Sexually Transmitted Infections Testing and Treatment

If you're sexually active, especially with multiple partners, you may have questions about the risk of getting a sexually transmitted Infection (STI) and when to get tested.

Getting tested is important. That's because you can have a STI without knowing it. In many cases, there aren't any symptoms. In fact, that's why many experts prefer the term sexually transmitted infections (STIs), because you can have an infection without disease symptoms.

But what types of STI testing do you need? And how often should you be screened? The answers depend on your age, your sexual behaviors and other risk factors.

Don't assume that you're receiving STI testing every time you have a pelvic exam or Pap test. If you think that you need STI testing, talk to your health care provider or call Lincoln County Public Health to schedule STI testing with us. Tell your provider about your concerns and what tests you would like or need. 

See the latest Screening Recommendations from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for more information on when to seek testing. 

Condoms are one of the best ways to prevent STIs - The Public Health clinic has free condoms available at 36 SW Nye street Newport, OR 97365.

If an animal bites you

Get medical help if needed, then call 541-265-4112 to report the bite to the Lincoln County Health Department. You must report the bite! We can give you resources for help and information.

If your dog or cat bites a human

Call 541-265-4112. Dogs and cats that bite humans and break the skin must be quarantined and observed for 10 days to make sure there are no signs of rabies. If an animal is up to date on its rabies vaccine, it can usually be observed at home. 

If your dog or cat is exposed to an animal with rabies

Call 541-265-4112. Sometimes, dogs and cats are exposed to rabies. This can happen when a pet finds a bat (or a bat flies into your home) and the bat has rabies.

If your dog or cat is exposed to an animal known to have rabies, they must be quarantined and observed.

If your dog or cat is current on their rabies vaccination, they must serve a 45-day quarantine/observation. This can usually be done at home.

If your dog or cat is not current on their rabies vaccination, they must serve a four-month quarantine. During the quarantine, your dog or cat cannot have direct contact with people or other animals.

By law, you must vaccinate your dog against rabies, but pet owners can sometimes forget to vaccinate their cats. Cats are more likely to find bats than dogs. Even indoor cats have been exposed to rabid bats! This is why it is important to keep both your cats and dogs up to date on their rabies vaccines.

About rabies

Rabies is a rare and preventable disease that is mainly spread through animal bites, but you can also be get it by handling an animal with rabies. If you get treatment quickly after exposure to rabies, you should be fine. If you do not get treatment, rabies is fatal.

You must report any animal bites as soon as they happen. Treatment for rabies is a series of shots. These shots are not any more painful than most vaccines you receive.

In Oregon, bats are by far the most common carrier of rabies. However, any mammal can have rabies. If you have been bitten by a wild animal of any kind, it is important to seek help. It is also important to seek help if you have been bitten by a dog or a cat.

If you have been exposed to a bat, call 541-265-4112. If it is determined that your exposure may be potentially dangerous, Lincoln County will guide you on how to get the bat and have it tested.

If you have been bitten by any animal that is now dead, you should save the carcass for examination. Remember to wear gloves if you need to touch an animal carcass.

The best way to prevent rabies is for dogs and cats to be vaccinated against the disease. In countries where rabies is common, it is most often passed to humans by dog bites. Rabies is rare in the United States because most dogs receive rabies vaccines.

Help keep our community safe by keeping your dogs and cats up to date on their rabies vaccines!

Reporting Animal Bites - For Providers

All animal bites are reportable in Lincoln County. Please see the Fillable Animal Bite Reporting Form and complete all parts of the form. 

Fax same day to Lincoln County Public Health 541-265-4191.

Disease Reporting

All Oregon physicians, other health care providers and laboratorians are required by law to report certain disease and conditions to local health departments. Some cases are subject to restrictions on school attendance, day care attendance, patient care, and food handling. Reporting enables appropriate public health follow-up for patients, helps identify outbreaks, and provides a better understanding of Oregon morbidity patterns.

How and Where to Report

What and When to Report

24/7 contact information

To report a public health emergency 24 hours a day, seven days a week:

• Call 541-265-4112
• Fax: 541-265-4191