Hepatitis C ; Clinic battles silent killer

Clinic battles silent killer
Spreads word about virus that affects the liver

By Nicholas C. Stern Dr. Syed Haque decided to join and volunteer his time to become the medical director of the Frederick County Hepatitis Clinic after hearing about the work they did over five years ago.

News-Post Staff
"I said 'What can I do to help?'" Haque said.
The nonprofit clinic, formed in 1999, is one of the largest in Maryland and the only of its kind in the state that provides hepatitis treatment for the uninsured, underinsured and working poor, according to the clinic's executive director, Constance Callahan.

Through the month of May, which was Hepatitis Awareness Month, the clinic provided free screenings and Callahan said it will do so again in October.

A silent disease

Viral hepatitis, which has five forms -- A through E, with A, B and C the most common -- is the leading cause of liver cancer in the United States and the most common reason for liver transplantation, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About 4.4 million Americans are living with chronic hepatitis, though most don't know they are infected.. Continue reading...