May is National Hepatitis Awareness Month

May 10, 2005

May is Hepatitis Awareness Month

Friday, May 06, 2005

- Via news release

Chronic liver disease is the 10th leading cause of death among adults in the

United States and Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) infection is the most common chronic

blood-borne infection in the country, affecting over 5 million Americans.

Most people infected don’t even know that they have it. And the reason is

because sometimes it takes 20 or 30 years to become symptomatic.

But do not be misled. Although a person may not be showing the symptoms of

Hepatitis C infection, the virus has progressively been doing damage to the

host’s liver.

Studies indicate that 40 to 60 percent of all liver disease is related to

Hepatitis C infection. Long term consequences of a Hepatitis C infection include

a 75 to 80 percent chronic infection rate, 70 percent chance of chronic liver

disease and a 10 to 20 percent chance of developing cirrhosis.

Sadly, one out of five of every 100 Hepatitis C. infections cases result in

death from liver cancer or cirrhosis and Hepatitis C. remains the leading

indication for liver transplants in the United States.

Known risk factors include blood transfusions obtained before 1992 or clotting

factors before 1987; tattoos or body piercing done with unsterile instruments or

common ink wells; having multiple sexual partners or intravenous drug users.

Even a single use in the distant past and sharing toothbrushes or razors with

someone infected with Hepatitis C.

As May is National Hepatitis Awareness Month, in recognition of this, Sierra

HOPE will make a limited number of free Hepatitis home testing kits available

throughout the month. To find out more about receiving a Hepatitis Home Testing

Kit, or for more information about Hepatitis C, call Sami Rhodes at Sierra HOPE

at 736-6792.

A politician is a man who will double cross that bridge when he comes to it

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