Research & Treatment News
July 30, 2009
Printer-friendly version
As major surgery requiring general anesthesia, a liver transplant involves the challenging post-operative recovery period. Now researchers from Duke University have found that acupuncture is a safe and effective way to ease the transition between operating table and hospital dismissal.
by Nicole Cutler, L.Ac.
Once chronic Hepatitis C progresses to end stage liver disease, a liver transplant is modern medicine's last hope for a person's recovery. However, like all major surgeries, a liver transplant involves some vital recovery challenges. Recuperating from the surgery itself is one of the first trials a person who has just undergone a transplant must endure. New research from Duke University demonstrates that acupuncture, a relatively inexpensive and effective technique, can aid a person's surgical recovery better than the leading medications.
Anesthesia for a Liver Transplant
In order to remove a patient's diseased liver and replace it with a healthy one, general anesthesia is required. By administering anesthetic drugs, a state of unconsciousness is induced and sensations of pain over the entire body are blocked. General anesthesia has many purposes including:
· Pain relief (analgesia)
· Blocking memory of the procedure (amnesia)
· Producing unconsciousness
· Inhibiting normal body reflexes to make surgery safe and easier to perform
· Relaxing the muscles of the body
Because general anesthetics affect the central nervous system, many repercussions potentially abound. Within a day or two, most of the anesthetic's side effects disappear as the drugs wear off. After a surgery using general anesthesia, the following side effects are commonplace:
· Drowsiness
· Weakness
· Fuzzy thinking
· Vision problems, such as blurred or double vision
· Coordination problems
· Headache
· Muscle pain
· Nausea or vomiting
· Nightmares or unusual dreams
In order to reduce these side effects directly - or reduce the quantity of anesthetics used to lessen the side effects - surgical personnel are always seeking innovative approaches to ease post-operative recovery.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a 5,000-year old Chinese medical practice using ultra thin, sterile needles inserted in specific locations throughout the body. This therapy has many possible uses; one of which is to induce an anesthetized state in preparation for surgery. While acupuncture anesthesia has been practiced in China since about 1960, its acceptance in the west has been slow to emerge. Western medical hospitals would not consider relying on acupuncture treatment to anesthetize a patient during major surgery. However, an increasing number of surgeons are recognizing that this therapy may:
1. Help reduce the quantity of drugs needed for general anesthesia
2. Improve the patient's post-surgical recovery process
Although the integration of different styles of medicine has a long way to go, the onslaught of positive reports is improving the likelihood of progressive hospitals incorporating acupuncture into their surgical plans.
Duke Study
Leading the way in integrative medical pursuits, Duke University Medical Center researchers have found that acupuncture is more effective in reducing nausea than the leading medication prescribed for patients recovering from major surgery. Published in the September 22, 2004 journal Anesthesia and Analgesia, the researchers reported that patients who received acupuncture treatments had decreased post-operative pain and increased satisfaction with their post-operative recovery.
Treating post-operative nausea and vomiting is one of the largest medical challenges following general anesthesia. According to Duke anesthesiologist Tong Joo (T.J.) Gan, M.D., about 70 percent of women who undergo major breast surgery requiring general anesthesia suffer from post-operative nausea and vomiting. These adverse side effects are important factors in determining how soon patients can return home after surgery.
As the lead Duke researcher, Gan said, "The patients in our randomized trial who received acupuncture enjoyed a more comfortable recovery from their surgery than those who received an anti-sickness medication. In the areas of PONV (post-operative nausea and vomiting) control, pain relief and general overall satisfaction, acupuncture appears to be more effective than the most commonly used medication, with few to no side effects."
In addition to this study on women undergoing major breast surgery, Gan also led a more recent analysis on this topic by combining data from 15 small, randomized acupuncture clinical trials. He found that patients who received acupuncture had a significantly lower risk of developing the most common side effects associated with opioid drugs compared with a control group. When measured against the control group, the combined results demonstrated that the acupuncture recipients had:
· 1.5 times lower rates of nausea
· 1.3 times fewer incidences of severe itching
· 1.6 times fewer reports of dizziness
· 3.5 times fewer cases of urinary retention
According to Gan, "While the amount of opioids needed for patients who received acupuncture was much lower than those who did not have acupuncture, the most important outcome for the patient is the reduction of the side effects associated with opioids. These side effects can negatively impact a patient's recovery from surgery and lengthen the time spent in the hospital."
The results of Gan's research add to the growing body of evidence that acupuncture can play an effective role in improving the quality of the surgical experience. "Acupuncture is slowly becoming more accepted by American physicians, but it is still underutilized," Gan said. "Studies like this, which show that there is a benefit to using it, should help give physicians sitting on the fence the data they need to integrate acupuncture into their routine care of surgery patients."
This information can be very useful for people with advanced chronic Hepatitis C infection needing a liver transplant. Receiving acupuncture prior to and during a liver transplant can lessen some of the immediate challenges of this surgery. Although a relatively minor addition to a surgical plan, this small shift of protocol can make a big difference. So if you are slated for liver transplant surgery, inquire further about what your operative team will do to expedite your surgical recovery - and consider searching for a program that integrates acupuncture into the process. Because a liver transplant has enough challenges attached to it, your extra investigative effort will benefit you in your recovery process.
References:
http://ecam.oxfordjournals.org, Acupuncture Anesthesia and Analgesia for Clinical Acute Pain in Japan, Reina Taguchi, Oxford Journals, June 2007.
http://healthdailynewscentral.com, Acupuncture Eases Recovery Following Breast Surgery, Lisa Olen, Daily News Central, 2007.
www.debakeydepartmentofsurgery.org, Liver Transplant, Baylor College of Medicine, 2007.
www.dukehealth.org, Acupuncture Reduces Pain, Need for Opioids after Surgery, Duke University Health System, 2007.
www.healthatoz.com, Anesthesia, General, healthatoz, 2007.
www.medpagetoday.com, Acupuncture Points to Easier Surgical Recovery, Crystal Phend, MedPage Today LLC, October 2007.
www.sciencedaily.com, Acupuncture Reduces Pain, Need For Opioids After Surgery, ScienceDaily LLC, October 2007.
Posted by Editors at 10:07 AM --- Printer-friendly version
July 29, 2009
Printer-friendly version
Menstruating women have to deal with a period every month, even when on interferon-ribavirin therapy for Hepatitis C. Although menstrual discomfort can be magnified by combination therapy's side effects, the usual drugs to relieve menstruation symptoms likely won't mix with antiviral therapy. Thankfully, there are some natural ways to help ease this additional challenge to completing treatment.
by Nicole Cutler, L.Ac.
Whether you are a woman facing combination therapy for Hepatitis C, or you are interested in offering support to one, this sex has an extra challenge to endure. Known as the standard therapy for treating Hepatitis C, pegylated interferon with ribavirin harbors many side effects and has an approximate success rate of only 50 percent. However, this is the best option physicians currently have for treating Hepatitis C. Women of childbearing age with this virus choosing standard therapy are bound to menstruate while taking their prescription. Unfortunately, interferon and ribavirin can exacerbate some common menstruation woes.
Menstruation
Each month, a woman's menstrual cycle prepares her for a possible pregnancy. The average menstrual cycle is 28 days from the first day of menstruation to the start of the next one, but it can last between 21 to 35 days. The menstrual cycle commences with menstruation.
Commonly referred to as a period, menstruation is the part of a woman's menstrual cycle in which blood and tissue are discharged from the vagina. Most menstrual periods last from three to five days. Aside from the characteristic vaginal bleeding, many women have undesirable symptoms around the time of menstruation including:
· Cramping, bloating and sore breasts
· Fatigue
· Mood swings, depression and irritability
· Headaches
If these symptoms are severe and occur one to two weeks prior to menstruation, premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is usually the culprit. Whether experienced before or during a period, the challenges accompanying this time of the month are even more of a struggle when compounded by the harsh side effects of Hepatitis C treatment.
Side Effects Most Prevalent for Women
According to liver specialist Melissa Palmer, M.D., women on pegylated interferon plus ribavirin experience side effects more often than men. The most frequently encountered issues women suffer from while on combination therapy encounter include:
· Fatigue
· Headaches and body aches
· Depression
· Anxiety
· Irritability
· Insomnia
· Menstrual irregularities
Especially when compounded with cirrhosis, the three menstrual irregularities most reported by those taking interferon and ribavirin include:
1. Premature or delayed menses
2. Clotting and spotting during menstruation
3. Increased premenstrual syndrome symptoms
Double Whammy
An estimated nine out of ten women live with menstrual cycle discomfort on a monthly basis. For the majority of people with Hepatitis C on interferon-based treatment, the drugs are prescribed for a minimum of six months. Therefore, women of childbearing age who are taking interferon-ribavirin therapy have a good chance of dealing with their period's discomfort half a dozen times during the course of their medication. Since some of the symptoms occurring around menstruation and interferon-ribavirin side effects are similar, the effect is often compounded for the affected women. Some examples of this double whammy are:
· Menstrual cramps coupled with the body aches characteristic of interferon medication
· The fatigue that typically saps women during their period added to the fatigue inflicted by combination therapy
· Premenstrual mood swings can intensify the level of depression associated with interferon therapy
· Thanks to ribavirin-induced anemia, a woman who normally encounters delayed and scanty menstruation may find herself experiencing extreme exhaustion after her period
Safe and Natural Solutions
While a good percentage of menstruating women turn to over-the-counter drugs for their monthly discomfort, these beacons of relief are likely to be banned during interferon treatment. When this is the case, turning to four old, natural standbys for easing menstruation woes can lessen the impact of this double whammy:
1. Apply Heat - A recent study found that applying heat to the lower abdomen relieves menstrual cramps as well as ibuprofen. The Lumbar Pac is an ideal sized hot pack that can be warmed in the microwave to deliver a nurturing heat to the low abdomen for up to an hour.
2. Move Your Body - Even gentle, non-aerobic movement like yoga can lift the mood by releasing endorphins, which are natural antidepressants. In addition to the mood lift, movement can increase blood circulation, which reduces painful menstrual cramps.
3. Eat Cold Water Fish - When eaten regularly, salmon, tuna or other deep-sea fish can relieve cramps and enhance mood thanks to their high levels of omega-3 fatty acids.
4. Limit Caffeine - Studies have shown that women who reduce their caffeine intake two weeks before menstruation suffer less premenstrual breast tenderness.
There is no simple way to prevent menstrual or premenstrual symptoms while persevering through interferon-ribavirin therapy. However, acknowledging this inevitability can remove any surprises of intensified malaise. In addition, remembering that your period only lasts a few days can help keep your spirit from sagging. Lastly, leaning on the four complication-free suggestions to minimize menstruation woes can help you persist through a course of combination therapy - an effort that has the potential to suppress the Hepatitis C virus.
References:
http://heprisk.com, What are the Side Effects of Treatment?, Hoffman-La Roche Inc., 2007.
www.liverdisease.com, Women's Issues with Hepatitis C - Side Effect Management, Melissa Palmer, M.D., 2007.
www.nichd.nih.gov, Menstruation and the Menstrual Cycle, National Institutes of Health, 2007.
www.period.com, Home: Curb Menstrual Woes, period.com, 2007.
www.webmd.com, Depression Symptoms Worsen Before Menstruation, Miranda Hitti, WebMD Inc., 2007.
Posted by Editors at 10:39 AM --- Printer-friendly version
July 28, 2009
Printer-friendly version
The unscrupulous act of stealing pain medication then passing off used, Hepatitis C-infected syringes to unsuspecting patients has resulted in at least 19 new Hepatitis C infections and ended in a federal indictment of a Colorado medical worker.
Former Rose Medical Center tech indicted in hepatitis C case
Thursday, July 23, 2009 | Modified: Friday, July 24, 2009
Denver Business Journal
Kristen Diane Parker -- the former surgical technician at Denver's Rose Medical Center at the center of a hepatitis C scare -- was indicted Thursday by a federal grand jury on 42 criminal counts.
Parker was arrested June 30 and preliminary charges were filed earlier this month.
Parker, 26, of Elizabeth, was indicted on 21 counts of tampering with a consumer product and 21 counts of obtaining a controlled substance by deceit, or attempt.
She is being held without bond.
Parker was a surgery "scrub" technician at Rose and later worked at Audubon Surgery Center in Colorado Springs.
The indictment alleges that Parker had hepatitis C while working at both facilities.
She is accused of stealing Fentanyl, a narcotic intended as a pain medication for surgical patients, then injecting the drug with a syringe. The indictment alleges that Parker would then refill the dirty syringe with a saline solution and return it to a surgical tray.
The alleged crimes happened between Oct. 22, 2008, and April 15 of this year.
As of Thursday, 19 Rose patients have tested positive for hepatitis C in infections that can be traced to Parker, the U.S. Attorney's office said. Also, many patients that were supposed to receive the Fentanyl did not get it, authorities say.
None of the 42 charges stems from Parker's conduct at Audubon, but "additional charges via superseding indictments are possible," the U.S. Attorney's statement said.
Parker could face up to 10 years and prison and up to a $250,000 fine for each tampering count, or up to 20 years if serious bodily injury resulted.
The penalty for obtaining a controlled substance is up to four years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
"I would like to reassure the victims of Kristen Parker that prosecuting this case is a priority, and that their interests will be well represented," Acting U.S. Attorney for Colorado David Gaouette said in the statement.
The case has been investigated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Office of Criminal Investigations, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Denver District Attorney's Office, and the Denver Police Department.
denvernews@bizjournals.com
---
URL for Article Source:
http://www.bizjournals.com/denver/stories/2009/07/20/daily71.html
Posted by Editors at 10:15 AM --- Printer-friendly version
July 27, 2009
Printer-friendly version
Upon its recent approval by the FDA, Ortho Clinical Diagnostics have successfully improved Hepatitis C testing - with properly equipped labs now able to produce accurate results in under an hour.
FDA Approves VITROS(R) Anti-HCV Assay for Use On VITROS 5600(R) Integrated and VITROS 3600(R) Immunodiagnostic Systems
- Anti-HCV Testing Consolidated With Other Routine Assays -
RARITAN, N.J., July 21 /PRNewswire/ -- Ortho Clinical Diagnostics today announced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of the VITROS((R)) Anti-HCV assay for use on the VITROS 5600((R)) Integrated and 3600((R)) Immunodiagnostic Systems. This approval marks a major milestone in the successful launches of Ortho Clinical Diagnostics' clinical laboratory testing platforms, and enables the consolidation of hepatitis C testing with routine assays on the VITROS((R)) 5600 Integrated System.
"This approval builds upon Ortho Clinical Diagnostics' history as the innovator of automated hepatitis C testing for clinical laboratories," said Michael Samoszuk, M.D., Chief Medical Officer, Ortho Clinical Diagnostics. "Clinicians can now test for hepatitis C as a part of their routine assay testing on the VITROS((R)) Systems, which will help make labs more efficient in delivering quality results."
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a person can only be diagnosed with hepatitis C after a positive result for an anti-HCV screening test has been verified(1). Hepatitis C is often referred to as the "silent disease" because up to 70 percent of people with the disease do not typically experience any symptoms(2).
The VITROS((R)) Anti-HCV assay is an in vitro diagnostic immunoassay for the qualitative detection of immunoglobulin G antibody to hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV) in human serum and plasma. It can be run with excellent precision, sensitivity, low sample volume requirements and quick, random access results on the VITROS((R) )Systems, with results readily available in 55 minutes.
The approval of the VITROS((R)) Anti-HCV assay will now expand the availability of hepatitis C testing across all of Ortho Clinical Diagnostics' VITROS((R)) immunoassay platforms, including the VITROS((R)) ECi/ECiQ and VITROS((R)) 3600 Immunodiagnostic Systems and the VITROS((R)) 5600 Integrated System. Standardized VITROS((R)) reagents and results will enable laboratories to better manage reagent inventories and costs in addition to producing consistent test results from platform-to-platform. This is particularly beneficial for laboratories with multiple VITROS((R)) platforms in their facilities.
Since the introduction of the VITROS((R)) 5600 Integrated and the VITROS((R)) 3600 Immunodiagnostic Systems within the last year, Ortho Clinical Diagnostics has released more than 100 assays on these new platforms in the United States. In certain international markets, Ortho Clinical Diagnostics has launched 118 assays, including hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV assays. Ortho Clinical Diagnostics' broad, world-class menu of immunoassays covers major disease states including cardiology, oncology, endocrinology, infectious disease, thyroid, metabolic conditions and anemia. The company's VITROS((R)) assay menu covers up to 90 percent of the top 100 assays and 99 percent of laboratory test volume, with numerous other assays in development.
The FDA has also approved the VITROS((R)) Anti-HBc IgM assay for use on the VITROS((R)) 5600 Integrated and VITROS((R)) 3600 Immunodiagnostic Systems for hepatitis B testing. Additional hepatitis B and HIV assays, already available for use on the VITROS((R)) ECi/ECiQ Immunodiagnostic Systems, are currently under review or pending submission to the FDA for approval for use on the VITROS((R)) 5600 Integrated and VITROS((R)) 3600 Immunodiagnostic Systems. Upon full menu approval, only Ortho Clinical Diagnostics' VITROS((R)) 5600 Integrated System will offer a complete infectious disease testing menu in the U.S., including HIV, in addition to a comprehensive menu of routine assays that can be run on a single platform.
About Hepatitis C
Hepatitis C is a virus that causes inflammation of the liver. If left untreated, it can become chronic and progress to liver disease, which can be serious or even life-threatening. According to the CDC, hepatitis C is the most common blood-borne infection in America. It is estimated that 3.2 million people are chronically infected by hepatitis C virus, which is mostly transmitted through contact with blood or blood products. The most common modes of transmission are transfusion of blood from unscreened donors or sharing contaminated needles. While much less common, hepatitis C virus can also be transmitted from mother to infant at childbirth, through sexual intercourse with an infected person, tattooing or body piercing and accidental needle sticks in healthcare settings(2,3).
About the VITROS((R) )3600 Immunodiagnostic System
The VITROS((R)) 3600 Immunodiagnostic System is a high-capacity immunoassay system with Intelligent Sample Management for routine and specialty testing. The VITROS((R)) 3600 Immunodiagnostic System offers a broad menu of 47 immunoassays, covering disease states such as cardiology, oncology, endocrinology, infectious disease, thyroid, metabolic conditions and anemia.
About the VITROS((R) )5600 Integrated System
The VITROS((R)) 5600 Integrated System is a high-capacity system that integrates clinical chemistry and immunoassay testing on one platform using innovative Sample Centered Processing. The VITROS((R)) 5600 platform is smaller than many other systems and does not have any water or drainage requirements, making the most of limited lab space while allowing flexibility in instrument location.
About Ortho Clinical Diagnostics
Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics, Inc., a Johnson & Johnson company, delivers the high-quality in vitro diagnostic products that give healthcare professionals around the world the knowledge they need to make better treatment decisions sooner. The company serves the global transfusion medicine community with donor screening and blood typing products to help ensure every patient receives blood that is safe, the right type and the right unit. Ortho Clinical Diagnostics also brings sophisticated information management, testing technologies, and automation and interpretation tools to clinical laboratories worldwide to help them run more efficiently and improve patient care. For more information, visit www.orthoclinical.com.
(1) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Laboratory Testing. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/HCV/LabTesting.htm. Accessed July 6, 2009.
(2) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Hepatitis C. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/HCV.htm. Accessed July 6, 2009.
(3) FAQs for the Public. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/C/cFAQ.htm. Accessed July 6, 2009.
SOURCE Ortho Clinical Diagnostics
Website: http://www.orthoclinical.com
---
URL for Article Source:
http://sev.prnewswire.com/health-care-hospitals/20090721/NY4922221072009-1.html
Posted by Editors at 10:11 AM --- Printer-friendly version
July 23, 2009
Printer-friendly version
Despite the potentially severe side effects associated with Hepatitis C drugs, a new, long-awaited study reports that the two standard antiviral therapies are safe, best when started early in the disease process and help prevent liver damage.
Top Hepatitis C Treatments Equally Effective
Landmark assessment also finds treating early helps prevent liver failure
WEDNESDAY, July 22 (HealthDay News) -- A landmark hepatitis C virus study shows that the top two treatment options are equally effective and safe.
The long-awaited study, thought to be the largest of its kind, is important for the 180 million people worldwide -- 4 million in the United States -- who are infected with hepatitis C virus and at risk for liver scarring, organ failure and death.
Hepatitis C is America's leading cause of liver failure, liver cancer and liver transplantation. The disease is transmitted by contact with blood through sexual activities, drug use or personal care items.
The study of 3,070 adults at Johns Hopkins and 118 other U.S. medical centers showed that treating patients with either of the two standard antiviral therapies is safe and helps prevent liver damage.
The report appears online July 22 in the New England Journal of Medicine.
The drug therapies -- peginterferon alfa-2b plus ribavirin, or peginterferon alfa-2a plus ribavirin -- worked in 39.8 percent and 40.9 percent of patients, respectively. Commonly observed side effects included anemia, fatigue, headache, nausea, insomnia and depression.
The equality of the only two U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved drug-treatment regimens for suppressing the virus surprised the researchers, according to a news release from Johns Hopkins.
"When considering treatments for hepatitis C infection, patients and their doctors now have solid evidence that they can weigh both antiviral therapies equally for effectiveness, safety and tolerability," Dr. Mark Sulkowski, medical director of the Johns Hopkins Center for Viral Hepatitis and the study's co-principal investigator, said in the news release.
While 10 percent to 13 percent of the study's participants quit the treatment because of side effects, Sulkowski said that was "within expectations for this type of therapy."
The researchers also found that the sooner patients get into treatment, the better.
"Treatment success is highly dependent on starting before liver cirrhosis has already set in, which can take from a year to decades," Sulkowski noted in the news release.
Evidence from the study also will help doctors learn more quickly whether the patient is responding to the drug therapy. This will allow patients to avoid side effects and the expense of taking unnecessary drugs.
The study was funded by the Schering-Plough Corp., the maker and provider of the study drugs ribavirin and peginterferon alfa-b.
More information: The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
has more information on hepatitis.
---
URL for Article Source:
http://health.usnews.com/articles/health/healthday/2009/07/22/top-hepatitis-c-treatments-equally-effective.html
Posted by Editors at 12:21 PM --- Printer-friendly version
Printer-friendly version
With so many cases of viral hepatitis having an unknown acquisition route, many possibilities have been suspected - including the re-use of contaminated handcuffs.
by Nicole Cutler, L.Ac.
With over a million carriers of the Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and around four million infected with the Hepatitis C virus (HCV) in the United States alone, preventing hepatitis transmission has emerged as a critical public health goal. While efforts to educate the public about how hepatitis is spread has reduced the number of new infections each year, speculation remains about routes of transmission that have yet to be unidentified. Recently disclosed at a Canadian police conference, an independent company's tests have revealed that dirty handcuffs are capable of transmitting viral hepatitis.
When it comes to viral hepatitis, the strains of most concern in the United States are HBV and HCV. These are the two types of infectious hepatitis most likely to cause chronic liver disease.
Hepatitis B Transmission
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Hepatitis B is spread when blood, semen or other body fluids infected with the Hepatitis B virus enters the body of a person who is not infected. Activities most likely to transmit HBV include:
· Birth (spread from an infected mother to her baby during birth)
· Sex with an infected partner
· Sharing needles, syringes or other drug-injection equipment
· Sharing items such as razors or toothbrushes with an infected person
· Sharing food that has been pre-chewed by an infected person
· Direct contact with the blood or open sores of an infected person
· Exposure to blood from needle sticks or other sharp instruments
However, even with all of our knowledge about the spread of HBV, the method for acquiring it remains unknown in approximately 30 to 40 percent of all Hepatitis B cases. In addition, Hepatitis B is 50 to 100 times more infectious than HIV.
Hepatitis C Transmission
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Hepatitis C is spread when blood from a person infected with the Hepatitis C virus enters the body of someone who is not infected. Today, most people become infected with HCV by sharing needles or other equipment to inject drugs. Before 1992, when widespread screening of the blood supply began in the United States, Hepatitis C was also commonly spread through blood transfusions and organ transplants.
Activities most likely to transmit the Hepatitis C virus include:
· Sharing needles, syringes or other equipment to inject drugs
· Needle stick injuries in healthcare settings
· Being born to a mother who has Hepatitis C
Less commonly, a person can also get HCV infection through:
· Sharing personal care items that may have come in contact with another person's blood, such as razors or toothbrushes
· Having sexual contact with a person infected with HCV
Although sharing injection drug use equipment poses the highest risk for HCV infection, approximately 20 to 40 percent of those with Hepatitis C have no identified route of transmission. In addition, HCV is 10 times more infectious than HIV.
Another Route for Infection
Considering the high level of infectivity and the significant percentage of unidentified viral hepatitis routes of transmission, there are likely other ways to contract HBV or HCV. From trying to figure out how the millions of people infected with HBV or HCV acquired their infection, any item containing blood or bodily fluids has become suspect.
Because of their exposure to blood, piercing, tattoo and surgical equipment have all come under suspicion as potential viral transmitters. Now, the seemingly impenetrable object, handcuffs, has come under scrutiny. A Canadian company that sells a system to clean handcuffs found that random checks of police and correction officer's handcuffs revealed viruses, bacteria, dried blood and skin particles in the hinges. Although their findings serve to advance their own sales, they have uncovered a valid concern.
Used to restrain individuals associated with criminal activities, handcuffs can easily become contaminated with blood. When suspects are apprehended, a struggle may result where the cuffs are applied under violent circumstances. Such violence may lead to over-tightening of handcuffs, which could inflict trauma and cause bleeding at the wrists. In addition, handcuffs may be placed on a person who is already injured or the person could initiate a self-inflicted injury. Either way, any blood-producing injury can contaminate handcuffs. If the contaminated handcuffs are not properly sterilized between uses, the infectious particles could contact an open wound of the next handcuff wearer.
HBV and HCV are a concern on handcuffs because of their lifespan on inanimate objects. The Hepatitis B virus can survive outside the body for at least seven days. The Hepatitis C virus can survive outside the body at room temperature for up to four days.
Although there have been no reported incidents of viral hepatitis transmission from handcuffs, it is entirely possible. Spawned from a company's quest to provide unique paths for disinfecting handcuffs, our vulnerability to viral hepatitis is realized. The implication of handcuffs in the spread of infectious disease is likely to lead to sterilization of these restraining devices between uses. In the meantime, you can commit to being a law-abiding citizen, or at least make sure to stay calm and thus injury-free if handcuffs ever find their way onto your wrists.
References:
http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/news/story.html?id=90f631b9-7672-4626-83e8-cbfde627a796, Another reason not to break the law: handcuffs might be infected, Jason Magder, Retrieved August 31, 2008, Canwest Digital Media, August 2008.
http://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/, Viral Hepatitis, Retrieved August 31, 2008, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2008.
http://www.cuffcleaner.com/, Why Clean, Retrieved August 31, 2008, Cuff Cleaner, 2008.
http://www.gastro.com/Gastro/liverdisease/hepatitis_b.aspx, Hepatitis B, Retrieved August 31, 2008, The American Liver Foundation, 2008.
http://www.hccinc.org/HealthInformationContent/hepatitis_c.htm, Hepatitis C, Retrieved August 31, 2008, Haitian Centers Council, Inc., 2008.
http://www.hivandhepatitis.com/hep_c/news/2007/121206_c.html, Risk Factors for Hepatitis C in People with Unknown Transmission Routes, Liz Highleyman, Retrieved August 31, 2008, hivandhepatitis.com, 2008.
http://www.upi.com/Top_News/2008/08/27/Newest_disease-spreading_fear_Handcuffs/UPI-78561219845123/, Newest disease-spreading fear: Handcuffs, Retrieved August 31, 2008, United Press International, Inc., August 2008.
Posted by Editors at 9:34 AM --- Printer-friendly version
July 22, 2009
Printer-friendly version
Instead of waiting passively for scientists to announce a cure for Hepatitis C, take an active role in fighting this virus by practicing these three, no-cost immune enhancing basics.
by Nicole Cutler, L.Ac.
Approximately half of those with Hepatitis C cannot be helped by modern medicine. Of course those infected want a cure - battling chronic liver disease is not on anybody's to-do list. As the estimated four million infected Americans put all of their hopes for wellness into a new, Hepatitis C eliminating wonder drug, many tend to forget the basics of helping the body fight viral illnesses.
Haven't you wondered why some people are able to spontaneously heal from Hepatitis C - and why a lucky 48 percent respond to Hepatitis C combination therapy? Don't let the complex medical terminology fool you; a virus' lifespan is determined by the immune system it inhabits. All too often, the difference between recovering from viral hepatitis and suffering with it depends on the strength of the immune system.
Your energy level is a good indicator of immune system health. When you feel your energy level is low or weak, the immune system is probably also low and weak. Feeling sluggish is common - yet is frequently masked with products like caffeine or sugar, or by exciting distractions supplied by the technology or entertainment industries.
The Hepatitis C virus presents a greater challenge to the immune system than most viruses. Experts agree that this challenge is a result of Hepatitis C's ability to mutate quickly in its effort to evade the immune response. This crafty pathogen offers us a clear demonstration of why the immune system must be in tiptop shape in order to take on this nasty virus.
Depending on a person's personal beliefs and available resources, there is a sea of options capable of boosting immunity. However, some of the most powerful tools for maintaining a strong immune system are in the hands of everyone - regardless of what they can afford. While applying the basics is not intended to replace Western medical advice, practicing these three essential elements of health will better enable your immune system to fight Hepatitis C.
The First Basic = Sleep
A good night's sleep is more important to our immune system than most people realize. Loss of sleep, even for a few short hours during the night, can prompt one's immune system to turn against healthy tissue and organs. As published in a September 2008 issue of Biological Psychiatry, California researchers reported that losing sleep for even part of one night could trigger the key cellular pathway that produces tissue-damaging inflammation.
The immune system is activated during the deepest stage of sleep to fight disease. This is why people tend to sleep longer when they're sick. For a greater understanding of sleep's role in liver health, and an outline of simple tips to improve your sleep, read Conquering Insomnia.
The Second Basic = Joy
In our advanced medical society, the benefits of joy to the immune system are severely underestimated. Positive attitudes and healthy emotions are well known to strengthen immunity. A handful of peer-reviewed, respected research studies have documented that laughter, a physical harness of joy, strengthens immunity.
As published in a 1996 edition of Health and Humor, Dr. Lee Berk and Dr. Stanley Tan of Loma Linda University in California found that, after exposure to humor, the following immune effects occur:
· The number and activity of natural killer cells (immune cells that attack viruses) increase.
· More T lymphocytes are activated, an action that enhances immune strength.
· There is an increase in immunoglobulin A and gamma interferon, natural immune substances that help fight infection.
The Third Basic = Scrub/Brush
Your personal hygiene routine is your own business, but too many people skip an extremely healthful aspect of starting their day. Some cultures emphasize the importance of habitual scrubbing or dry brushing. Unfortunately, a majority of Americans have never even heard of this stimulating practice.
If taking a shower, a scrubbing pouf can be utilized. Otherwise, a natural bristle brush can be used to "dry brush" the skin first thing in the morning. By vigorously brushing or scrubbing the entire surface of the skin, this ancient practice stimulates the circulatory system, activates the lymphatic system, exfoliates dead skin cells and awakens the immune system response.
You don't need an enviable trust fund or a spouse who is an immunologist to improve your odds at fighting Hepatitis C. Upon realizing that strengthening your body's response to this virus is within your grasp, you can begin the journey of fortifying your body's immune system. By prioritizing the basic concepts of getting a good night's sleep, being joyful and routine scrubbing or brushing, you can transform to a healthier state of being, regardless of the presence or absence of the Hepatitis C virus.
References:
http://ayurveda-foryou.com/health_articles/sleep_immunity.html, Poor Sleep Lowers Your Immune System, Retrieved June 7, 2009, htt:://avuverda-foryou.com, 2009.
http://www.biobran.org/overview/immune-system.html, Introduction to Strengthening the Immune System, A Paterson, Retrieved June 7, 2009, Clear Publications, 2009.
http://www.holisticonline.com/Humor_Therapy/humor_therapy_benefits.htm, Therapeutic Benefits of Laughter, Retrieved June 7, 2009, ICBS, Inc., 2009.
http://www.nativeremedies.com/ailment/types-of-viral-infections.html#question4, Viral Infection, Retrieved June 7, 2009, Native Remedies LLC, 2009.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080902075211.htm, Loss Of Sleep, Even For A Single Night, Increases Inflammation In The Body, Retrieved June 7, 2009, ScienceDaily LLC, September 2008.
Posted by Editors at 9:50 AM --- Printer-friendly version
July 6, 2009
Printer-friendly version
Knowing which drugs contain acetaminophen can help you protect your liver and stay one step ahead of impending FDA legislation.
by Nicole Cutler, L.Ac.
The medical community is fully aware that too much acetaminophen can injure the liver. Marked by the 2009 movement toward protecting Americans from acetaminophen poisoning, the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) has also taken notice. In the U.S., acetaminophen toxicity accounts for an estimated 50,000 emergency room visits and nearly 500 deaths annually. In addition to those who mix acetaminophen with alcohol, people with chronic Hepatitis C are especially vulnerable to acetaminophen-induced liver failure.
Acetaminophen Affects the Liver
Although it is generally considered safe and effective, acetaminophen exhibits dose-related liver toxicity potential. Acetaminophen produces toxic byproducts that the liver usually detoxifies by coupling them with other compounds and flushing them out through the bile. Drinking alcohol is contraindicated with acetaminophen because alcohol causes the body to overproduce an enzyme that boosts these byproducts further - which compromises detoxification. Someone with Hepatitis C is more susceptible to toxic overload because they may have fewer healthy liver cells to flush out acetaminophen's toxic byproducts.
FDA
Despite more than five years of FDA-sponsored consumer education campaigns about the dangers of acetaminophen, a May 2009 FDA document reported, "recent studies indicate that unintentional and intentional overdoses leading to severe hepatotoxicity continue to occur." Because at least 50 percent of these overdoses are unintentional (where the patient consumes more than one preparation of acetaminophen or simply doses more than suggested by the package insert), the FDA is finally reexamining this problem.
Partially addressing acetaminophen's danger, an early July 2009 FDA advisory panel recommended that prescription, combination medications containing acetaminophen carry a "black box" on their label warning of their liver damage potential. These FDA advisory panel votes demonstrate their obvious concern about acetaminophen toxicity and foretell of impending new legislation:
· 36 to 1 - A near unanimous vote to require a "black box" warning on prescription product labels.
· 24 to 13 - A majority vote to ban acetaminophen-containing over-the-counter products.
Acetaminophen Combos
Besides being sold under the trade name of Tylenol®, acetaminophen is also an ingredient in many different over-the-counter and prescription products. Unfortunately, many overdoses occur by accidentally taking too much of an acetaminophen combination medicine. Common culprits of an accidental acetaminophen overdose are these popular, prescription pain relievers:
· Vicodin - combines acetaminophen with hydrocodone
· Percoset - combines acetaminophen with oxycodone
· Tylenol 3 - combines acetaminophen with codeine
When severe pain urges someone to increase his/her narcotic intake, the amount of acetaminophen is rarely considered. If someone with Hepatitis C happens to be taking one of these medications for pain control, an accidental overdose is even easier to achieve.
Over-the-Counter Combos
When someone with Hepatitis C has pain, or comes down with a cold or flu, s/he needs to be especially cautious of medications to help with his/her symptoms. Although this list is not exhaustive, the following over-the-counter drugs contain acetaminophen:
· Actifed®: Cold & Allergy, Sinus
· Alka-Seltzer Plus®: All Products
· Benadryl®: Allergy Sinus Headache, Severe Allergy & Sinus Headache
· Contac®: Severe Cold and Flu Maximum Strength Caplets, Non-Drowsy Caplets, Day & Night Cold & Flu
· Dimetapp®: Non-Drowsy Flu Syrup
· Midol®: Maximum Strength Menstrual Formula, Maximum Strength PMS Formula
· NyQuil®/DayQuil®: Cold/Flu Relief Liquid and LiquiCaps
· Pamprin®: All Products
· Robitussin®: Cold, Multi-Symptom Cold & Flu, Multi-Symptom Honey Flu Liquid, Nighttime Honey Flu Liquid
· Sudafed®: Cold & Cough Liquid Caps, Cold & Sinus Liquid Caps, Severe Cold Caplets and Tablets, Sinus Caplets and Tablets
· Tavist®: Sinus Non-Drowsy Coated Caplets
· TheraFlu®: All Regular and Maximum Strength Caplets and Hot Liquid
· Triaminic®: Cold, Cough & Fever Liquid, Cough & Sore Throat Liquid, Cough & Sore Throat Softchews
· Tylenol®: Allergy Sinus Formula, Severe Allergy, Arthritis Pain Extended Relief, Cold Formula, Cold & Flu, Extra Strength Pain Reliever, Flu Formula, Maximum Strength Sore Throat Adult Liquid, PM Pain Reliever/Sleep Aid, Regular Strength, Sinus, Women's Tylenol
· Vicks®: Vicks 44M Cough, Cold & Flu Relief Liquid and Liquicaps
If you have Hepatitis C, don't wait for the FDA to go through the hoops required for new pharmaceutical legislation. Be certain that you don't accidentally endanger your liver from too much acetaminophen. Always read medications' labels - even if it is a pain or cold reliever you've relied on for years. If acetaminophen is lurking in a drug you are taking, make a quick call to your physician. By working with a doctor to confirm that your acetaminophen dosage levels are within a tolerable range, you can prevent putting your liver's viability in jeopardy.
References:
http://familydoctor.org/otc/knowmeds.html, Know What's in the Medicines You Take, Retrieved July 4, 2009, American Academy of Family Physicians, 2009.
http://health.usnews.com/articles/health/healthday/2009/05/28/fda-report-urges-tougher-acetaminophen-warning_print.htm, FDA Report Urges Tougher Acetaminophen Warning, Steven Reinberg, Retrieved July 4, 2009, US News and World Report, May 2009.
http://www.aasld.org/yourliver/Pages/acetaminophen.aspx, iver Fast Facts: Acetaminophen Use and Liver Injury, Retrieved July 4, 2009, American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases, 2009.
http://www.clevelandclinicmeded.com/medicalpubs/HEPc/faq/faqvol7.htm, Hepatitis C Management - Frequently Asked Questions, Retrieved July 4, 2009, Cleveland Clinic, January 2005.
http://www.hivandhepatitis.com/hep_c/news/2009/070309_a.html, FDA Advisory Panel Urges "Black Box" Warning -- and Potential Ban -- on Prescription Acetaminophen Combinations Due to Liver Toxicity, Liz Highleyman, Retrieved July 4, 2009, hivandhepatitis.com, July 3, 2009.
Posted by Editors at 11:13 AM --- Printer-friendly version