Problems Associated With Hepatitis C

Living conditions such as overcrowding of dwellings, poor sanitation, limited food and water supply and underserviced homes all contribute to the health and well being of this population group. Overcrowding can greatly increase the risk of transmitting diseases such as tuberculosis, hepatitis A, and shigellosis. Studies have reported that these diseases have a higher rate in provinces that have a higher population of aboriginals, such as Ontario. (Dr. Chandrakant P. Shah. 2005, page. 21)

This research paper is going to review today’s silent killer, the Hepatitis C virus. This paper will talk about the description of the disease, the signs and symptoms, the etiology and risk factors, diagnostic studies, treatments and prognosis of this disease. I had lived with this disease for over ten years before diagnosed so it is important to understand the signs and symptoms so the disease can be identified and a treatment plan can be identified as the sooner it is treated the more likely it will eradicate the disease.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and Hepatitis C (HCV) are blood borne diseases transmitted through coming in direct contact with an infected person 's blood. Canadians who are intravenous drug users (IDUs) have a higher than normal risk for coming into contact with both diseases.

Grundy G, Beeching N . (2004). Understanding social stigma ii women with hepatitis C. Nursing Standard. 19 (4), 35-39.

Carson, B., Dunbar, T., Chenhall, R. D., & Bailie, R. (2007). Social determinants of Indigenous health. Allen & Unwin.

In that regard, the Cherokee Nation is collaborating with specialized people at both the University of Oklahoma and the Center for Dieses Control and Preventions to limit the spread of Hepatitis C among tribal members (Stogsdill, 2016). Moreover, they established a Hepatitis C eradication program that is consistently progressing in treating and diagnosing patients. One of the program’s aspects is to send a nurse to investigate in the patient case. The nurse works to identify the cause of Hepatitis C and tracks people who engage in similar activities to test them. Such activities can be getting tattoos, using drugs or sharing needles (Murphy, 2016). The program targets people between ages of 20 to 69 years old, because they are more prominent to be infected. As stated by Jorege Mera, the CN’s Health Services Director of Infectious Diseases, the aim is to protect at least 85% of the infected group (Murphy, 2016). Altogether, the program is still improving and saving many Cherokee Nation citizens from the painful long-term consequences of Hepatitis C. Establishing Health programs are not the only method to advance the health care system, but also building hospitals and health

Intravenous drug users are some of the individuals most susceptible for contracting and transmitting blood-borne diseases such as the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B and hepatitis C. In Canada, there was an estimated 71,300 cases of HIV at the end of 2011 with an incidence of approximately 2,250 to 4,100 cases. IDUs account for 13.7% of Canadians living with HIV. Prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HVC) is currently

The definition for Hepatitis changes with whom you ask. To some it means a horrible painful way to die while others are able to look at it as a disease. The word Hepatitis means liver inflamation. The liver is a large, glandular, reddish-brown organ located in the upper right side of the abdomen. It consists of 5 lobes and secretes bile into the gallbladder and into the small intestine and aids in the digestion of lipids. Hepatitis is often caused by a virus. Hepatitis A, B, and C are the most common types in the United States but there is also a type

There are three levels of health care prevention in which the American Indians and Alaskan Natives can use to improve their common disparities. The primary level of prevention is used to prevent diseases or conditions from occurring. The second level of prevention is used to reduce the extent of a existing disease within a community or population, and the tertiary level of prevention is used to slow down the impact of a disease or illness that may have lasting effects. For this group of the minorities the primary prevention is most effective by preventive health implementations for individuals and communities through access to healthcare, immunization, nutrition information, tobacco cessation, and substance abuse, among many other preventive measures (Institute for Work,

The specific objectives of this study were as follows: (1) a rapid review of the hepatitis C literature employing an Indigenous lens; (2) a series of sharing circles of Indigenous peoples with lived hepatitis C experiences (3) analysis of sharing circle discourse by the research team and Community Research Associates; (4) a series of validation exercises with key informants to increase robustness and enrich findings; (5) team-building and multi-directional capacity strengthening; and (6) development a larger community-based operating grant application for future research funding consideration. I performed the foundational aspects of this project, including the scoping review, sharing circle planning and initial qualitative analysis.

Hepatitis C is a prevalent health care problem. According to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC, 2016), approximately 2.7-3.9 million of the adult population in the United States is infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV). Some groups of people are at risk for Hepatitis C infection, including current injection drug users, people who received the blood transfusion before 1992, organ recipients from a donor who tested positive for hepatitis C virus, hemodialysis patients, and children born to a hepatitis C mother (CDC, 2016). Hepatitis C causes embarrassment and isolation from the society. Self-esteem and understanding of the

Genotype 1 is the most common type of Hepatitis C genotype in the United States and the most difficult to treat. Knowing the genotype of Hepatitis C is helpful in making a therapeutic recommendation. Individuals with genotypes 2 and 3 are almost three times more likely than individuals with genotype 1 to respond to therapy with alpha interferon or the combination of alpha interferon and ribavirin. Furthermore, when using combination therapy, the recommended duration of treatment depends on the genotype. For this reason, testing for Hepatitis C genotype is often clinically helpful. Once the genotype is identified, it need not be tested again as genotypes do not change during the course of infection.

Chronic infection by hepatitis C virus (HCV) is the most common risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in the US, while hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is third. The prevalence of HBC and HCV is higher in - African descent Americans compared to non-Hispanic Whites (CITATION). The epidemiological trends in chronic hepatitis are not limited to African Americans but also African immigrants (AI). According to the US Census, AI are one of the fastest growing ethnic groups in Minnesota (CITATION). In particular, Minnesota is home to the largest Somali population in the country. In addition, chronic hepatitis is highly prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa, resulting in ~25% of all HCC cases worldwide. This trend in chronic hepatitis influences

Hepatitis C (HCV) is a blood borne virus that can lead to chronic liver disease and liver failure. In Canada, nearly 250,000 people have an active Hepatitis C infection (Strike, Leonard, Millson, Anstice, Berkeley, & Medd, 2006). People who inject drugs (PWID) are disproportionately represented in this statistic accounting for over 66% of those infected (Strike et al., 2006). Needle sharing among PWID is oft cited as one of the leading causes of HCV transmission (Strike et al. 2006).

Hepatitis is inflammation of the liver. There are currently five known viruses that cause can hepatitis (Microbiology, 10e). The hepatitis C virus (HCV) is transmitted through contact with the blood of an infected person; however, it is now more commonly spread among IV drug users that share needles. Healthcare workers are also at risk for contracting HCV, but with standard precautions, the risk is low. “Prior to 1992, some people acquired the HCV infection from transfusions of blood or blood products. Since 1992, all blood products have been screened for HCV, and cases of HCV due to blood transfusion now are extremely rare. HCV can be passed from mother to unborn child. Approximately 4 out of every 100 infants born to HCV-positive mothers