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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Are the new treatment drugs appoved for Genotype 2B which is not what most American have>
Hepatitis C is epidemic in many prisons and prisoners are not receiving treatment. I have read that some prisoners have sued trying to get medical treatment and some have died waiting for their case to go through the system. Evidently, the inmates are not getting treatment because of the cost. I know this is a population that doesn't get much sympathy but they are in a situation where neither they nor their families can do anything about securing treatment.
This is personal for me. My son is an inmate at a prison in Arizona. He was recently diagnosed with hepatitis C. He certainly is not getting the treatment described on your show. My son is imprisoned because of repeated shop lifting (to support his drug addiction). I fear that he may have been given a death sentence if his hepatitis C is not treated. How many men, especially the many young Black men in prison, are going to die.
I know you just did a program on hepatitis C, but I would suggest a program on the medical care of prisoners in general. It is a disgrace!
Free to all -
Hepatitis C and B Screening Test
Every Tuesday in October 2012
from 10 AM to 12 Noon
Frederick County Hepatitis Clinic
350 Montevue Lane, Frederick, MD 21702
301-600-3343
The Frederick County Hepatitis Clinic, Inc. (FCHC) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that has been in operation for 12 years. It provides support, screening, treatment and advocacy for the uninsured and under-insured.
The FCHC is an independent 501(c)3 organization and NOT an employee or representative of the County.
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Clinical trials are constantly on-going in an effort to treat this disease, wihich would lessen the grueling side effects of the current drugs and make it more affordable and effective. I think you would be surprised to learn more people have Hep C and just don't know it. It 's generally a slow moving disease and can go for years w/o noticeable sypmtons some symtoms can mimic other conditions as RA, migraine headaches, fatigue, memory loss etc.. EDUCATION, awareness and compassion are the key. If it was your family member or best friend had it, would cost or politics matter?
Just my 2 cents ,I've been dealing with this stigma for over 20 years..
MJ
Did you grow up in rural areas back in the 60's when the country doc came with the black bag , came to your home and gave you a shot?
Did you work in the healthcare setting?
Did you ever get a transfusion before 1992? Did you get a tattoo before then.
Many years ago they called it NON A NON B..
Did you roll up a dollar bill and you fill in the blank.
You may not realize before the HIV alarm went off in 84 there weren't the stringent protcols in place for blood borne pathengene control ..sterlization, disposal products, glove use etc..
MANY of the pharmaceutical companies offer FREE financial $$ assistence for Hepattis C treatment, just google it...
Pegalated intferon ,Ribavirin and Incivek.. triple threpy is the currant standard in the US.. This is a very effective treatment but it does come with of side effects.. Education ..AWARENESS... let the STIGMA go..
As I mentioned earlier to a reply there are continuous on-going clinical trials to help lessen the costs and side effects , there is hope ..
MJ
So many great comments and questions. I enjoyed participating in the show, but it breaks my heart that I can't answer all of your questions!
Here are some excellent resources:
www.hcvadvocate.org
www.hepcchallenge.org
Help4hep.org (they run a help line too @ 877-435-7443)
To the person in Indianapolis: look up Dr. Kwo, hepatologist at the university medical center.
I've had hep C for at least 30 years. went thru the Inerfeon and Ribovarin treatment for 15 months but never cured. every rime I have my blood checked, they say are you sure you have hep C? it seems that I do not show many of the symptoms of the disease, but I do show some. finger and toenails growing abstractly, yellowish fingernails, cannot stand heat or hot days, and cannot tolerate alcohol because of the sweating and loss of breath. Even with these symptoms, most all my blood tests say I'm really healthy, but overweight.
what I want to know is this, what is the cure percentage rate with the new medicine? and, should/could I take the treatment at 60 years of age?
I'm currently under treatment for Hep C, from blood transfusion decades ago that saved my life. My treatment course is Incivek + Interferon + Ribavirin for 3 mos. , then on for 36 remaining weeks with Interferon + Ribavirin. I just found out I'm undetectable at 24 weeks! Struggles with blood levels (white blood count, etc), but controlled with Neupogen. Decided to go through treatment now, rather than waiting for kinder gentler drugs, because of extent of liver damage. If people can afford to wait for newer drugs, time-wise and money-wise, they might consider it. This treatment is more effective but is rigorous and draining, especially the first 3 months. Oddly enough, I had Hep A as a child, so couldn't donate blood. Glad I spared other people from the same fate. Good thing for me, was that my mother taught me very healthy eating habits at that time. She also emphasized exercise. I honestly believe those habits had a huge impact on my general health & postponed the ill effects of the Hep C. Those diagnosed with Hep C, keep up your hope and health. Help is on the way!
BTW, I'm nearly 70. I gave up alcohol when I was diagnosed 5 years ago. I went through Interferon/Ribavirin treatment 4 years ago, and was what I like to call a "partial" responder, though most Docs would have called me a non-responder. I decided to view this new course of treatment as though I was getting ready to particiapte in a rigorous sport, and "go into training" for this round. I upped my exercise and was even more scrupulous in healthy eating etc.
A non-cirrhotic liver can regenerate so if your liver biopsy shows less than level 4, I would seriously consider treatment, with the advice of your doctor. The treatment is rugged, so if you can "go into training" and postpone treatment until the newer, friendlier drugs come on-line, that might be a better option for you. Whether you are able to get through the treatment or not the healthier eating and exercise will help with most of the sympoms of Hep C.
Also, I don't care how someone got Hep C. Treatment seems to me to be a public health issue. We're battling the disease, not the people who got the disease. Those who have discontinued drug use, started living a healthier lifestyle (yes few or no Twinkies and other unhealthy "treats" including fewer soda pops, chips etc, sorry) and who are willing to go through the rigors of treatment have my utmost respect! The fewer people with Hep C, the better for all of us. One thing I'm thrilled with, is now that I am undetectable for Hep C I don't have to worry about transmitting it to other people.
Another point, after I was diagnosed I freaked out. That didn't help. If you can start to relax and realize you can get through this and you probably have more time to deal with this than you think, it will help you physically and mentally. I Hope this helps you guys who have been diagnosed recently or a while ago.
It will take time to get clinical practices geared up to offer hep c testing. Some estimate it may take as long as 10-years to incorporate a new preventive screening!
Rapidly escalating progression of cirrhisis, liver failure, and liver cancer today, and projections that it will quadruple in 5 to 10 years calls for implementation of unconventional approaches (in the context of hep C).
A screening cost of $43 inclusive of pre-test counseling, ordering, blood draw, documentation, post-test counseling and care linkage is cost and resource effective -- and it can be done at a national level. This project, called Health-C launched by nonprofit organization, www.healthpro.us, offers baby boomers convenient, low-cost hepatitis screening (and confirmation of chronic infection) by calling 877-Help-4-Hep (877-435-7443.) Direct access testing is legal in 45 states at 1,600 locations.
Health-C is but one alternative to waiting and hoping the family doctor HAS KEPT CURRENT, orders the right tests, knows how to interpret results, gives clear counsel, and refers into specialty care only as appropriate. There are others as well.
By acknowledging the very real and time consuming challenges of "Putting Prevention Into Practice" ....its never been more clear that myriad non-traditional approaches be explored and deployed rapidly. We don't have a decade left.