Kanawha-Charleston Health Department and Fayette County Health Department are now offering the antibiotic doxycycline for use in the prevention of Lyme disease, said Dr. Steven Eshenaur, who serves as health officer for both health departments. “We are facing another extreme tick season. Tick bites are up nationally and in West Virginia. In fact, last year was a record year for Lyme disease in West Virginia, and we are already well past last year’s numbers at this point,” Eshenaur said. “It’s really difficult to go outdoors, even in your yard, and not get a tick on you, so we think it’s important to give folks the opportunity to prevent Lyme disease with a prophylactic dose of doxycycline. Lyme disease can have serious symptoms – some potentially lifelong – and is to be taken seriously.” According to the CDC, doxycycline has been shown to work well as a prophylaxis for Lyme disease if taken early enough after exposure. Eshenaur recommends the two-pill, 200 mg dose of the antibiotic if someone has had a Blacklegged tick attached for up to 72 hours. The longer the tick is attached, the higher the chance of infection. This low dose of doxycycline has been shown to be preventive. Health department clinic teams will walk patients through a brief office visit before dispensing doxycycline. A $25 fee will cover the consultation and medication. The visit does not include treatment or testing for tick diseases. Walk-ins are welcome, but an appointment ensures a shorter wait time. “This is about prevention. The easiest disease to treat is the one you never get,” Eshenaur says about all preventable diseases. “In the case of tick diseases, the best prevention is to never get them on you in the first place."LEARN MORE
KCHD has partnered with LabCorp to bring a variety of testing options to health department clients. These are titers and labs that are nonbillable to insurance. There are fees associated, but we've worked to keep the cost down. Sometimes, you just need to know if your Magnesium is low. Click here to see the list of services and fees.
FamilyCare Health Centers and the Kanawha-Charleston Health Department to join forces to expand healthcare services in Kanawha County. Through this partnership, FamilyCare Health Centers plan to begin offering family practice services at the Kanawha-Charleston Health Department location starting in the summer of 2026. The addition of these services will provide greater access to primary care and help meet the growing healthcare needs of the Kanawha Valley. “This partnership represents an important step forward in ensuring that individuals and families in our community have access to high-quality, affordable healthcare,” said Dr. Craig Glover, President & CEO of FamilyCare Health Centers. Dr. Steven Eshenaur, KCHD’s Health Officer, said he is proud to partner with FamilyCare and bring its crucial services to the health department’s neighborhood. “Having FamilyCare’s team right in the heart of downtown Charleston and aligned with the Kanawha-Charleston Health Department is a complementary partnership that will bring additional healthcare services to our community. As a long-time emergency room physician, I cannot stress enough just how important preventive and regular care from a health provider is for us all. Tragic outcomes we see in the ER every day can often be prevented with early diagnosis and care. Having FamilyCare down the hall from us here at KCHD is going to be great for the community. It’s a game changer.”
When a power outtage hits, it's good to have a reminder of how to deal with perishable food. How long is food safe in the refridgerator? The freezer? Can you put it out in the snow? Should it go in a cooler? Check out this graphic from the CDC for some bonafide food safety information.
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