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Check Out This Mistake

Below I am posting an email I wrote to the Wall Street Journal and the Associated Press, regarding a mistake they made in reporting about the HIV outbreak in Indiana today. If you agree that this should be corrected, I have provided the address for both WSJ and the AP.

***@**** and ***@****

Here is my email:

To Whom It May Concern,

The article entitled Indiana Reports More HIV Cases in Outbreak, in the online Wall Street Journal (4/18/15), has incorrect information that they mis-cited from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The article claims that 50-90% of hepatitis C patients are co-infected with HIV. Below is the correct information stated in the CDC FAQs on their website and updated on 4/15/15. (http://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/C/cFAQ.htm).

Advocates are working hard to get the message out that baby boomers, who make up an estimated 75% of patients who are unaware they are infected with hepatitis C, should be tested. The mistake that both the Associated Press and Wall Street Journal have made may cause a lot of unnecessary concern for patients and people who read this misinformation.

I hope that you will be able to correct the information and stop any further damage this may have caused.  

Cordially,

Sue Simon
(my contact information)

From CDC FAQ sheet updated 4/15/15

HIV and Hepatitis C virus coinfection?

HIV and Hepatitis C virus coinfection refers to being infected with both HIV and the Hepatitis C virus. Coinfection is more common in persons who inject drugs. In fact, 50%–90% of HIV-infected persons who use injection drugs are also infected with the Hepatitis C virus. To learn more about coinfection, visit http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/resources/factsheets/hepatitis.htm.
7 Responses
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Avatar universal
Talk about SuperAdvocate!  Sic 'em Sue!!! : -)

Seriously, this has a double effect:

   1. It get the CORRECT information out there for others.

   2.  It puts and keeps the issue of testing and treating for hep C before
        the public.

Excellent work!  Thanks!!

Pat
Helpful - 0
6708370 tn?1471490210
You Go girl!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Yes, it is about needle exchange. The fact remains that WSJ said "50-90% of hepatitis C patients are co-infected with HIV." That is a direct quote and is incomplete information. The Associated Press called and told me the fact checkers were on it and it was gong to be retracted in a new article.
Helpful - 0
2059648 tn?1439766665
The story is about needle exchange.   The reference in the article is directed
at injectable drug users.    
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I just PM'd you. And thank you so much.
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Avatar universal
P.S.  As you can see from your post, the e-mail addresses were blocked.

Please PM me those and I will ALSO send an e-mail.

Thanks!

Pat
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I think you are correct!

It clearly says that 50-90% OF HIV INFECTED persons ALSO have Hep C.

It did NOT say 50-90% Of all Hep C patients had HIV.

There is a VAST difference in those two statements.

Good for you, and thank you for trying to get that misinformation corrected!

Blessings,

Pat
Helpful - 0
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