LayingDownAFrameworkHep101TodayWeWillDefinehepatitis,viralhepatitis&theliverLearnaboutthe5differenttypesofviralhepatitisLearnmoreabouthepatitisC:ThescopeofthediseaseSigns/symptomsRiskfactorsandpreventionWhatIsHepatitis?HepatitismeansinflammationoftheliverHepat(liver)+itis(inflammation)=HepatitisViralhepatitismeansthereisaspecificvirusthatiscausingyourlivertoinflame(swellorbecomelargerthannormal)TheLiverIslocatedintheupperrightquadrantoftheabdomenCleansthebloodRegulateshormonesHelpswithbloodclottingProducesbileProducesimportantproteinsMaintainsbloodsugarlevelsAndmuch,much,more

Theliverisessentialforlife!InflammationWallsofscartissuebegintoformHealthylivercellsbecometrappedbyawallofscartissueViralHepatitis5types:A:fecal-oraltransmissionB:sexualfluids&bloodtoblood

C:bloodtobloodD:travelswithBE:fecal–oral

transmissionVaccinePreventableAdaptedfromCorneil,2003HepatitisCInfection

World-170millionpeopleCanada-240,000to300,000(0.8%to1%ofpop.)BC-40,000(1%)Vancouver-11,350(2%)DTESVIDUSStudy-1,43790%hepCposititveWHO2000,BCHepatitisService2003,VIDUS2003

HepatitisCAffectseachpersondifferentlyNovaccineavailableManypeoplehavethevirusanddonotevenknowitApproximately1outof100Canadiansinfected*BCHepatitisService2003Overallcureratewithnewtreatmentis55%*NaturalHistoryofHepCAdaptedfromLauerandWalker,NEJM2001HealthyLiverAcuteInfectionChronicInfection20%CleartheVirus80%VirusContinuestoDamageLiverOnly20%willshowsymptomsInitially!NaturalHistoryCon’tChronicHepatitisCirrhosis20-30%LiverCancer1-4%/yearMostsymptomsbegintoshowonlywhenliverismoreseverelydamagedFactorsAffectingProgression30yrsorlongerif:YoungattimeofinfectionHealthyliverattimeofinfectionFemale20yrsorlessif:DrinkingalcoholCo-infection(HIV,HepB)DamagedliverbeforeinfectionAdaptedfromBigham,BCHepatitisServices2002SignsandSymptoms

Individualsmayhaveoneormoreofthefollowingsymptoms,whileothersexperiencenosymptoms:TirednessNauseaMuscleorjointpainTroublesleepingLossofappetiteWeightlossAbdominalpainItchinessDepressionDarkurine(pee)SignsandSymptomsAfewmayhavespecificliverrelatedsymptomsinitially:Palestool(poo)Jaundice(yellowingoftheskinoreyes)RiskFactorsHCV-infectedhouseholdmember/sexualpartner(7%)Tattooingpiercing(6%)Hospitalizationdentalwork(6%)Transfusion/dialysisbloodcontact(4%)Incarceration(3%)NoRFidentified(23%)IDU/snorting(51%)Source:HealthCanadaEnhancedSurveillance,Oct98-Oct99,Calgary,Edmonton,Winnipeg,OttawaHepatitisC

DispellingMythsHepatitisCisnotspreadby:CasualcontactHugging/kissingSharingeatingutensilsanddrinkingglassesSneezing/coughingShakinghandsSittingonatoiletseat

PreventionNeversharedrugequipmentStraws,bills,needles,syringes,water,filter,cooker,pipesetc…Neversharetoothbrushes/razorsoranypersonalhygienearticlesthathavebloodonthem(eventinyamounts).PracticesafersexPreventionAlwaysmakesurenew&sterilizedequipmentisbeingusedfortattooing&piercingMakesureinkfortattooingisnotbeingsharedDonottouchdirtyneedleswithoutproperequipmentorfollowingproperproceduresDirtyNeedlePrecautionsHandleonlyifyouhaveproperequipmentSturdypairofgloves,tongsorpliersandapunctureproofcontainer(heavyplasticormetal)PlaceneedleinpunctureproofcontainerDonottouchneedlewithbarehandsanddonottrytorecapneedleifcappresentCandisposecontaineringarbagebutbetterifitistakentohealthclinicorneedleexchangeAtschool,