Hepatitis C : The Silent Epidemic
Introduction
Did you know that over two hundred million people are infected with the Hepatitis C Virus (HCV)? Unfortunately it is true, and twenty five thousand more are infected each year. Out of these victims, three are acquaintances of mine. They are why I chose to research this Silent Epidemic. In this paper you will not only learn about the virus itself, but also ways to recognize and prevent it. The goal of this is to prevent the further spread of this disease, and furthermore to make you aware of your options if infected.
Statistics
Hepatitis C affects approximately 1.8% of the population in the U.S. This accounts for nearly 4 million people. And this number is only growing. It has been estimated that twenty five to thirty five thousand new cases are diagnosed each year.
What is the Hepatitis C Virus?
As you already know, the cells in the body respond to infection in many ways. One of these ways is inflammation. Hepatitis C is an inflammation of the liver.
However, it does not affect the whole liver at once. The silent epidemic sneaks up slowly by causing damage to individual liver cells. This means, HCV progresses slowly over many years.
How do you get Hepatitis C
There are many risk factors that may lead to the spread the Hepatitis C Virus. In many cases symptoms are not visible until ten or even twenty years after the infection. Since treatments are based on the degree of infection, it is important to find this virus as soon as possible. Are you at risk? Ask yourself the following questions to find out!
1.) Have you received a blood transfusion prior to 1992?
2.) Have you had any solid organ transplants, such as your heart, liver, or kidney?
3.) Are you on long-term kidney dialysis?
4.) Are you a member of the healthcare field, in which you have had exposure to blood?
5.) Have you ever used recreational drugs? (Needles? Cocaine Straws?)
6.) Have you ever had high risk sex? (Anal? Multiple Partners?)
7.) Do you have a tattoo or body piercing?
8.) Do you live with, or have regular contact with an infected person? If so, do you share nail clippers, razors, or toothbrushes?
If you have answered yes to any of these questions, you are at a risk for having Hepatitis C. So now what can you do?
Diagnosing Hepatitis C
If you feel you may have been exposed t...
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Ribavirin
Ribavirin is a pill which is used along with alpha-interferon. It has been proven that this pill helps the alpha-interferon to work better. Patients who choose to take this pill are prescribed several pills a day. These pills must be take everyday along with regular alpha-interferon injections to positively affect the body.
Goals of treatment
There are two basic goals of HCV treatment. The first goal is to have a sustained virologic response. This means that the virus will remain at an undetectable in the blood for six or more months after treatment. The second goal is an improved histologic response. An example of this is the decrease of liver inflammation, and the reduction of scarring of the liver.
Conclusion
Hepatitis C is a silent epidemic. There is no vaccination, and no cure. The only way to prevent the spread of this disease is to be aware of your surroundings, and practice a clean way of living. Although there is treatment for Hepatitis C, it is a painful disease in its later stages. If you feel you have been exposed, please, do not hesitate to have yourself tested. The Hepatitis C Virus is, and will remain, a threat to your life.
The Hepatitis B virus is a disease that affects the liver and results in swelling and loss of normal function in the liver. It is estimated that 350 million people are infected with Hepatitis B worldwide, with 50 million new cases diagnosed every year.(1) In the Unit...
There is 1.4 million people infected with CHB in United States (CDC, 2017). Even though the incidence of CHB has decreased in the U.S. two ethnic groups with highest prevalence of CYB in U.S. are Asian with 1 in 12 Asian Americans have CHB, and 1in 10 African-born in U.S. has CHB (HepBMD, 2017). Approximately 90% of infants that get HBV becomes chronically infected and 1 out of 4 dies (CDC, 2017). A person with CHB is one hundred times more likely to develop liver cancer. An estimated 686,000 people die every year worldwide for complications of HBV 2,000 people in U.S. die yearly from HBV related liver
Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) is a virus that attacks the liver. The virus is transmitted through blood and bodily fluids. This can occur through direct blood-to-blood contact, unprotected sex, use of contaminated needles, and from an effected mother to her newborn during the delivery process. The majority of people do not have noticeable symptoms when they are first infected with the HBV. People who do not know they are infected with the HBV, their body can respond in different ways. I learned that some of the common symptoms of Hepatitis B infection include fever, fatigue, muscle or joint pain, loss of appetite, mild nausea, vomiting, and dark-colored urine. Some of the serious symptoms that require immediate medical attention and maybe even hospitalization are: severe nausea and vomiting, yellow eyes and skin (jaundice), bloated or swollen stomach.
HAV is known to be an infectious disease that usually occurs in children and young adults .The disease is usually transmitted from person to person through contaminated food, liquids or oral fecal route. An example would be when someone is carrying the virus and doesn’t wash their hands after using the restroom and then puts food in their mouth. HAV is most common in developing countries because of the living conditions and inadequate water, poor sewage facilities and sanitary conditions. The highest HAV levels in the world are from India,” Earlier reports suggest that India is hyperendemic for HAV infection2,4-6 with very high infection rates,” (Sowmyanarayanan). Most HAV are without severe complications, “Virus HAV infection rarely causes fulminant hepatic failure in people…,” (Vento,p.1) . The symptoms for HAV are high fever, nausea, vomiting and jaundice...
Hepatitis B is a DNA viral infection that causes damage and inflammation to the liver. It was first discovered in 1965 by Dr. Baruch Blumberg. The HBV virus is very contagious and is even thought to be the most serious form of viral hepatitis and the most common viral infection on Earth. “HBV is 100 times more infectious than HIV.” (Green, 2002, pg. 7) The virus can survive for about one week outside the body on a dry surface. According to Green (2002, pg. 7), “One in twenty Americans has been infected with the virus at some point in their lives.” Between the ages of 15-39 is when 75% of new HBV infections occur, according to Green (2002, pg.8).
The signs and symptoms of blood borne pathogens vary based on the type of disease it is and the ability of a person’s immune system to fight it off. In most cases hepatitis B does not need to be treated and the body can fight it off on its own. However a long-term infection can develop in some people that can cause liver damage. There is a vaccination available to prevent acquiring the disease. The signs and symptoms for hepatitis C are usually mild. It can take two weeks to six months after contact before signs begin to show, or there may not be any symptoms at all. Hepatitis C typically becomes is a long-term infection and after many years will cause liver ...
1a - Epidemiology of acute and chronic hepatitis B virus infection in Norway, 1992-2009 - Gražina Rimšelienė1,2*, Øivind Nilsen2, Hilde Kløvstad2, Hans Blystad2 and Preben Aavitsland2
In conclusion, it is important for the dental staff to treat all patients as if they are infected. A patient may or may not choose to disclose any information pertaining to their disease or they may not be aware of it. It is also important for the dental staff to have immunizations done at regular intervals. The hygienist needs to make sure he or she protects him or herself as well as the patient during treatment. Discrimination against someone with a disease is illegal. With that in mind it is the clinician’s duty to be aware of diseases he or she may come into contact with and how to treat the patient.
An infected person should avoid alcohol and limit consumption of drugs that are damaging to the liver, such as acetaminophen. Hospitalization is rare during the treatment of hepatitis A. Matheney, 2012; Gilroy, 2017 Prevention of Hepatitis A is available. “Improved sanitation, food safety and immunization are the most effective ways to combat hepatitis A.” (World Health Organization, 2017) Good hand hygiene is essential in preventing the spread of Hepatitis A. Proper sewage disposal systems are also important in the prevention of Hepatitis A within communities. If a person is traveling to an area where hepatitis A is prevalent, they should avoid ingesting water and uncooked fruits and vegetables.
B. The need for organ and tissue donation is increasing and the people on the lifesaving transplant list need your help. About a year ago, I had the privilege of, meeting a man who was in his late sixties, a real jokester, and a person who really enjoyed life. He was a person that could make you smile even if you were in the worst of moods. Well, when I met this man he had been on the liver lifesaving transplant list for almost two years. He was getting sent in and out of the hospital and needed daily dialysis to drain the fluids from his body because his liver was no longer able to perform this task; his liver was literally shutting down. This courageous man eventually
There is a disease spreading out in the world called Hepatitis C. It affects the liver and may cause the liver to fail. This disease is caused by a virus called Hepatitis C virus which is also known as HCV. About 32,000 people are affected with this disease per year only in the United States area. Some It’s a disease with many symptoms and many causes. of these symptoms are easy bruising, upset stomach and fever. These are just some of the many symptoms that come from the virus. Hepatitis Cs nature of the causative agent is determined by many things. The biological data of this disease is filled so much information. It is estimated that over 180 million people have gotten Hepatitis C and it is growing.
Martin, M., Fulford, M., & Preston, T. (2009). Infection Control for the Dental Team. London: Quintessence Publishing Co.
Organ Transplants: A Brief History (21 February, 2012) Retrieved from History in the Headlines Website: http://www.history.com/news/organ-transplants-a-brief-history
Medical asepsis plays an integral role in infection control within a health care facility. It includes procedures used to decrease and prevent direct contact with blood or bodily fluids and emphasizes keeping the environment clean on a regular basis (Curchoe, Astle, & Hobbs, 2014). In order to achieve optimal health, individuals depend on practices and techniques that control and ultimately prevent the transmission of infection. These practices and techniques can help avoid the transmission of infections by creating an environment that protects both health care workers and patients from communicable diseases. Good hand hygiene has been stressed as the single most important measure to prevent cross-infection to patients in health care facilities
I have given blood before and I am aware of the questionnaire and procedures used during the blood donation process.