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The five disease intervention
specialists (DIS) at Volusia County Health Department follow up after individuals
have been infected with syphilis, chlamydia, gonorrhea, or HIV and find their
sex partners. This is done in strict confidentiality. Sometimes, it requires
knocking on doors of unsuspecting partners to deliver the bad news. Patrick
Forand, program manager for Volusia County Health Department’s HIV and AIDS
program, stated that the DIS have to use every means necessary to locate these
individuals to stop the spread of the disease. He lists persistence, good
investigative skills, and the ability to listen without passing judgment as
desired traits of the DIS.
The DIS aim to be discreet and
always try to break the news in a private setting, such as a client’s home.
They search Facebook, Craigslist, and other Internet sites for clues and at
times have been treated with violence, especially when clients suspect a spouse
may have been unfaithful. One intervention specialist reports having been
chased by dogs and called everything in 30 years on the job. The job takes the
DIS to every corner of the county, from poor prostitute-ridden neighborhoods to
the county’s most exclusive neighborhoods.
The goal of the DIS is to get the
client help, regardless of age, race, background, or where they live. In
addition to conducting investigations, DIS educate the public about STDs and
provide condoms to those at risk. Once contact is made, the DIS help clients
get tested and treated and in some cases earn enough trust to get a list of
more people who may have been infected. One DIS commented that he had visited
everyone from teenagers to senior citizens— his oldest client was 72 years old.
Volusia County had more than 1,800
cases of chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis in 2011.
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is
dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and
empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV
virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
TOGETHER WE REMAIN STRONG!
