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Hepatitis B and C: A silent but deadly epidemic

Hepatitis B and C: A silent but deadly epidemic. Arun J Sanyal M.D. Charles Caravati Professor of Medicine Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond, Virginia. Hepatitis B and C: Basic information. Virus infections of the liver: A: acute illness B: both acute and chronic

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Hepatitis B and C: A silent but deadly epidemic

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  1. Hepatitis B and C: A silent but deadly epidemic Arun J Sanyal M.D. Charles Caravati Professor of Medicine Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond, Virginia

  2. Hepatitis B and C: Basic information • Virus infections of the liver: • A: acute illness • B: both acute and chronic • C: chronic illness • D: dual infection- B and D have to co-exist • Hepatitis B and C affect 5.3 million Americans

  3. Who has it? Seen in all segments of society Some segments more at risk: Immigrants, Asians, African-Americans How do you get it? Exposure of contaminated blood Sexual exposure ? Unknown Hepatitis B and C is everyone’s problem

  4. Progression to cirrhosis: liver failure internal bleeding brain malfunction kidney failure cancer Other medical problems: diabetes kidney disease What happens if you don’t diagnose hepatitis B or C in time?

  5. Why the status quo is unacceptable • Disease diagnosed late in its course • Treatment options are more limited • Treatment not tolerated as well • Greater impact on family • More days of work loss • Greater cost of care • Strains the ability of small businesses to afford health care for its employees and their families

  6. Why is the situation particularly tragic ? • Risk factors for viral hepatitis are well known • A highly effective vaccine for hepatitis B exists • Tests to diagnose the disease are available and are being improved upon- and should allow point of care testing • Highly effective treatments for both hepatitis B and C are available and getting better

  7. Impediments to reducing the burden of viral hepatitis • Lack of knowledge and awareness • Lack of adequate screening, surveillance and reporting of viral hepatitis • Lack of effective immunization strategies • Lack of health services related to viral hepatitis in general-especially detection and treatment

  8. The choice before us today • Healthy people • immunize • educate • screen • identify and treat • surveillance • Status quo • Detect disease late • High cost of care • Loss of workforce • Disruption of family THE CHOICE IS CLEAR

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