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Description
of the Disease
Hepatitis
C is caused by a specific strain
of virus (HCV). An estimated 2.7 million people are chronically infected.
Public
health professionals have been monitoring the incidence of hepatitis
C in Cowlitz County since 1995, when 45 cases were documented.
Between 2001 and 2003, 612 cases were reported in this county.
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Related
Health Department Web Links
Related
Outside Websites
Washington
State Dept
of Health Web Links
Center
for Disease Control Web Links
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What
services are provided by Health Department professionals for Cowlitz County?
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Provide
health education, drug treatment referrals, syringe exchange
program, hepatitis A & B Immunizations and HIV testing (through the Syringe Exchange Program)
to reduce the spread
of hepatitis viruses.
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Facilitation of hepatitis C support
groups.
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Consultation for those infected with
hepatitis C, and investigation of their contacts.
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Referrals to health care providers for those
clients that have no provider.
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Educational
materials are available to raise awareness in the community
regarding symptoms and prevention of all forms of hepatitis.
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Transmission
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Occurs
when blood or body fluids from an infected person enters the
body of another person.
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HCV
is spread through the sharing of needles (or "works")
when "shooting" drugs; through needle sticks and
sharps exposures on the job; or from an infected mother to her
baby during birth. Sexual transmission is rare, although
possible.
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Populations
at Risk
You are at risk for hepatitis C if
you:
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Had a blood transfusion before 1992.
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Had
Hemodialysis.
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Had
contact with blood in the workplace or
of military patients.
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Have
a tattoo (using contaminated needles or ink).
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Used
IV drugs (even just once), or snorted cocaine or other
drugs (from a shared straw or bill).
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Shared
a razor, toothbrush or any item that could carry
infected blood.
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Had
unprotected sex with multiple partners.
Note:
Persons at risk for hepatitis C infection are also at risk for
hepatitis B and HIV infections.
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Symptoms
- 80%
of infected persons have no signs or symptoms
- jaundice
- fatigue
- dark
urine
- abdominal
pain
- loss
of appetite
- nausea
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Prevention
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There
is no vaccine to prevent hepatitis C.
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Do not inject drugs; if you cannot stop, never share needles,
syringes, water or “works”; and get vaccinated against
hepatitis A and B.
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Do not share personal items that might have blood on them
(e.g. razors, toothbrushes).
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Consider the risks if you are thinking about getting a tattoo
or body piercing. You
might get infected if the tools have someone else’s blood on
them or if the artist or piercer does not follow good health
practices.
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HCV can be spread by sex, but this is very rare.
If you are having sex with more than one partner,
use latex condoms every time and use it correctly to prevent the spread
of sexually transmitted infections.
You should also get vaccinated against hepatitis B.
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If
you are HCV positive, do not donate blood, organs
or tissue.
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Complications
If left untreated or unmanaged, hepatitis C has a
greater chance of developing into cirrhosis, liver cancer or even
liver failure. Liver
failure due to hepatitis C infection is the leading cause of liver
transplants in the U.
S. There is currently no vaccine available for the prevention of
hepatitis C.
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Diagnosis &
Treatment
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