Thursday, February 20, 2014

February Hepatitis C Newsletter Updates: Baby Boomers, New Drugs and Monthly Pubmed Review

February Newsletters Updated

 Good day folks, is anyone having a difficult time coping with this crazy weather?

Here in my part of the world the snow continues to pile up, in addition I have a lovely collection of icicles hanging from every inch of my roof.

While standing in front of my home, snapping a few pictures of these amazing ice sculptures, I encountered a drive-by, of sorts.

Slowly, an old truck pulled over to where I was standing, inside a red faced kid nodded my way. I nodded back, he apparently wanted a better look at my lovely glistening icicles. With a cell phone in one ear, music in the background, he opened his mouth and proceeded to spoil my day.

The Conversation Went Like This

Infant In The Truck - I see you have an icicle problem. 

Woman Admiring Her Icicles - Aren't they awesome! Problem? What problem, unless you hate icicles, I smiled. 

Child From Inside The Truck - All I see is an ice dam lady, and a potential for major water damage.

Woman Confused - Huh?

Teenager In The Cute Truck - Lady, if you don't get that snow off your roof, when it melts it won't have anywhere to go but inside your home.

Women Shaking - Huh?

Young Man Sitting Proudly In His New Truck- The water is going to end up running down your walls. THE walls inside your home!

Woman - Who said?

Wise Adorable Little Man - ?

Woman - Just a moment, sir.
(Woman feverishly runs inside potentially damaged home, grabs laptop, finds problem - handyman may come in handy)

Woman - Thank you so much for bringing this to my attention, could you remove the snow today? 

Charming Hero - Yep, sure can, it will cost ya two hundred bucks lady.

Me - Will you take a check?

There you have it, a risk for a serious problem - I had no idea existed. What a perfect  prelude to a more serious problem, a health problem affecting over 3 million Americans. The same scenario is applied here, over 75% of people infected with hepatitis C - have no idea they are infected! Consider this your drive-by;
If you are a baby boomer, you are at risk for hepatitis C. Of the more than 3 million Americans who have hepatitis C, more than 75% were born between 1945 and 1965.
Hepatitis C – the “silent epidemic”
Finding those infected with the disease is actually an enormous problem. It can take decades for symptoms to appear. During that time, people often have no idea they are infected. In fact, 75 percent of people who are infected with the virus do not know that they have it.
The longer the virus goes undetected, the greater a person’s risk of developing serious liver disease, including cirrhosis and liver cancer.

To learn more check out the American Liver Foundation's February newsletter, for additional HCV newsletters published this month, click here.


February Newsletters Updated




HEPATITIS C BABY BOOMERS
If you are a baby boomer, you are at risk for hepatitis C. Of the more than 3 million Americans who have hepatitis C, more than 75% were born between 1945 and 1965.
READ MORE
CORE PROGRAMS
Our core programs are tailored for people of all ages, whether they are living with or at risk for liver disease. The American Liver Foundation® (ALF) implements a variety of education programs about liver health and wellness and ways to prevent, treat and live with liver disease.
READ MORE 

Viral Hepatitis Treatment Choices Initiative
Focusing on hepatitis A, hepatitis B and hepatitis C, this program is offered to hospitals, detox centers, prisons and community-based organizations that provide services for addiction and substance abuse. It covers information about the liver, disease risk factors, prevention, coping with the challenges of living with a hepatitis virus and advances in treatment. ALF provides resources and educational materials to help individuals understand how they can go about seeking the treatments they need.

We have many more programs, including those on the local level through ALF’s 16 division offices located throughout the country. For more information about our national and regional programs, call us at 1-800-GO-LIVER (1-800-465-4837).
  
HE WEBINAR  
On January 23, 2014, more than 300 people tuned in to the American Liver Foundation's webinar on hepatic encephalopathy (HE); the first of a four-part webinar series ALF will be presenting on a variety of liver disease topics.
READ MORE
   
 LIVER LIFE CHALLENGE: DISNEY RUN
Thirty people from around the country ran nearly 754 miles collectively and raised $106,944 to support the American Liver Foundation®. The ALF Liver Life Challenge®, part of the annual Walt Disney World® Marathon Weekend, took place January 8-12th in Orlando, Florida. Proceeds benefit ALF's national and regional programs.
READ MORE

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Other Updates:

Source - Gastroenterology & Endoscopy News

ISSUE: FEBRUARY 2014 | VOLUME: 65:2

 
IFN/RBV-Free Combo for HCV
The combination of daclatasvir plus asunaprevir, both manufactured by Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS), looks poised to gain approval in Japan for treating patients with hepatitis C virus genotype 1b infection. Experts speculate that BMS will seek approval in the United States for this drug combination at a later date, but with the addition of a third drug, BMS-791325, and for an overall genotype 1 indication. 
Over the next five years, a whirlwind of new direct-acting antiviral agents for hepatitis C are expected to get the green light from the FDA. The recent approval of simeprevir and sofosbuvir–containing regimens is only the tip of the iceberg.





GI & Hepatology News
GI & Hepatology News is the official newspaper of the AGA Institute and provides the gastroenterologist with timely and relevant news and commentary about clinical developments and about the impact of health-care policy. The newspaper is led by an internationally renowned board of editors.

February Issue 

COMMENTARY – The price and cost of hepatitis C treatment
Chronic hepatitis C virus infection is a major cause of liver disease, affecting 180 million
people globally.
 
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Enjoy the rest of your day!
Tina

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