Princeton in Fort Myers Tip-Off
Sports
OU BASKETBALL
Sooners lose to Tennessee, Princeton in Fort Myers Tip-Off
November 30, 2023
FORT MYERS, Fla. — Jasmine Powell came off the bench to score 13 of her 19 points in the fourth quarter and No. 19 Tennessee rallied past No. 22 Oklahoma 76-73 in the Fort Myers Tip-Off on Saturday. T...
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Cowgirls rout Missouri State after losing to Ohio State in The Bahamas
Sports
OSU BASKETBALL
Cowgirls rout Missouri State after losing to Ohio State in The Bahamas
By HAYDEN SIMMONS OKSTATE.COM 
November 30, 2023
With five Cowgirls scoring in double figures, Oklahoma State’s women’s basketball team snapped a three-game losing streak with an 82-51 win over Missouri State in Gallagher-Iba Arena on Sunday afterno...
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Vikings sign Spiro runner Wortham
Sports
CASC CROSS COUNTRY
Vikings sign Spiro runner Wortham
By TOM FIRME THE POTEAU DAILY NEWS 
November 30, 2023
Spiro’s Lindsey Wortham signed to run cross country with Carl Albert State College in a signing ceremony Tuesday afternoon at Spiro High School, becoming Spiro’s first athlete to sign for college cros...
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Thunder knocked out of tournament
Sports
OKC THUNDER
Thunder knocked out of tournament
November 30, 2023
MINNEAPOLIS -- The Oklahoma City Thunder was eliminated from the NBA In-Season Tournament on Tuesday night when the Minnesota Timberwolves claimed a 106-103 victory. The Thunder was slated to return t...
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