 2020 will be remembered as the year of COVID-19. As it comes to a close, there are two areas that I would like to highlight. First, sexual health. Your sexual health is as important as your heart health, your skin health, your mental health, and all other aspects of your body health. If you believe something is not right, please see a healthcare practitioner. Persons do still die from HIV and these are preventable deaths because we have treatment for HIV. Syphilis can be treated uncured, gonorrhea and chlamydia can be cured. Have a frank conversation with your doctor and be honest with yourself and your sexual partner. Use your condoms and get yourself tested. Second, tuberculosis, also known as TB. TB is an illness that can affect the lungs and other parts of the body. And yes, for those of you asking the question, TB still exists. TB may not be common, but it can be treated and cured. Treatment for active TB in the lungs at its shortest is six months and treatment is necessary because not treating active TB in the lungs means that you can spread it to persons around you when you cough, sneeze, speak or sing. For latent or inactive TB, the shortest treatment period is four months. Curing in active TB removes the risk of eventually developing active TB in the lungs. If you are tested for TB and are told that you have TB, have a conversation with your doctor to discuss what treatment you need and how you will be receiving the treatment. I have highlighted these specific areas to remind you that there are other important health issues that continue and may be overshadowed by COVID-19. Please do not ignore them. For further information, please call the Infectious Diseases Unit at 468-5343. For everyone watching, compliments of the season to you and your family. I wish you all good health in 2021 and success in all your endeavors.