When a person is first infected with hepatitis, they are said to have "acute" hepatitis. Acute hepatitis can be mild or severe. Luckily, more than 80 percent of the people infected with hepatitis recover within six months and no longer have the virus.
Some people do not recover and develop "chronic" hepatitis. Chronic hepatitis is an ongoing infection of the liver that can lead to cirrhosis. Cirrhosis, or hardening of the liver, causes liver tissue to scar and stop working.
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Friday, August 17, 2007
Welcome for infected blood inquiry pledge
CAMPAIGNERS have welcomed a promise by Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon of a public inquiry into how people were infected with hepatitis C through contaminated blood.
Ministers are to await the outcome of the Archer inquiry in England and Wales into hepatitis C and HIV infections from NHS blood supplies, before deciding on the scope and remit of the Scottish probe. But after a meeting with Ms Sturgeon yesterday, Philip Dolan, chairman of the Scottish Haemophilia Group, said: "The speed and recognition of the need for this inquiry is a matter for which Nicola Sturgeon should be congratulated."
Hundreds of people in Scotland, including haemophilia sufferers and other patients, were given contaminated blood in the 1970s and 1980s.read more
Ministers are to await the outcome of the Archer inquiry in England and Wales into hepatitis C and HIV infections from NHS blood supplies, before deciding on the scope and remit of the Scottish probe. But after a meeting with Ms Sturgeon yesterday, Philip Dolan, chairman of the Scottish Haemophilia Group, said: "The speed and recognition of the need for this inquiry is a matter for which Nicola Sturgeon should be congratulated."
Hundreds of people in Scotland, including haemophilia sufferers and other patients, were given contaminated blood in the 1970s and 1980s.read more
Encephalitis from West Nile: Who's at risk?
MADISON, Wisconsin (Reuters Health) - A new study pinpoints several risk factors for developing deadly encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) caused by mosquito-borne West Nile virus infection.
The researchers identified older age, history of heart and vascular disease, and history of hypertension (high blood pressure) as independent risk factors for developing encephalitis from West Nile infection.
After adjusting for age, a suppressed immune system, being African-American, being infected with hepatitis C virus and having kidney disease all raised the risk of death from West Nile-associated encephalitis.
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The researchers identified older age, history of heart and vascular disease, and history of hypertension (high blood pressure) as independent risk factors for developing encephalitis from West Nile infection.
After adjusting for age, a suppressed immune system, being African-American, being infected with hepatitis C virus and having kidney disease all raised the risk of death from West Nile-associated encephalitis.
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Hepatitis B Foundation of Bucks County Launches Pilot Summer High School Science Enrichment Program
The Hepatitis B Foundation piloted a two-week “High School Science Enrichment Program” this summer for talented students interested in gaining hands-on research experience and learning more about biotechnology and public health in the context of hepatitis B and liver cancer. The Central Bucks School District Science Department offered encouragement, support and specific ideas for the Foundation’s exciting new initiative.
Each student was paired with a Hepatitis B Foundation scientist and mentor to shadow and conduct well-supervised research projects in an assigned lab. High School student participants for the 2007 program included; Ayusa Sinha, Central Bucks South senior mentored by Nikki Barnes; Felix Lu, Hatboro-Horsham junior mentored by Jason Lamontagne; Matthew Mudalel, Central Bucks South senior mentored by Anny Dougherty, and Sohum Bhatt, Piscataway senior mentored by Ender Simsek, Ph.D. read more
Each student was paired with a Hepatitis B Foundation scientist and mentor to shadow and conduct well-supervised research projects in an assigned lab. High School student participants for the 2007 program included; Ayusa Sinha, Central Bucks South senior mentored by Nikki Barnes; Felix Lu, Hatboro-Horsham junior mentored by Jason Lamontagne; Matthew Mudalel, Central Bucks South senior mentored by Anny Dougherty, and Sohum Bhatt, Piscataway senior mentored by Ender Simsek, Ph.D. read more
Roche Joins Forces With Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church to Provide Free Hepatitis C Testing to the Community
PHILADELPHIA, Aug. 17 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Roche representatives will work together with the Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church from Saturday, August 18 - Sunday, August 19 to educate the church community about the hepatitis C virus (HCV), including risk factors, the importance of getting tested and possible treatment options.
Preparations will begin on Friday, August 17 when ministry leaders, church volunteers, and Roche representatives convene to review education and testing logistics regarding HCV.
"African Americans have the highest rate of infection with hepatitis C in the country. We are committed to educate and provide free hepatitis C testing to the members ...
read more
Preparations will begin on Friday, August 17 when ministry leaders, church volunteers, and Roche representatives convene to review education and testing logistics regarding HCV.
"African Americans have the highest rate of infection with hepatitis C in the country. We are committed to educate and provide free hepatitis C testing to the members ...
read more
The Prevention of Hepatitis
In general, to prevent viral hepatitis you should:
1.Follow good hygiene and avoid crowded, unhealthy living conditions.
2.Take extra care, particularly when drinking and swimming, if you travel to areas of the world where sanitation is poor and water quality is uncertain.
3.Never eat shellfish from waters contaminated by sewage.
4.Remind everyone in your family to wash their hands thoroughly after using the toilet and before eating.
5.Use antiseptic cleansers to clean any toilet, sink, potty-chair, or bedpan used by someone in the family who develops hepatitis. read more
Contagiousness
Hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C are all contagious.
The hepatitis A virus can be spread in contaminated food or water, as well as in unsanitary conditions in child-care facilities or schools. Toilets and sinks used by an infected person should be cleaned with antiseptic cleansers. People who live with or care for someone with hepatitis should wash their hands after contact with the infected person. In addition, when traveling to countries where hepatitis A is prevalent, your child should be
The hepatitis B virus can be found in virtually all body fluids, though its main routes of infection are through sexual contact, contaminated blood transfusions, and shared needles for drug injections. Household contact with adults with hepatitis B can put people at risk for contracting hepatitis.
The hepatitis C virus can be spread through shared drug needles, contaminated blood products, and, less commonly, through sexual contact. Although hepatitis C can be spread from a mother to her fetus during pregnancy, the risk of passing hepatitis C to the fetus isn't very high (about 5%). If you're pregnant, contact your doctor if you think you may have been exposed to hepatitis C.read more
The hepatitis A virus can be spread in contaminated food or water, as well as in unsanitary conditions in child-care facilities or schools. Toilets and sinks used by an infected person should be cleaned with antiseptic cleansers. People who live with or care for someone with hepatitis should wash their hands after contact with the infected person. In addition, when traveling to countries where hepatitis A is prevalent, your child should be
The hepatitis B virus can be found in virtually all body fluids, though its main routes of infection are through sexual contact, contaminated blood transfusions, and shared needles for drug injections. Household contact with adults with hepatitis B can put people at risk for contracting hepatitis.
The hepatitis C virus can be spread through shared drug needles, contaminated blood products, and, less commonly, through sexual contact. Although hepatitis C can be spread from a mother to her fetus during pregnancy, the risk of passing hepatitis C to the fetus isn't very high (about 5%). If you're pregnant, contact your doctor if you think you may have been exposed to hepatitis C.read more
Romark Begins Trial of Alinia for Chronic Hepatitis C
Romark Laboratories has initiated a Phase II clinical trial of Alinia for treating chronic hepatitis C in the U.S.
According to Romark, the clinical trial is designed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of Alinia (nitazoxanide) tablets administered in combination with Pegasys (peginterferon alfa-2a) and Copegus (ribavirin) in 60 patients with chronichepatitis C genotype 1 who have failed to respond to standard therapy (peginterferon and ribavirin).
The trial is part of the company’s Studies to Evaluate Alinia for Treatment of Hepatitis C (STEALTH C) clinical development program, a series of clinical trials designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of Alinia tablets in combination with peginterferon or peginterferon and ribavirin in patients with chronic hepatitis C.
read more
According to Romark, the clinical trial is designed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of Alinia (nitazoxanide) tablets administered in combination with Pegasys (peginterferon alfa-2a) and Copegus (ribavirin) in 60 patients with chronichepatitis C genotype 1 who have failed to respond to standard therapy (peginterferon and ribavirin).
The trial is part of the company’s Studies to Evaluate Alinia for Treatment of Hepatitis C (STEALTH C) clinical development program, a series of clinical trials designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of Alinia tablets in combination with peginterferon or peginterferon and ribavirin in patients with chronic hepatitis C.
read more
Novelos Therapeutics to Present and Webcast at Noble Financial Small Cap Conference
Novelos Therapeutics, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company commercializing oxidized glutathione-based compounds for the treatment of cancer and hepatitis. NOV-002, the lead compound currently in Phase 3 development for lung cancer under a SPA and Fast Track, acts together with chemotherapy as a chemoprotectant and an immunomodulator. NOV-002 is also in Phase 2 development for chemotherapy-resistant ovarian cancer and early-stage breast cancer, and is in addition being developed for acute radiation injury. NOV-205 acts as a hepatoprotective agent with immunomodulating and anti-inflammatory properties. NOV-205 is in Phase 1b development for chronic hepatitis C non-responders. Both compounds have completed clinical trials in humans and have been approved for use in the Russian Federation where they were originally developed. read more
Roche Joins Forces With Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church to Provide Free Hepatitis C Testing to the Community
PHILADELPHIA, Aug. 17 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Roche representatives will work together with the Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church from Saturday, August 18 - Sunday, August 19 to educate the church community about the hepatitis C virus (HCV), including risk factors, the importance of getting tested and possible treatment options.
Preparations will begin on Friday, August 17 when ministry leaders, church volunteers, and Roche representatives convene to review education and testing logistics regarding HCV.
"African Americans have the highest rate of infection with hepatitis C in the country. We are committed to educate and provide free hepatitis C testing to the members of Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church and other local residents to prevent future infections," said Senior Pastor Rev. Dr. Alyn E. Waller, Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church, Philadelphia, PA.read more
Preparations will begin on Friday, August 17 when ministry leaders, church volunteers, and Roche representatives convene to review education and testing logistics regarding HCV.
"African Americans have the highest rate of infection with hepatitis C in the country. We are committed to educate and provide free hepatitis C testing to the members of Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church and other local residents to prevent future infections," said Senior Pastor Rev. Dr. Alyn E. Waller, Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church, Philadelphia, PA.read more
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