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Wellness

9 HIV questions, answered

Presented by a NOOGAtoday Partner

NOOGA-Cempa Community Care HIV questions-4.24.23.jpg

A core service in Cempa Community Care’s mission is to provide HIV prevention and testing services (including free At-Home HIV Testing Kits). | Photo provided by Cempa Community Care

While there is still no cure for HIV, advances in HIV medications, testing, and prevention strategies have allowed for tremendous strides in virus management + a decrease in occurrences — but there’s still work to do.

It’s estimated that one in seven people with HIV are unaware of their status and that while 1.1 million people in the US were eligible for prevention medication in 2016, only ~78,000 people filled prescriptions. In age where testing is free + accessible and prevention medication can make HIV untransmissible, this means that HIV education is more important than ever.

That’s why we teamed up with Cempa Community Care — a local health center providing effective HIV prevention, testing + treatment services — to answer these important questions about HIV + HIV prevention:

Q: What are some of the signs that I or my partner might have HIV?

A: HIV symptoms, if any, may include flu-like symptoms including fever, chills, sore throat, fatigue, muscle aches, rash etc. Some people have no symptoms at all. If you are concerned about HIV, get tested. This is the only way to know for sure.

Q: What should I do if I think I’ve been exposed to HIV?

A: Seek immediate treatment if you believe you have been exposed to HIV. Time is essential, because PEP (Post Exposure Prophylaxis) is an HIV prevention medication that must be prescribed within 72 hours of exposure. Note that HIV exposure is one of Cempa Community Care’s services.

Q: Can HIV be spread through kissing?

A: No. HIV can only be spread by coming into direct contact with certain body fluids from a person with HIV who has a detectable viral load, not including saliva.

Q: I was recently diagnosed with HIV. What should I do?

A: Take time to understand your diagnosis and reach out for support from community resources. While a new HIV diagnosis can be scary, HIV is very treatable and is not a terminal diagnosis.

Keep reading for questions about preventing HIV, false test results, AIDS + more.*

5 more questions this way

Events

Today, April 26

Ortwein Sign’s 100th Anniversary | Wednesday, Apr. 26 | 11 a.m.-3 p.m. | Ortwein Sign, 2806 E. 50th St., Chattanooga | Free | Ortwein Sign is celebrating 100 years of American manufacturing with a lunch + open house.

Thursday, April 27

Planning Your Summer Garden | Thursday, Apr. 27 | 6-7:30 p.m. | The Chattery, 1800 Rossville Ave., Chattanooga | $25 | Discuss tips + tricks for getting your summer garden ready with instructor Karen Creel.
A Civil War Railroad Bridge History Hike | Thursday, Apr. 27 | 6-8 p.m. | Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum, 4119 Cromwell Rd., Chattanooga | Free, RSVP | Join historians Jim Ogden and Mark Brainard for this 2.5-mile hike into another chapter of Chattanooga’s Civil War history.
Thirsty Thursday | Thursday, Apr. 27 | 7:15-11:30 p.m. | AT&T Field, 201 Power Alley, Chattanooga | $6-$11 | Enjoy Thirsty Thursday $2 drink specials as you watch the Chattanooga Lookouts take on the Rocket City Trash Pandas.

Friday, April 28

Get Schooled: Native Animals | Friday, Apr. 28 | 1:30-2:30 p.m. | Reflection Riding, 400 Garden Rd., Chattanooga | Donation | Come out to Reflection Riding to learn more about the animal ambassadors and how to save them.
“The Cake” | Friday, Apr. 28 | 8 p.m. | Chattanooga Theatre Centre, 400 River St., Chattanooga | $20-$25 | Have fun at this community theater production of a comedy suitable for mature audiences.

Saturday, April 29

Local Authors Fair | Saturday, Apr. 29 | 9 a.m.-5 p.m. | Downtown Library, 1001 Broad St., Chattanooga | Free+ | This fair will feature ~100 local authors selling their books, telling stories, and meeting readers.
Chattanooga Market | Saturday, Apr. 29-Sunday, Apr. 30 | Times vary | First Horizon Pavilion, 1826 Reggie White Blvd., Chattanooga | Free+ | Come out for the opening weekend of the 2023 Chattanooga Market season.
Sour + Bitter Fest | Saturday, Apr. 29 | 4-8 p.m. | The Daily Ration, 1220 Dartmouth St., Chattanooga | Price of purchase | Try pale and sour ales from local and regional brewers, enjoy food from The Bitter Alibi, listen to live music, and more.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

Wellness

This metabolism supplement is endorsed by Halle Berry and backed by science

Metabolic Daily is formulated with Akkermansia muciniphila (only available at Pendulum) and other next generation strains. | Photo by Sean Dagen

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Meet Metabolic Daily, a multi-strain probiotic designed to kick-start your metabolism, maintain blood sugar levels, support a healthy weight, and reduce sugar cravings and energy slumps. Think: Balanced, sustained energy throughout the day. (Actress Halle Berry digs it so much she became the CCO.)

Use code 6AMCITY for 20% off your first month of any membership.*

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News Notes

Civic

Sam Wolfe has resigned as director of Chattanooga’s Office of Homelessness and Supportive Housing (OHSH). Casey Tinker — OHSH manager since March + key player in the homelessness reduction progress in Chattanooga — will assume all leadership responsibilities. (NewsChannel 9)

Development

The Ooltewah area plans to build a 236-unit complex near I-75. The $40 million proposed project will go on an 18-acre lot overseen by Hunter Road Developers LLC. If approved, the apartments have a projected completion date in the summer or fall of 2024. (Chattanooga Times Free Press)

Transit

The Chattanooga Airport announced it will add flights to Miami back to its list of nonstop destinations just in time for the summer season. Folks can catch their flights to the Florida city starting June 3.

Sports

Brainerd High School has named Venus Lacy as its new girls’ basketball head coach, taking over for Kelvin Clay. Lacy helped the Lady Panthers to win their only state championship title in 1984. Congratulations, and good luck on your first season as coach. (Chattanooga Times Free Press)

Closing

Bye-bye, Bed Bath & Beyond. The retailer announced it has filed for bankruptcy, meaning it will begin liquidating assets and closing storefronts in the coming months. Today is the last day to use your coupons, so head to the Hamilton Place location before they close. (Chattanooga Times Free Press)

Cause

Full Media, a healthcare-focused media agency, will celebrate its 15th anniversary by allocating $15,000 to its markets for initiatives within the community. In Chattanooga, funds will be donated to six local area nonprofit organizations.

Festival

Rock City will host its 14th annual Southern Bloom Festival throughout the month of May. You can see a living fountain sculpture, listen to live music, buy flowers, and more. Bonus: Rock City will also host a Mother’s Day lunch. Get your tickets online.

Ranked

Two Chattanooga music festivals landed on Southern Living’s Top 10 list of the South’s best music festivals to attend. Moon River Music Festival was ranked No. 5 + Riverbend Festival was ranked No. 10. We’re proud of our rockin’ city.

Community

Craft Axe Throwing in East Ridge will celebrate Mother’s Day weekend with free throwing sessions on Sunday, May 14-Wednesday, May 17. All mothers in the area get one free session, instructional coaching included.

Pets

Time to raise the woof. McKamey Animal Center will host its Paw Palooza event on Saturday, June 10 at Coolidge Park. Bring your furry friends to enjoy 40+ vendors, dog contests and games, a fundraising walk, and more. Register for the walk online.

Today Is

National Pretzel Day — AKA the most important day of the year for Stanley Hudson from “The Office.” If you’ve got a hankering for one of these fluffy on the inside, crisp, and perfectly salted on the outside snacks, celebrate with this at-home pretzel kit or this gourmet pretzel pack.

Announced

Congratulations Nora R., the winner of our product survey! We hope you enjoy your $500 cash prize, and we thank you for providing your feedback. Responses from this survey are helping us improve our newsletter.

Answered

📚 And the winner is…

Read the winning poem from our 2023 poetry contest

A graphic that says 2023 Poetry Contest Winner.

The votes are in. | Graphic by 6AM City

We’re pleased to announce that “Renewal” by Laura Gunnells M. is the winner of our 2023 poetry contest.

This poem received the most votes from our audience. A big round of applause to our other finalists and everyone who participated in our contest — it was a true joy for the NOOGAtoday Editorial team to read what you came up with.

Now, we’re handing it over to Laura to dazzle us with their creation.

“Renewal”

Renewal
During a season of sleep
featuring lavender
notes, I become free
from yesterday’s dismay
and forget this hour
like a candle
nibbling darkness.
Now, the lunar transit
cuts a narrow valley
through the cloudy lake
while a forest of oak
and chestnut are listening
for the music of morning
or a red sunrise to pull
the trees, breaking
the moon

Read all our finalists’ poems

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Kristen Templeton

From the editor

In case you missed it, your enthusiasm for the outdoors + taking photos can help benefit scientific research. Check out the City Nature Challenge happening Friday, April 28-Monday, May 1 using the iNaturalist app. Read more about the initiative.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Check out Chattanooga’s newest bar + deli.

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