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Public Service Announcement Our hepatitis prevention public service
announcement is now online and available for download.
Click Here Press Releases
Breaking
News Proposed Federal Funding for 2012 Legislators are considering supporting this proposed funding package for 2012.
It is anticipated that this will be approved and signed by the president shortly.
Hepatitis Foundation International Call to Action for World Hepatitis Day: Get Tested, Get Immunized, and Help Prevent New Infections.
Hepatitis Foundation International, dedicated to liver health and the prevention of liver related diseases, urges people to get tested and immunized to help prevent new viral hepatitis infections. “We have the power to prevent new hepatitis infections, whether hepatitis A, B or C, through immunizations, avoiding risky behaviors such as sharing needles, toothbrushes and razors, and encouraging those as risk for infection to get tested,” said Thelma King Thiel, CEO and Chairman, HFI.
The goal of World Hepatitis Day was to increase awareness of viral hepatitis and the diseases that it causes. Viral hepatitis is a significant burden across the globe accounting for:
In the United States, chronic
hepatitis C and hepatitis B infections continue to persist while
hepatitis A infections have been dramatically decreased due to
increased awareness and hygiene. Because viral hepatitis can
persist for decades without symptoms, 65%-75% of infected
Americans remain unaware of their infection status and are not
receiving care and treatment. In May of this year the Department
of Health and Human Services issued the National Viral Hepatitis
Action Plan to prevent disease and help those who are diagnosed.
HFI knows of the urgency to make this action plan happen, especially the need to identify the large at-risk population of Baby Boomers, who are likely unaware of their infection. HFI urges people to take the following steps to prevent hepatitis and preserve their liver:
About Hepatitis Foundation International
New Liver-Like Cells Enhance HCV Research
Researchers at MIT, Rockefeller University and the Medical College of Wisconsin have found a way to create liver-like cells from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), which are made from body tissues rather than embryos. These liver-like cells can then be infected with hepatitis C. Studying liver cells from various people could reveal genetic factors to enhance efforts to understand why some people are resistant to hepatitis C, while others are highly susceptible to this infectious disease.
Drug Induced Liver Injury
Drug-induced liver injury is the most common cause of acute liver failure in the US with overdoses of acetaminophen identified as the most frequent cause of liver injury. . Liver toxicity limits the development of many therapeutic compounds and presents major challenges to both clinical medicine and to the pharmaceutical industry causing abandoning drugs early in development or withdrawal from the market. Currently, no pharmaceutical strategies exist for preventing drug-induced liver injury and treatment options are limited to discontinuing the offending drug, supportive care, and transplantation for end-stage liver failure.
Childhood Obesity-
Thousands at Risk
Doctors in the U.K say obesity levels are now so
high that children are commonly suffering signs of disease more
commonly associated with alcohol abuse, meaning many will go on
to develop cirrhosis, with some requiring liver transplants. Government estimates say around 500,000 children below the age of 15 are suffering from “non alcoholic liver disease” which is caused by a build-up of fat within liver cells.
The condition increases the risks of heart
disease, strokes and type 2 diabetes, and can lead to
cirrhosis-scarring of the liver-which is often not detected
until it is too late. Thousands of lives are already at risk.
Prof. Martin Lombard, the Department of Health’s
national clinical director for liver disease warned that the
disease was rarely detected until it had caused damage. He said
“Liver disease is a killer, which is putting the lives of
thousands of our children at risk. We do not want to see the
next generation dying young from a condition that can be
prevented.” Prof Lombard said he was concerned that children suffering from fatty liver disease were at particular risk if they started experimenting with alcohol in teenage years. He said even modest amounts of alcohol could worsen the condition. There is no medical treatment for the disease, but the extent of it can be reduced by weight loss and improvements in diet. Young people who are over weight or obese need to make simple changes to their lifestyle.
Are You Feeding Your Heart Too Much Mayo??
What does the heart have to do with mayonnaise, grease and cheese??? A recent article by Web MD titled Do Your Heart a Favor: Avoid These Appetizers identified some good and bad choices.
To help you make good choices, we’d like to connect the heart with the food you eat. . . and your liver that processes the food (fuel) you feed it that keeps you alive and functioning 24/7.
Loading up your liver with fats, too much sugar and carbohydrates can not only clog up your arteries, they can damage your liver . . .your internal chemical converter and energy source.
Did you know that almost everything you eat has to be processed by your liver? Clogging it up with too many fatty foods can compromise this process. One in 6 Americans has a fatty liver that can lead to cirrhosis.
When you learn you have high cholesterol, what is the first thing you are told to do? Change your diet!!! Did you know that your liver is responsible for the production and excretion of cholesterol? What are you eating that is helping your cholesterol go through the roof?
Learn how to take care of liver. Visit www.PartnersinLiverWellness.org
Mental Confusion; Is it
Alzheimer’s or Cirrhosis?? Most of us are well aware of the signs of mental confusion related to Alzheimer’s Disease. However, cirrhosis and liver failure can cause similar symptoms due to the liver’s inability to remove or process toxins ingested in food, drugs and alcohol, and those made in the body. These toxins remain in the blood and are carried to the brain where they affect cognition.
Several liver related diseases can lead to cirrhosis including: fatty liver, viral hepatitis, autoimmune hepatitis, Wilson’s disease, and alcohol abuse, and many others.
Most people do not think of obesity as a liver problem; however, two-thirds of Americans are overweight without a clue that overeating and eating too many fatty foods can lead to cirrhosis of the liver.
Almost everything you eat, breath and absorb through your skin must be processed through you liver.
Liver transplants are very expensive, Changing your diet and protecting your liver is a cost effective way to (be a long liver) live a longer and healthier life.
HCV Infected? Protecting Your Liver
An increasing number of chemicals in pesticides, aerosols, cleaning agents, waxes and lacquers and other pollutants in the environment are leading to liver damage. The liver is the primary organ in the human body that metabolizes foreign compounds such as drugs, alcohol, cigarette smoke and environmental chemicals including those on the foods we ingest. It needs your help when it is struggling with hepatitis B or C infections.
There is a lack of comprehensive understanding of the cell-and organ-wide effects of mixtures of toxic substances and how interactions among them can lead to increased liver damage. Much more research is needed to prevent or mitigate life-threatening toxicant-induced liver health issues. Until then be sure to wash fruit and vegetables before eating them; have proper ventilation when using sprays and/or wear a mask; and cover your skin and wash it thoroughly if exposed to weed killers, bug sprays, paint thinners, or other chemicals used in and around your house.
Words to live by; Almost everything you eat, breathe or absorb through your skin has to be processed and detoxified by your liver. Your liver is your silent partner that depends on you to protect it from harm.
HFI Jump Starts Viral Hepatitis Action Plan.
The Hepatitis Foundation International (HFI) applauds the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for its Action Plan to Prevent, Care and Treat Viral Hepatitis, a silent and underestimated public health problem. Implementation of the plan depends on government support to be effective. HFI knows of the urgency to make this action plan happen, especially the need to identify the large at-risk population of Baby Boomers of whom many are unaware of their infection. For many years the Foundation has developed programs and worked to engage healthcare providers, and community and corporate leaders to promote liver health/wellness programs and empower individuals to assess their own risk of infection, seek testing and take advantage of new treatments and subsequent cures.
To promote
liver health education, missing in most prevention programs, HFI
continues to reach and engage leading organizations including
Georgia Power/Southern Company and The Coca Cola Company to
join Partners in Liver Wellness, HFI's initiative to encourage
liver health education in the workplace. Georgia Power/Southern Company, who was impressed with HFIs liver health program that promotes healthy lifestyle behaviors and avoidance of liver damaging activities, provided the liver health information to its 9,000 employees through their Safety Education Program. Their medical director, Dr. Rob Harshman said, “ I am happy to hear there is growing momentum to educate people in protecting their livers through healthy lifestyles. It is a message we have to continually revisit.”
“We can not afford to wait until people get sick. Understanding the important role the liver plays is essential to enable individuals to avoid liver related debilitating chronic illnesses that include hepatitis, fatty liver, obesity, diabetes and alcohol and drug misuse and abuse”, says Dr. Raymond Koff, hepatologist and clinical professor at University of Connecticut Health Sciences Center.
Prevention depends on individuals making personal healthy lifestyle choices. Education is the key.
Alarming Increase of HCV Among Young Adults
A report from the Massachusetts Department of Health showed an alarming increase in the rate of Hepatitis C Infection among young adults age 15 – 24. This was nearly double the rate between 2002 and 2009. According to state officials, this new wave of disease is attributed to the rise in abuse of Percocet and oxicodone leading to participation in intravenous drugs use by young adults, The increase is purported to be linked to sharing infected needles to inject the drugs.
“We can not afford to wait until young adults are infected to address this increasing health problem,” comments Dr. Raymond Koff, hepatologist and clinical professor at Connecticut University Health Sciences Center. “Educating children at an early age about the important role the liver plays and how drugs and alcohol can impact their health and life itself is essential to empower young people to make informed choices and avoid the life altering impact of being hepatitis C infected.”
Absent in most primary and secondary school curricula is information about liver health and adoption of healthy lifestyle behaviors. Extensive surveys by the Hepatitis Foundation International (HFI) show that the majority of teachers lack the knowledge and teaching tools to engage their students in avoiding liver damaging behaviors. Prevention of hepatitis C and other liver related diseases can save lives and healthcare dollars. HFI’s Partners in Liver Wellness educational initiative is recognized nationally for its leadership in promoting liver health and healthy lifestyles. For information and participation in promoting liver health call 1-800-891-0707
Two New Drugs Provide Hope for More Cures
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved two new drugs; telaprevir (Incivek, Vertex) and boceprevir (Victrelis, Merck) to be used with peginterferon plus ribavirin for the treatment of Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, thereby providing new hope for patients who are infected. Both drugs are serine protease inhibitors and cannot be used as monotherapy.
Telaprevir is approved for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C genotype 1 infection, in combination with peginterferon and ribavirin, in patients aged 18 years and older with compensated liver disease, including cirrhosis, who are treatment-naive or who have been previously treated with interferon-based treatment. Patients who received 750 mg of telaprevir every 8 hours with meals along with the conventional treatment of peginterferon plus ribavirin had a significantly higher rate of sustained virologic response (SVR) of 79%, considerably higher than the rate observed in patients receiving conventional therapy. The SVR response rate for all patients across all studies and all patient groups, was 20% to 45% higher than the current standard of care. Treatment with telaprevir is limited to 12 weeks with peginterferon plus ribavirin, and then the peginterferon and ribavirin are continued for an additional 12 weeks for a total of 24 weeks of treatment in most patients. Some patients, about 40%, with require longer therapy with peginterferon and ribavirin. Patients who had relapsed from prior therapy achieved a SVR of 86%, while those with a partial response had a SVR of 59% and so-called null responders had the lowest SVR of 32%. Anemia was a common adverse event and serious skin reactions with telaprevir occurred in less than 1% of patients.
Boceprevir, also approved for the treatment of genotype 1 chronic hepatitis C patients with compensated liver disease, including cirrhosis, who are over 18 years of age, is given four weeks after beginning the combination of peginterferon plus ribavirin in a lead-in phase. The dose of 800 mg is given orally with food every 7 to 9 hours. Boceprevir may given for 24 weeks together with peginterferon plus ribavirin, following the four-week lead-in phase, in about 45% of patients, and for 44 weeks in the remainder, based on HCV RNA levels measured at weeks 8 and 24. For naive patients, SVR was achieved in 63-66% of patients. Patients who previously had relapsed or had a partial response when treated with peginterferon and ribavirin, achieved a SVR of 70-75% and 40-52%, respectively. Null responders, defined as individuals in whom HCV RNA levels failed to decline by at least 2 logs at week 12 of previous treatment were not included in Phase III studies but in earlier studies, SVR rates were less than 15%..Adverse effects of concern include: anemia, neutropenia and thrombocytopenia but serious skin reactions were not seen.
As with conventional treatment, patients need to be warned that both treatment regimens have the potential to cause depression, suicidal ideation and, if taken during pregnancy, birth defects. Because of drug-drug interactions, it is essential that all medications be carefully reviewed before beginning either therapy
Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver
Disease (NAFLD) and Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH)
Fat accumulation in the liver in individuals who
do not drink alcohol, is called nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
(NAFLD). As a consequence of the on-going obesity epidemic in
the U.S., fatty liver is a very common disorder with an
estimated two thirds of obese adults and half of obese children
having fat accumulation in the liver. Up to 20% of those who are
obese may suffer from a more severe condition called
non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, (NASH). This occurs when fat
build up in the liver is associated with liver cell inflammation
and various degrees of liver cell death called
cirrhosis. In many of
those affected by NAFLD, obesity may be the only warning of a
fatty liver. Some people may have a slightly enlarged liver,
feel tired and have some abdominal pain. However, fatty liver
is suspected when a blood test of specific liver enzymes (serum
aminotransferease enzymes) is elevated in an individual who is
obese. Fatty liver can be confirmed by an ultrasound examination
of the liver or by liver biopsy. Read more: NAFLD Article
HFI Launches Partners in Liver Wellness Initiative
The Influence of NAFLD and Its Associated Co-morbidities on Liver Transplant Outcomes Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease is a rising epidemic in the US, fueled in part by the dual epidemics of obesity and diabetes. As NAFLD increases in incidence and prevalence, researchers expect it to become the leading indication for liver transplantation in the next two decades. The abstract of a new study from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill was presented at Digestive Disease Week, May 1-5 in New Orleans, LA. The study found that NAFLD is significantly associated with worse transplant outcomes (death and graft failure) within the first 30 days after a liver transplant. The study, which observed 118 liver transplants in a three-year period, is based on previous research published in 2009 that reached similar conclusions.
Antiviral ‘Cocktail’ Better
than Single Drug for Children with Hepatitis
An estimated 132,000 U.S. children are infected
with the Hepatitis C virus, and nearly 42,300 of them are
chronically infected. Children receiving the combination therapy
of PEG interferon injections and the antiviral drug Ribavirin
cleared the infection at a rate of two and a half times greater
than children receiving PEG interferon treatment alone according
to a study conducted by Johns Hopkins Children Center. Viral
clearance occurs when the blood is free of viral traces at the
end of the treatment, and sustained viral clearance occurs when
the blood remains clear for at least six months after stopping
treatment. Full clearance is the hallmark of effective therapy
and was where the greatest differences between the two
treatments emerged. The study showed that combination therapy
proved more effective in clearing the Hepatitis C virus in
children ages 5-17, and children receiving the combination
therapy were less likely to relapse after stopping treatment,
with only 17 percent compared to the 45 percent of children on
the single-drug approach. Read more: Johns Hopkins Children's Center
Spice in Curry Could Prevent Liver Damage Curcumin, a spice regularly found in curry and contained in the Tumeric plant could serve as a natural way to help prevent and treat liver damage caused by fatty liver disease. Fatty liver disease, linked to obesity and weight gain, affects an estimated 3 to 4 percent of the US population and if left untreated can lead to cirrhosis, liver cancer and even death. Research has shown that obese patients typically have higher levels of blood leptin, glucose and insulin, all of which might contribute to liver fibrosis, the scarring of the liver. Elevated levels of leptin activate hepatic stellate cells, which in turn overproduce collagen protein, a major factor of liver fibrosis. Preliminary research released by Saint Louis University suggests that Curcumin minimizes the effects of leptin on activating hepatic stellate cells, which in turn helps to lessen the development of liver damage.
Childhood Obesity- Impact of Liver Transplant Studies show that obesity has a significant negative impact on pediatric patient survival more than 5 years post-liver transplant. A study examined the impact of pre-transplant Body Mass Index (BMI - a measure of someone’s weight in relation to their height) on post liver transplant survival in the pediatric population. Results indicated children who were thin or severely thin had a significantly lower survival (84%) at one year compared to the survival (89%) of children in the normal and overweight groups. However by the 12th year following liver transplant, those in the obese group had significantly lower survival (72%) than the survival (77%) of normal or overweight pediatric patients. The study conducted by the University of Washington concluded that identifying pre and post transplant pediatric patients as malnourished or obese along with optimization of their modifiable risk factors will help maximize patient survival by better utilizing scarce donor organs.
Liver Hormone is a Cause of Insulin Resistance The hormone, Selenoportein (SeP), produced and secreted by the liver was previously an unknown cause of insulin resistance. Research shows that the livers in people with type 2 diabetes who are more insulin resistant express higher levels of gene encoding Selenoportein P (SeP). Blood levels of SeP are also increased in people with diabetes compared to healthy people. This finding suggests a new target for the treatment of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. This study published by Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medical Science in Japan further shows there may be other hormones derived from the liver with important and varied roles in the body.
New Serum Marker for Hepatocellular Carcinomaa
New findings have shown that the combined measurement of golgi
protein 73 (GP 73) and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) increased the
sensitivity for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). GP73 decreased
following surgical resection of HCC lesions and increased with
tumor recurrence. Non-liver cancers in 14 organs (colon, rectum,
stomach, esophagus, pancreas, lung, thyroid, kidney, bladder,
prostate, breast, ovary, cervix and endometrium) were analysed.
In conclusion, the authors submitted that GP73 is an accurate serum marker for the detection of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and its recurrence after surgery. It had a higher sensitivity and specificity than alpha-fetoprotein (AFP). Also, they recommended clinical implementation of serum GP73 measurement as a standard test for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)
FDA Considers Expanded Use of HCV Drugs The FDA is considering the establishment of a compassionate use program that would allow severely ill hepatitis C (HCV) patients access to investigational, direct-acting antiviral agents. This effort to control Hepatitis C more effectively is in response to a petition by groups seeking access to the drugs for individuals often excluded from clinical trials, which are only open to a small subset of real-world HCV patients. Many patients are rejected from clinical trials due to co-morbidities, drug use, and mental illnesses. Check out the rest of the article, which features commentary from Dr. Diana Sylvestre, a speaker at HFI's Viral Hepatitis Summits:
Many children with hepatitis C go undiagnosed and untreated, which can lead to severe liver damage later in life. National data shows that between 0.2 percent and 0.4 percent of children in the United States is infected with hepatitis C. Most children and adults infected with hepatitis C do not have symptoms or they may have fatigue or abdominal pain. This results in the lack of proper identification. Most young children get the infection from their mothers while in the womb, which accounts for about 60 percent of the infections in young children. Teenagers can get it through IV drug use and other substance abuse. Unfortunately, there is a widespread lack of awareness of the condition and adequate screening is not often done. Moreover, children are too often not referred to treatment. Early identification of pediatric hepatitis C infection would likely help us cure the infection in over 50 percent of children that currently have it.
Deadly Cancer is Preventable Liver cancer, or hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), is the third leading cause of death from cancer worldwide and the ninth leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States. Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections account for an estimated 78% of global HCC cases. To determine trends in HCC incidence in the United States, CDC analyzed data for the period 2001--2006 (the most recent data available). The average annual incidence rate of HCC for 2001--2006 was 3.0 per 100,000 persons and increased significantly from 2.7 per 100,000 persons in 2001 to 3.2 in 2006, with an average annual percentage change in incidence rate of 3.5%. The largest increases in HCC incidence rates were among whites and persons aged 50--59 years. Development of viral hepatitis services, including screening with care referral for persons chronically infected with HBV or HCV, full implementation of vaccine-based strategies to eliminate hepatitis B, and improved public health surveillance are needed to help reverse the trend in HCC.
Read full report: CDC MMWR
Improved Hep B Outcomes After Liver Transplant A report from the Mayo Clinic stated that treatment to reduce the recurrence of hepatitis B appears to improve liver transplant outcomes. Hepatitis B infection is a major cause of liver damage that can eventually lead to end-stage liver disease and the need for a liver transplant. New medications that include antiviral therapy and hepatitis B immune globulin to reduce the risk of recurrence have improved outcomes. In the past, hepatitis B has recurred in transplant patients, causing severe liver damage and the need for a second transplant. The study showed that in patients with HBV, the number of people listed for a second transplant within three years decreased by fifty percent between 1996 and 2005.
New York Needs Organ Donors! According to the director of the Rochester-finger Lakes Eye and Tissue Bank, Linda Fraser, the need for life-saving transplants is dire in New York State, but the number of eligible people actually registered as organ donors is significantly lower than most states. As of 2009, only 13 percent of eligible New Yorkers were registered to be donors (the age requirement to donate is 18 and up), while in other states such as Alaska, the number is as high as 70 percent. Fraser attributes these low numbers to the fact that New York is one of the few states that does not permit organ donor registration online-most people register through the DMV when obtaining or renewing their driver's license. In addition, there are many misunderstood principles associated with organ donation. Most people do not understand the intricacies of such a procedure unless there has been a need in the family for a transplant.
Semen Unlikely to be Reason For Sexually-Transmitted HCV A new study has revealed that the hepatitis C virus is detectable in the semen of a minority of HIV-positive gay men co-infected with both viruses at very low levels, indicating that transmission of hepatitis C during sex is via blood, not semen. These findings are leaving researchers looking for an explanation as to why HIV-positive men are estimated to be 50 times more likely to acquire HCV than HIV-negative men. The study recruited men from the HCV cohort at Mortimer Market in London.
Hepatitis C Infection Doubles Risk for Kidney Cancer
Physicians at Henry Ford
Hospital have found that Hepatitis C infected patients had
nearly double the risk of developing kidney cancer, after
assessing age, gender, race, and underlying kidney disease.
These results show that the hepatitis C virus causes disease
that extends beyond the liver, and in fact most of our
HCV-infected kidney cancer patients had only minimal liver
damage. This
establishes the need for a more careful surveillance of newly
diagnosed kidney cancer patients for the presence of hepatitis C
infection, one of the few cancers with a rising global
incidence. Read more: Health News Digest New Drug Cures Hard-to-Treat Hepatitis C Telaprevir is one of two highly anticipated drugs in the class known as protease inhibitors being studied in patients with chronic hepatitis C infection, a condition that affects about 3 million Americans and is the leading cause of liver transplants in the U.S. About 40% of previously untreated HCV patients are cured with the current treatment regimen, which includes 48 weeks of peginterferon and Ribavirin. A second round of treatment is often recommended for patients who fail to respond to initial treatment or who respond and then relapse. When the drug telaprevir was added to standard treatment with peginterferon Alfa and Ribavirin, which are also antiviral, about half of patients who had failed previous treatment with the two drugs cleared the virus.
Liver Test For Kids Inaccurate A new study shows that the routine screening test used to detect liver problems in children is being interpreted differently across the nation, allowing many cases to go undetected. The study at the University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine has been revealed that the common screening test for chronic liver disease that uses serum alanine aminotransferease (ALT) is using different values to detect risks for kids across many of the nation's children's hospitals. The children were placed in four groups to a new limit of normal ALT: children with normal livers; with chronic hepatitis B virus; with hepatitis C virus; and children with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. The study revealed only one-third to one-half of children with liver disease would be detected by the old standards and that the new values established by the study would improve detection to 70 to 80 percent.
HCV Therapy Fails in Many Urban Patients
The standard treatment for hepatitis C, which is
highly effective in clinical trials, may be unavailable,
inappropriate, or ineffective in urban U.S. patients. In
clinical trials, treatment with Pegylated Interferon and
Ribavirin, yielded sustained viral response rates between 54%
and 63%. But in an urban population, with many members of ethnic
minorities, sustained viral response rates were between 14% and
37%. The study also confirms that members of ethnic minorities,
who are usually under-represented in clinical trials, do not
fare as well as expected with treatment in the real world.
Physicians need to know not only the efficacy of combination
therapy as demonstrated in phase III registration trials, but
also its effectiveness: the outcome of treatment in patients
like their own receiving ordinary clinical care. Read more: MedPage Today
The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors unanimously voted to support legislation that would tighten up regulation of oversight of businesses that provide tattooing, body piercing and permanent cosmetic application services. The Safe Body Art Act would establish minimum statewide health and oversight standards for tattoo parlors and body art businesses. The absence of statewide regulations and standards puts public health at risk by increasing the threat of blood-borne diseases, particularly Hepatitis C and HIV. Researchers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have linked clusters of antibiotic-resistant skin infections to unlicensed tattoo artists who didn't follow proper sterilization and needle disposal procedures. Read more: http://www.sbsun.com/sports/ci_14687937#ixzz0iRwr2fZg
HEPATITIS B VACCINE AND TREATMENTS, STUDY REVEALS
March 12, 2010, 01:03 pm Approximately 20 percent of infants born to mothers with hepatitis B are not receiving the proper preventative treatments, researchers at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found in a recent study published in the April 2010 issue of Pediatrics. Infants who receive the hepatitis B vaccine and hepatitis B immunoglobulin (an injection of hepatitis B antibodies) are 85 to 95 percent protected from the disease. CDC researchers examined medical records of 4,762 mothers and 4,786 infants, with 18 women testing positive for hepatitis B upon admission to the hospital.
According to CDC epidemiologist and study author Bayo Wills, transmission of hepatitis B is almost entirely preventable through vaccination and proper medical procedures created to protect people from the disease. "We really need hospitals to have correct policies in place and to implement those policies so that every newborn is protected before they leave the hospital," said Willis. Recommendations provided by the CDC state that newborns should receive the hepatitis B vaccine at birth, followed by booster shots at one and six months old. Of the 190 hospitals examined in the study, only 67 percent had a policy in place to ensure hepatitis B vaccination. "The greatest predictor of which children would get the hepatitis vaccine was the hospital having a policy for universal vaccination of infants. Our study shows that gaps still persist in perinatal hepatitis prevention," added Willis.
Though 62 percent of the infants of hepatitis B-positive mothers received the proper hepatitis B vaccination and immunoglobulin, approximately 14 percent of the newborns did not receive the vaccination, while nearly 20 percent did not receive the injection of hepatitis B immunoglobulin before leaving the hospital. Approximately 52 percent of babies born to an additional 320 women with an unknown hepatitis B status received the hepatitis B vaccine within 12 hours of birth, while 20 percent of the infants left the hospital unvaccinated. Additional information about drugs and drug side effects [1] may be found on DrugWatch.com.
Miss Apple Blossom Takes Liver
Messages to School
Thelma has influenced people all over the world throughout the years with her charming and witty presentations that healthcare providers and “regular folks” alike can relate to. The award recognizing her support for the digestive disease activist community was presented to Thelma by the DDNC's Chairperson Linda Aukett.
Salix Pharmaceuticals Ltd. has reported that the FDA's
Gastrointestinal Drugs Advisory
A Harvard University chemistry professor has developed a
prototype for a small "paper http://www.switched.com/2010/02/25/paper-chips-could-provide-cheap-diagnosis-of-hiv-and-hepatitis/
West Virginia University's International Travel
Clinic has taken up the initiative to educate students on the
health risks associated with certain travel destinations that
students may visit during their spring break vacations. As many
students will be traveling abroad this spring, the travel clinic
is available for student inquiry about immunizations via
personal appointment and phone consultations. Healthcare
employees at the clinic recommend that students be immunized for
Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, and tetanus before going abroad. The
travel clinic uses recommendations set forth by the
International Association of Medical Assistance to Travelers, an
organization that combines the efforts of the Center for Disease
Control, the World Health Organization, and state departments
across the US. http://www.thedaonline.com/news/travel-clinic-prepares-students-for-spring-break-abroad-1.1171315
Liver steatosis, a condition that develops due to
a degeneration of lipids within liver cells is common in
patients with chronic Hepatitis C. New research shows that the
relationship between the virus and steatosis is the result of
both epigenetic and genetic factors. The study found that
Hepatitis C can alter standard lipid metabolism within the liver
because of an interaction between the virus and MTP. Based on
these results, researchers concluded that steatosis associated
with hepatitis C could be a storage disease induced by the
effects of the virus and may cause more persistent infection in
persons with HCV.
http://www.nafwa.org/nafwa-library/129-free-full-text-articles-and-books/3577-hepatic-steatosis-in-hepatitis-c-is-a-storage-disease-due-to-hcv-interaction-with-microsomal-triglyceride-transfer-protein-mtp Dr. Anna S. Lok of the University of Michigan Medical Center has recently published the results of a study on biomarkers in the diagnosis of liver cancer. Liver cancer is the third most common cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide and its increasing prevalence in the US is largely attributed to cases of Hepatitis C. Currently, ultra-sonography is the preferred surveillance method for liver cancer, but many cases are not detected until later stages of progression. Lok's study showed that serum indicators varied by patient demographics, a factor that may be integral in improving this method of diagnosis for liver cancer, preventing late-stage diagnosis and saving lives.
Thelma King Thiel Receives Above and Beyond Citizen Award
HFI’s CEO
Thelma King
Thiel
received the
Above and
Beyond
Citizen
Honors
presented by
the
Congressional
Medal of
Honor
Foundation
as an unsung
hero for her
Italy Hepatitis Foundation International’s (HFI) CEO, Thelma King Thiel, creator of the unique ”liver” cartoon and humorous messages about the liver, was invited to share her techniques with representatives from the World Health Organization and 12 European countries at a meeting held in Lucca, Italy March 13-14, 2008. Calling the liver one’s personal power plant, she described how drugs, alcohol and hepatitis viruses attack and kill liver cells, the employees in this miraculous powerplant. She encouraged the attendees to engage caregivers, educators and patients in promoting liver wellness and healthy lifestyle behaviors to help bring viral hepatitis under control. Members of the Viral Hepatitis Prevention Board, affiliate of the World Health Organization (WHO), and the European Liver Patient Association (ELPA) welcomed having new and non-threatening techniques to enhance their efforts to prevent viral hepatitis and other blood borne pathogens. Ms Thiel said, " Dollars devoted to prevention will circumvent the tragedy of this disease for individuals around the world, many of whom have no resources for treatment, if infected". Ms Thiel was recommended by John W. Ward, M.D. Director, Division of Viral Hepatitis, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to represent the United States and share her approach to prevention with the attendees. Dr. Ward, who also attended the meeting, commented, “Your participation added a lot to the meeting particularly your passion for viral hepatitis prevention which the audience responded enthusiastically to at the end of your presentation.” The purpose of the meeting was to identify the role and impact of various partner agencies, organizations and patient groups on bringing hepatitis under control. Patient access to care and support for treatments for viral hepatitis were high priorities for many of the European organizations. The focus of Ms. Thiel’s presentation was to share new and easily replicated messages promoting primary and secondary prevention. Representatives from WHO/EURO, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Egypt, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, The Netherlands, and the UK received a copy of HFI’s Foundation for Decision Making Teacher’s Guide and a DVD called The Invisible Threat. Applauded for her exceptional educational approach, Ms. Thiel commented “I was encouraged by the positive response by several attendees as an educational “eye opener.” The Hepatitis Foundation International, a non profit organization located in Silver Spring, MD, is recognized internationally for its unique liver wellness approach, its series of 14 DVDs and educational materials promoting primary and secondary prevention of viral hepatitis and other blood borne pathogens. HFI’s Foundation for Decision Making™ Training Program has been embraced by numerous government agencies including the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention and Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, numerous health departments and community organizations reaching thousands of educators, healthcare providers, substance abuse and mental health counselors, and social workers. HFI Chief Represented USA at European Liver Meeting The Viral Hepatitis Prevention Board,
WHO Collaborating Centre for Prevention and Control of Viral Hepatitis,
and the European Liver Patient Association will hold a meeting on
“Preventing and control of viral hepatitis; the role and impact of liver
patient groups in and outside Europe” in Lucca, Italy, March 13, 14
2008. The purpose of the meeting is to open a dialogue to identify the
role and impact of various partner agencies, organizations and patient
groups. Thelma King Thiel, Chair and CEO of the Hepatitis Foundation
International (HFI) will be representing the United States reporting on
prevention initiatives and collaborative efforts with patient groups,
local and federal government agencies and the Center for Disease Control
and Prevention. “I look forward to sharing our unique primary and
secondary prevention program and materials called
Foundation for Decision Making
with several European countries,” says Thiel. “Our mutual goal is to
bring viral hepatitis under control and to improve outcomes of patients
in treatment.” Give Your Liver a Break DVD wins Emmy The National Academy of Arts and Sciences presented the Emmy Award for outstanding achievement in television programming for children to Hepatitis Foundation International's newest production, "Give Your Liver a Break". Bill Shomo accepted the award at the Emmy Awards Ceremony held in Orlando, Florida. Kudos to Bill, President of Chaumont Communications, who co-produced the DVD with HFI. "Through Bill's exceptional ability to tailor messages promoting liver wellness to various audience's in the series of fourteen DVDs he has created for HFI, millions of viewers, young and old, have received messages to help them live healthier lives," said Thelma King Thiel, HFI's CEO. "Give Your Liver a Break" and other HFI DVDs are available for viewing on our website, to preview, Click Here.
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The Hepatitis Foundation International hosted the 
Shannon
Beam, Miss Apple Blossom Festival 2010, has joined
Hepatitis Foundation International as a spokesperson, taking
On March 7 and 8, 2010, the Digestive Disease National
extraordinary
courage and
selflessness
in promoting
liver
wellness
and
healthy lifestyles.
Affectionately
known as ”The Liver
Lady”,
Thelma has dedicated her
life to
educating
people about
the importance
of liver
health
following
the loss of
her
four-year-old
son, Dean, to
a rare liver
disease four
decades ago.
Her
inspirational
message
empowers
individuals
with
knowledge
and
challenges
them to take
responsibility
for their
own health
and
wellness.
She is an
inspiration
to all who
know her.
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