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2059648 tn?1439766665

Hepatitis C - CDC Gears Up Media

Websites are changing to include new information about Hepatitis C. US Department
of Veterans Affairs has updated their site to include extensive and informative
current Hep C information.   The noon news just announced that all baby boomers
get a one time test for hep c.   Newspapers, Television and numerous websites
are posting the hep c information over the past few days.  Incevik is offering a program
for your smart phone to remind you when to take your meds.   It great to see that
CDC is recommending all baby boomer test for hep c.  This action alone will change the
sigma attached to Hepatitis C.  
8 Responses
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1491755 tn?1333201362
Saw a story on NBC news I think it was Thrs 8/16.  

8/13 2010 I started Tx........seems like so long ago, really starting to feel like my old self.
Helpful - 0
223152 tn?1346978371
"– persons who were notified that they received blood from a donor who later tested positive for HCV infection;"

Very interesting.  Do they have records of where all the blood came from when a person has a transfusion?  How do they get the information on the Hepatitis C donor.  Since I donated a lot of blood, I am wondering if I should contact the CDC or some local blood bank.


NPR also did a segment on Hep C this week - you can find it on their website
Helpful - 0
408795 tn?1324935675
Yep, on CNN as well.  The media is definitely recommending that boomers get tested, and it's about time.  It should help with the stigma HepC carries and I appreciate CDC getting the word out.  Yay!!!

http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-829764

Helpful - 0
446474 tn?1446347682
Here is the link to the August 17, 2012 CDC document detailing the recommendations for "Identification of Chronic Hepatitis C Virus Infection".

http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/pdf/rr/rr6104.pdf

Summary

"Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is an increasing cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States. Many of the 2.7–3.9 million persons living with HCV infection are unaware they are infected and do not receive care (e.g., education, counseling, and medical monitoring) and treatment. CDC estimates that although persons born during 1945–1965 comprise an estimated 27% of the population, they account for approximately three fourths of all HCV infections in the United States, 73% of HCV-associated
mortality, and are at greatest risk for hepatocellular carcinoma and other HCV-related liver disease. With the advent of new therapies that can halt disease progression and provide a virologic cure (i.e., sustained viral clearance following completion of treatment) in most persons, targeted testing and linkage to care for infected persons in this birth cohort is expected to reduce HCV-related morbidity and mortality. CDC is augmenting previous recommendations for HCV testing (CDC. Recommendations for prevention and control of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and HCV-related chronic disease. MMWR 1998;47[No. RR–19]) to
recommend one-time testing without prior ascertainment of HCV risk for persons born during 1945–1965, a population with a disproportionately high prevalence of HCV infection and related disease. Persons identified as having HCV infection should receive a brief screening for alcohol use and intervention as clinically indicated, followed by referral to appropriate care for HCV infection and related conditions. These recommendations do not replace previous guidelines for HCV testing that are based on known risk factors and clinical indications. Rather, they define an additional target population for testing: persons born during 1945–1965. CDC developed these recommendations with the assistance of a work group representing diverse expertise and perspectives. The recommendations are informed by the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) framework, an approach that provides guidance and tools to define the research questions, conduct the systematic
review, assess the overall quality of the evidence, and determine strength of the recommendations. This report is intended to serve as a resource for health-care professionals, public health officials, and organizations involved in the development, implementation, and evaluation of prevention and clinical services. These recommendations will be reviewed every 5 years and updated to include advances in the published evidence. "

Introduction

"In the United States, an estimated 2.7–3.9 million persons  (1.0%–1.5%) are living with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, and an estimated 17,000 persons were newly infected in 2010, the most recent year that data are available. With an HCV antibody prevalence of 3.25%, persons born during
1945–1965 account for approximately three fourths of all  chronic HCV infections among adults in the United States. Although effective treatments are available to clear HCV infection from the body, most persons with HCV do not know they are infected, do not receive needed care (e.g., education, counseling, and medical monitoring), and are not evaluated for treatment. HCV testing is the first step toward improving health outcomes for persons infected with HCV."

WHO SHOULD BE TESTED

Recommendations for prevention and control of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and HCV-related chronic diseases

Recommendations for the Identification of Chronic Hepatitis C Virus Infection Among Persons Born during 1945–1965*
• Adults born during 1945–1965 should receive one-time testing for HCV without prior ascertainment of HCV risk.
• All persons with identified HCV infection should receive a brief alcohol screening and intervention as clinically indicated, followed by referral to appropriate care and treatment services for HCV infection and related conditions.  

Guidelines for Prevention and Treatment of Opportunistic Infections in HIV-Infected Adults and Adolescents
• HIV-infected patients should be tested routinely for evidence of chronic HCV infection. Initial testing for HCV should be performed using the most sensitive immunoassays licensed for detection of antibody to
HCV (anti-HCV) in blood.

Recommendations for Prevention and Control of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Infection and HCV-Related Chronic Disease
Routine HCV testing is recommended for
• Persons who ever injected illegal drugs, including those who injected once or a few times many years ago and do not consider themselves as drug users.
• Persons with selected medical conditions, including – persons who received clotting factor concentrates produced before 1987;
– persons who were ever on chronic (long-term) hemodialysis; and
– persons with persistently abnormal alanine aminotransferase levels.
• Prior recipients of transfusions or organ transplants,
including
– persons who were notified that they received blood from a donor who later tested positive for HCV infection;
– persons who received a transfusion of blood or blood components before July 1992; and
– persons who received an organ transplant before
July 1992.  
Routine HCV testing is recommended for persons with recognized exposures, including
• Health care, emergency medical, and public safety workers after needle sticks, sharps, or mucosal exposures to HCV-positive blood.
• Children born to HCV-positive women.

Cheers!
Hector
Helpful - 0
163305 tn?1333668571
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/48691720/ns/health-infectious_diseases/t/cdc-baby-boomers-should-be-tested-hepatitis-c/#.UC7m2qDWY88
Helpful - 0
2059648 tn?1439766665
What is interesting about this is the CDC released a letter yesterday saying
the the test would be given with standard medical care.  So it looks like the
next time you go to the doctor you get tested?  Thats so serious moves to
get the testing going.  

The United States Department of Veteran Affairs information about hep c
is a bit hard to find on the site but available to the general public.  Go to the
bar menu under heading (Veteran Services), then Heath & Well Being,
then Public Health.  It offers info for providers, vets and general public.
The presentation is impressive.


Helpful - 0
1652596 tn?1342011626
i just cam back from my 12 weeks post lab work.  i gave 10 hep c wrist bands to my study nurse.  she's so excited about the news coverage the last couple of days.  it's about time we were heard.  thanks for posting.  belle
Helpful - 0
163305 tn?1333668571
Wow, we're  getting our ten minutes of fame !

Kidding aside, thanks for the post.
Helpful - 0
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