Laying Down A Framework

Hep 101

Today We Will• Define hepatitis, viral hepatitis &

the liver• Learn about the 5 different types

of viral hepatitis• Learn more about hepatitis C:

– The scope of the disease– Signs/symptoms – Risk factors and prevention

What Is Hepatitis?• Hepatitis means inflammation of the liver

– Hepat (liver) + itis (inflammation)= Hepatitis• Viral hepatitis means there is a specific

virus that is causing your liver to inflame (swell or become larger than normal)

The Liver• Is located in the upper right quadrant

of the abdomen•Cleans the blood•Regulates hormones•Helps with blood clotting•Produces bile•Produces important proteins•Maintains blood sugar levels•And much, much, more

• The liver is essential for life !

Inflammation

Walls of scar tissue begin to form Healthy liver cells

become trapped by a wall of scar tissue

Viral Hepatitis5 types:A: fecal-oral transmissionB: sexual fluids & blood to blood C: blood to bloodD: travels with BE: fecal–oral transmission

VaccinePreventable

Adapted from Corneil, 2003

Hepatitis C Infection• World - 170 million people • Canada - 240,000 to 300,000 (0.8% to 1% of pop.)• BC - 40,000 (1%)• Vancouver - 11,350 (2%)• DTES VIDUS Study - 1,437

•90% hep C posititveWHO 2000, BC Hepatitis Service 2003, VIDUS 2003

Hepatitis C• Affects each person differently•No vaccine available• Many people have the virus and

do not even know it• Approximately 1 out of 100

Canadians infected

*BC Hepatitis Service 2003

Overall cure rate with new treatment is 55% *

Natural History of Hep C

Adapted from Lauer and Walker, NEJM 2001

Healthy Liver

Acute Infection

Chronic Infection

20% Clear the

Virus

80% Virus Continues to Damage

Liver

Only 20% willshow symptomsInitially !

Natural History Con’t

ChronicHepatitis

Cirrhosis20-30%

LiverCancer

1-4%/year

Most symptoms begin to show only when liver is more severely damaged

Factors Affecting Progression

• 30yrs or longer if:•Young at time of infection•Healthy liver at time of infection•Female

• 20yrs or less if:•Drinking alcohol•Co-infection (HIV, Hep B)•Damaged liver before infection

Adapted from Bigham, BC Hepatitis Services 2002

Signs and Symptoms• Individuals may have one or more of

the following symptoms, while others experience no symptoms:

–Tiredness–Nausea–Muscle or joint pain–Trouble sleeping–Loss of appetite

–Weight loss–Abdominal pain–Itchiness–Depression–Dark urine (pee)

Signs and Symptoms• A few may have specific liver

related symptoms initially:– Pale stool (poo)– Jaundice (yellowing of the skin or

eyes)

Risk Factors

HCV-infected household member/sexual partner (7%)Tattooing

piercing (6%)

Hospitalization dental work (6%)

Transfusion/dialysis blood contact (4%)

Incarceration (3%)

No RF identified

(23%)

IDU/snorting

(51%)

Source: Health Canada Enhanced Surveillance, Oct 98-Oct 99, Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Ottawa

Hepatitis C Dispelling Myths

• Hepatitis C is not spread by:– Casual contact

– Hugging/kissing– Sharing eating utensils and drinking

glasses– Sneezing/coughing– Shaking hands– Sitting on a toilet seat

Prevention• Never share drug equipment

– Straws, bills, needles, syringes, water, filter, cooker, pipes etc…

• Never share tooth brushes/razors or any personal hygiene articles that have blood on them (even tiny amounts).

• Practice safer sex

Prevention• Always make sure new & sterilized

equipment is being used for tattooing & piercing– Make sure ink for tattooing is not being

shared • Do not touch dirty needles without

proper equipment or following proper procedures

Dirty Needle Precautions1. Handle only if you have proper equipment

• Sturdy pair of gloves, tongs or pliers and a puncture proof container (heavy plastic or metal)

2. Place needle in puncture proof container• Do not touch needle with bare hands and do not try to

recap needle if cap present 3. Can dispose container in garbage but better

if it is taken to health clinic or needle exchange

4. At school, notify custodian, teacher, nurse or police liaison officer

Needle Prick1. Do not “milk” prick site 2. Wash the area with soap and water3. Go to nearest emergency department

for assessment and treatment

Questions?