New CDC Recommendations For Hepatitis C
http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2012-09-05/new-cdc-recommendations-hepatitis-c
It is estimated that around 3.2 million Americans are infected with Hepatitis C. Often referred to as the “silent killer,” the blood-borne virus can cause serious liver damage – and even death. Recently, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended that all baby boomers, born between 1945 and 1965, be tested for the virus. These new guidelines are expected to save more than 120,000 lives. While awareness has increased and more treatments have become available, many Americans still don’t know they have it. Diane and guests talk about how to better identify and treat Hepatitis C.
Guests
Dr. John Ward
director of the division of viral hepatitis at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Dr. David Thomas
director of the division of infectious diseases at Johns Hopkins Medicine and former director of the hepatitis C clinic at Johns Hopkins.
Paul Roepe
chemistry and biochemistry professor at Georgetown Medical University and co-director of the Georgetown Center for Infectious Disease.
Martha Saly
director of the National Viral Hepatitis Roundtable.
Comments
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I tested positive in June. My hep c genome type 1 was found in a routine checkup and I have never had symptoms but did have blood products when treated for breast cancer in the early 1980s. Now there is a waiting list for treatment here in Indianapolis. Is that the case everywhere?
I'm a 58 yo male and have just completed triple therapy treatment for Hep C (gennotype 1A) and gladly I'm UND. It was a hard road but I'm optimistic for a Hepatitis free future.
Keny
if you want to get more information this is a great resource: http://hepc.liverfoundation.org/
How reliable is the test for Hep C eg are there false positive results. Thank you.
I contracted Hep C in 1969 and while I show exposure I have developed immunity - confirmed numerous times by physicians. None of my partners have contracted the disease over the years. This should have shown up in their blood test in some way if they are infected. I don't want to alarm these people. Please advise.
My father passed away 23 years ago from this. He went through many experimental treatments at NIH and eventually had to have a liver transplant at VCU. He lived about a year after the transplant, but the disease finally got him in the end. It was dormaint in his body for much of his life before it reared it's ugly head and took his life five years after the diagnosis. I am glad to see more awareness going on.
Hi Diane,
Where in the world is the money going to come from to treat several million people at $100,000 a treatment - especially for a disease that has a 0.25% death rate per year?
Thanks,
Adam
I had Genotype 1a the most common and the least curable! With 24 weeks of treatment on Interferon and Ribavirn I cured Hep C. I recently launched a campaign to educate individuals and and empower people to get tested, and to talk to their providers about treatment. Check out http://www.icuredhepc.blogspot.com and on facebook and twitter : @I Cured Hep C
I am glad you are UND!!! Would you like to share your story to empower others? e mail me at ICuredHepC@gmail.com I just launched a campaign to educate and empower others to know their status on Facebook: I Cured Hep C and at http://www.icuredhepc.blogspot.com
A waiting list for treatment in Indianapolis? That's wrong. I work on HEP C initiatives here in DC. I have some suggestions on how to pay for treatment I can share. E mail me ICuredHepC@gmail.com - thanks!
The tests are very reliable
So sorry to hear of your fathers passing. These are the stories that need to be told to get people tested! Would you mind sharing more of your fathers story? E mail me: IcuredHepC@gmail.com or on facebook at I Cured Hep C - thx!!
There is a political consideration to this recommendation for testing for hep c, or any disease at this time. A positive test result would amount to a preexisting condition which could prevent the ability to obtain insurance coverage for the disease, especially if the Republicans win the Presidential election and are able to repeal or disable the Affordable Care Act.
My Mom contracted Hep C back in 1976 during a hip replacement operation (her first of three!). She was 53 years old. Nothing was ever done for her, no meds, no treatment. She is 89 years old (about to be 90) and no symptoms so far. Should she be tested anyway? Can it go away on its own?
Several weeks ago, when I asked my doctor if I needed to be screened for Hepatitis C (I had my ears pierced by someone in the dorm who used a darning needle), she said that if I donated blood (which I do on a regular basis) that my blood would be tested for Hepatitis C every time I donate.
This would be good information to share with people so that it might save some unnecessary testing if indeed this is correct.
Barbara Lewis
Is blood tested when someone dontes blood? Can blood test negative after contracting Hepatis-C? The reason I ask, is my brother donated blood for several years and the last time he donated (several years ago) his blood tested positve. He works for a city water and sewer dept, but the city does not practice precautions.
I spent last night helping my Partner, who is currently undegoing Chemo Treatment for Hep C. He was violently ill from nausea and diarrhea, accompanied by chills and body aches. This is an ongoing battle as a result of the side effects of the interferon treatments. My question is:
Why is this treatment so violently reactive to the patient taking it, and isn't it a reminder of the 2 old sayings: 1: The Operation was a success, the Patient Died, and 2: Like a Doctor prescribing suicide as a cure for the common cold.
It just seems so amazing to me, that the Doctor who is handling my partners case says that the Chemo MUST continue, despite the violent side-effects.
Any stats on the impacts to blood donation?
My father died of HepC in 2007. He was infected in 1979 with a blood transfusion. He also used interferon and other various drug regimens. He seemed perfectly healthy but he was eventually put on a list for a liver transplant. In Dec 2006, his insurance company switched to Avmed. In Jan 2007, his symptoms began in earnest and the new insurance company made him start all over again with a new slew of doctors. To complicate things, my father was to turn 65 in June, and it was implied that the insurance company was stalling until his birthday when the liver transplant would be covered by Medicare. He was rushed to the hospital in April 2007 and the doctors on staff were ready to give him a transplant, but the insurance company refused to pay unless the surgery was done in a city 5 hours away. Needless to say, he did not survive the 5 hour drive and he had a stroke in transit and was no longer eligible for the transplant. He died 1 month before his 65th birthday.
My community, a small town in Indiana, had an outbreak of Hepatitus A in the early 80's that was spread by my dentist. He did not wear gloves. I had classmates who also went to this dentist who came down with Hepatitus A. I did not get sick; however, is it likely that the dentist who died rather quickly from the disease also spread Hepatitus C?
My community, a small town in Indiana, had an outbreak of Hepatitus A in the early 80's that was spread by my dentist. He did not wear gloves. I had classmates who also went to this dentist who came down with Hepatitus A. I did not get sick; however, is it likely that the dentist who died rather quickly from the disease also spread Hepatitus C?
My community, a small town in Indiana, had an outbreak of Hepatitus A in the early 80's that was spread by my dentist. He did not wear gloves. I had classmates who also went to this dentist who came down with Hepatitus A. I did not get sick; however, is it likely that the dentist who died rather quickly from the disease also spread Hepatitus C?
Hi J Bell, I wouldn't say prevent, rather would use the word complicate. If you test positive for HCV treatments options still exist! Even if you have insurance - for more information you can e mail me at IcuredHepC@gmail.com
Hello:
My name is Dr. Aymin Delgado-Borrego. I am a pediatric hepatologist at the University of Miami. I just wanted to also bring up the issue of children infected with hepatitis C infection. Although the exact prevalence is not known, there may be anywhere between 100,000 to 200,000 children infected with HCV in the United States. As in adults, many of them are unaware of their infection. Most of these children are candidates for treatment and could avoid serious health risks in the future and be successfully treated. Infection at a young age has a number of other potential implications in the young and can certainly affect young individuals impacting their lives in multilple ways. Given the true possibility of eradication of the virus, essentially achieving cure for many, it is crucial that children at risk be recognized. All children of HCV infected mothers should be tested for hepatitis C and followed by a clinicial who has expertise in treating this infection in the young. IN addition, adolescents who engage in high risk behaviors (i.e. illegal substance use) should also be tested and adequatly followed.
Thanks,
anyone gone thru new Incevik tx, added to Ribaviron & Pegalated interferon Tx? If so, how difficult is it?
Hi Katherine,
Yes, that is possible. Especially if the dentist didn't sterilize his equipment after each use. If he was careless enough to not where gloves I would be worried about how careful he was to sterilize his dental equipment.
meant to say if you have insurance or not..
The time is right to be talking about this now. Especially with new interferon free therapies on the horizon and 100 percent cure rates in several phase III trials. Great Show! For more info e mail ICuredHepC@gmail.com
William E Arnold
There are so many new studies out there! I was lucky that my gastroenterologist is involved with this world. Four years ago, I participated in a study that tested the addition of a protease inhibitor ( whatever that is) to the traditional treatment of interferon and rabivarin. It seemed to be working and my viral loan was decreasing - but, sadly, it started to climb up. After six months, I discontinued treatment since it was no longer working. My doctor told me, "Don't worry! There are new studies coming out all the time!" He was right. I am now participating in a new study that tests two drugs with the traditional interferon and ribivarin and in only a few weeks my tests started to come back, Undetectable! I still have 4 months to go (ugh!) but I am so happy that this one seems to be doing the trick. Oh, and, the treatment is FREE to participants. FREE.
I found out I have HepC genotype 1a 2 days before Christmas last year. I was devastated. My doctor treated me like a leopar. Later I learned that I probably contracted it when I had blood transfusions in 1981. I had hemmoraged when my 2nd child was born. I am a wife, mother, grandmother, business person and have done nothing to deserve this stigma. While I am glad you're getting the word out. this program did not help! Can't you do something to let people know that not everyone who has HepC used drugs or was sexually promiscuous? That is what my own doctor accused me of.
My liver biopsy showed stage 2 liver disease. Through holistic treatment many of my symptoms are now in remission. I am on the waiting list for treatment but hope that I will be self cured before then.