Hepatitis C:
The Silent Epidemic
by Stephanie
Hembree, Suite101.com
Hepatitis C (Hepatitis C Virus) is being called the
silent epidemic because as many as 70% of those infected with
this virus don't know even know it. According to the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta,
Georgia, nearly 4 million people in the United States are
infected with the virus. Hepatitis C Virus now causes 8,000 to 10,000 deaths
a year and this number may increase to 30,000 in the next two
decades.
Why haven't you heard about this and why don't you know
whether you have it or not? The answer comes in two
parts. The first part being that Hepatitis C Virus first recognized in
1975 as non-A/non-B hepatitis has been over shadowed by the
AIDS epidemic. Even though today it affects 4 times as many
people as AIDS. That explains why you have not heard
much about it. Why don't you know if you have it?
Because half of the people infected with this virus have no
symptoms. Others have appetite loss, fatique, nausea, fever,
dark-yellow urine or jaundice. Liver tests may
also be elevated.
Most people don't know they have it and there are no symptoms,
why should you even be concerned? You should be
concerned because while some people have a normal life span
without any significant liver damage, others develop
irreversible scarring resulting in liver failure or liver
cancer. The liver is an amazing organ with a great
capacity to regenerate. In fact 75% of liver can be
destroyed before there are any clinical symptoms. Up to 85% of
people exposed to this virus develop chronic liver disease,
which is a slow progressive disease that can take 10-40 years
to develop. So early detection is important. Home
Access Health Corporation is on-line community of people who
share a interest in Hepatitis C and HIV. You can take
their confidential risk-assessmet questionnaire as well as
order a hepatitis C home-test kit. To take the hepatitis
risk assessment
You are probably asking yourself, what can I do? The
best advice for someone with Hepatitis C is to have regular
docter visits and adopt a healthy lifestyle. This means
eating a well-balanced diet and avoiding alcohol. Exercise,
plenty of asleep and stress reduction also play a role in
staying well.
If you have Hepatitis C a great place to get information is an
interactive community that can be found at http://www.hepatitisneighborhood.com.
This is an on-line community where you can share experiences
and ask questions. It is a resource with over 300 pages of
information and services. You must join to use, but it
is confidential.
If you have hepatitis there are treatments available and you
can do a lot by eating right and taking care of yourself.
|
