Hepatitis C Archives - Health Beat

Baby Boomers Encouraged To Get Hep C Testing

Posted on March 9, 2018 by Radeeb Akhtar, MD MPH

Hepatitis C is a virus that affects the liver. It can be a short-lived infection, however more often; it is a chronic silent disease that leads to liver failure and sometimes liver cancer after many years.

Your risk of being infected with hepatitis C is increased if you:

Were born from a mother with the virus
Received body piercings or tattoos from non-sterile instruments
Had unprotected sexual contact with multiple partners
Received blood transfusions, blood products or organ donations before 1992
Are on long-term hemodialysis treatment
Work in health care or public safety and were exposed to blood through a needle stick
Were treated for a blood clotting problem before 1987
Shared needles, syringes, or other equipment to inject drugs

Baby boomers or people born between the years 1945-1965 are recommended to get tested once, regardless of exposure history or risk. If you were born between these years, please ask your doctor to order this blood test for you.

If you have hepatitis C, a cure can be possible with the appropriate treatments. Recent research has produced new medications that can essentially cure hepatitis C from the blood and liver. These newer medications have few side effects and are usually taken once daily for 8 or 12 weeks for most uncomplicated hepatitis C infections.

Contact your primary care doctor about how to start the process. Once cured, you are likely to regain improved liver function and reduce the risk of liver failure and liver cancer in the future.

If you have concerns about your risk for hepatitis C or have questions about testing and treatment, please call 718-206-6942 to schedule an appointment with a Family Medicine doctor at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center.

Radeeb Akhtar, MD MPH, Family Medicine

All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.

HEPATITIS C

Posted on December 19, 2017 by Joann Ariola

Hepatitis C (HCV) is a disease that infects and causes damage to the liver. It is caused by the hepatitis C virus and is spread from person to person through contact with blood. Over time, this disease can lead to cirrhosis, liver cancer and ultimately, liver failure.

Although hepatitis C is the most common reason for liver transplants in the United States, many people do not know they have the disease until they are donating blood or are diagnosed with liver damage. The symptoms of HCV can take years to present and may include:

Joint pain
Sore muscles
Dark urine
Stomach pain
Yellowing of the eyes (jaundice) and skin
Fatigue
Loss of appetite
Fever
Clay-colored bowel movements

Learning the risk factors of hepatitis C and receiving treatment promptly can reduce the severity of symptoms. Talk to your doctor about getting tested if the following pertains to you:

You were born between 1945 and 1965
You are infected with HIV
You received a blood transfusion or organ transplant before July, 1992
You are having or have had unprotected sex with multiple partners
You are a current or former drug injection user and have shared needles
You work in an environment where you are exposed to blood through a needle stick
You have liver disease or have received abnormal liver test results
You were treated for a blood clotting problem before 1987
Your mother had hepatitis C when she gave birth to you

If diagnosed with hepatitis C, consider seeing a specialist who is trained and experienced in treating patients with your condition. There are several therapies and medications that your doctor may recommend. A complete list of approved medications and treatments for HCV can be found on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s website.

In addition to treatment, your doctor will also advise that you live a healthy life by maintaining a balanced diet, exercising regularly, reducing or eliminating alcohol consumption, quitting recreational drug use, practicing safe sex and getting regular checkups.

Viral Hepatitis “The Silent Epidemic”- How Dangerous is This Disease?

Posted on July 28, 2015 by Xavia Malcolm

The medical community has labeled viral hepatitis, “The Silent Epidemic,” because there are millions of people living in the United States with some form of the disease. What is most alarming is 65% of these people are unaware that they are infected and are unknowingly contributing to the rapid spread of the virus.

Viral hepatitis is characterized by the inflammation of the liver and is most commonly caused by the hepatitis A, B or C virus. Each type of hepatitis has its severities and can develop into chronic or life-threatening conditions, such as liver cancer, liver failure or cirrhosis (scarring and dysfunction of the liver). While the degree of severity may differ with each strain, the advanced symptoms that present themselves are similar.

Symptoms may include:

Dark urine
Diarrhea
Jaundice (yellowing of the skin, eyes and tongue)
Weight loss
Itchy skin
Light colored feces
Muscle or joint pain

Transmission of viral hepatitis differs with each form of the virus.

Hepatitis A Virus (HAV) – Is caused by consuming infected food and water or anal to oral contact during sex. Prevention includes washing your hands with soap and water after using the toilet, drinking bottled or treated water and eating food that has been thoroughly cleaned.

Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) – Is a sexually transmitted disease. HBV is 50-100 times more infectious than HIV. It is spread by contact with bodily fluids such as blood or semen. Prevention includes practicing safe sex, using clean syringes, tattoo or acupuncture needles and not sharing personal items such as razor or toothbrushes.

Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) – Is transmitted by direct contact with the blood of a person who has the disease. Prevention includes covering wounds, not sharing personal effects such as razors, manicure equipment or toothbrushes and using sterilized needles.

It is important for people to know their status and help combat the rapid acceleration of viral hepatitis. Public health organizations such as the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) encourage people to get screened for the disease whether or not they are displaying symptoms. Individuals who are infected should seek treatment and exercise methods to prevent transmission.Health organizations are also increasing their efforts in educating the public about Hepatitis by promoting campaigns during Hepatitis Awareness Month, which is designated as May in the United States.