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American Medical Association - JAMA - We have decided to post these articles because they confirm the amount of infection this country is just beginning to deal with. These Articles are worth reading. CDC National Center for HIV, STD and TB Prevention Bad Blood, the Hepatitis C Epidemic: Thousands in Florida Infected With Silent Killer of our Generation Florida Times - Union (http://www.jacksonville.com/) (08/24/00) P. Al, Mattson M A hepatitis C virus (HCV) epidemic is underway in the United States. The Florida Department of Health has launched a campaign urging HCV testing for people with risk factors, especially those who received blood products before 1992. Also, starting in October, the state will run a hotline that people can call anonymously to determine whether they should be tested for the virus; qualified individuals will then be mailed a confidential home testing kit free of charge. The number of HCV - infected individuals in Florida is estimated between 270,000 and 500,000. Nationwide, at least 3.9 million Americans are infected with HCV, which is spread through blood-to-blood contact, such as needle sharing and body piercing with unclean instruments. Symptoms can take 30 years to develop, and they include jaundice, liver disease, and mental confusion. Some patients who never used injection drugs contracted the virus from a transfusion, and veterans are also at risk for the virus. While there are vaccines for hepatitis A and B, the development of one for hepatitis C could take years because of its ability to mutate. Treatment for HCV is grueling, consisting of interferon shots and ribavirin pills. Some patients will also require liver transplants to survive. CDC National Center for HIV, STD, and TB Prevention An Even Graver Threat to Public Than AIDS; Many Unaware They
Carry Hepatitis C Millions of Americans have hepatitis C, although most are unaware of their infection. The bloodborne virus, which slowly attacks the liver, will take the lives of an estimated 8000 to 10,000 Americans this year. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's 2000 budget for hepatitis C programs was $12.9 million, including $1.8 million for education. In contrast, the CDC's budget for HIV/AIDS prevention and surveillance was $678 million. In July, households, warning residents about the "silent epidemic" of hepatitis C. However, postal budget cuts at the surgeon general's office and the Department of Health and Human Services prevented the letter from being printed and sent; Satcher urged members of Congress to use their postage funds to send the letter, but many did not. Next year, 15 states will receive a $70,000 CDC grant to hire a hepatitis C coordinator, someone who will develop a hepatitis C prevention and counseling message, work with regional health authorities on reporting cases, and track all cases to determine patient needs. CDC National Center for HIV, STD, and TB Prevention Hep-C Plagues Cons: 75% of Females Infected at Edmonton
Institution for Women Prisoner advocacy groups are alarmed at the high rate of hepatitis C infection being reported in the female prisoner population at the Edmonton Institution for Women in Canada. According to reports, 75% of the inmates at the facility have tested positive for the virus. Prison spokesperson Audrey Hatto said that 12 of the 67 women have tested HIV-positive and 50 have tested positive for hepatitis C. Hatto said the facility is working with prisoners to help handle their disease and avoid further transmission as many will eventually re-enter society. One significant breakthrough for the prison and its efforts has been an upward turn in the number of prisoners volunteering to undergo testing; previously, about half of the women refused to undergo testing. |
