Transcript Faith Based Outreach initiative

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
• Be able to find Hep C Services in NYC
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
Hepatitis means Inflammation of the Liver
Major causes of hepatitis
• Infections
– Viruses (A, B & C)
– Or other infections (Amoebas)
• Toxic Exposure
– Alcohol
– Poisons & Chemicals
– Some Prescribed or Over the Counter Medications
• Fatty Liver
– Poor Diet & Obesity
– Genetics/ Family History
More than one type of hepatitis at a time
= more stress to the liver
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
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
Hepatitis can lead to Liver Damage
Steps of Damage &
Disease
1. Inflammation
2. Scarring
3. Fibrosis
4. Nodules
5. Cirrhosis
6. Liver Failure
* Liver Cancer
Liver damage usually occurs slowly over 20 – 30 years
Damage can occur faster if there are stresses to the liver
Liver damage can cause…
• Extreme Fatigue
• Diabetes
• Itching, bruising &
bleeding
• Liver Cancer
• Fluid retention
(Ascites & Edema)
• Cardiovascular
Problems
• Hepatic Encephalopathy
– Build up of toxins in the brain
– Can cause confusion,
memory fog, mental health
issues & coma
Acute & Chronic Infection
Acute
1st Six Months
of Infection
• Often no symptoms
• About 15% of
people clear Hep C
during the acute
Phase
• Treatment during
acute phase is
highly effective
Chronic
Infection lasting longer than 6
months
• 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
People Newly Reported with Chronic Hepatitis C
in New York City, by ZIP Code, 2008 and 2009
Map shows
were new +
tests were
reported in a 2
year period.
• Estimated 145, 000 infected with Hep C in NYC
High Risk: Should be Tested
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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
Hepatitis C Testing: 2 Step Process
1. 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
2. Confirmatory Test (HCV PCR)
– Tests for the actual presence of virus in the body now
– Window period: 3 weeks
If positive = Infected Now
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
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+
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
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
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
Get Involved
www.NYCHepBC.org
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Educate your community
See latest Policy & Advocacy Alerts
Join a Patient Support Group
Join the NYC Hep C Task Force
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