YUVROSHNI is a project initiated by Anubhav Mumbai (the College of Social Work, Nirmala Niketen) with the collaboration of United Way Mumbai Helpline. ‘Yuvroshni’ to conduct Extensive Awareness Campaign on Prevention of Hepatitis B and C infection (HBV/HCV). The extensive awareness generation campaign will be carried out all over the city of Mumbai i.e. in all 24 municipal wards within city, Western and Eastern suburbs under the jurisdiction of Municipal Corporations greater Mumbai.
In this project, with view to enrich spread of awareness about HBV/HCV infection participatory approach has been adopted. The proposed intervention intend at mobilizing train community based volunteer, who would further reach out into the vulnerable communities for spreading awareness about the disease and the precautionary measure.
In every college a group of 40 students would be trained for conducting an awareness campaign in their respective colleges and their communities with the help and support of the local community health workers. these train students would be called as " Health Educators", who would be identified as " Green Ribbon brigade" and they will be awarded a certificate at the end of the year.
Green Ribbon Brigade (Batch)
HAV, HBV and HCV are the most common types of viral hepatitis found in the United States .
Hepatitis C
http//www.avert.org/hepatitis.htm
Green Ribbon Brigade (Batch)
What is Hepatitis?
Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver that can be caused by a group of viruses. There are five major types of viral hepatitis:
Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver that can be caused by a group of viruses. There are five major types of viral hepatitis:
HAV, HBV and HCV are the most common types of viral hepatitis found in the United States .
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B is irritation and swelling (inflammation) of the liver due to infection with the hepatitis B virus (HBV).
· Other types of viral hepatitis include:
· Hepatitis B
· Hepatitis E
See also:
· Chronic persistent hepatitis
Causes:
Hepatitis B infection can be spread through having contact with the blood, semen, vaginal fluids, and other body fluids of someone who already has a hepatitis B infection.
Infection can be spread through:
· Blood transfusions (not common in the United States)
· Direct contact with blood in health care settings
· Sexual contact with an infected person
· Tattoo or acupuncture with unclean needles or instruments
· Shared needles during drug use
· Shared personal items (such as toothbrushes, razors, and nail clippers) with an infected person
The hepatitis B virus can be passed to an infant during childbirth if the mother is infected.
Risk factors for hepatitis B infection include:
· Being born, or having parents who were born in regions with high infection rates (including Asia, Africa, and the Caribbean)
· Being infected with HIV
· Being on hemodialysis
· Having multiple sex partners
· Men having sex with men
Most of the damage from the hepatitis B virus occurs because of the way the body responds to the infection. When the body's immune system detects the infection, it sends out special cells to fight it off. However, these disease-fighting cells can lead to liver inflammation.
Symptoms:
After you first become infected with the hepatitis B virus:
· You may have no symptoms
· You may feel sick for a period of days or weeks
· You may become very ill (called fulminant hepatitis)
If your body is able to fight off the hepatitis B infection, any symptoms that you had should go away over a period of weeks to months.
Some people's bodies are not able to completely get rid of the hepatitis B infection. This is called chronic hepatitis B.
Many people who have chronic hepatitis B have few or no symptoms. They may not even look sick. As a result, they may not know they are infected. However, they can still spread the virus to other people.
Symptoms may not appear for up to 6 months after the time of infection. Early symptoms may include:
· Appetite loss
· Fatigue
· Fever, low-grade
· Muscle and joint aches
· Nausea and vomiting
People with chronic hepatitis may have no symptoms, even though gradual liver damage may be occurring. Over time, some people may develop symptoms of chronic liver damage and cirrhosis of the liver.
Signs and tests:
The following tests are done to identify and monitor liver damage from hepatitis B:
The following tests are done to help diagnose and monitor people with hepatitis B:
· Antibody to HBsAg (Anti-HBs) -- a positive result means you have either had hepatitis B in the past, or have received a hepatitis B vaccine
· Antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (Anti-HBc) -- a positive result means you had a recent infection or an infection in the past
· Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) -- a positive result means you have an active infection
· Hepatitis E surface antigen (HBeAg) -- a positive result means you have a hepatitis B infection and are more likely to spread the infection to others through sexual contact or sharing needles
Patients with chronic hepatitis will need ongoing blood tests to monitor their status.
Treatment:
Acute hepatitis needs no treatment other than careful monitoring of liver and other body functions with blood tests. You should get plenty of bed rest, drink plenty of fluids, and eat healthy foods.
In the rare case that you develop liver failure, you may need a liver transplant. A liver transplant is the only cure in some cases of liver failure.
Some patients with chronic hepatitis may be treated with antiviral medications or a medication called peginterferon. These medications can decrease or remove hepatitis B from the blood and reduce the risk of cirrhosis and liver cancer.
Liver transplantation is used to treat severe, chronic hepatitis B liver disease.
Patients with chronic hepatitis should avoid alcohol and should always check with their doctor or nurse before taking any over-the-counter medications or herbal supplements. This even includes medications such as acetaminophen, aspirin, or ibuprofen.
Prevention:
All children should receive their first dose of the hepatitis B vaccine at birth, and complete the series of three shots by age 6 months. Children younger than age 19 who have not been vaccinated should receive "catch-up" doses.
People who are at high risk, including health care workers and those who live with someone who has hepatitis B should get the hepatitis B vaccine.
Infants born to mothers who either currently have acute hepatitis B, or who have had the infection should receive a special vaccination that includes hepatitis B immune globulin and a hepatitis B immunization within 12 hours of birth.
Screening of all donated blood has reduced the chance of getting hepatitis B from a blood transfusion. Mandatory reporting of the disease allows state health care workers to track people who have been exposed to the virus. The vaccine is given to those who have not yet developed the disease.
The hepatitis B vaccine or a hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIG) shot may help prevent hepatitis B infection if it is given within 24 hours of exposure.
· Lifestyle measures for preventing transmission of hepatitis B:
· Avoid sexual contact with a person who has acute or chronic hepatitis B.
· Use a condom and practice safe sex.
· Avoid sharing personal items, such as razors or toothbrushes.
· Do not share drug needles or other drug equipment (such as straws for snorting drugs).
· Clean blood spills with a solution containing 1 part household bleach to 10 parts water.
References
3. Sjogren MH, Cheatham JG. Hepatitis A. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger & Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 9th ed. Philadelphia, Pa:Saunders Elsevier; 2010:chap 77.
Review Date: 11/23/2010.
Reviewed by: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; and George F. Longstreth, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program, San Diego, California. Also reviewed
Hepatitis C
Hepatitis C is a viral disease that leads to swelling (inflammation) of the liver.
Causes:
Hepatitis C infection is caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV). People who may be at risk for hepatitis C are those who:
· Have been on long-term kidney dialysis
· Have regular contact with blood at work (for instance, as a health care worker)
· Have unprotected sexual contact with a person who has hepatitis C (this is much less common, but the risk is higher for those who have many sex partners, already have a sexually transmitted disease, or are infected with HIV)
· Inject street drugs or share a needle with someone who has hepatitis C
· Received a tattoo or acupuncture with contaminated instruments (the risk is very low with licensed, commercial tattoo facilities)
· Received blood, blood products, or solid organs from a donor who has hepatitis C
· Share personal items such as toothbrushes and razors with someone who has hepatitis C (less common)
· Were born to a hepatitis C-infected mother (this occurs in about 1 out of 20 babies born to mothers with HCV, which is much less common than with hepatitis B)
Hepatitis C has an acute and chronic form. Most people who are infected with the virus develop chronic hepatitis C.
Symptoms:
Most people who were recently infected with hepatitis C do not have symptoms. About 10% have jaundice that gets better.
Of people who get infected with HCV, most develop chronic HCV infection. Usually there are no symptoms.
If the infection has been present for many years, the liver may be permanently scarred, a condition called cirrhosis. In many cases, there may be no symptoms of the disease until cirrhosis has developed.
The following symptoms could occur with hepatitis C infection:
· Bleeding from the esophagus or stomach (due to dilated veins in the esophagus or stomach called varices
· Fatigue
· Fever
· Itching
· Jaundice
· Loss of appetite
· Nausea
· Vomiting
Signs and tests
The following tests are done to help diagnose hepatitis C:
· Hepatitis C RNA assays to measure virus levels (viral load)
· Hepatitis C genotype. Six genotypes exist. Most Americans have genotype 1 infection, which is the hardest to treat.
The following tests are done to identify and monitor liver damage from hepatitis C:
· Albumin level
Liver biopsy can show how much damage has been done to the liver.
Treatment
The goals of HCV treatment are to remove the virus from the blood and reduce the risk of cirrhosis and liver cancer that can result from long-term HCV infection.
Many patients with hepatitis C benefit from treatment with medications. The most common medications are a combination of pegylated interferon alfa and ribavirin, an antiviral medication.
· Most patients receive weekly injections of pegylated interferon alfa.
· Ribavirin is a capsule taken twice daily. Ribavirin can cause birth defects. Women should avoid getting pregnant during, and for 6 months after treatment.
· Treatment is given for 24 - 48 weeks.
These medications have a number of side effects, and patients must be watched closely. Symptoms include:
· Anemia
· Depression
· Fatigue
· Fever
· Flu-like symptoms
· Headache
· Irritability
· Loss of appetite
· Low white blood cell counts and platelets
· Nausea
· Thinning of hair
· Vomiting
People with hepatitis C should also:
· Be careful not to take vitamins, nutritional supplements, or new over-the-counter medications without first discussing it with their health care provider.
· Avoid any substances that are toxic to the liver (hepatotoxic), including alcohol. Even moderate amounts of alcohol speed up the progression of hepatitis C, and alcohol reduces the effectiveness of treatment.
Prevention
Avoid contact with blood or blood products whenever possible. Health care workers should follow precautions when handling blood and bodily fluids.
Do not inject illicit drugs, and especially do not share needles with anyone. Be careful when getting tattoos and body piercings.
Sexual transmission is very low among stable, monogamous couples. A partner should be screened for hepatitis C. If the partner is negative, the current recommendations are to make no changes in sexual practices.
People who have sex outside of a monogamous relationship should practice safer sex behaviors to avoid hepatitis C as well as sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV and hepatitis B.
Currently there is no vaccine for hepatities
References
3. Sjogren MH, Cheatham JG. Hepatitis A. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger & Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 9th ed. Philadelphia, Pa:Saunders Elsevier; 2010:chap 77.
Review Date: 11/23/2010.
Reviewed by: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; and George F. Longstreth, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program, San Diego, California. Also reviewed
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/hepatits.htmlhttp//www.avert.org/hepatitis.htm
