HCV-related cirrhosis (with its associated complications, such
as liver cancer) is a major cause of death, although it develops slowly
and occurs only in approximately one-third of HCV-infected patients.
Alcohol can exacerbate HCV infection and the associated liver damage by
causing oxidative stress and promoting fibrosis, thereby accelerating
disease progression to cirrhosis.
This hypothesis is supported by the observa tion that in a clinical
study, an antioxi dant (i.e., vitamin E) that should reduce the
level of oxidative stress improved the liver function4 of patients with
HCV-induced liver damage (Von Herbay et al. 1997).
Alcohol appears to potentiate this inflammatory reaction, because HCV-infected
patients who consumed alcohol exhibited greater inflammation than did
patients who consumed no alcohol (Cromie et al. 1996).
105_statement
The course of illness may be adversely affected by various
factors, especially alcohol consumption.
According to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey of 1988-94
and other population-based surveys, estimates of the incidence and prevalence
of HCV infection have been made.
Liver biopsy can determine the extent of liver injury due to HCV.
Clinicians should be aware of the proficiency record of laboratories performing
HCV RNA testing to ensure test accuracy for their patients.
All patients with chronic hepatitis C are potential candidates for specific
therapy.
However, given the current status of therapies for hepatitis C, treatment
is clearly recommended only in a selected group of patients.
122293
http://www.fda.gov/cber/bldmem/122293.pdf This Memorandum is intended to clarify donor suitability criteria
related to medical history and laboratory testing for viral hepatitis
enumerated in 21 CFR 610.40 and 21 CFR 640.41 (for blood, plasma or serum),
21 CFR 640.3(c)(1) (for Whole Blood) and 640.63(c)(11) (for Source Plasma).
Based on a recommendation of the Blood Products Advisory Committee made
on September 27, 1991, and its own evaluation of the data, FDA announced
its intention to propose amendments to the regulations to permit persons
with a history of viral hepatitis occurring before the age of 11 years
to donate Whole Blood and Source Plasma.
2. (ii) a repeatedly reactive screening test for antibody to hepatitis
B core antigen (anti-HBc) (see reference 2); or (iii) a repeatedly reactive
screening test result for antibody to the hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV)
(see reference 3).
Health
Prevention, screening and treatment guidelines, cost, and disease
burden need to be addressed quickly in American Indian and Alaska Native
health care.
HCV is a viral infection that can damage the liver acutely or become chronic
and damage the liver over the lifetime of the individual.
Many people are at higher risk for HCV infection, including people who
have used injection drugs, people with multiple ual partners, and those
who had transfusions or organ transplants before July 1992.
In Indian communities with existing high rates of alcohol and substance
abuse, HCV poses a substantial danger to many community members.
Recently, screening and testing increased in Indian Health Service (IHS)
facilities, with alarming rates being identified in many communities.
Hepat_BVacc_Decl
http://www.stanford.edu/dept/EHS/prod/researchlab/bio/docs/Hepat_BVacc_Decl.pdf A safe and effective vaccine is available for protection from
Hepatitis B. While Stanford University strongly encourages employees to
be vaccinated, accepting vaccination is not a condition of employment.
This vaccine is available at no cost to the employee.
If you wish to decline the Hepatitis B vaccine at this time, please read
and sign the statement below.
I understand that due to my occupational exposure to blood or other potentially
infectious materials I may be at risk of acquiring hepatitis B virus (HBV)
infection.
Submit the completed form to your supervisor, who will either file the
form (if vaccination is declined) or make arrangements with the medical
provider (853.2970) for vaccination (if accepted).
hcv-facts
Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) is the most common chronic bloodborne
infection in the United States.
These infected individuals often will transmit this disease to others
for a period of up to two decades before chronic liver disease or other
HCV-related complications affect the individual.
HCV has the ability to escape the host's immune surveillance, leading
to a high rate of chronic infection.
Within an average of 50 days (range: 15-150 days), virtually all patients
develop liver cell injury, as shown by elevation of serum alanine aminotransferase
(ALT).
Such fibrosis can progress to cirrhosis, defined as a state of diffuse
fibrosis in which fibrous septae separate clusters of liver cells into
nodules.
myth_hepb
Hepatitis B is a viral infection that causes an acute inflammation
of the liver (hepatitis).
Concern about hepatitis B vaccination arose in France, which until recently
had a large-scale population hepatitis B vaccination program.
Because of the large number of people vaccinated in France, it is possible
that the MS case reports are purely coincidental to hepatitis B vaccination.
Extensive pre-licensure clinical trials of hepatitis B vaccine did not
document MS as a side effect.
In addition, mass immunisation with hepatitis B vaccine in New Zealand,
Taiwan and Alaska has not resulted in any serious adverse events or illnesses
suggestive of MS.
hepa
Hepatitis A (formerly known as infectious hepatitis) is a liver
disease caused by the hepatitis A virus.
Hepatitis A is transmitted by fecal/oral spread.
The symptoms of hepatitis A may include fatigue, poor appetite, fever
and vomiting.
Infants and young children tend to have very mild or no symptoms and are
less likely to develop jaundice than are older children and adults.
The symptoms may appear two to six weeks after exposure, but usually three
to four weeks after exposure.
For how long is an infected person able to spread the virus?
Does past infection with hepatitis A make a person immune?
Hepatitis A vaccine is now available and prevents infection if given at
least two weeks before exposure to the hepatitis A virus.
hepAprev
Hepatitis A is a liver disease caused by the hepatitis A virus.
In the United States, hepatitis A can occur in situations ranging from
isolated cases of disease to widespread epidemics.
Hepatitis A virus (HAV) is found in the stool of persons with hepatitis
A. HAV is usually spread from person to person by putting something in
the mouth that has been contaminated with the stool of a person with hepatitis
A. For this reason, the virus is more easily spread in areas where there
are poor sanitary conditions or where good personal hygiene is not observed.
Three of every four adults who get hepatitis A have symptoms that usually
develop over a period of several days.
tn_1064
http://www.specialtylabs.com/education/download_PDF/tn_1064.pdf 2 mL serum; FROZEN Good response to interferon therapy is indicated
by a decrease in HBV DNA concentrations.
3 mL serum; ambient, refrigerated or frozen All specimens positive for
Hep B Surface Antigen are confirmed by Hep B Surface Ag neutralization.
4 mL plasma EDTA; FROZEN Resistance to Lamivudine appears after 1 year
of treatment in 14-32% of immunocompetent patients (Hepatology 1999;3:349-61).
2 mL plasma, ACD; separated and FROZEN within 4 hours of collection PCR
has higher analytical sensitivity than the branched-chain DNA method (J
Med Virol 1994;43:262-8).
Aid diagnosis of HDV co-infection or superinfection Detection of Hepatitis
G Virus (HGV, also known as GBV-C), a blood-borne, transfusion-transmissible,
non-A---E hepatitis virus, is associated with acute and chronic hepatitis
worldwide.
12001009
1. PURPOSE: This Veterans Administration Health (VHA) Directive
outlines the National VHA Hepatitis C Program, compiles all VHA policies
and programs on Hepatitis C, and outlines facilities' specific requirements
for implementing this program.
During 1999, the VA Allocation Resources Center estimates that 31,937
veterans were in treatment for Hepatitis C, and during the first three
quarters of Fiscal Year (FY) 2000, 27,316 veterans received treatment.
The VHA Hepatitis C Program uses a comprehensive approach emphasizing
clinical care and prevention through testing, counseling, research and
education.
The Hepatitis C Technical Advisory Group is a VA group formed to advise
staff of the Office of Public Health and Environmental Hazards about VHA
Hepatitis C programs, policies, initiatives, clinician and patient education
programs, clinical care, prevention issues, as well as research priorities
for Hepatitis.
