Hepatitis C In The News
Prepare, protect, prevent
Boston Rn Spreads Message After Acquiring Infections From Needle
“Karen Daley, RN, MPH, FAAN, thought nothing of it when she was stuck while discarding a needle after a routine blood draw at Boston's Brigham and Women's Hospital 10 years ago. For the 23-year veteran of the ED, needlesticks seemed a part of the job. She had been stuck three times before with no lasting consequences. And she had no reason to think this time would be any different.
In fact, she likely would have ignored the injury altogether and returned to work if a fellow nurse had not urged her to report the incident. ‘So I went to the fast track in the ED and the nurse practitioner recommended, based on the nature of the stick — in particular, because we didn't know the source patient, that I begin prophylaxis. Because I assessed my exposure risk as low and had seen other healthcare workers come in feeling pretty sick after starting a prophylactic regime, I deferred. Unfortunately.’ If Daley had accepted the prophylactic treatment on that July day in 1998, she might not have developed a life-threatening infection — HIV. She also acquired hepatitis C.” Read more…
Natalie Cole says she has hepatitis C
“NEW YORK — Grammy-winning singer Natalie Cole has been diagnosed with hepatitis C, her publicist said in a statement Wednesday. Hepatitis C is a liver disease spread through contact with infected blood. The statement said the disease was revealed during a routine examination and was likely caused by her drug use years ago.
‘I've been so fortunate to have learned so much from my past experiences,’ said Cole. ‘I am embraced by the love and support of my family and friends; I am committed to my belief in myself and in my abiding faith to meet this challenge with a heartfelt optimism and determination. This is how I intend to deal with this current challenge in my life.’”Read more…
Improved culture system for hepatitis C virus infection
“A University of California, San Diego School of Medicine researcher has developed the first tissue culture of normal, human liver cells that can model infection with the Hepatitis C virus (HCV) and provide a realistic environment to evaluate possible treatments. The novel cell line will allow pharmaceutical companies to effectively test new drug candidates or possible vaccines for the HCV infection, which afflicts about 170 million people worldwide. Currently, there is no animal model that is effective for testing such therapies.
‘This is the first efficient and consistent model system for HCV to be developed,’ said Buck, adding that it will now enable researchers not only to conduct mechanistic experiments in culture, such as blocking the virus pathways, but also to more effectively screen possible therapies for HCV. ‘There is a need for new treatments, and for development of a possible vaccine for HCV. Now we have a model system to support work by investigators in this area.’”Read more…
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Hep C Discussion Point™
The Caring Ambassadors Hepatitis C Program is pleased to announce the
launch of Hep C Discussion Point™ a question-and-answer survey
to help you manage your health while living with hepatitis C.
Hep C Discussion Point™ is a series of questions about your experience
living with and managing hepatitis C. You simply answer the questions,
and a customized list of information (discussion points) is produced
to help you and your health care providers work together to maximize
your health.
Hep C Discussion Point™ was designed by the Caring Ambassadors
Hepatitis C Program along with a team of medical advisors. Hep C Discussion
Point™ is an easy way to learn more about how best to work with
your doctors to improve or maintain your health while living with hepatitis
C.
After you’ve tried Hep C Discussion Point™, please provide
your suggestions
and comments by answering a few short questions.
The Caring Ambassadors Hepatitis C Program thanks the National
Hepatitis C Advocacy Council for funding support aiding in the
development of Hep C Discussion Point™.
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Hep C Discussion Point™.
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