hepatitis b and c: a silent but deadly epidemic
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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 - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Hepatitis B and C: A silent but deadly epidemic
Arun J Sanyal M.D.Charles Caravati Professor of Medicine
Virginia Commonwealth UniversityRichmond, Virginia
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
Hepatitis B and C is everyone’s problem
• 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
What happens if you don’t diagnose hepatitis B or C in time?
• Progression to cirrhosis:– liver failure– internal bleeding– brain malfunction– kidney failure– cancer
• Other medical problems:– diabetes– kidney disease
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
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
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
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