Posted in Any & All, Dude talk to the DR. already., Family Members & HCV on March 28, 2007| Leave a Comment »
Living with Chronic HCV daily is frustrating. At least for me it is. Soon I will have another Liver needle biopsy. http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/liverbiopsy/index.htm
Then once again it will be determined at what Stage/Grade I am at and how the Liver itself is dealing with the ravaging of this virus. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Model_for_End-Stage_Liver_Disease
Do you know someone with HCV? Have you been tested?
Posted in Any & All, The Need to KNOW on March 22, 2007| Leave a Comment »
Please know that any and all the above hold risk for the transmission of Hepatitis C.
I myself had 2 tattoos done in 1994. The equipment was clean, ink new and was thrown after I had my tats done.
Piercings, Ear-BellyButton-Lip-Tongue-Eyebrow….all these can leave miniscule bloodlets on equipment and if not properly cleaned, it can be a set up for transmission of any blood borne disease.
Drug Use—-Needles sharing, straw sharing and any other method where someone is snorting or shooting.
Please be aware of any & all transmissions of this virus.
Posted in Any & All, Dude talk to the DR. already., The Need to KNOW on March 22, 2007| Leave a Comment »
Posted in Any & All, Positive & Kindness Sharings. on March 22, 2007| Leave a Comment »
WHAT YOU SEE IS WHAT YOU GET
Life at any time can become difficult.
Life at any time can become easy.
It all depends upon how you adjust yourself to life.
You cannot always control your circumstances.
But you can always think positive thoughts.
The realities of life result from many outside factors,
none of which you can control.
Your attitude, however, reflects the way
in which you evaluate what’s happening to you.
It is not your situation,
it’s your reaction to the situation that’s important.
Things always seem to turn out best for those people
who can make the best out of the way things turn out.
There is nothing either good or bad,
only your thinking makes it so.
(My dearest friend Mindy thank you for this. Mindy is one of the HCV advocates that doesn’t toot her horn. WE do it for her.)
Posted in Any & All, Dude talk to the DR. already. on March 22, 2007| Leave a Comment »
http://www.endonurse.com/hotnews/73h2110121455717.html
American Liver Foundation Urges Cautious Optimism About CDC Report on Declining Hepatitis Rates
NEW YORK — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported that significant decline in the rates of new acute hepatitis infections in the United States in the last 10 years, reflecting the success of hepatitis A and B vaccination programs. The American Liver Foundation wants to highlight these positive results, but remind people that chronic hepatitis B and C are very serious diseases that affect over five million Americans and that the prevalence of chronic hepatitis C infection is actually increasing. This is in response to the article “Surveillance for Acute Viral Hepatitis — United States, 2005,” published by the CDC in their publication Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
Acute, or short-term, infections are more common with hepatitis A and B and less likely to cause serious health problems than a chronic, or long-term, infection. Hepatitis A does not cause chronic infections. Only five percent of all adults infected with hepatitis B develop chronic infection, although 90 percent of infants infected with hepatitis B do develop chronic hepatitis B. On the other hand, hepatitis C becomes a chronic infection for 70 percent to 80 percent of those exposed to the virus.
“I was very pleased to read this report about the decline in acute hepatitis infections,” said James Boyer, chair of the board of the American Liver Foundation and director of the Liver Center at the Yale University Medical School. “But this good news must not let us forget the millions of Americans suffering with chronic hepatitis. Without diagnosis and treatment these people are in serious risk of developing cirrhosis and liver cancer. Much more work needs to be done to combat hepatitis in this country.”
With nearly 2 percent of Americans infected with the hepatitis C virus, the costs of this disease to the healthcare system is severe. A study conducted in 2002 estimated total medical expenditures for people with hepatitis C at $15 billion per year. The projected direct and indirect costs of hepatitis C, if infection rates do not continue to drop significantly, will be $85 billion for the years 2010-2019, as the number of people chronically infected will continue to increase.
Facts about Hepatitis
* There are five distinct types of hepatitis: A, B, C, D, and E. All cause inflammation of the liver.
* The hepatitis B virus is 100 times more infectious than HIV.
* It is estimated that there are 1.4 million Americans with chronic hepatitis B.
* Hepatitis B and C can lead to liver cancer.
* There are vaccines for hepatitis A and B. There is no vaccine for hepatitis C.
* Hepatitis C is the most common bloodborne infection in the United States.
* Almost 4 million Americans, or 1.8 percent of the U.S. population, are or have been infected with hepatitis C.
* Recent studies suggest that approximately 40 percent of the 2.2 million people in America’s prison system are infected with hepatitis C.
Source: American Liver Foundation
Posted in Uncategorized on March 22, 2007| Leave a Comment »
http://www.marketwire.com/mw/release_html_b1?release_id=227550
Hepatitis C Remains Most Common Chronic Systemic Viral Infection in United States: Caring Ambassadors Program Urges Caution in Interpretation of CDC Report
OREGON CITY, OR — (MARKET WIRE) — March 16, 2007 — The Hepatitis C Caring Ambassadors Program issued a statement today urging policy-makers and private citizens not to be lulled into complacency regarding the ongoing hepatitis C crisis in the U.S. The nonprofit advocacy group’s statement was a reaction to the report, “Surveillance for Acute Viral Hepatitis – United States, 2005,” published today by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the “Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR).”
“Hepatitis C is the most common, chronic, systemic viral infection in the United States — by a wide margin,” noted Dr. Tina St. John, Medical Director of the Caring Ambassadors Program. “The MMWR article addresses the incidence of acute hepatitis only, which is rarely seen with the hepatitis C virus. The vast majority of people infected with the hepatitis C virus become chronically infected and many sustain serious, even life-threatening liver damage before the infection is diagnosed. The burden of chronic hepatitis C among Americans, which is not addressed in today’s MMWR article, remains alarmingly high. It is critically important that people recognize chronic hepatitis C is an ongoing, substantial problem for millions of Americans.”
At least 1 in 50 Americans has already been infected with the hepatitis C virus, and CDC’s report indicates that at least 20,000 new infections occur annually. “With 4 to 5 million citizens already carrying the hepatitis C virus, and 50% to 75% of them being unaware that they’ve been infected, we clearly have an ongoing public health crisis on our hands,” noted Hepatitis C Caring Ambassadors Program Director, Lorren Sandt. She added, “We are concerned that today’s MMWR article could easily be misunderstood. Most people are unfamiliar with the differences in the various forms of viral hepatitis. A mistaken sense of reassurance or complacency at this point in the hepatitis C crisis could prove devastating to control and prevention efforts. More — not less — attention and effort are needed to avert thousands of needless deaths due to hepatitis C,” concluded Sandt.
About Hepatitis C
The hepatitis C virus (HCV) is transmitted by blood-to-blood contact. Hepatitis C is currently the leading cause of chronic liver disease in the U.S. and the most common indication for adult liver transplantation. HCV is known cause of liver cancer, the incidence of which more than doubled between 1975 and 1998, and is expected to double again by 2020. Chronic hepatitis C is associated with increased risk for other medical conditions outside the liver including diabetes, kidney disease, lymphoma, and neuropsychological maladies.
About the Hepatitis C Caring Ambassadors Program
The Hepatitis C Caring Ambassadors Program is a division of the national nonprofit public charity, the Caring Ambassadors Program, Inc. (CAP). Hepatitis C CAP is committed to improving the health and longevity of those living with chronic hepatitis C through information, awareness, and advocacy.
Posted in Uncategorized on March 22, 2007| Leave a Comment »
http://www.hcvadvocate.org/news/newsRev/2007/NewsRev-196.html#7
Fluid In Abdominal Cavity Signals Variety of Illnesses
http://www.nj.com/
BY R. KNIGHT STEEL
STAR-LEDGER STAFF
All of us note changes in our appearance as we age. Even if not overweight, we may notice that our abdomen seems to be a little protuberant as we tend to lose muscle strength in our abdominal wall.
A number of organs, including the liver, spleen, pancreas and intestines, as well as a tiny amount of fluid, are found in the abdominal cavity. When the quantity of fluid increases significantly, it is called ascites.
On occasion, there may be so much fluid, the elder has a strikingly protuberant and even tense abdomen. This is not a normal change associated with aging.
There are many causes of ascites, but the most common is cirrhosis, chronic scarring of the liver. Large amounts of alcohol consumed over many years may be responsible. Also, the older person may have become infected with hepatitis C during a blood transfusion decades earlier.
Sometimes, a malignant tumor has seeded the peritoneal cavity, resulting in ascites. The presence of a malignancy may be recognized first when ascites develops, often over a brief period of time.
An infection may cause ascites. An elder may have had tuberculosis that went unrecognized many years previously. After having been quiescent for some time, the bacterium responsible for tuberculosis may seed the peritoneal cavity. It may be associated with other signs of an infection, such as fever.
A number of other diseases may be responsible for ascites. Inflammation of the pancreas may cause fluid to accumulate in the abdomen. Sometimes, this condition is associated with alcohol excess and liver disease, as well. Kidney failure may cause fluid to accumulate throughout the body and may first be recognized by the appearance of ascites. On rare occasions, ascites is caused by low levels of thyroid hormone.
The work-up of ascites begins with a series of questions. A history of blood transfusions or heavy alcohol consumption may point the way to the diagnosis. There may be clues on the physical examination, as well. For example, there may be signs of chronic liver disease, such as reddening of the palms of the hands and striking wasting of the facial muscles. The abdomen may be tender to touch, suggesting acute inflammation. There may be evidence of a malignancy, for example, marked weight loss in spite of an increasing abdomen.
The commonly ordered blood tests may reveal liver disease or kidney failure. If it is not clear if ascites is present, an ultrasound study may be ordered. An abdominal CT scan may reveal changes in the liver and an enlarged spleen, suggesting cirrhosis. If there is doubt as to the cause of ascites, a needle may be inserted into the peritoneal space and some of the fluid removed for study. The white blood cell count in the fluid may be elevated because of an infection and a culture may reveal the organism. A cytologic examination may reveal the presence of tumor cells.
Write to Dr. R. Knight Steel at Hackensack University Medical Center, 30 Prospect Ave., Hackensack, N.J. 07601.
Posted in Uncategorized on March 22, 2007| Leave a Comment »
The hepatitis C virus is produced in the same part of liver cells as the compound that turns into LDL, the “bad” cholesterol, Dallas scientists have reported. That means that drugs that stop the release of the compound that turns into LDL could be useful to treat hepatitis C infections.
SCIENCE BRIEFS
12:00 AM CDT on Sunday, March 18, 2007
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/healthscience/stories/DN-scibrfs_18nat.ART.State.Edition1.4493e24.html
Scientists link hepatitis C virus, LDL production
The hepatitis C virus is produced in the same part of liver cells as the compound that turns into LDL, the “bad” cholesterol, Dallas scientists have reported. That means that drugs that stop the release of the compound that turns into LDL could be useful to treat hepatitis C infections.
In a study released online this week in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, researchers from UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas describe the experiments that showed how hepatitis C virus particles are produced in liver cells. The researchers, led by cell biologist Jin Ye, isolated tiny vesicles from liver cells that contained virus particles in the process of assembling. In those same vesicles, the scientists found substances needed to form VLDL, which turns into LDL when it reaches the bloodstream.
Interestingly, a drug that blocks release of VLDL from liver cells also blocked release of virus particles. The drug, which has been tested in humans as a cholesterol-lowering medication, was never approved because it had bad side effects when given long term, Dr. Ye said.
But, he said, it’s possible that giving the drug short term may be able to thwart hepatitis C infections. Dr. Ye said he and colleagues are in the planning stages of human testing. Other researchers who participated in the study were UT Southwestern’s Hua Huang, Fang Sun, David Owen, Weiping Li, Yan Chen and Michael Gale.
Sue Goetinck Ambrose
Posted in Uncategorized on March 21, 2007| Leave a Comment »
http://www.nyjournalnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070318/UPDATE/703180438
New City Assemblyman Zebrowski dies after struggle with liver illness
By SUZAN CLARKE
THE JOURNAL NEWS
(Original publication: March 18, 2007)
Assemblyman Kenneth P. Zebrowski, who had been hospitalized for a hepatitis C infection, died today at Nyack Hospital.
He was 61.
The New City Democrat’s illness had caused him to miss part of the legislative session.
He underwent a procedure earlier this month to treat the hepatitis, and also was being treated for a blood clot in his leg.
Vince Monte, the chairman of the Rockland Democratic Committee, said he was saddened by the news.
“When he because the current Assemblyman … he quickly spoke out on the floor. He went up there like a seasoned incumbent because of all his experience in the local level and he was very comfortable and he loved being in the Assembly. Quite frankly, I’m going to miss the discussions of politics and government,” Monte said. “I’m really going to miss him, and reminiscing about our time when we came up as young Democrats.”
Zebrowski was elected to the New York State Assembly in 2004 and in 2006.
Before then, he served on the Rockland County Legislature for 21 years, including four years as chairman and two years as majority leader.
Harriet Cornell, the current chairwoman of the county Legislature, called Zebrowski “a force of nature.”
“He knew what he wanted and never gave up,” she said in a written statement. “He was a fierce competitor but also a loyal friend and devoted family man. Few people were as intelligent, articulate or impassioned as he.”
Zebrowski served the 94th District, which includes town of Clarkstown, Haverstraw, and parts of Ramapo.
Read more about this story tomorrow in The Journal News
Posted in Any & All, Dude talk to the DR. already., Family Members & HCV on March 21, 2007| Leave a Comment »
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karing to kare: IN spite of HCV. 
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