Hepatitis C (HCV) is labeled the "Silent Killer" because many have no recognizable symptoms for years. HCV is also listed as one of the top five diseases missed by medical professionals. Of middle aged adults, 2.3% of the population is infected with this virus. Of these patients, up to 30% will develop cirrhosis, leading to liver cancer. (1)
In the early stages of infection, most patients usually report a history of fatigue and malaise although the liver and other body systems/organs begin to fail. HCV is usually diagnosed only when irreversible liver damage (cirrhosis) is established. Yet, the best outcomes for HCV patients depend upon early recognition of the infection.
HCV infects all races, genders, and across all socioeconomic backgrounds. Young women, average age 24 years old, are the fastest growing segment currently being diagnosed with HCV. This is not all due to drug use, but due to lack of understanding the transmission methods for this virus. (2)
At least one-third and up to a half of infected children acquired infection during the pregnancy from positive mothers. (3)
Though the infection rate is at epidemic proportions, only a mere 20% are aware of their HCV positive status. Unlike Hepatitis A and B, there is currently no vaccine for the prevention of the Hepatitis C Virus, the most deadly of the Hepatitis family. (4)
Current treatment options are difficult to tolerate and success rates average 40% or so, for most people. Military veterans, attending Veterans Administration Clinics, are helped only 17.2% of the time. (5)
These are shameful statistics for our defenders of freedom.
Research is needed for safer and more effective treatment options. Treatment must be made available to all, including those who do not have health insurance and veterans, left to the mercy of the Veterans Administration for care.
Our government is doing far too little to educate the public about HCV. Programs on methods of transmission must be instituted in schools, at all grade levels, prisons, detention facilities and psychiatric hospitals.
Bosco's Buddies Inc. is dedicated to educating the public of this often fatal disease.
We will run/walk for awareness so HCV issues are made public and in hopes that our government will take much needed measures to stop the spread of this insidious virus, and do so in a fair, safe, and timely manner.
By running/walking in events thoughout the country provides us with the opportunity to reach millions of people otherwise left to the inadequacies of a failed governmental system for prevention.
Please help us educate this Nation and stop the spread of HCV.
Thank You
References:
1. NIH Consensus Statements Management of Hepatitis C: 2002 June 10-12, 2002 Vol. 19, No. 1 FINAL STATEMENT August 27,2002 HCV is the most common chronic blood-borne infection develop cirrhosis 20 years after initial infection as high as 20 to 30 percent in middle-aged subjects......Of middle aged adults, 2.3% of the population is infected with this virus http://consensus.nih.gov/cons/116/116cdc_intro.htm
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease Twenty percent of patients develop cirrhosis within 10 to 20 years of the onset of infection Liver failure from chronic hepatitis C is one of the most common reasons for liver transplants in the United States. Hepatitis C is the cause of about half of cases of primary liver cancer in the developed world. http://www.niddk.nih.gov/health/digest/pubs/chrnhepc/chrnhepc.htm
(K70,K73–K74) National Vital Statistics Vol 49 No 11 Deaths: Leading Causes for 1999- by Robert N. Anderson, Ph.D. Division of Vital Statistics Table 1 page 15 all races and both sexes, ages 25–34 years is the tenth leading causes of death. For age 45–54, the sixth leading cause of death http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nvsr/nvsr49/nvsr49_11.pdf
2. May 1, 2002, issue of Substance Use & Misuse, may indicate that use of drugs is not the only risk factor for HCV.
3. Paediatric HIV Service, Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK.
The authors conclude, “These results suggest that at least one third and up to a half of infected children acquired infection in utero.
J Mok and others (for the European Paediatric Hepatitis C Virus Network). When does mother to child transmission of hepatitis C virus occur? Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed 90(2): F156-160. March 2005.
4.Arthur Caplan, Ph.D. the Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Blood Safety and Availability states "The main reason for the drastic increase in severe hepatitis C-related liver disease--that means leading to transplant, leading to death--is that 90 percent of people with chronic hepatitis C don't know they have it." http://www.hhs.gov/bloodsafety/transcripts/nov24_98.html
The American Liver foundation states- As many as 70% of those infected don’t know it http://www.liverfoundation.org/db/articles/1007
Because most persons with chronic HCV infection have yet to be diagnosed http://consensus.nih.gov/cons/116/091202116cdc_statement.htm
5. VA Study A comparison of hepatitis C treatment and outcomes at academic, private and Veterans' Affairs treatment centres D. M. Jensen*, S. J. Cotler*, H. Lam , G. Harb & A. Shillington§ .... End-of-treatment viral response for Veterans' Affairs centers, 17.2%http://hcvets.com/data/hcv_liver/va_clear_rate.htm
HCV Stats • census update times 2 % infection rate for the general public
