User talk:CodyC92

Hepatitis C, also known as HCV, is a growing problem among young adults in Missouri. According to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (MDHSS), “The Hepatitis C Virus causes an inflammation of the liver which can result in acute and/or chronic HCV infections”. Unfortunately, many people may not even know they are carrying the virus. The World Health Organization (WHO) has stated that “diagnosis of acute infection is often missed because a majority of infected people have no symptoms. In fact, in many people who have developed HCV, the virus can take on average 4-12 weeks to display noticeable symptoms”. “In 2009, there were an estimated 16,000 acute HCV infections reported in the United States. Of those 16,000 cases, it is probable that approximately 75%-85% of them will develop chronic conditions”. (CDC, 2012) Contraction of HCV occurs mainly from direct blood-to-blood contact. However it can also spread through: unprotected sexual contact; sharing personal items such as razors and toothbrushes; As well as tattooing and body piercings with non-sterile instruments (MDHSS). The most common method of contraction today is through the sharing of needles and/or other instruments used by injection drug users (IDU’s). IDU’s have not always had such an overwhelming lead on the transmission of HCV. According to the CDC (2012), “before 1992, when widespread screening of the blood supply began in the United States, HCV was also commonly spread through blood transfusions and organ transplants”. Although this method of transmission has not been completely eradicated, it has become rare for these recipients to contract HCV. When the virus has infected the body, the best method for curing is early detection. Symptoms, typically experienced by 20%-30% of newly infected, include but are not limited to... - Fever - Fatigue - Dark Urine - Abdominal Pain - Loss of Appetite - Joint Pain However, one problem with these symptoms is that unless they are a consistent issue or become severe, many people will not seek medical attention for them (CDC, 2013). There is also currently no vaccination for HCV, making it even more difficult for public health officials to slow the transmission. Once the virus turns chronic, there is a somewhat bleak outlook on the continuing health of an individual. According to the CDC (2012), “of every 100 persons infected with HCV, approximately - 60-70 will go on to develop chronic liver disease - 5-20 will go on to develop cirrhosis over a period of 20-30 years - 1-5 will die from the consequences of chronic infection (liver cancer or cirrhosis)”. As you can see, once chronic HCV is contracted, the priority of care is in management of the infection so that there are no complications and/or death experienced as a result. If caught in the acute stages, research suggests that the odds are probable to reduce a person’s chances of becoming a chronic case. Ghany, ET AL. (2009), states that “studies using high doses of interferon treatment, for at least 12 weeks, or until serum enzymes normalized, report sustained viral response rates of 83% to 100%. These recovery rates are much higher than the current estimates of natural clearance from the acute infection”. Although these studies show a near perfect recovery rate, natural clearance from acute HCV is by no means uncommon. A strong immune system, paired with a great deal of rest, nutrition and fluids, can sometimes be enough to overcome the infection. If the infection is unnoticed, and progresses into a chronic condition, more steps should be taken to ensure effective management of the disease, “most commonly including antiviral therapy including two medicines, interferon and ribavirin” (CDC, 2012) and “regular monitoring for early diagnosis of chronic liver disease” (WHO, 2013). One of the greatest issues that can be contributed with the growing number of these HCV cases, is that the infection can go years without being noticed. Perceived susceptibility by the general public is greatly underestimated, and there are no guaranteed acute effects, which makes education and prevention of HCV difficult. The CDC (1998) recommends “primary prevention to reduce or eliminate potential risk for HCV transmission from a) blood, blood components and plasma derivatives; b) such high-risk activities as injecting-drug use and sex with multiple partners; and c) percutaneous exposures to blood in health care and other (i.e., tattooing and body piercing) setting”. New research is coming out constantly on HCV prevention, especially in terms of a vaccine. Until then, a push needs to be made in primary prevention techniques to prohibit further increase in HCV. References Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2013).  Hepatitis C FAQS for Health Professionals. 	Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/HCV/HCVfaq.htm#section1 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2012). Hepatitis C FAQS for the Public. Retrieved 	from http://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/C/cFAQ.htm#statistics Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (1998). Recommendations for Prevention and 	Control of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Infection and HCV-Related Chronic Disease. MMWR 47(RR19); 1-39. Retrieved from 	http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/00055154.htm Ghany, M., Strader, D., Thomas, D. Seeff, L. (2009). Diagnosis, Management, and Treatment of 	Hepatitis C: An Update. AASLD Practice Guidelines. Pg. 1360. Retrieved from 	http://www.natap.org/2009/HCV/aasld.pdf Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. Hepatitis C. Retrieved from 	http://health.mo.gov/living/healthcondiseases/communicable/hepatitisc/index.php World Health Organization. (2013). Hepatitis C – Diagnosis. Retrieved from 	http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs164/en/index.html

CodyC92 (talk) 06:03, 6 February 2014 (UTC)