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Hepatitis C

Hepatitis C. Foundation for Faith Based Organizations www.NYCHepBC.org. Goals. To understand the liver and it’s role in the body To understand liver health & disease To understand Hepatitis C: How it is Transmitted The Testing Process Treatment Options Prevention

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Hepatitis C

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  1. Hepatitis C Foundation for Faith Based Organizations www.NYCHepBC.org

  2. Goals • To understand the liver and it’s role in the body • To understand liver health & disease • To understand Hepatitis C: • How it is Transmitted • The Testing Process • Treatment Options • Prevention • Be able to find Hep C Services in NYC

  3. The Liver • Largest internal organ • Central to the body’s functioning • Performs many functions • Filters out and eliminates toxins • Converts nutrients into substances that can be used by the body • Stores vitamins & minerals • Regulates blood clotting, fat & sugar storage • Has the ability to heal or regenerate itself • Depending on how bad the damage is • We can not live without our liver

  4. Hepatitismeans Inflammation of the Liver Major causes of hepatitis • Infections • Viruses (A, B & C) • Or other infections (Amoebas) • Toxic Exposure • Alcohol • Poisons & Chemicals • Some Prescribed, Over the Counter Medications or Vitamins/Supplements • Fatty Liver • Poor Diet & Obesity • Genetics/ Family History More than one type of hepatitis at a time = more stress to the liver

  5. Hepatitis C Transmission • Hep C is a virus • Transmitted through infected Blood→ Blood stream of another person • Percutaneous (i.e., puncture through the skin) • Can live outside of body for 4 days or longer • How do you get it? • Sharing Any Injection Equipment (IDU) • Poor Infection Control • Blood Transfusions or organ donation before 1992, Dialysis • Medical procedures in countries with poor infection control • Other Blood exposure: Shared tattoo or piercing equipment, fighting, sex, sharing razors, inter-nasal drug use equipment or pipes, blood brothers/sisters

  6. Signs & Symptoms of Hepatitis • Liver is known as the “Uncomplaining Organ” • Much of the liver can be damaged without any symptoms • Possible Symptoms are easy to miss • Flu-like symptoms • Fever, chills, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle aches, dehydration • Pain or tenderness under lower right rib • Weight loss, lack of appetite • Extreme Fatigue • Classic signs of liver problems • Jaundice:Yellowing of the skin pigment & whites of eyes • Dark urine, light stools • Distended abdomen – fluid build up in the stomach area

  7. Hepatitis can lead to Liver Damage Steps of Damage & Disease Inflammation Scarring Fibrosis Nodules Cirrhosis Liver Failure * Liver Cancer Liver damage usually occurs slowly over 20 – 30 years Damage can occur faster if there are stresses to the liver

  8. Extreme Fatigue Itching, bruising & bleeding Fluid retention (Ascites & Edema) Cardiovascular Problems Diabetes Liver Cancer Hepatic Encephalopathy Build up of toxins in the brain Can cause confusion, memory fog, mental health issues & coma Liver damage can cause…

  9. Acute & Chronic Infection • Often no symptoms • About 15% of people clear Hep C during the acute Phase • Treatment during acute phase is highly effective • 25% of people who have chronic infection develop liver damage • Often no symptoms for 20 – 30 years until liver damage is severe • Hep C can be treated and cured

  10. People Newly Reported with Chronic Hepatitis C in New York City, by ZIP Code, 2008 and 2009 • Estimated up to 150,000 infected with Hep C in NYC Map shows were new + tests were reported in a 2 year period.

  11. High Risk: Should be Tested • People who have ever injected ANY drugs • Blood transfusion before 1992 • Veterans, especially Vietnam • History of Homelessness • History of Incarceration • HIV+ • Sex with HCV+ partner (blood exchange) • Born in Egypt, Russia, Eastern Europe, China or Pakistan • Other Blood exposure: • Medical procedure in developing country • Tattoo or piercing with shared equipment • Fighting

  12. Hepatitis C Testing: 2 Step Process • HCV Anti-body Test • Test to see if the virus was ever in the body • Window period: 10 weeks – 6 months If anti-body positive = was infected at some time 85% chance of being Infected Now • Confirmatory Test (HCV PCR) • Tests for the actual presence of virus in the body now • Window period: 3 weeks If positive = Infected Now

  13. Hep C can be Treated and Cured! • There is medical treatment available for Hep C • Up to 80% of people can now be cured • Current Treatment: • Weekly Interferon injections with pills taken daily • Challenging side effects • Treatment preparation and support are very important • Future Treatment: • Treatments are rapidly advancing and pill only regimens are likely to be available in the next few years Find Care & Treatment: www.nychepbc.org

  14. Hepatitis C & HIV Co-infection • 25% HIV+ people are co-infected with hepatitis C • Hepatitis C is one of the leading causes of death for people with HIV • When someone has both HIV and hepatitis C • Progression to liver disease is more likely and about 3-4 times faster • Having both conditions makes treatment more complex • HIV/HCV co-infected patients do not respond as well to HCV treatment • Advanced liver disease can make HIV treatment more difficult • Hepatitis C is more easily transmitted sexually when someone has HIV+

  15. Hepatitis C Prevention • You are Never Immune to Hepatitis C • Always possible to get again! • There is No Vaccine to Prevent Hepatitis C • Prevention: Behavioral Only • Harm Reduction & Recovery • Safer Sex • Universal Precautions and Infection Control in Health Care

  16. Basic Liver Health Counseling Messages • Get tested! Early detection can save your life! • Get into care with an experienced and caring liver medical specialist • Inform All medical providers of hepatitis status • Avoid alcohol, smoking & toxins • Be Healthy! • Eat a nutritious diet, low in fat, salt & sugar • Drink water • Exercise • Sleep • Reduce stress

  17. There Is Hope! • Getting tested is easy! • Now finger-prick rapid test – results in 20 mins • Free testing is available • Free testing can be arranged at your organization. • Care & treatment is available and Hep C can be cured! • Up to 80% of people can be cured • Care & treatment save lives

  18. Get Involved www.NYCHepBC.org • Find Hep C Testing & Medical Care sites • Educate your community • See latest Policy & Advocacy Alerts • Join a Patient Support Group • Join the NYC Hep C Task Force • ‘Like’ NYC Liver Health on Facebook

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