Image provided by: University of California, Berkeley, Ethnic Studies Library; Berkeley, CA
About Siletz news / (Siletz, OR) 199?-current | View Entire Issue (May 1, 1998)
Page3 Programs S ile tz News BY CATHY RASMUSSEN, RN virus, although they may have no HBV and HCV can also be epatitis is an inflammation of symptoms. There are an estimated transmitted by "personal contact" the liver caused by certain 1 .5 million HBV carriers in the U.s. viruses and other factors including with an infected person, including Children are at greatest risk— contact with virus-infected blood alcohol abuse, some medications, about 90% of babies who become ,or bodily fluids through cuts or and trauma. Although many cases infected at birth, become chronic scrapes or by sharing personal of hepatitis are not a serious threat carriers. It is estimated that there items such as razors and to health, the disease can become toothbrushes. — R are 2-5 million HCV chronic chronic (long-lasting) and can carriers. At least half of all HCV sometimes lead to liver failure and Symptoms and Possible carriers will develop chronic liver death. The following information Complications_________ ________ disease (cirrhosis of the liver, liver comes from the N a tl Institute of Many people infected with viral cancer, and immune system Allergy and Infectious Diseases, hepatitis have no symptoxris. disorders), regardless of whether part of the N at'l Institutes of When symptoms are present, they of not they have symptoms. Health: may be mild or severe. The , most Treatment of Hepatitis How is Hepatitis Transmitted? common early symptoms are mild At present, there are no specific fever, headache, muscle aches, HEPATITIS A treatments for the acute symptoms fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, Infection with Hepatitis A virus of viral hepatitis. Doctors recom vomiting, or diarrhea. Some (or HAV) usually causes a mild mend bed rest, a healthy diet, and people infected with HBV or HCV disease that does not become avoidance of alcohol. Interferon become chronic carriers of the chronic. It is most commonly spread by food and water Hepatitis A and B vaccinations contamination, often by an infected food handler. (For this are available to all Siletz Tribal members H reason, Hepatitis A cases often occur in groups). PLEASE CONTACT: The Siletz Community Health Clinic HEPATITIS B Infection with Hepatitis B virus (or HBV) may be mild or severe, acute or chronic. Each year, an estimated 300,000 people in the U.S. become infected with HBV. HBV is most commonly trans mitted by bodily fluids, including shared drug needles> unprotected sex, from a mother to her newborn, and in the health care setting. It can not be spread by casual contact such as shaking hands or sharing a workspace or a bathroom facility. HEPATITIS C "Non-A, hon-B" hepatitis is primarily caused by the Hepatitis C virus (HCV). Although gener ally a mild condition, it’ is much more likely than Hepatitis B to lead to chronic liver disease. HCV- appears ’ to be - spread through sharing drug needles as well as through sexüál contact. Sexual spread, however, is inefficient and. much less than that of HBV or the AIDS virus (HIV). A very small percentage of persons with HCV become infected through blood transfusions. ' a t («00) 64«-0449 / (541)444-1030 or Cathy Rasmussen, RN, Community Health Director at (541) 746-965« alpha is sometimes used to treat people with chronic Hepatitis C. It can help to improve liver function in some patients, although its beneficial effects lesson over time. Prevention of Hepatitis The most effective means of preventing HBV and HCV hepatitis is to avoid contact with the bodily fluids of infected individuals. There are vaccines available to prevent transmission of hepatitis A and B. Health care workers and other individuals at high; risk for hepatitis B should be vaccinated. In an effort to eliminate chronic carriers, the CDC now recommends that all newborn babies receive the Hepatitis B series. People who come into direct contact with the blood or bodily fluids of an HBV carrier (including newborns) can receive immune globulin. Hepa titis A vaccines can be given to adults and children over age two. Incidence rates for Hepatitis A in Oregon have been high enough to warrant vaccination for eligible individuals. io n i iW W n w i X B X i a i Early Detection Saves Lives Wïf/î our many roles (wives, mothers, daughters and working women), it's easy to put our own health needs last. Cherish and safeguard the gift pf health yyith annual exams over age 40. You may qualify for a free pap test and mammogram through the Oregon Breast and Cervical Cancer (BCC) Program. S Gift certificate incentives available. For more information call: Sandra Hahn, RN, Nurse Educator Siletz Community Health Clinic (800) 648-0449 (541)444-1030 nijefce ^Jelf-Qere /priority/ X i IR X À X IP X
