Alcohol and HCV...an unanswered question.

[DoubleDose]

Here is a curveball, along with an article regarding the highprevalance of HCV in alcoholics.  See link below.

http://www.nih.gov/news/pr/jun2003/niaaa-26.htm

This is an issue that I have discussed with several HCV doctors, with no clear answer to my questions.  The article, as well as several others I have reviewed lately, indicates the abnormally high number of heavy drinkers, alcoholics, etc. that are HCV positive.  Often this is within populations with no known risk factors, and no past IVDU history.  My big question, which I have wondered about for years, is WHY does this seem to be the case.  Why would heavy alcohol users seem prone to developing HCV???  Unless, of course, they are all lying, and happen to also have risk factors which they now deny.  I think there is much more to this mystery, which still baffles the medical community.

Along with my concerns about persistent HCV after SVR, is another concern which many of you have responded to in the past when I have posed this issue.  Could there be HCV transmission in the general population, on a much larger scale than suspected, that is not in the bloodstream or liver.  In effect, a 'latent' tissue, or glandular infection which remains latent or suppressed, until a major stimulus causes it to 'explode' into the bloodstream.  This theory would help explain the great numbers of HCV cases worldwide that have no known risk factors.
Could there be a somewhat 'dormant' viral infection in a large portion of our population, within organs like salivary system, sexual organs , membranes, CNS, etc.??? (cont. below)

[dancegirl54]

My kids know because I am in a recovery program, though I do admit it has been easier for me to let others assume that the recovery is from alcohol alone.  I tried everything, in my veins, up my nose, etc. And had tattoos done at someone's house - I just cringe at the risks I took. I've had nothing in my system since 1983, the drugs were for a very short time in the late 70's but obviously thats all it took.
The most difficult "talk" I had was with my disabled son, who has mild mental retardation as well as physical disabilities. My heart broke when he said he thought it was weird that grandma didnt have hep C since we were born with it.  I explained to him that he was born with it it because he got it from me, and I wasnt born with it, I acquired it from using drugs.  He definitely gets it, he just hugged me and said he was so glad I wasnt using drugs now.

[NYgirl]

It's nice not to be alone huh?

I had four blood transfusions last year and use that cover with people like my PARENTS and CO-WORKERS (well they think I'm on chemo for blood cancer LOL).  I mean I tell who I want the truth and that is just FINE.  

Sad that we have to endure such a stigma - prices we pay for our mistakes of youth.  Like none of them ever did anything that was a bad idea...I am sure.

People need to realize it's not a WHERE we got it thing or HOW we got it - just how lucky we are that we found out that we had it so we can fight to cure it.  But of course..out here on Hepper Island it is a lonely old place sometimes.

This board has saved my life I am sure.

[friole]

San Francisco 1969-72.  Haven't been back since.  I too am surprised I am not co-infected.   I am at 20 weeks and still in the closet.  Furthermore, if it becomes so obvious that I am "ill" and I must expose myself, I will hide under the blood transfusion I did have in 1977.  So much about being honest about IVDU.  It is not an easy thing to share with others.   I am grateful for this forum, because I find honesty much easier on my psyche.  Still, I am wrestling with telling my two boys who live in town.  I don't see them all that much, and they have no idea (about the hep c or treatment or IVDU).  How have others dealt with adult children who have no idea about your youth? (BTW - both adopted so not an issue for them to be tested)
friole

[NYgirl]

"Of course so many people shared $100 bills; why am I not multi-infected from that?"

My doctor told me in fact this is most likely exactly where I got it from.  All it takes is one micromicro of blood on that straw going up your nose into your blood.

Believe me...in the rock scene in the 80s I never, ever thought of that.  I just thought about doing as much as I could.  ;-)

PS I am multi-infected - 1A &1B

[NYgirl]

Maybe alcoholics - because their livers are compromised to start with to a degree are more susceptible to developing full blown HCV.

Or maybe more alcoholics have liver tests done than the regular population?

I'm an alcoholic/addict and I have HCV.  It's intersting to me that is for sure.

[Califia]

Ahem, & what bands would that have been?   Perhaps we shared a toothbrush in the bathroom of the Mabuhay?