Another Type of Hepatitis: The Hepatitis C

Posted on September 26, 2011 by admin

By

This particular type of hepatitis is one of the most spread diseases in the world when hepatitis is concerned. Almost 200 million people all over the world suffer from hepatitis C. In countries that are not yet fully developed, hepatitis C can be spread during some medical procedures, through the contamination of the blood. However, most people develop hepatitis C because of drug use, intravenously. Another frightening thing about hepatitis C is that is the most common cause of the final stage in liver disease. This type of hepatitis is expected to affect many more people in the years to come, although there has been noticed a decrease in both mortality and developing of hepatitis C.

The most common way to get hepatitis C is through the exposure to contaminated blood or any blood products. In some countries, more than half of all hepatitis C cases come from the use of intravenous drugs. On the other hand, when cases of hepatitis C are talked about on a worldwide level, the primary cause of infection with hepatitis are medical procedures. Either is a blood transfusion with contaminated blood or a vaccine with contaminated needle, they all are causes of hepatitis C. Far more worse than this is that in some contries, the contamination with hepatitis C has been made through a national program which was actually trying to help people. There was a vaccination campain against schistomiasis, where the needels were reused, thus infecting many people with hepatitis C. A controversial case in either sex or prenatal transmission of hepatitis C are risk factors in the case of hepatitis. Studies have shown that the transmission of hepatitis C in these cases is not that big, but if hepatitis C is accompanied by another disease that is transmitted sexually, the risk of developing hepatitis is much greater.

Like all hepatitis cases, hepatitis C type has also an incubation period of about two months, after the person has been exposed to the hepatitis virus. Also, more than half of the hepatitis C infected persons will not develop any symptoms of hepatitis. However, if hepatitis symptoms do occur is some persons, they are very mild and non specific. Because of this, doctors can not diagnose hepatitis C in its acute state, and more than 90 percent of all hepatitis C acute patients will come to develop chronic infection.


Share and Enjoy:
  • Digg
  • Sphinn
  • del.icio.us
  • Facebook
  • Mixx
  • Google Bookmarks
  • StumbleUpon
  • Twitter
  • Reddit
  • Posterous
  • Faves
Posted in hep c info, hepatitis c, hepatitis c articles, hepatitis c contraction, hepatitis c info, hepatitis c information, hepatitis c treatment | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off

What You Need to Know About Hepatitis C!

Posted on September 19, 2011 by admin

By Charlene Woods

Charlene Woods

According to health experts, people who are healthy and maintaining a well-balanced diet, do not need any help in detoxification, they just have to continue maintaining their diet.

Hepatitis C is a contagious disease in the liver which can be passed through blood, common cause of contamination is through needles. People who had the disease are still growing in numbers and some who already had the disease do not even know about it.

Hepatitis C is a viral disease that is why it is contagious. According to researchers, every year about 5000 people are contaminated with the disease this is because hepatitis is a silent type of disease, people who had the virus do not experience any symptoms at all, so they still do not know that they carry the disease, the result is they contaminate more and more people. Hepatitis C is a disease in which the liver swells, there are cases that it develops to liver cirrhosis, when this happens, it makes the liver work hard until it deteriorates.

Having a regular check-up on your health practitioner is really important, sometimes diseases brings no symptoms at all, just like hepatitis C, so it is impossible for you to know that you have it, earlier detection can help cure the disease.

Having a regular detoxification can help someone to prevent any disease which may develop in the future. Toxins can do a lot of damage in the body, so eliminating these toxins will help us avoid any illnesses that they might bring.

Having a well-balanced diet, avoiding alcohols and not smoking would be of great help to your health. Have a regular exercise as much as possible, always include plenty of fruits and vegetables in your meal, drink plenty of water, these are some better ways of helping body to deter. Stay away from processed foods they are the major sources of toxins in the body. Always take care of your health as they usually says, prevention is better than cure.

Share and Enjoy:
  • Digg
  • Sphinn
  • del.icio.us
  • Facebook
  • Mixx
  • Google Bookmarks
  • StumbleUpon
  • Twitter
  • Reddit
  • Posterous
  • Faves
Posted in Health, hep c info, hepatitis c, hepatitis c articles, hepatitis c info, hepatitis c information, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off

Hepatitis C – What You Should Know

Posted on September 12, 2011 by admin

By

What is hepatitis C? First, hepatitis as defined in most dictionaries and medical literature is simply “inflammation of the liver.” Inflammation is, again from the dictionary, “localized heat, redness, swelling and pain as the result of irritation, injury or infection.” In other words inflammation is an abnormal or diseased state of the body. In the case of hepatitis the abnormal or diseased state refers to the liver. As to the “C” part of hepatitis C, the “C” refers to a specific virus that is believed by conventional medicine to cause the inflammation and the disease.

As a footnote here just a short note on viruses. Mankind and medicine are still in their infancy when it comes to understanding,defining and categorizing the viruses. There is still some debate as to whether or not a virus demonstrates the characteristics to be truly called a life form, like a bacteria or protozoa, or whether it is more of a chemical substance simply capable of synthesis and change – kind of like adding an Alka Seltzer to water. There is reaction and change, movement, but of course this does not fit the definition of life.

What is life? What is not? It is like green merging into blue or orange into red. There is simply a point where you can not tell one from the other or the point of where the perception of one observer differs from that of another.

Enough on viruses. Their existence as life forms or as chemical substances is simply not pertinent to the scope of this article. The purpose of this article is to help people who have been diagnosed with the medical condition conventional medicine refers to as “hepatitis C.”

Note also that conventional medicine will treat hepatitis C with drugs like interferon and ribavirin. This article is not about medicine and drugs that kill viruses, it is about returning the body (in this case particularly the liver) to a healthy state. The purpose of the article is to inform you of some procedures which have shown in the past to allow the body to either fight viruses via the immune system or alter the chemical pathogenic viral like substances. Let’s provide the body with what it needs so our own immune system can protect us and so the correct chemical constituents are present to produce health and there by disrupt disease.

Step one is a “don’t” instead of a “do.” We have been taught from grade school that liver is a food with a high iron content. It would therefore seem logical that persons infected with hepatitis C, a disease that attacks the liver, should supplement their diet with iron rich foods and/or an iron supplement.

However, this is not the case because the hepatitis C virus does most of its damage by attaching onto iron molecules which then sets the stage for cirrhosis and liver cancer.

Many doctors are unaware of this fact and this is one reason why we are told once we have the virus we will always have it and why conventional medicine finds its eradication very difficult. You must reduce iron levels when fighting hepatitis C. Notice I say reduce – not eliminate – your body must keep iron levels within a certain range to effectively fight the disease. Decide with your doctor where you want your iron levels to be while you are recovering from hepatitis C.

The second most important thing to consider in recovery from hepatitis C is a “do.” Do increase the levels in your body of a substance known as “glutathione.” Officially glutathione is a tripeptide. Yeah, wonderful so what does that mean? I mean unless you are a chemist so what. Let’s just say that glutathione is one of the most important substances in your body. It is multi-functional. Sometimes working like an oil to take out the squeaks, sometimes like a paint to prevent oxidation, sometimes like a tool to knock something apart or to put something together. All in all fantastic stuff.

Now don’t run out to your health food store and by a bottle of glutathione and think it will help, The problem with this approach is that the digestive tract will alter much if not all of the glutathione chemical structure and you won’t receive much benefit.

All cells produce glutathione so what we need to take are foods or supplements that are known as accelerators, i.e. substances that contain the building blocks which help formulate the glutathione molecule structure.

The following is a list of items that can help to inhibit iron uptake, accelerate glutathione development, or simply help in maintenance and repair of your liver. I have purposefully left out the amounts and means (oral, shot, sublingual) in which these substances should be taken – discuss these with your doctor or health care professional. Please consider the following.

1. Milk Thistle with silibinin
2. Selenium a mineral
3.Lecithin which contains PPC (polyenylposphatidylcholine)
4.Ursodeoxycholic acid a bile acid
5.Glycyrrhizin a licorice root extract
6. NAC a building block of glutathione
7. SAMe another building block of glutathione
8. ALA (alpa-lipoic acid) acts as metal chelator (remover) thus reduces stress on the liver
9. Whey protein helps boost glutathione levels
10. Lactoferin reduces iron stores
11.Elemental calcium reduces iron absorption
12. Antioxidants such as vitamins A, C and E. And always, always, always vitamin D-3 for whatever problem you are ever experiencing.

If you have or know someone who has hepatitis C hopefully some of the above information will help you in your recovery from this condition.

Share and Enjoy:
  • Digg
  • Sphinn
  • del.icio.us
  • Facebook
  • Mixx
  • Google Bookmarks
  • StumbleUpon
  • Twitter
  • Reddit
  • Posterous
  • Faves
Posted in Health, hep c info, hepatitis c, hepatitis c articles, hepatitis c info, hepatitis c information, hepatitis c treatment | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off

Hepatitis C Genotypes

Posted on September 5, 2011 by admin

By

There are at least 6 genotypes — genetic strains — of hepatitis C virus. Knowing your hepatitis C genotype is an essential part of your treatment plan because the genotype will affect your treatment, such as how long you’re treated. Since finding your genotype requires a specialized blood test, your blood will be taken at your doctor’s office or clinic but sent to an outside lab for testing.

Genotype 1

Genotype 1 is the most common hepatitis C genotype in the United States and Europe. Approximately 80 percent of hepatitis C infections in the U.S. are genotype 1. If you have this genotype, and need treatment, you will usually be treated with peginterferon and ribavirin for 48 weeks. However, the SVR rate (What is SVR?) is less than 50 percent, which means that less than half of the people will have an undetectable viral load six months after treatment ends. If you don’t have a significant drop in viral load after 12 weeks of treatment, your doctor may discontinue treatment and try other options.

Genotype 2

Genotype 2 is the second most common hepatitis C genotype in the United States (about 10 percent are infected with this type). If you have this genotype, you will have an 80 percent chance of achieving SVR with standard therapy. Treatment for this genotype is shorter in duration and usually requires a smaller dose of ribavirin. Currently, treatment is a combination of peginterferon and ribavirin taken for 24 weeks. Some studies suggest it’s possible to successfully treat people with this genotype in less than 16 weeks.

Genotype 3

This genotype is endemic in southeast Asia, but unevenly distributed throughout India, the Far East and Australia. It’s estimated that about 6 percent of Americans have genotype 3. Treatment is very similar to treating genotype 2 infections. Likewise, the chance of achieving SVR is similar.

Genotype 4

This genotype is most common in Africa, the Middle East and several eastern European countries. Egypt has an especially high number of people infected with hepatitis C virus genotype 4. Treatment is the same as genotype 1: A combination of peginterferon and ribavirin taken for 48 weeks.

Genotype 5

This genotype is common in infections from South Africa. Treatment is the standard 48-week combination therapy and seems to have SVR rates comparable to genotypes 2 and 3.

Genotype 6

This genotype is common in south China, Hong Kong and other southeast Asian countries. Studies will eventually determine the best treatment guidelines for genotype 6, but current research suggests that a combination therapy of 48 weeks leads to a SVR rate between 50 and 80 percent.

Variations in Treatment

Your specific type of hepatitis C infection won’t necessarily respond in the ways described above because many factors affect treatment. Some examples include:

  • If you are coinfected with the hepatitis B virus
  • If you are coinfected with HIV
  • If you are immunocompromised because of an infection or treatment
  • If you have decompensated cirrhosis
  • If you have had a liver transplant
  • If you have certain complications to chronic hepatitis C
  • If you’ve relapsed or previously not responded to treatment
  • If you’re African-American or Hispanic (In general, African-Americans and Latinos will have a lower SVR rate to interferon-based treatment than non-Latino Caucasians.)

Genotypes Beyond

Though only six genotypes are discussed here, there are others that currently play a lesser role in hepatitis C infections. However, as the hepatitis C viruses evolve and world populations migrate, these major genotypes may change, too. The major commercial labs usually only identify the six major genotypes. Other types will probably be treated, at least initially, using the same strategies for genotype 1.

Sources:

Chopra, S. Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis C Virus Infection: Recommendations for Adults. UpToDate. Waltham, MA. Accessed: October 14, 2009.

Di Bisceglie, A. Pegylated Interferon in the Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis C Virus Infection. UpToDate. Waltham, MA. Accessed: October 14, 2009.

Dienstag, JL. Acute Viral Hepatitis. In: AS Fauci, E Braunwald, DL Kasper, SL Hauser, DL Longo, JL Jameson, J Loscaizo (eds), Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine, 17e. New York, McGraw-Hill, 2008.

National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. Chronic Hepatitis C: Current Disease Management. Accessed October 11, 2009.

United States Department of Veterans Affairs. Hepatitis C Genotype. Accessed October 15, 2009.

Share and Enjoy:
  • Digg
  • Sphinn
  • del.icio.us
  • Facebook
  • Mixx
  • Google Bookmarks
  • StumbleUpon
  • Twitter
  • Reddit
  • Posterous
  • Faves
Posted in Health, hep c info, hepatitis c, hepatitis c articles, hepatitis c info, hepatitis c information, liver disease | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off

Natural Treatments for Hepatitis C

Posted on July 22, 2011 by admin

By

Expert Author Denice Moffat

What I’ve noticed over the years is that I get a run of cases with the same disease in a short period of time. Last month I saw lots of clients with Multiple Sclerosis (or the misdiagnosis of same.) We learned about the low-fat Swank diet and all the drugs used to treat this particular disease process.

This month I had a run of Hepatitis C clients. They each had contracted the disease differently, but none-the-less, their lives have been permanently shifted from this terrible disease which is seemingly not curable. The common thread that assisted these clients was that each person had to make some lifestyle changes (a permanent lifestyle choice that was healthier than they were living.) Stressing the optimal amounts of raw fruits/vegetables is always a staple in my programs–especially the dark green ones in hepatitis cases, but we also centered on the liver.

So let’s review hepatitis C and natural treatments for it.

Hepatitis means inflammation of the liver (Hepato is the root word for liver and anything ending in “itis” means inflammation.) Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is one of the many viruses that can cause inflammation of the liver. Other causes are irritation to the liver from alcohol, bacterial infections, drugs, and cancer. At least 75% of people infected with hepatitis C develop chronic hepatitis C which can be progressive and fatal. Once you have it, you will need to find ways to keep it under control. This disease never completely goes away. However, my clients have had very good luck with alternative medicine treatments for hepatitis C, but they work at it and stick with a good program.

About 4 million people in the United States have antibodies to HCV, meaning they have been infected with the virus at some point. Half of these people don’t even know they have it. All forms of viral hepatitis are contagious.

The most common way hepatitis C is passed is through direct contact with blood. Drug users often have this disease because they re-use and share needles. Needles, and before 1992 prior to the blood test which became available to test for the virus, transfusions, organ transplants, and hemodialysis have all been vehicles for transferring the virus, but I have known people to warn others not to even drink out of the same cup as they are drinking out of, so it could also be passed through saliva.

Childbirth, sexual intercourse and accidental needle sticks (most common in nurses and the human medical field) are also less common causes of transmission. Sharing toiletry items is another way of passing the virus (e.g. razors and nail clippers.)

Symptoms and Signs of Hepatitis: Eighty percent of people infected with Hepatitis C do not have symptoms. Symptoms may also be mild and come and go over the lifetime of the patient. Less frequently, the patient will come down with an acute case of hepatitis with full-blown symptoms.

Symptoms typically occur 5-12 weeks after being exposed to the virus and may last for weeks to months and include: liver pain (on the right side just under the rib cage area), nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, dark colored urine, gray or clay colored stools, irritability, confusion, and headaches (due to dehydration from chronic diarrhea.) Chronic hepatitis often leads to cirrhosis of the liver. Cirrhosis is where healthy liver tissue is taken over by scar tissue. When this happens, the liver loses its ability to detoxify the blood.

Additional symptoms at this time include fluid retention (especially below the rib cage in the belly area), jaundice (also called icterus which is a yellowing of the skin seen most obviously in the whites of the eyes), chronic fatigue, sleep disturbance, itchy skin, weight loss (wasting disease), vomiting now with blood in it (so it could look like coffee grounds) and finally hepatic encephalopathy characterized by hallucinations.

When the liver is sick, we see diseases like high cholesterol, high triglycerides, hemorrhoids, cancer, allergies, varicose veins and lots of anger and resentments.

I don’t know which comes first in these types of cases; anger causing the liver-based diseases or liver-based diseases resulting in anger. The good thing is that we have LOTS of options on how to overcome these challenges and it doesn’t really matter where you start as long as you start and keep at it.

My favorite treatments for hepatitis include:

1. Raw fruits/veggies (especially dark green foods, bitter vegetables, red fruits, and beets.)

2. Barfy Green Stuff (or some other green food–it really doesn’t matter too much what you choose.

3. Drink plenty of filtered, chorine and fluoride free water to stay hydrated.

4. Exercise, but don’t overdo it. Walking is wonderful–especially on a consistent schedule.

5. Homeopathics specifically to bind and excrete the Hepatitis virus (I use Professional Health Formulations Hepatitis Nosode Drops.)

6. Emotional release work (to help dislodge the Emotional Cysts in the liver.)

7. Herbs to support the liver as needed including but not limited to: Milk Thistle (Also Called Silymarin), Burdock Root, Safflower, Licorice, Green Tea, Dandelion, Artichoke, Cordyceps Mushroom, Turmeric, and Peppers. Note: It’s important to take what your body needs but not more than it needs. The body has to process everything put into it. If there is extra, the liver has to work to get it out of the system.

8. Evaluation of current lifestyle habits and suggestions to decrease toxification.

9. Rebuilding of the cells with a Glandular/protomorphogen (I love Livaplex by Standard Process Labs(TM))

10. Abstinence from all alcohol products and any kind of drug that is processed through the liver (Tylenol, NSAIDS, some pain killers, and lots of other drugs are processed through the liver–ask your pharmacist and doctor about anything you put into your mouth!)

11. Work on relieving all anger and resentment issues in your life and dove-tail in forgiveness work. Anger and resentments are stored in the liver.

12. Managing liver-associated diseases: allergies, hemorrhoids, varicose veins, glaucoma and cancer.

13. Eliminating metaphors from your vocabulary having to do with anger, hatred, resentment, and being galled and stubborn.

Self-forgiveness seems to be one common obstacle to overcome in these particular cases. It is most important to understand that there was a reason why they contracted the disease, it taught them valuable lessons, but now it’s time to come to a resolution and move onto a healthier way of being.

Life is a journey. The challenges we have are a Gift from God. What we do with those challenges are our gift to Him. If we focus on the similarities instead of how we feel ostracized and alienated, we find that all in all, we want the same things . . .to be loved, understood and valued. I believe that this is what life is all about.

Share and Enjoy:
  • Digg
  • Sphinn
  • del.icio.us
  • Facebook
  • Mixx
  • Google Bookmarks
  • StumbleUpon
  • Twitter
  • Reddit
  • Posterous
  • Faves
Posted in Health, hep c info, hepatitis c articles, hepatitis c info, hepatitis c information, hepatitis c treatment | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off

Detoxifying Against Hepatitis-C – How True is It?

Posted on July 8, 2011 by admin

By

Expert Author Holly Vera

There has been a time where nutritionists and health professionals alike considered the idea that people that are generally healthy need not undergo any detoxification program so long as they keep a balanced diet.

High levels of mercury were found by doctors to be present in sweat as compared to urine on exposed factory employees. Excessive sweating can be potentially dangerous for persons who are in bad health condition, specially women who are pregnant and those who are experiencing cardiovascular ailments (albeit a dry sauna can be specifically employed by health experts for these patients). We would like to present you with a no-hassle recipe for green tea, and note that unlike regular green tea, it is better tasting and you just might not have any idea how good for your health this truly is. It is also a great and healthy way of quenching thirst on those hot summer days.

  1. Blood and Lymphatic: toughens and energizes the blood and lymph fluids.
  2. Cardiovascular: greatly enhances overall blood circulation.
  3. Liver and Gallbladder: invigorates the liver.
  4. Lungs: disperses and gets rid of mucus accumulated in the lungs.
  5. Kidneys and Bladder: cleanses the kidneys and bladder by eliminating surplus uric acid.
  6. Colon conditioner: aids in stimulation of bowel movement.
  7. Carbon: eliminates all traces of toxic residues we are unknowingly putting inside our bodies.

Illegal drugs and liquor can be very addicting. Data reveals that the youth are more likely to be curious with prohibited drugs and liquor and are more vulnerable to being addicted to these harmful substances.

So what about Hepatitis-C?

Hepatitis-C is a very contagious disease which is contained in the blood and has devastating effects on a person’s liver. Around 240,000 Canadians are said to be assaulted by this disease, and a lot of them are not even aware that they have already acquired the said illness. People with Hepatitis-C are increasing at an alarming rate in Canada and around the globe, particularly on individuals who are used to sharing needles and other related tools. It is estimated that about 5,000 Canadians acquire the virus annually, most especially the youth.

Addiction with alcohol and prohibited drugs will definitely need detoxification under supervision of medical experts whenever possible in order to evade deadly withdrawal syndromes like seizures and convulsion. After their status is stable, they will be need psychological help in relation to their drug abuse and drinking problems.

Can you imagine trying to wash the dishes filled with grease without the aid of dish washing detergent or hot water? It’s obvious that you won’t get the job done without them. When toxins and other harmful substances get inside your system, it will require the aid of a strong cleaning agent or medium in order to wash your system clean of all its impurities. It is interesting to note however, that the Ancient Chinese people have already been using these concepts and methods of detoxification in their society for more than 3,000 years already.

A good understanding of the concept of detoxification will include some knowledge that it does not work in isolation; instead it demands a thorough understanding of the various substances involved in helping with the healing and cleansing process of the body.

Getting yourself determined in undergoing a detoxification program is a good start in your body’s cleansing process. Try seeing and imagining on how much relief it would be after you get cleansed and think about the improvements it can do for your health and well-being. Keep in mind that detoxification and healing takes time, especially if your body was heavily attacked by toxins. Relax, be patient, let nature take its course in you and you will be amazed on how an amazing healing machine your body is.

Although the fact that the Hepatitis-C virus being known for a long time, it was not until 1989 that its complete details was discovered. It makes the liver inflamed, which will usually lead to cirrhosis or scars on the liver that impedes it from functioning normally. Of the total 5,000 individuals assessed to be newly infected annually, a maximum of 70% of them were shown to indicate no symptoms of the disease. There are even cases where symptoms don’t show until 20 to 30 years. On that time period, they may have no idea that they could be infecting others already. This is the reason why it is important to evaluate whether you might be at risk and what precaution you must take. Should you feel that you are infected with this disease, or that you could be in danger of contacting it, don’t hesitate to go to a health specializing on this matter for a blood examination. More information can also be seen on Health Canada’s website at http://www.healthcanada.ca/hepc.

It is at this stage that an individual will be experiencing a full and sudden halt on his drug or alcohol related activities. Rehabilitation on drug and alcohol abuse usually leads to a case of withdrawal that is commonly repulsive with side effects that may include vomiting, paranoia, hallucinations, insomnia, hot and cold flashes, and other painful and sometimes terrifying consequence.

Recent news also indicates a lot about the astounding healing capabilities of turmeric, which is an antioxidant that fights free-radicals and rich in curry spice which has been labeled as a protection from Alzheimer’s disease and cancer. It is much safer if any old fillings are replaced with new ones in order to be certain that they don’t contain any heavy metals.

Detoxification is a very popular term among people nowadays since the last 10 years or so although it is limited within the area of alternative or Western Holistic medicine. Using detoxification supplements can greatly help in cleansing your body and give you a healthier life.

Vegetables are considered to be one of nature’s best agents of detoxification. Therefore it is an excellent choice to take in foods that contains more than 50% green and leafy vegetables.

Share and Enjoy:
  • Digg
  • Sphinn
  • del.icio.us
  • Facebook
  • Mixx
  • Google Bookmarks
  • StumbleUpon
  • Twitter
  • Reddit
  • Posterous
  • Faves
Posted in Health, hepatitis c articles, hepatitis c treatment | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off

Hepatitis – Be Sure To Wash Your Hands

Posted on June 28, 2011 by admin

By

Hepatitis is a Latin word, that means liver inflammation. It’s usually the result of destroyed liver cells and inflamed cells in the liver tissue. Hepatitis can be caused by diseases that primarily attack the liver cells and can be listed into one of two groups, depending on how long the disease lasts. Acute hepatitis lasts less than six months, while chronic hepatitis will continue to last for more than six months.

Most cases of hepatitis, are due to some form of viral infection. Some of these infections include hepatitis A, which is an acute form and can be transferred through contaminated food and drinking water. It can also be spread through contact with an infected person. Hepatitis B can produce both acute and chronic hepatitis and can be transmitted through blood, which can include transfusions or infected needles. Sexual contact with an infected person can also lead to hepatitis B. Hepatitis C can be transferred through blood and sexual contact with an infected person. Hepatitis C can become a chronic form of hepatitis and eventually lead to cirrhosis. There is a vaccine for Hepatitis A and B but unfortunately, there is no vaccine for hepatitis C.

Hepatitis A, B and C are familiar names to most people, but there are other ways to get hepatitis. Ethanol, which is found in alcoholic drinks, can cause hepatitis. Alcoholic hepatitis can be mild or severe. People who drink alcohol in excess may also increase their chances of getting hepatitis C. Alcoholic hepatitis does not lead to cirrhosis, but cirrhosis is more common in people, who’ve been drinking alcohol for a long period of time. Some drugs have also been known to cause hepatitis and these include troglitazone, halothane and isoniazid.

In the case of acute hepatitis, there maybe some symptoms to be aware of. These may include feeling tired, having a fever, nausea, poor appetite, pain near the right ribs, skin rash and dark urine. Everyone that has acute hepatitis may not notice any symptoms. When it comes to chronic hepatitis many people have no symptoms at all. A major symptom of chronic hepatitis is jaundice, but unfortunately, if jaundice occurs, it means the disease has gotten worse.

The best way to prevent hepatitis is try to avoid being exposed to it. This may include avoiding places that are unsanitary and also reducing contact with people who may be drug users. Always perform good hygiene. If there’s sexual contact, make sure the other person isn’t infected. And if there is a high risk of being infected, be sure to get vaccinated against hepatitis A and B.

Getting any disease is scary, but hepatitis can be more traumatic because you might not show any symptoms of having it. Plus, people are in contact with each other on a daily basis, so if you did catch the disease, you may have no idea where it came from. The best anyone can to do, is to keep their bodies clean and to hope that other people are doing the same.

Click here for more information on Hepatitis C

Share and Enjoy:
  • Digg
  • Sphinn
  • del.icio.us
  • Facebook
  • Mixx
  • Google Bookmarks
  • StumbleUpon
  • Twitter
  • Reddit
  • Posterous
  • Faves
Posted in Health, hep c info, hepatitis c, hepatitis c articles, hepatitis c info | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off

Epidemiological Analysis on Hepatitis C Virus

Posted on June 21, 2011 by admin

By

Historical perspective of Hepatitis C virus

According to the National Center for Health Statistics (2006) Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is the most common chronic blood borne viral infection in the United States; about three times as many people are carrying hepatitis C virus as are infected with HIV. First identified in 1988, HCV is the causative agent for what was formerly known as A and B hepatitis, and is estimated to have infected as many as 242,000 U.S. citizen’s annually during the 1980′s. Since 1989, the annual number of new infections has declined by more than 80 percent to approximately 41,000 by 1998. A national survey (the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey [NHANES III]) of the civilian, non-institutionalized U.S. population found that 1.8 percent of U.S citizen’s (3.9 million) have been infected with HCV, of whom most (2.7 million) are chronically infected with HCV (National Center for Health Statistics, 2006). While new infections are declining steadily, the prevalence of liver disease caused by HCV is still rising due to the time lag between the onset of infection and clinical manifestations.

Hepatitis C may be the most lethal disease never heard about. Partly due to the time lag between the onset and the infection often causes no symptoms for decades. Those carrying the virus may never know or unaware they are infected. According to Betsy (2006) for many years, no one knew what was causing a rash of cases of serious liver disease; they could discern only that it was different from hepatitis A and B, which are acquired differently and usually are less serious, so it was called A and B hepatitis. The virus evaded detection until 1989, when scientists employed innovative techniques to find it. Even now, it is very difficult to study and only last year in 2005 were scientists able to grow it in a lab (Betsy, 2006).

Risk factors for infection

Hepatitis C cannot be transmitted for example, by hugging, shaking hands, or sharing glasses or utensils. The people that are most at risk for HCV transmission are intravenous users, individuals with a history of tattooing or body piercing, cocaine users, or long-term sex partners of HCV- positive patients-or even persons with a history of multiple sex partners. People with the disease should not share their toothbrushes or razors, which might carry minute amounts of blood. According to the Center for Disease Control (2006) the rate of sexual transmission is low, especially for people in monogamous relationships, it does rarely happen. The common risk factor during sexual contact is unprotected sex with multiple partners. While other types of exposures are more likely to transmit HCV (e.g., transfusion from an infected donor), they account for a smaller proportion of infections because of the relatively small proportion of the population in whom these exposures have occurred (Center for Disease Control, 2006). Although the risk for transmitting HCV infection through sexual intercourse is low, sex is a common behavior in the general population which may heighten the risk of transmission

According to the National Center for Health Statistics (2006) prior to the mid-1980′s there was a 7 percent to 10 percent risk hepatitis C from blood transfusion. This risk declined by more than 50 percent between 1985 and 1990 as a result of implementation of blood donor screening for HIV and surrogate testing for hepatitis C. In 1990, specific donor screening for HCV was implemented and by 1992 the risk of HCV infection from a unit of transfused blood was reduced to one in 100,000. As of 2001, the risk of HCV infection from a unit of transfused blood is less than one per million transfused units (National Center for Health Statistics, 2006).

Other risk factors that are associated with HCV infection are; clotting factor concentrates, which are plasma-derived products used to treat individuals with hemophilia, employment in the health care field, and birth to an HCV-infected mother. The use of virus inactivation procedures has reduced the risk of transmission HCV through plasma derived products. Currently, all immune globulin products undergo a virus inactivation procedure or test negative for HCV prior to release.

Treatment of Hepatitis C

The New York City Department of heath and Mental Hygiene (2006) suggest the ultimate goal of treatment for HCV is sustained virologic response (SVR), which is associated with a decreased risk for liver related death and overall mortality. The treatment of choice for infected patients is the combination of paginated interferon and ribavirin. Pegylated interferon is administered subcutaneously; ribavirin is taken orally (NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, 2006). Adverse effects associated with treatment may result in patient having flu like symptoms early in treatment, depression, fatigue, concentration and memory disturbances, retinal disturbance. Because the available medication can cause serious adverse events, patients may choice not to purse pharmacologic therapy with their health care provider. Another aspect that is prevalent in the progression of HCV is the consequences of chronic liver disease from hepatitis C do not become apparent until 10 to 20 years after infection, which makes it difficult to implement strategies to prevent the spread of HCV.

Surveillance implications

The National Center for Health Statistics (2006) suggests surveillance is essential to determine the effectiveness of national, state, and local hepatitis C prevention efforts. However, surveillance for hepatitis C is complicated by the absence of a laboratory test that can differentiate newly acquired infections from infections acquired in the past. Although acute hepatitis (i.e., clinical illness) is reportable in all states, only a few states conduct surveillance for acute cases of hepatitis C to monitor disease incidence. However, approximately 30 states have requirements for reporting of HCV positive laboratory tests, most of which represent persons with resolved or chronic HCV infection (National Center for Health Statistics, 2006). The major surveillance in uses by the CDC is the NHANES III and sentinel surveillance study. NHANES III identified the high prevalence of HCV infection in the United States. The intensive sentinel surveillance conducted in 6 counties is another surveillance done by the CDC for chronic liver disease to determine trends in chronic hepatitis C. Estimates of HCV infection incidence primarily depend on data from the Sentinel Counties Study. Fos and Fine (2005) indicate sentinel surveillance targets selected sites. Collected data are used to provide impact assessment of intervention strategies and in-depth study of demographics and behavioral aspects of the population (Fos & Fine, 2005 p.151). Surveillance programs from an epidemiological prospective help to enhance understanding of the natural history of HCV infection, monitor national trends in chronic hepatitis C, and provide estimates of the contribution of HCV infection to chronic liver disease in the United States. The surveillance of HCV ultimately serves to continually monitor the conditions that increase the risk of transmission.

Morbidity of Hepatitis C

According to the National Association of County and City Officials (2006) currently there are an estimated four million U.S. citizen’s infected with Hepatitis C (HCV), eight to ten thousand of whom die each year from the disease. Further, the cost of HCV is estimated to be more than $600 million per year in medical and work-loss expenses (National Association of County and city Officials, 2006). The dilemma for health care professional is clear, due to the lack of a fast progression of the disease and the association with liver disease it is very difficult to medically manage the disease and prevent infection. The Center for Disease Control (2006) indicates, about 15 percent to 25 percent of persons with acute hepatitis C resolve their infection without further problems. The remainder develops a chronic infection and about 60 percent to 70 percent of these persons develop chronic hepatitis. Cirrhosis of the liver develops in 10 percent to 20 percent of persons with chronic hepatitis C over a period of 20-30 years, and hepatocellular carcinoma (liver cancer) in 1 percent to 5 percent (Center for Disease Control, 2006).

HCV impact on health care organizations and providers

HCV pose a problem for health care organizations and providers. It is almost a stealth disease and tracking the incidence of HCV is nearly impossible. There are no reliable clinical or laboratory markers for acute HCV infection. The Center for Disease Control (2006) indicates symptoms are lacking or non-specific in at least 80% of newly infected patients, anti-HCV antibody appears only months after exposure, and HCV-related chronic liver disease develops insidiously and take decades to present (Center for Disease Control, 2006).

Knowledge about hepatitis C is complex and rapidly evolving. Because hepatitis C was only recently described, health care professionals are often not aware of current information concerning diagnosis, medical management, and prevention of this disease. Feather more the Center for Disease Control (2006) indicates there are no federal funding available to support nationwide establishment of hepatitis C counseling and testing services at the state or local level. In response to this lack of federal funding, a number of state and local health departments have funded hepatitis C counseling and testing projects (Center for Disease Control, 2006). Most of these local programs have relied heavily on technical support and materials developed by the CDC.
Because there are not enough funds and specialists to care for everyone infected with HCV, much of the care for these patients is shifting to primary care providers. According to the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (2006) when a patient is diagnosed with chronic HCV infection, the primary care provider is involved in the initial stages to counsel, take further diagnostic and screening tests, and vaccination. If the primary care providers are aware of the most current pharmacologic recommendations then they may initiate therapy on the patient (New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, 2006). The primary care providers must have the ability to screen, diagnose, and care for HCV infected patient or be able to refer those patient to a specialist.

Conclusion

The questions that most providers must answer when treating and planning strategies for HCV are; how to identify risk groups? Who should be tested? Clearly those who have received tainted blood or blood products and injection drug users are the main groups. But what about those with a history of tattooing or body piercing, cocaine users, or long-term sex partners of HCV- positive patients-or even persons with a history of multiple sex partners. Apply epidemiological data to assess the trend in HCV is vital in developing strategies for health care organizations. One of the many drawbacks in HCV is there can be a lag in time between the onset of infection and clinical manifestations. Individuals who have the disease may seek clinical services late in the progression of the disease. Using epidemiological data and surveillance monitoring as indicators may serve to identify current trends in HCV. The knowledge that is acquired by current epidemiological concepts can be use by health care organizations to implement prevention planning for those individual who are affected and infected with HCV.

Click here for more information on Hepatitis C

Share and Enjoy:
  • Digg
  • Sphinn
  • del.icio.us
  • Facebook
  • Mixx
  • Google Bookmarks
  • StumbleUpon
  • Twitter
  • Reddit
  • Posterous
  • Faves
Posted in hep c info, hepatitis c, hepatitis c articles, hepatitis c info, hepatitis c information, liver disease | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off

Hepatitis C Complications: Chronic Hepatitis C

Posted on February 14, 2011 by admin

by Groshan Fabiola

Of all hepatitis types, hepatitis C is at the top of the list when liver damage is concerned. We can safely say that the hepatitis C virus is the most important cause of liver problems in many countries. If the acute hepatitis case caused by the hepatitis C virus lays somewhere between ten and fifteen percent, the chronic hepatitis caused by this virus is somewhere at seventy percent of all hepatitis cases caused by this virus.

Hepatitis C, especially chronic hepatitis is a very serious condition that can even lead to death. Liver damage, cancer and liver failure are some of the things that can result if you have chronic hepatitis. The number of people that die from hepatitis C is astonishing. Unlike the other hepatitis types, hepatitis C is known for causing chronic liver problems that may even last a lifetime. Almost eighty percent of the people that have hepatitis C will actually develop a chronic infection of their liver.

People that suffer from hepatitis C can have very different courses of their disease. There are many hepatitis C patients that have no signs of hepatitis and their blood test results come out fine, despite the fact that they actually are infected with the hepatitis C virus. If the doctor uses a biopsy to determine how much damage to the liver the hepatitis virus has done, the results are amazing. There is a mild injury and the overall prognosis is good. These people are the fortunate ones when it comes to hepatitis C. On the other hand, there are the hepatitis C patients who have severe symptoms and their liver is in a bad condition. These people have high levels of the hepatitis C virus in the serum, their other hepatitis testes come out very bad. These hepatitis patients will ultimately suffer from cirrhosis and suffer from liver cancer. There is also the case of the hepatitis patients that have a few signs or symptoms of the infection with the hepatitis C virus. Their test to detect the hepatitis virus are inconclusive and the prognosis is very uncertain.

Chronic hepatitis C is a disease that can lead to chirrosis, cancer and even liver failure. The number of people that suffer from chronic hepatitis C and will develop cirrhosis is about twenty percent of all the hepatitis C patients. However, this is a long process, that lasts about ten years at least.

Share and Enjoy:
  • Digg
  • Sphinn
  • del.icio.us
  • Facebook
  • Mixx
  • Google Bookmarks
  • StumbleUpon
  • Twitter
  • Reddit
  • Posterous
  • Faves
Posted in hep c info, hepatitis c, hepatitis c articles, hepatitis c treatment, liver disease | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments Off

Causes Behind Development Of Hepatitis B&C

Posted on February 11, 2011 by admin

by Amit Kothiyal

Hepatitis is one of the prominent health problems. Many illnesses and conditions can cause inflammation of the liver, for example, autoimmune Hepatitis. Hepatitis is most often viral, due to infection with one of the hepatitis viruses (A, B, C, D, and E) or another virus (such as those that cause infectious mononucleosis, cytomegalovirus disease, or yellow fever). The main non viral causes of hepatitis are alcohol and drugs.

Hepatitis B virus: is a rigorous disease caused by a virus that harms the liver .It is commonly known as hepatitis B virus (HBV).It also called as serum hepatitis. It can cause a wide number of symptoms ranging from general malaise to lifelong infection, cirrhosis of the liver, liver cancer, liver failure, and death. HBV spreads by contaminated body fluids, such as blood, saliva, semen, vaginal fluids, tears, and urine, an infected blood transfusion, shared infected needles or syringes for injecting drugs, sexual activity with an HBV-infected individual, and transmission from HBV-infected mothers to their newborn infants.

Hepatitis C virus: is one of the common liver disease caused by a virus known as HCV(hepatitis C virus) .Infection with the hepatitis C virus can cause chronic liver disease and is the leading reason for liver transplant . HCV is spread by direct contact with an infected person’s blood, getting a tattoo or body piercing with non sterilized tools, sharing drug needles, sexual contact with infected person.

Treatments
An antiviral agent called interferon is prescribed by the doctors if hepatitis B persists.
Hepatitis C is cured with a combination of pegylated interferon alfa-2b and ribavirin.

Share and Enjoy:
  • Digg
  • Sphinn
  • del.icio.us
  • Facebook
  • Mixx
  • Google Bookmarks
  • StumbleUpon
  • Twitter
  • Reddit
  • Posterous
  • Faves
Posted in hepatitis c info, hepatitis c information, liver disease | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off