Hepatitis C
Twin epidemics: HIV and Hepatitis C in the urban Northeast
A new Yale study looks at the scope and consequences of a burgeoning health problem in the cities of the U.S. Northeast: concurrent infection with both HIV and Hepatitis C (HCV). The study appears online ...
HIV & AIDS
May 17, 2013 |
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Scientists create new tool for identifying powerful HIV antibodies
A team of NIH scientists has developed a new tool to identify broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs) capable of preventing infection by the majority of HIV strains found around the globe, an advance that could help speed ...
HIV & AIDS
May 09, 2013 |
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Only half newly reported HCV cases receiving follow-up test
(HealthDay)—The lack of a hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA test for approximately one-half of persons newly reported as HCV infected suggests that testing and reporting must improve to detect all persons with ...
Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes
May 09, 2013 |
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New antiviral treatment could significantly reduce global burden of hepatitis C
(Medical Xpress)—Around 150 million people globally are chronically infected with the hepatitis C virus (HCV) – a major cause of liver disease and the fastest growing cause of liver transplantation and ...
Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes
May 06, 2013 |
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Hepatitis C screening for baby boomers
If you were born during 1945-1965, talk to your doctor about getting tested for hepatitis C. The word "hepatitis" means swelling of the liver. Hepatitis is most often caused by a virus. In the United States, ...
Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes
Apr 29, 2013 |
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Research finds targeted screening for hepatitis C is cost-effective
Researchers at the University of Cincinnati have found that targeted screening for populations with a higher estimated prevalence for hepatitis C may be cost-effective.
Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes
Apr 24, 2013 |
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Sofosbuvir shows promise for chronic hepatitis C infection
(HealthDay)—Sofosbuvir seems to be a promising treatment option for patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, according to two studies published online April 23 in the New England Journal of ...
Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes
Apr 23, 2013 |
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Treatment for novel coronavirus shows promise in early lab tests
National Institutes of Health (NIH) scientists studying an emerging coronavirus have found that a combination of two licensed antiviral drugs, ribavirin and interferon-alpha 2b, can stop the virus from replicating ...
Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes
Apr 18, 2013 |
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Potential therapy for HIV suggested: Blocking key protein boosts body's ability to clear chronic infection
UCLA scientists have shown that temporarily blocking a protein critical to immune response actually helps the body clear itself of chronic infection. Published in the April 12 edition of Science, the findin ...
HIV & AIDS
Apr 11, 2013 |
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Study finds interferon, one of the body's proteins, induces persistent viral infection
Scientists at The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) have made a counterintuitive finding that may lead to new ways to clear persistent infection that is the hallmark of such diseases as AIDS, hepatitis B and hepatitis C.
Medical research
Apr 11, 2013 |
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Study reveals Rx target for HPV, Hep C and related cancers
New discoveries by a team of scientists at LSU Health Sciences Center New Orleans for the first time reveal the inner workings of a master regulator that controls functions as diverse as the ability of nerve cells to "rewire" ...
Medical research
Apr 10, 2013 |
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Take a kidney transplant now or wait for a better one? Researchers create 'decision' tool
Johns Hopkins scientists have created a free, Web-based tool to help patients decide whether it's best to accept an immediately available, but less-than-ideal deceased donor kidney for transplant, or wait for a healthier ...
Other
Apr 09, 2013 |
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Liver transplantation for patients with genetic liver conditions has high survival rate
Patients faced with the diagnosis of a life-threatening liver disease have to consider the seriousness of having a liver transplant, which can be a definitive cure for many acquired and genetic liver diseases. Among the main ...
Surgery
Apr 05, 2013 |
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HIV test urged for 7,000 US dental patients
(AP)—Health officials on Thursday urged an Oklahoma oral surgeon's patients to undergo hepatitis and HIV testing, saying filthy conditions behind his office's tidy facade posed a threat to his 7,000 clients and made him ...
Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes
Mar 28, 2013 |
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Experimental drug may work against hepatitis C
(HealthDay)—An experimental therapy for hepatitis C—a "silent killer" linked to liver cancer and cirrhosis—has shown promise in tamping down virus levels in early trials.
Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes
Mar 27, 2013 |
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Hepatitis C is an infectious disease affecting primarily the liver, caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV). The infection is often asymptomatic, but chronic infection can lead to scarring of the liver and ultimately to cirrhosis, which is generally apparent after many years. In some cases, those with cirrhosis will go on to develop liver failure, liver cancer or life-threatening esophageal and gastric varices.
HCV is spread primarily by blood-to-blood contact associated with intravenous drug use, poorly sterilized medical equipment and transfusions. An estimated 130–170 million people worldwide are infected with hepatitis C. The existence of hepatitis C (originally "non-A non-B hepatitis") was postulated in the 1970s and proven in 1989. It is not known to cause disease in other animals.
The virus persists in the liver in about 85% of those infected. This persistent infection can be treated with medication; peginterferon and ribavirin are the current standard therapy. Overall, between 50–80% of people treated are cured. Those who develop cirrhosis or liver cancer may require a liver transplant. Hepatitis C is the leading cause of liver transplantation though the virus usually recurs after transplantation. No vaccine against hepatitis C is currently available.
This text uses material from Wikipedia and is available under the GNU Free Documentation License.
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