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Acute Hepatitis C from Unsafe Injections
Disease The CDC has concluded an investigation of a clinic in Nevada that reported an outbreak of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) in 6 people that resulted from unsafe injection procedures. Here's what happened:Hepatitis C is a reportable infection to the

CDC: Syringe reuse linked to hepatitis C outbreak
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Free blood test for widespread hepatitis B
A quarter century after the first hepatitis B vaccine became commercially available, rates of acute infection with the liver-scarring virus have plummeted in the United States, but the disease remains endemic in Asia - and 1 in 10 of the estimated 10.3


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What You Must Know About Alcoholic Hepatitis
This much-needed synopsis of alcoholic hepatitis reminds us that you don't need to be a heavy drinker to suffer from this condition. Looking over the causes, risk factors and complications of alcoholic hepatitis will motivate anyone with liver concerns to...

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Finally being recognized as the widespread, public health problem that it is, the New Mexico Department of Health has taken a giant step forward to help people with Hepatitis C. By launching a new, toll-free phone number, locals concerned about...

Cirrhosis

Laboratory Diagnosis

Routine tests of liver function may be quite normal in cirrhosis. A decreased serum albumin and a prolonged prothrombin time directly reflect impaired hepatic function in the truest sense. An increased serum gamma globulin accompanies many forms of chronic liver disease. AST and ALT are often moderately elevated, while alkaline phosphatase may be normal or increased, particularly with biliary obstruction. Bilirubin is usually normal. Increased total serum globulin is common. A normochromic normocytic (occasionally macrocytic) anemia, thrombocytopenia, and leukopenia may be present. With alcohol-related liver disease, the anemia is occasionally macrocytic.

Isotopic scintiscans show an irregular pattern of liver uptake and an increased uptake in the spleen and bone marrow. Ultrasound examination of the abdomen is useful to confirm hepatosplenomegaly and may also reveal enlargement or venous obstruction of the portal or splenic veins with portal hypertension. Cavernous transformation of the portal vein can also be identified and the presence of esophageal varices is suggested. New ultrasound modalities are beginning to estimate portal vein flow.

Source: Merck Manual

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