Hepatitis C (HepCandMe.org)

Hepatitis C Treatment

2009-06-22T08:53:00.000-07:00

Hepatitis C Organizations programs are peer-directed, providing support, skill-development, resources, sexual health and harm reduction information to youth and youth communities.
The AYHRP delivers HEPATITIS C and Harm Reduction workshops to youth throughout the lower mainland and province. This creative and engaging project educates youths through arts-based workshops and cultural activities.

RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Receive on-site HEPATITIS C /AIDS, harm reduction and facilitation training
- Champion the project within HEPATITIS C communities
- Promote and facilitate Youth harm reduction Curriculum to community-based organizations working specifically with youth
- Mentor, supervise and collaborate with AYHRP educator
- Work within and contribute to the Hepatitis C Organizations education team
- Provide flexible programming in response to youth feedback
- Provide project evaluation and reporting requirements
- Update community partners and stakeholders as necessary
- Plan Steering Committee meetings

SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS:
- Excellent organization, coordination and time-management a must
- Eager learner and able to incorporate new teachings
- Ability to work with colleagues and peers demonstrating a high level of professionalism
- Interested in and experience in artistic expression (ex. Painting, drumming, writing, hip hop, graffiti art)
- Personal lived experience in an community
- Minimum two years experience working with youth
- Established skills in group facilitation
- Familiarity with issues related to sexual health, drug use and HEPATITIS C /Hepatitis C within communities
- Culturally comfortable and competent working with groups/organizations/communities
- Experience with planning and organising
- Leadership skills and the ability to take initiative

Hepatitis C Treatement

2009-05-28T14:02:00.000-07:00

Non-Drug Approaches to Hepatitis C Ignored by "Awareness" Campaign
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2000/11/19/hepatitis-c-part-one.aspx
Its all about money over anything.

A Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is examining documents uncovered by The Washington Post, which reported that drug maker Schering-Plough was waging an aggressive campaign to raise awareness of hepatitis in an effort to boost sales of the company's drug, Rebetron. The company's actions may violate FDA regulations.

The drug is considered to be the "gold standard" for treating Hepatitis C, and may violate FDA rules, the Post said. Rebetron treatment costs $18,000 a year.

While regulators encourage companies to support educational campaigns, FDA officials want to know the extent of Schering-Plough's influence and control over information provided by coalitions that were billed as grass-roots organizations, the Washington Post said.

They also report that FDA officials are looking into whether the Madison, NJ - based company may have violated federal advertising rules by billing a marketing campaign as an educational effort.

The Newspaper reported that Schering-Plough paid public relations executives to recruit volunteers, package educational materials and lobby state legislatures to spend more money to treat hepatitis C and raise awareness.

Dr. Mercola's Comments:
No surprise that drug companies would pursue self-serving interests. The only thing that seems to change is that the drugs just keep getting more and more expensive. $18,000 per year is no small piece of change.

What the drug companies will not tell you is that the same amount of money ($18,000) would likely treat far more than 50 people if they used nutritional supplements as an alternative. What would you rather spend $300 in one year or $18,000?

Well, what are the supplements? Lipoic acid at 200 mg three times a day and selenium 200-600 mcg per day seem to be the nearly magic duo. One can also use silmaryin or other herbal products that seem to help the liver.

I first became aware of this regimen by Dr. Burt Berkson. He is an internist and during his training was given several patients who were expected to die from hepatitis C. His job was to merely baby sit them in the ICU and watch them die. He did not do that, but rather called his associate at the National Institutes of Health and used the lipoic acid and these two patients with hepatitis C who were not expected to live more than a few weeks, completely recovered. Dr. Berkson has been lecturing all over the world on this topic since that time. He published a study on this last year.

Hepatitis C Condom Prevention

2009-03-30T13:58:00.000-07:00

Always carry 2 condoms with you, keep them in a safe and dry place.

Want to learn how effective condoms are? Read Condom Effectivness!

You cannot tell whether someone has HIV or hepatitis C by looking at them. People can have these diseases but look healthy and they themselves might not even know that they are infected. A person must believe that anyone he or she associates with could have HIV or hepatitis C. This is difficult because no one ever thinks that anyone they know would have these diseases. Or, a person might think that they are safe because they live in a particular community or region of the country – they might think that there is no HIV or hepatitis C in their community therefore, they are not at risk.

Hepatitis C Clinical Trial

2009-01-30T06:59:00.000-08:00

Have you, or someone you know, been diagnosed with Hepatitis C Infection? if you are between 18 and 55, you may be eligible to take part in a research study looking at the ability of an investigational drug to treat Hepatitis C Infection. In addition to receiving this investigational drug, you will also receive 2 other drugs currently approved by the FDA for the treatment of Hepatitis C infection. If you qualify for this study, all study related exams, laboratory tests and medications will be provided at no cost. Participation in a research study is completely voluntary and you can leave the study at any time. Please call 832-355-8966 Advanced Liver Therapies at St. Luke's/Baylor Clinic to find out if you qualify to take part in this research study looking at the ability of an investigational drug to treat Hepatitis C infection.

Video on Hepatitis C, Hep C.

2008-12-30T08:33:00.000-08:00

Here is a great video on what to do when you discover you have Hepatitis C. If you have Hep C, watch this video to learn more.

Need a Free Anonymous Hep-C Tests?

2008-11-19T06:13:00.000-08:00

I work for the local HIV/AIDS Foundation here on Hawaii and can provide Free, Anonymous and Needle Free HIV testing in our office or out in a community setting of mutual agreement. I can also do Hepatitis-C Screenings. Email me if you are interested in getting tested or just looking for additional information reply via email john@hihaf.org.

I also read that other HIV/AIDs Foundations throughout the United States and Health Departments in your city or county will sometimes offer free Hep-C test. Simply give them a call.

Hep C Study in California

2008-10-30T07:10:00.001-07:00

They are offering payment for the study so please make sure you have them explain exactly what is required for payment.

Have you been diagnosed with Hepatitis C and currently not receiving treatment?

We are looking for:
- men and women between the ages of 18 - 65
- Women MUST BE post-menopausal or surgically sterile
- You must be in otherwise good health and have had a liver biopsy or willing to have one.

All free and confidential. No insurance necessary.

If interested, please contact us at 310-289-8242, or to register online click here. You can also email recruitment@impactla.org.

Impact Clinical Trials
8500 Wilshire Blvd ste 700
Beverly Hills, CA 90211
310-289-8242

Texas Hepatitis C Support Group and Liver Disease

2008-06-25T08:53:00.000-07:00

A friend of mine wanted to post this for him.

Our purpose is to support those with Liver Disease and their supporting family members and friends. We meet on the Second Thursday of the month at 6:30 PM. More information can be found at www.ldsgofw.com

Our meeting place is the Patient Care Center of the University of North Texas Health Science Center. The meeting room is on the Second Floor. The most convenient parking is on the West side of Montgomery across from the Building.
The address of the building is 855 Montgomery Street (76107).

To get to the building, starting at Interstate 30, Exit Montgomery Street. and go North approximately 1.2 Miles to 855 Montgomery Street. You will cross through several lights, the last being Lancaster and Camp Bowie (near the Omni Museum). If you need last minute instructions, (OR IF THE DOOR IS LOCKED!) call Mike Wallace's Cell phone at 817-907-6115.

Our monthly meetings are educational sessions designed to enable you to learn the skills necessary to live with your illness and to lend support. This includes getting information such as; the latest treatments, side effect management, stress reduction, nutritional information and most importantly support from people who have experience with Liver Disease, that care about you.

OUR NEXT 2008 MEETING DATE IS THURSDAY, JULY 10th AT 6:30pm to 8:00pm.

Meeting is FREE.

Contact Mike Wallace to be added to the Email notification list @ 817-907-6115 (Cell Phone)

Free Medicine for Hepatitis C

2007-10-26T05:02:00.000-07:00

Found this on Craigslist, thought I would share.

Proven holistic approaches to help you feel better, healthier and stronger:
•Acupuncture
•Chinese herbal medicine
•Dietary modification
•Nutritional supplementation
•Specialized types of exercise and breath work.

Advantages and expected benefits of these complimentary medical practices:
•Frequently viral loads drop to undetectable levels
•Liver inflammation will be controlled and liver functions normalized (i.e., lowering ALT)
•Microcirculation within the liver is improved to promote regeneration
•Prevention and in many cases the reversal of existing fibroses
•Related symptoms (e.g. fatigue, insomnia, joint pain, skin rashes, etc.) can be treated at the same time, improving your overall quality of life
•May be used alone or in addition to conventional western medical treatments
•Extremely safe, typically with no side effects

For more information:

http://compassionate-arts.com/clinicservices.html

Please call to set up an initial appointment in my Arlington office and discuss how we may begin to improve your health today.

Steven Cardoza, M.Sc., L.Ac.
781-648-9839

Can't afford medication for your Hepatitis C treatment?

2007-09-12T05:04:00.000-07:00

We may have a clinical research trial that may be of interest to you.

If you have Hepatitis C/ Genotype 1 and you are newly diagnosed in need of treatment or you are not responding to your current treatment please call us at 727-835-3261 for more information.

The Advanced Research Institute, is dedicated to conducting the highest level of clinical research while providing quality patient care, preserving patient dignity, and maintaining patient’s rights.

ARI offers highly sophisticated services and equipment to conduct and support clinical trials with hopes of improving health care. Please visit our website at www.advancedresearchinstitute.net for up to date information and location.

We are conducting research trials for the following indications:

Anal Fissure
Bladder Cancer
Bladder Outlet Obstruction
Diabetes
Endometriosis
Erectile Dysfunction
Gout
Heavy Mentrual Bleeding
Hepatitis C
Hormone Refractory Prostate Cancer
Hypertension
Interstitial Cystitis
Male Hot Flashes
Women's Hot Flashes
Premature Ejaculation
Prostate Cancer Treatments (including metastatic)
Stress and Urge Incontinence
Ulcerative Colitis
Urinary Tract Symptoms

PROCEDURES PROVIDED:
New Investigational Treatment
Study Related Physician Visits
Study Medication

TESTING(may include)

EKG
LAB WORK
EYE EXAMS
CT SCAN
BONE SCANS
X-RAYS

POSSIBLE COMPENSATION FOR TIME AND TRAVEL

We work with approximately 15 area physicians who are all board certified and have been in practice for many years in the surrounding areas.

We are located on the West side of Little Road 1/4 mile north of SR 54. Please call Gabby or Keeley at 727-835-3261 for more information.

ADVANCED RESEARCH INSTITUTE
SEVEN SPRINGS MEDICAL PARK
3633 LITTLE ROAD
SUITE 103
NEW PORT RICHEY, FL 34655
727-835-3261
www.advancedresearchinstitute.net

Trial Suggests New Drug Could Cut Hepatitis C Treatment Time

2007-04-16T07:00:00.000-07:00

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc has released early results of a trial on new hepatitis C drug telaprevir that suggest it could significantly reduce the treatment time for the disease.

The planned interim results of the PROVE 1 clinical trial on telaprevir were announced at Barcelona on Saturday at the 42nd Annual Meeting of the European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL).

PROVE 1 is the first trial to evaluate short-duration treatment using the investigational hepatitis C protease inhibitor telaprevir (TVR or VX-950) with pegylated interferon (peg-IFN) and ribavirin (RBV) in genotype 1-infected hepatitis C patients who have not received treatment for hepatitis before.

The trial showed a high rate of rapid viral response (RVR) in patients treated with telaprevir, and a low rate of on-treatment viral breakthrough, and suggests that some patients can be cleared of the virus with 12 weeks of telaprevir-based therapy.

Telaprevir is a joint development between global biotech company Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc and Tibotec Pharmaceuticals Ltd, of Cork, Ireland.

Dr John McHutchison, Principal Investigator of the PROVE 1 study and Director of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Research at Duke Clinical Research Institute, based in Durham, North Carolina, US, said:

"The high rates of RVR observed in the telaprevir groups in PROVE 1, and the fact that some patients have remained persistently viral negative 20 weeks after stopping the 12 weeks of telaprevir-based therapy, suggest that we may be able to shorten the treatment duration in genotype 1 HCV patients."

He suggested there is a strong possibility that high sustained viral response (SVR) rates could be achieved with treatments lasting 24 weeks.

"We look forward to 24 week follow-up data from the initial group of patients who stopped treatment at 12 weeks, and follow-up data from patients in the study who received 24 weeks of treatment," he added.

Adverse reactions caused 11 per cent of the 175 patients given telaprevir-based therapy to discontinue treatment, compared with 3 per cent in a placebo group. Symptoms of adverse events that led to discontinuation included rash, gastrointestinal problems and anemia.

The effectiveness and duration of current treatments for Hepatitis C is largely determined by the genotype of the virus.

The Hepatitis C virus has been evolving over thousands of years and has 6 genotypes and many subtypes. Their distribution varies throughout the world. Genotype 1b is the most common in Europe, followed by 2a, 2b, 2c and 3a. In North America genotype 1a is the most common, followed by 1b, 2a, 2b, 2c and 3a. Genotypes 4 and 5 are mostly found in Africa.

Genotypes 1 and 4 are not as responsive to treatments based on interferon compared with the others. Interferon treatment for genotypes 1 and 4 takes nearly a year, whereas it takes just under 6 months to treat genotypes 2 and 3 with the drug.

According to the World Health Organization, the Hepatitis C virus is a major cause of acute hepatitis and chronic liver disease, including cirrhosis and liver cancer.

It is estimated that 170 million people throughout the world are chronically infected with Hepatitis C (9 million in Europe), with 3 to 4 million new infections a year worldwide.

Hepatitis C is spread mostly by direct contact with human blood as a result of blood transfusions and re-using non-sterilized needles and syringes.

Source: Medical News Today

Hepatitis Hair Loss

2007-03-19T06:47:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone!!!!!

Boy am i stressing, I am a 43 year old male who finished treatment a month ago. I have type 2b and did the interferon/ribo treatment. I am having a huge issue with my hair. Didn't really seem to loose much on treatment, but now it seems like it is really thinning out. I am noticing some bald spots all of a sudden, also and the texture is also changing. My questions to the group are this....

Why is my hair falling out now and how long can I expect this to continue for after treatment???? And secondly, is their a good chance that it will grow back????

Please help

--------------------------

I'd say Greyhackles' take on "timing" sounds about right. I completed 48 weeks in late November (four months post tx now) and my hair did not start falling out right away, it took a while. I have very long hair, and prior to treatment a rubber band only went around my ponytail twice. Now it goes around the ponytail 6 times, so that gives you an idea how much hair I started with and how much I lost.

In the months since tx ended, the hair loss did NOT stop right away, but continued. Once the hair loss began in earnest, "It was normal" for me to run a brush thru my hair, hold it up to look and there would be something I'm guessing like 30 - 40 long hairs flying in the wind. My hair came right out from the roots. No doubt there was breakage as well, but mostly I noticed the long, full length hairs :( Many people
seem to cut hair and go short for the duration of tx but I chose to keep it long, because short is MORE work for me (curly hair - not a pretty sight upon arising in the morning) Leaving it long allowed me to keep it in ponytail, much less work and anything that was less effort for me was A-OK.

The good news - just this past week, I was brushing my hair and upon lifting my bangs, realized that new hair is growing in finally! Yeah! If I lift my bangs, I can see a thin fringe of new down along the hairline, about half an inch long. But I don't think it fell out in "patches" tho there were a few times when, trying to comb it out after washing, that there were little "clumps" that pulled right out.

Texture change seems to be a common complaint - ie from thick and curley to thin and wispy, but people seem to agree that when it grows back, for most folks, it grows back normally. Now if only my bones and muscles would quit aching constantly, I'd really be on my way ;)

Source: Hepatitis C Newsgroup

More Hair Loss and Hair Removal Information at: Hair Removal Chat

Living with Hepatits C

2007-03-15T06:42:00.000-07:00

Good Nutritional Guideline for Hep C

Nutrition Care Guideline
www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/hepc/hepatitis_c/pdf/nutritionCareGuidelines/

Wanted to post the contributers for such a wonderful job:

Many people have contributed to the development of these guidelines and deserve recognition for their time, effort and dedication.

Dietitians of Canada sincerely thanks the members of the national advisory committee for their expert advice and guidance. We also thank the organizations involved in the project, as well as the expert reviewers who provided valuable guidance on the technical and practical aspects of the guidelines.

Production of the guidelines would not have been possible without the insights of those who participated in the key informant interviews for the needs assessment. We are also grateful to the participants in the focus groups conducted to test and refine the patient education material.

National Advisory Committee

Renée C. Crompton, M.Sc., RD
Regional Nutritionist - Ontario Region
First Nations and Inuit Health Branch
Health Canada

Mary Giudici, RDN
Vancouver Island Health Authority
Royal Jubilee Hospital
Victoria, BC

Lynn Greenblatt
Community Acquired Infections Division
Health Canada

Kelly Kaita, MD, FRCP(C)
Director, Viral Hepatitis Investigative Unit
University of Manitoba
Canadian Association for the Study of the Liver

Timothy J. McClemont
Executive Director
Hepatitis C Society of Canada

Billie Potkonjak
National Director of Health Promotion and Patient Services
Canadian Liver Foundation

Jeff Rice
Coordinator of Regional Resources and Hepatitis C Programs
Canadian Hemophilia Society

Vera Simon, RN, M.Sc.N
President
Canadian Association of Hepatology Nurses

Jayne Thirsk, Ph.D., RD
Professional Development and Support
Dietitians of Canada

Lori Hards, RD
Dietitian/Nutritionist
Southern Alberta Clinic
Calgary, AB

Janet Madill, Ph.D.(C), RD
Transplant Dietitian, Research Practice Leader
University Health Network, Toronto General
Toronto, ON

Tania Soutar, B.Sc., RD
Clinical Dietitian
Regina Qu'Appelle Health Region
Regina, SK

Special thanks go to Mary Giudici for sharing her patient education tools, and to the additional expert reviewers: Diana Johansen, B.Sc., RD, Clinical Dietitian, Oak Tree Clinic, Children's and Women's Health Centre of British Columbia, and Adjunct Professor, Department of Family Practice, University of British Columbia; and Sian Hoe Cheong, RD, Supervisor, Food Services, Medicine Hat Regional Hospital, Palliser Health Region.

Treatment of Hepatitis C

2007-02-08T08:13:00.000-08:00

The combination therapy of pegylated interferon and ribavirin is the current standard of care for hepatitis C. Clinical trials have shown that this combination treatment makes the hepatitis C virus undetectable in more than half of the patients who are treated. Response to treatment may vary based on individual factors, genotype, viral load and race. There is no vaccine available for hepatitis C. Combination therapy results in better treatment responses than monotherapy, but the highest response rates have been achieved with pegylated interferon in combination with ribavirin.

Currently, the best indicator of effective treatment is an SVR, defined by the absence of detectable HCV RNA in the serum as shown by a qualitative HCV RNA assay with lower limit of detection of 50 IU/mL or less at 24 weeks after the end of treatment. The following are some of the most common side effects associated with pegylated interferon plus ribavirin therapy: flu-like symptoms, including fever, chills, and muscle aches; fatigue; upset stomach, nausea/vomiting; loss of appetite; difficulty in controlling blood sugar levels (which may lead to diabetes); skin reactions (such as rash, dry or itchy skin, temporary hair loss, or redness and swelling at the site of injection); temporary hair thinning; and trouble sleeping. Possible serious side effects include mental health problems such as depression, blood problems, infections, and problems with the lungs, eyes, immune system, and heart.

Healthcare providers may treat these side effects, change the amount of medication, or stop treatment.

Hep C Information posted by HepCandMe.org

Few people seek help at hepatitis clinic

2007-02-01T08:12:00.000-08:00

About 6,000 Pasco residents probably have been exposed to the disease, experts say, but only two patients showed up to be tested at the clinic last month.

By RYAN DAVIS St. Petersburg Times This is an older published article.

NEW PORT RICHEY -- Barbara Holton anticipated that her Good Samaritan Health Clinic would be overwhelmed when it opened a one-of-a-kind hepatitis C testing and treatment program more than a year ago.

After all, hepatitis C affects 4-million Americans and leads to complications that kill 10,000 people a year, according to the American Liver Foundation.

But after 14 months, the clinic has tested only about 25 people for the viral disease, and it has just six active patients, said Holton, the clinic's executive director.

Just two people showed at the last monthly screening.

"People aren't aware they have it," said Erma Woods, the registered nurse who was diagnosed with hepatitis C in 1999 and volunteers at Good Samaritan.

If 1.8 percent of the country's population has been exposed to the disease, as the American Liver Foundation reported, Pasco possibly has nearly 6,000 such residents.

About 80 percent of those people would be clinically infected, said Alan Brownstein, the president and chief executive officer of the New York-based American Liver Foundation. Most have no symptoms and do not know they are infected.

But their livers are moving toward failure, and many of those people could seek help at Good Samaritan.

The 10-year-old non-profit clinic, 4035 Thys Road, serves Pasco low- or no-income patients without insurance. Last year, it served more than 1,000 patients, mostly working poor, Holton said.

It is funded by federal money channeled through the county government, county money, the United Way, donations and fundraisers. For the current fiscal year it received $48,000 in federal money and $16,500 in county money, according to county figures.

About 60 volunteers and two paid workers keep it running.

The hepatitis C program was started with a $2,800 grant from the American Liver Foundation. It is the only program started by the foundation, and as far as Brownstein knows, it is the only such program in the country.

For the standard $5 fee per visit, it offers confidential blood testing, counseling, any medical work such as biopsies and an expensive injection and medication treatment plan, which is successful for about 30 percent of patients, said Maxwell Rent, the New Port Richey doctor who volunteers to run Good Samaritan's hepatitis C program.

Infected people cannot get rid of the disease, but they can greatly slow its effects, even if the medication fails, by making lifestyle changes, such as controlling their diets and not drinking alcohol, Rent said.

Hepatitis is characterized by inflammation of the liver. Hepatitis C is the most serious form. It can lead to failure of the liver, which is needed to digest food.

Many people wrongfully believe they can get it through casual contact, Woods said, and it has taken on an inaccurate stigma that keeps people from seeking treatment.

"Remember when HIV first became talked about, it was the 'gay disease,' " Woods said. "Well, hepatitis C is the 'drug users' disease."

Because the clinic serves the indigent, lack of transportation and an inability to schedule work around the clinic's schedule may also keep potential patients away, Woods said. The program could handle at least 15 patients at each of its monthly
screenings, Holton said.

The initial hepatitis C test requires just a few drops of blood. "I want to help people," Holton said. "That's why this clinic opened. If they don't come to us, we can only do so much."

Hep C Group

2007-01-05T08:08:00.000-08:00

Large Hepatitis C Yahoo Support Group

Welcome to Hep C Central. This group is for sharing support for those with the Dx of Hepatitis C and other related dx's to the liver.
This group was formed to provide support and info to people all over the world. There is no question too large or too small for an answer... we will do our best to try to find the solution for you. We are also here for those whose lives have been touched by Hep C, whether it is the patient, family members or loved ones caring for someone with Hep C. Once your life has been touched by such a disease...it is never ever the same again..life takes on a new look.

This group has over 703 members and 420 messages, so it is a quite active group. It also requires membership (free of course) so that will help eliminate spam and off topic discussions, etc..

We ask that you do not post ads for products or dating web sites on this group -author and post will be removed* Disclaimer: The information provided on this Web group is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult your health care professional directly with any questions you may have regarding your health, condition, or treatment.

Link: Hep C Group

Hepatitis C Low Reinfection

2006-12-09T07:42:00.000-08:00

Patients Who Recover From Hepatitis C Have Lower Risk Of Reinfection

A new study found that individuals who had tested positive for hepatitis C (HCV) but later tested negative for the virus were significantly less likely to become infected again compared to those who had never been infected, even though they had the same exposure risks.

The results of this study appear in the November 2006 issue of Hepatology, the official journal of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD). Hepatology is published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

HCV, a major public health threat affecting over 170 million people worldwide, is primarily acquired through injection drug use (IDU). IDU accounts for over 75 percent of HCV cases and HCV is seen in up to 90 percent of IDUs, with most of these individuals going on to develop chronic infection. Recent advances in effectively treating HCV have led to a "cure," (meaning no virus is detectable) in many cases, however there is a concern that treatment is not as beneficial to IDUs because they are continually exposed to the virus.

Through a collaborative effort between Jason Grebely and Brian Conway of the University of British Columbia, Mark Tyndall of the BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, the BC Centre for Disease Control, and Vancouver Coastal Health in Vancouver, a large community-based study was conducted comparing 926 individuals who tested negative for HCV during the recruitment period of the study between January 2003 and June 2004 with 506 individuals who had HCV, 152 of whom had spontaneous clearance of the virus. Clearance was considered to be the presence of HCV antibodies followed by at least one negative test for HCV. Using medical records, they then looked at the incidence of HCV infection between 1992 and 2005 in those who had antibodies but no detectable virus and those who tested negative in order to evaluate the effect of previous infection on reinfection rates. Although the two groups were similar in terms of the proportion of individuals engaging in illicit drug use, those previously infected were more likely to be engaged in frequent illicit drug use and IDU. Individuals who had tested positive for HCV, but subsequently tested negative were followed for an average of five years, compared to almost three years for those without previous HCV infection.

The results showed that those with previous HCV infection and viral clearance were four times less likely to develop infection again than those infected for the first time, despite the fact that they had higher rates of HIV coinfection, illicit drug use and injection drug use. In fact, 90 percent of those reinfected continued to engage in illicit drug use, including 50 percent who reported IDU.

"Our data lend support to the hypothesis that previous exposure to HCV may be protective, possibly on an immunologic basis, despite repeated exposure to HCV," the authors state. They propose two potential explanations for their results: those with HCV clearance are genetically predisposed to resist HCV infection and reinfection, or those previously exposed to HCV may be more experienced and have safer injection routines, which would have some protective value. The authors acknowledge some limitations in their study, such as the fact that HCV antibody tests have become more sensitive in recent years compared to the period from which the study looked at results and the fact that the study was retrospective, with testing being performed only by physician request, not systematically. However, they note that these limitations could easily be addressed in future prospective studies with systematic testing for HCV.

The authors point out that treatment for HCV infection is often withheld from IDUs because of the supposed high risk of reinfection. "However, our data suggest that spontaneous clearance may confer some protection against re-infection," they write. "If protection against HCV infection extends to those who have cleared their viremia following antiviral therapy, it could provide a stronger rationale for expanding treatment programs for IDUs, including those who continue to be at risk for HCV exposure." Although further research is required, the present study indicates that since IDUs play such an important role in HCV transmission, strategies that address this group could have a significant impact on the HCV epidemic.

Hepatitis C and Milk Thistle

2006-11-01T07:29:00.000-08:00

Yes more on the benefits of Milkthistle to the Liver and to bile production and steatosis which plugs the liver up with fat.

This MAY be Voodoo to some. The research focus is testimonial and largely unprocessed by the FDA.

from a commercial otc prep site. http://www.goutcure.com/gcgoutcare.html

I am not recommending this as a cure, and only as a tonic to help anyway we can to reduce further damage to the Liver until Rx treatments become more widely tolerated to each patient out there.

I use Holista brand. Vitamin B6 helps too, apparently.

MILK THISTLE (80% Standardized Silymarin)
Research on milk thistle and it's components appears to be growing. The current theory regarding mode of activity is that silymarin supports liver health in two major ways. First, it alters the outer cell membrane of hepatocytes (liver cells) in such a way as to prevent penetration of harmful substances into the interior of cells. Second, it stimulates the action of nucleolar polymerase A (an enzyme involved in chromosome replication) resulting in an increase in ribosomal protein synthesis, which stimulates the regenerative ability of the liver and the formation of new hepatocytes. Silymarin may also stimulate an increase in bile flow from the gall bladder to the intestine. Silymarin is being investigated as an agent to support
healthy cholesterol levels by exerting an effect on the liver cholesterol metabolism. Silymarin also possesses antioxident properties. Studies have indicated that oxidative stress plays a role in the pathogenisis of toxic liver disease and other liver problems, and silymarin may reduce oxidative stress in the liver. Therefore, any liver subjected to chemical or chronic illness stresses may benefit from the additional nutritional support that silymarin provides. In an article for Prevention magazine, Varro Tyler, Ph.D., Sc.D, states that milk thistle may help support the liver in people taking prescription medication that may adversely affect the liver.

Milk thistle, known in Latin as Silybum marianum, is one of the most effective herbs for detoxifying and regenerating the liver. The liver is responsible for breaking down and eliminating most toxic substances. These include drugs, antibiotics, cortisone, chemotherapy, anti-seizure medications, anti-inflammatory, preservatives in food, artificial flavoring and coloring agents, shampoos, environmental chemicals, foods fried in certain oils, chemicals found in tap water, household cleansers, air
pollution, tobacco smoke and distillates. Hundreds of scientific studies have demonstrated that milk thistle can protect the liver from potent toxins such as poisonous mushrooms, heavy metals and alcohol.

The herb has several mechanisms of action. It stimulates protein synthesis, which contributes to regeneration and replacement of liver cells. It helps protect the liver against poisoning by blocking the absorption of toxins into liver cells. It inhibits the formation of inflammatory substances that contribute to liver degeneration. It helps the liver break down toxins. Milk thistle is a potent anti-oxidant (more potent than Vitamins C and E). This means it can counteract free radical damage that can cause degenerative diseases including cancer. It increases intracellular levels of glutathione, a substance necessary for detoxicating reactions.

Clinical studies have confirmed milk thistle's benefits. Trials in more than 2,000 patients showed benefits in alcohol and chemical induced fatty liver, cirrhosis, chronic hepatitis, bile duct inflammation and non specific changes in liver tissue. Elevated liver enzymes (blood tests for liver function) also improve with milk thistle therapy. Silymarin may also help prevent or treat gallstones by increasing the solubility of the bile. The best-known active compound in milk thistle is silybin. It is important to remember that there are many other naturally occurring ingredients that are vital for optimum activity.

Recent studies have shown that Milk thistle extract may also be beneficial for reducing the chance for certain cancers. With almost no known side effects (Milk thistle is a food!) and well-known hepatoprotective efficacy, it is said that Milk thistle can't be beat as a liver protector.

More Hepatitis Treatment Information

2006-10-17T05:35:00.000-07:00

Standard-of-care treatment is interferon administered subcutaneously once per week and ribavirin administered by mouth twice per day. The dosage of riba typically ranges from 800 mg to 1200 mg per day, depending on the case. IFN dosage varies depending on the specific type of IFN and diagnostic factors, but I received 180 mcg of Pegasys once per week and that's is a common prescription.

The subcutaneous injection, where a very thin needle is poked into fat layer just beneath the skin (usually over the abdominal area), is a routine method of drug administration for many people and not all that troublesome. Type I diabetics, for example, administer life-saving insulin this way on a daily basis.

When I started HCV Tx, I'd already administered sub-Q injections to patients in clinical environments, and so doing it to myself required no time on a learning curve. Although, I must say, my technique improved once I was my own willing victim.. Sometimes, to get in my injection as soon as possible at the end of my week, I'd take it with me to administer before I would get home. This gave me a head start on getting past the IFN sides that kick in heaviest for a couple few days after the injection

Fight off Hepatitis C

2006-10-17T05:33:00.000-07:00

Good question from the Hepatitis C Newsgroup:

Q. Just curious if it's at all possible for your immune system to eradicate hep c? I haven't had tests done in a while (has to do with
insurance, etc.) Anyway I found out the last time I went in that I was fine on liver enzymes, they found no viral load, and I got a new piece of info which was that I had and no longer have Hep B. If I had the Hep B before the Hep c is there a chance i could've killed off the hep c and be fine, but still test positive for antibodies?

Yes, I'm really quiet ignorant on all this, please don't flame me.

A. Regardless of how you kill off live HCV virions, antibodies to the virus will likely persist. So you would be probably turn up positive for the standard first-order Hep-C test, which actually tests for antibodies, but negative for the viral load test, which actually tests for whole virions.

As to whether you may have cleared the HCV infection on your own: most folks that clear the virus do it before it has reached a chronic condition (ie: some time before 6 months to a year). It is apparently possible, but rare, to clear the virus once it has persisted in the body beyond that window.

The only way to accurately gauge where you are with HCV is to get a fresh viral load test.

I have never seen word one that suggests HBV infections have any positive
effect on an HCV infection. If you actually cleared your HCV, it wasn't
because you got co-infected with HBV...

Cheers

greyhackles

Hepatitis C Infection

2006-09-21T08:31:00.000-07:00

Pam copes with her Hep C. Dehydration and exhaustion? Not this time, kids. Girlfriend was admitted to the facility carrying a healthy case of Hep C, a heart infection and a collapsed lung. She's also reportedly receiving methadone. Hep C is most commonly transmitted through contaminated needles (or through a contaminated penis, er tattoo needle, if you're Pammy Anderson). Collapsed lungs and heart infections come with the territory of beating your body down with toxins every 3 - 4 hours. Of course, I don't have to explain what methadone is for. I'm beginning to think Natasha might have, oh I don't know, maybe a little bit of a heroin problem.

Hepatitis C and Drinking

2006-08-28T08:29:00.000-07:00

While I drank steady from 18-40, from light to finally desperate, I did a lot of other none too bright things. Starting with 18-25 with a needle in my arm for heroin. Then there are the tatoos and the ear piercing. These last three activities are skin evasive activities and Hep-C is a blood borne pathogen. I ended up having to do the Peg-Intron and Ribovarin 5 years sober or 20 years after my last needle/inking/ear-pierce. If you have engaged in any of these activies also - then it may be in your best interested to have yourself checked. Did you also know that HIV is blood borne too?

Steve B.

Hepatitis STD

2006-08-04T08:24:00.000-07:00

Let's say whoever is giving the handjob has any kind of bodily fluid on their hands (semen, blood, vaginal fluid, fecal matter, even saliva--yes, certain strains of Hepatitis are passed through all bodily fluids including saliva)--and the infected hand comes into contact with your penis which not only has a hole, but also could have a cut or abrasion unknown to you. If the infected matter is passed from the hand to the hole or cut/abrasion, you leave yourself open to possibly catch something. Also, if the person's hand has any kind of sore--and I don't mean, huge gaping flesh wounds here, I'm talking even little sores like hangnails that bled, or a scab that got picked, the sore may come into contact with either A., your bodily fluids therefore transferring a possible disease, or B., the hole or sore on your penis, therefore possibly transferring a disease. Do your research and become educated, do not listen to people who tell you that it is impossible to catch an STD from a handjob--if you look closely, one of the replies you got before mine states something like "It's impossible to get an STD from a handjob..." Then, shortly after that, the person changes their mind and says "Oh...wait a minute...well, unless you have a sore etc..." Also, herpes and genital warts are well known to develop on the palms on the infected. These are also very easily transferred through a handjob. Hope this helped.

Viral Hepatitis C

2006-07-25T05:54:00.000-07:00

Hepatitis C is a disease of the liver caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV). You may be at risk for hepatitis C and should contact your medical care provider for a blood test if you:

- were notified that you received blood from a donor who later tested positive for hepatitis C.
- have ever injected illegal drugs, even if you experimented a few times many years ago
- received a blood transfusion or solid organ transplant before July, 1992
- were a recipient of clotting factor(s) made before 1987
- have ever been on long-term kidney dialysis
- have evidence of liver disease (e.g., persistently abnormal ALT levels)

Pamela Anderson Blames Tattoo for Hep C

2006-05-29T15:36:00.000-07:00

This is the kind of publicity anti-tattoo people love. Pamela Anderson finds out she has the Hepatitis C virus, and blames it on a tattoo. She claims that she and Tommy Lee (ex-husband and former Motley Crue drummer) shared a tattoo needle, from which she contracted the disease. Tommy swears he's never had the disease, and tested negative on Tuesday. She says Tommy publicized her condition to make her look bad. Lee's rep says she's blaming it on him for revenge in their current custody battle.

Do you see a pattern here? Where did the Hepatitis C Virus come from?

It's all the same old "he said, she said" crap, but the problem is, when someone says a tattoo is to blame for disease, people are quick to listen and believe it.

Don't get me wrong - I'm not saying I'm insensitive to Miss Anderson's plight. But what gets me is that no one seems to be considering the possibility that she could have gotten it some other way, or yes, even from some other person. We all know that Hepatitis C education is important but often overlooked, along with Hepatitis C treatment.

I'm not accusing Miss Anderson of anything - but it's no big secret that Hepatitis C is a blood-borne illness that can be spread through unprotected sex and also shared drug needles, not just tattoo needles. And whether or not she even got it from Tommy Lee has not yet been indisputably determined.

I'm not saying it's impossible she could have gotten it from a tattoo needle. Of course she could have. But will someone please tell me why two people who make as much money as they do even need to share a tattoo needle? That suggests that the tattoo artist was a shady character, because no professional would have used the same needle on two people, even if they were a couple. Apparently, the artist in question is quite irritated by this accusation, and says that the couple did not share needles.

Body Art In the News
Have you ever noticed that just about everything about body art that ends up in the news is negative? Or that studies and surveys always manage to twist the facts to blame body art for the problems in the world? The fact is, some people want to believe that tattoos are bad and they'll do anything to prove it. They will turn one case of Hepatitis into a mass-hysteria against the art. The media feeds on negativity, and credibility-bashing stories are a hot item.

It is our responsibility to separate fact from hype. The fact is that Hepatitis can be spread through contaminated needles. The fact is that sharing needles of any kind can transmit the disease. The fact is that conscientious professionals know how to avoid these problems, and when properly executed with a new needle, it is practically impossible to spread infection. The fact is that you put yourself at the same risk when you go to the doctor or dentist. And the fact is that your best defense against Hepatitis is knowledge.

Sharing any kind of needle is stupid. Not going to a clean and sterile professional for a tattoo (or piercing) is stupid. Yes, you can get Hepatitis from a tattoo, but only when proper precautions are ignored.

Be safe, be responsible, be smart, be well.

Everyone should take an important step to deteremine that Hepatitis C prevention and hepatisis education is important. We want to control the disease before it their becomes a mass need for Hepatitis C treatment.

Source: AP