Friday, May 19, 2006
Is HCV A Druggie Disease?
Hell no, it isn't....I refuse to wear the stigma that says ours is a "druggies" disease. True, Hepatitis C can be transmitted through the use of illicit drugs, as can many other blood-borne diseases and I don't deny that. However hepatitis C can also be spread in lots of other ways as well, through blood to blood contact.
There are at least 25% of HCV cases that are known as sporadic HCV which simply means unknown origin. It's no secret that prior to the 1990's, hepatitis C was unintentionally transmitted through blood transfusions and improper sterilization practices within the medical community. This is why it's so unfair to "paint every sufferer with the same brush!" and automatically assume that anyone infected with hep C is a former drug user. The truth is any situation where infected blood can enter the bloodstream of another person is a potential mode of transmission for hepatitis C. No test exists that can tell us when, where, or how a patient was infected, and in most cases, does it really matter?
The hepatitis C virus lives outside of the body for an undetermined time (depending on where you read) and can (and often does) remain infectious to others until infected tools used during invasive procedures are properly heat-disinfected as in an auto-clave. Not to point fingers but this was NOT routine practice within the medical community prior to the 1990's, and this may be why so many people are being diagnosed without a known source of infection. So please, do not feel ashamed of this disease, it is not your fault or a punishment from God, its a damn awful disease and EVERYONE is at risk....
There are at least 25% of HCV cases that are known as sporadic HCV which simply means unknown origin. It's no secret that prior to the 1990's, hepatitis C was unintentionally transmitted through blood transfusions and improper sterilization practices within the medical community. This is why it's so unfair to "paint every sufferer with the same brush!" and automatically assume that anyone infected with hep C is a former drug user. The truth is any situation where infected blood can enter the bloodstream of another person is a potential mode of transmission for hepatitis C. No test exists that can tell us when, where, or how a patient was infected, and in most cases, does it really matter?
The hepatitis C virus lives outside of the body for an undetermined time (depending on where you read) and can (and often does) remain infectious to others until infected tools used during invasive procedures are properly heat-disinfected as in an auto-clave. Not to point fingers but this was NOT routine practice within the medical community prior to the 1990's, and this may be why so many people are being diagnosed without a known source of infection. So please, do not feel ashamed of this disease, it is not your fault or a punishment from God, its a damn awful disease and EVERYONE is at risk....
# posted by Joyfulstill @ 5:57 PM 
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Hep C Boy has left a new comment on your post "Is HCV A Druggie Disease?":
In fairness a recent UK survey of heppers showed that of those who answered 80% admitted IVDA. Figures from Austrilia put the figure at 91%.
People don't always tell the truth.
.
Posted by Hep C Boy to Hepatitis C Hope at 5/22/2006 06:41:18 AM
In fairness a recent UK survey of heppers showed that of those who answered 80% admitted IVDA. Figures from Austrilia put the figure at 91%.
People don't always tell the truth.
.
Posted by Hep C Boy to Hepatitis C Hope at 5/22/2006 06:41:18 AM
# posted by 
: 2:08 PM
: 2:08 PM 
Hi Hepc Boy,
In The USA the figures are not that high. There are various modes of transmission; and the unknown orgin is now at 30%. We can also thank Our USA Military for using airguns to inject our soldiers.
Thank God their learned from that. There is also a problem with reused medical devices, dental work, tattoos, the modes of transmission are endless.
In The USA the figures are not that high. There are various modes of transmission; and the unknown orgin is now at 30%. We can also thank Our USA Military for using airguns to inject our soldiers.
Thank God their learned from that. There is also a problem with reused medical devices, dental work, tattoos, the modes of transmission are endless.
I'm not a liar and if you read my article about reused medical devices you will see the problem here in the USA. I am by no means saying that a large perecentage don't get it from drugs use and it does not matter to me, how one gets it.. We are all in this together.
However, the general population MUST be made aware that they too can get it.One of my best friends along with 41 others were infected because the dr, reused needles. My point is that everyone is at risk and noboby deserves this disease.
Here in the US the public service ads are only addressed to drug users, past drug use, "risky sex behavior and people who had blood transfusions..
I personally feel that it should be included in ones yearly medical check-up, for this is not called the Silent Killer for nothng...
However, the general population MUST be made aware that they too can get it.One of my best friends along with 41 others were infected because the dr, reused needles. My point is that everyone is at risk and noboby deserves this disease.
Here in the US the public service ads are only addressed to drug users, past drug use, "risky sex behavior and people who had blood transfusions..
I personally feel that it should be included in ones yearly medical check-up, for this is not called the Silent Killer for nothng...
Hi Bette. I've been looking at this post for a few days now, and I feel the need to comment.
"Druggie Disease" may not have a nice ring to it, but don't you think it's a well-established fact that IVDU is one of the quickest ways to acquire and spread this virus?
You are apparently an exception to this (many others are, too). I sympathize totally with you and others who do not know how they acquired Hep C.
I'm glad to report that everyone I know who acquired it by IVDU is being followed and treated by great physicians and hepatologists who do not "discriminate" or treat us "badly" because of our histories of IV drug abuse.
In some cases, patients feel they cannot tell the truth about a histoyr of IVDU because their livelihoods depend on protecting their reputation. That is understandable. There are many physicians of today treating Hep C who understand this "need", too, of their patient to not disclose a past history of IV drug use.
Needle exchange programs are being looked at (and implemented in some areas) in an attempt by health officials to control the spread of this virus. I think that is a good thing -- not necessarily "pretty", but it might help.
"Druggie Disease" may not have a nice ring to it, but don't you think it's a well-established fact that IVDU is one of the quickest ways to acquire and spread this virus?
You are apparently an exception to this (many others are, too). I sympathize totally with you and others who do not know how they acquired Hep C.
I'm glad to report that everyone I know who acquired it by IVDU is being followed and treated by great physicians and hepatologists who do not "discriminate" or treat us "badly" because of our histories of IV drug abuse.
In some cases, patients feel they cannot tell the truth about a histoyr of IVDU because their livelihoods depend on protecting their reputation. That is understandable. There are many physicians of today treating Hep C who understand this "need", too, of their patient to not disclose a past history of IV drug use.
Needle exchange programs are being looked at (and implemented in some areas) in an attempt by health officials to control the spread of this virus. I think that is a good thing -- not necessarily "pretty", but it might help.
# posted by : 7:25 AM
: 7:25 AM
Hi wisteria,
I do appreciate you taking the time to comment.
Yes of course IV drug use as well as "snorting cocaine" had the highest percentage. However, my point is there are many others who are getting the virus many other ways. I don 't feel it is just a "druggie or risky sex disease" I feel it belongs to everyone. I also feel the more it infects people who do not fall into so-called Risk factors, the funding will increase. The govt did the same crap years ago to the HIV community until kids and straight were getting infected.
I fear when people see the Public Service they will not have the foresight to getting tested, if it is not explained about the various modes of infection; tatoos, manicure's etc. and from the medical & dental community.
There are several well documented cases that have been caused by dr's reusing needles. There was also a surgeon, who had the virus and infected several heart patients during heart surgery. They are still allowing him to operate. I mean, if this was not found out, not one of his patients would have think to get tested because of heart surgery.
I just fear that so many are falling through the cracks and not being tested because they think it applies soley to people who had in the past or are still doing drugs.
The bummer, not knowing how I was infected, is I have no way of preventing of being reinfected.
If they want to stress the leading cause of HCV is from Drug use, I have no problem with that, but they shoud also be honest and let the public know the way other ways one can get tested. I was diagnosed in 1995 and not once have I ever asked someone how they got it.. I don't care if it was through drug use nobody should be treated any different by their doctor.
Trust me, HCV was not cuter or nicer to me because I didnt get infected through drugs, lol as I say HCV does not discriminate, but ignorant people do.
Take Care,
Bette
I do appreciate you taking the time to comment.
Yes of course IV drug use as well as "snorting cocaine" had the highest percentage. However, my point is there are many others who are getting the virus many other ways. I don 't feel it is just a "druggie or risky sex disease" I feel it belongs to everyone. I also feel the more it infects people who do not fall into so-called Risk factors, the funding will increase. The govt did the same crap years ago to the HIV community until kids and straight were getting infected.
I fear when people see the Public Service they will not have the foresight to getting tested, if it is not explained about the various modes of infection; tatoos, manicure's etc. and from the medical & dental community.
There are several well documented cases that have been caused by dr's reusing needles. There was also a surgeon, who had the virus and infected several heart patients during heart surgery. They are still allowing him to operate. I mean, if this was not found out, not one of his patients would have think to get tested because of heart surgery.
I just fear that so many are falling through the cracks and not being tested because they think it applies soley to people who had in the past or are still doing drugs.
The bummer, not knowing how I was infected, is I have no way of preventing of being reinfected.
If they want to stress the leading cause of HCV is from Drug use, I have no problem with that, but they shoud also be honest and let the public know the way other ways one can get tested. I was diagnosed in 1995 and not once have I ever asked someone how they got it.. I don't care if it was through drug use nobody should be treated any different by their doctor.
Trust me, HCV was not cuter or nicer to me because I didnt get infected through drugs, lol as I say HCV does not discriminate, but ignorant people do.
Take Care,
Bette
Hi Bette. I totally agree with you on the need to inform the public on all possible modes of transmission and that funding for research for the drug addicted is not popular. When I think about the lack of funding for HCV, I always wonder (in the back of my head) what would happen if HCV were ever classified an STD. But hey -- I'm not touching that one :) !
I guess the best we can do to help those who are not infected yet or don't know they are infected yet is to get the word out -- best we know how -- that this virus is not JUST a druggie disease and that testing and treatment should be a top priority.
Take care.
I guess the best we can do to help those who are not infected yet or don't know they are infected yet is to get the word out -- best we know how -- that this virus is not JUST a druggie disease and that testing and treatment should be a top priority.
Take care.
# posted by : 10:08 AM
: 10:08 AM
I hope you will read my new post about this. I am sometimes misunderstand about this topic.
Some just read the title and think that I think I dont deserve it because I didn't use hard drugs. That is so far from the truth. Nobody deserves HCV.
Hey, nobody ever thought the sixties would come back and bite anyone in the ass.
I am real happy that you got what I was saying. Now tell me what is your HCV status?
I just celebrated my 8th year of being Cured, yep, I live on da edge and use the "c" word, lol
Oh, by the way, real nice to meet you. Please feel free to agree or disagree with me anytime...
Some just read the title and think that I think I dont deserve it because I didn't use hard drugs. That is so far from the truth. Nobody deserves HCV.
Hey, nobody ever thought the sixties would come back and bite anyone in the ass.
I am real happy that you got what I was saying. Now tell me what is your HCV status?
I just celebrated my 8th year of being Cured, yep, I live on da edge and use the "c" word, lol
Oh, by the way, real nice to meet you. Please feel free to agree or disagree with me anytime...
Hi Hep-C-boy
Thank you for linking my blog on yours.. I've always been told, I do share and play well with others:)
Bette
Thank you for linking my blog on yours.. I've always been told, I do share and play well with others:)
Bette
I did drugs decades ago and do not feel offended by your blog. You made many vaild & important facts. I agree there is too much misinformation and out there how you can get it. Thank you for tackling a topic this touchy that could have gotten you blogged to death:)
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# posted by : 11:40 AM
: 11:40 AM << Home
