Miss Desa's blog: "Hepatitis C Awareness"

What is Hepatitis C? Hepatitis C is a liver disease that is caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV). The virus enters the liver cells, uses the cell's inner genetic machinery to make copies of itself, which then infect more cells. There is no cure. There is a 1-2 year treatment that works 50 percent of the time (genotype specific)

How Hepatitis C is Transmitted? Hepatitis C is spread from one person to another by direct exposure to infected blood or blood products. From the blood of the infected to the bodily fluid of another's eye, cut, open sore, damaged vein, (inside nose, vagina, anus etc..) ...any means to a blood artery.

Who has Hepatitis C? According to the Hep C Coalition up to 1 in 15 people in the world carry the virus. (The U.S. Census Bureau reported a world population of 6,396,731,523 in October 2004). According to the American Liver Association 1 in 50 people in the United States are effected. (The U.S. Census Bureau reported a U.S. population of 294,619,855 in October 2004).

Why are the numbers so high? The quality of life for the Hepatitis C infected can be unaffected before the first sign of liver disease. The Center for Disease Control reports that for 80 percent of carriers there are no signs or symptoms. People carry the Hepatitis C Virus and dont know it. People transmit the Hepatitis C Virus and dont know it.

What happens next? Hepatitis C Central predicts for the United States that in the next 10 to 20 years there will be a: 60 percent increase in the incidents of cirrhosis of the liver. 68 percent increase in liver cancer. 223 percent increase liver death rate. 279 percent increase in liver failure. 528 percent increase in the need for liver transplants. It has already begun. Personal insurance rates are skyrocketing.

What Can You Do? Make a DIFFERENCE. Be AWARE. Join or Support a group already fighting the fight. Stop the silence around this disease. Openly talk of it to those you care about GET TESTED! Please pick up your results! Over 400 THOUSAND victims of HCV in the US have absolutely no idea how or where they contracted this disease.