Hep C Connection Presentation for 9Health Fair Site Leaders

1. HEPATITIS C
9Health Fair Testing
Spring 2015

2. Scope of Second Year
9Health Fair is working with Hep C
Connection to promote hepatitis C
antibody screening at several 9Health Fair
sites:
Hep C Connection will assist with the
education and testing sign-up at these sites

3. 12 Screening Sites

4. Hep C Connection Staff
 Please contact Chris Grano with
general questions about hepatitis C, the
screening, results, etc.
cgrano@hepc-connection.org
 Please contact Sascha Larsen-Helbing
with questions or information related to
health fair staffing
slh@hepc-connection.org

5. Hepatitis C:
What You Should Know
 Caused by the hepatitis C virus
(HCV)
 HCV can live outside the body
 Remains infectious for up to 6 weeks
 First identified in 1989
 Previously known as
“non-A/non-B hepatitis”
 An accurate screening test was
developed in 1992

6. Hepatitis C
 HCV is transmitted through contact with
blood of an infected person
 “Blood to Blood” - in order to be infected,
blood containing the hepatitis C virus must
enter the bloodstream through an entry point
in the skin (cut, sore, tear, scrape, etc.)
 There is NO hepatitis C vaccine

7. Hepatitis C - The Numbers
100 people infected
with hepatitis C
80 people
develop chronic
hepatitis C
20 people clear the
virus within
2-6 months
20 people never develop liver
damage or physical
symptoms
60 people will develop some level
of long-term symptoms or signs
of liver inflammation
16 people will develop cirrhosis
of the liver over 20 years
1 -2 people with cirrhosis will
Develop liver cancer after a
further period
Note: successful
antiviral treatment
can clear the virus in
about 75% of those
in this group.

8. “The Silent Killer”
At least 3.2 MILLION
Americans are chronically
infected with HCV
And half of them aren’t
aware they’re infected!

9. Hepatitis C
Risk Factors (1 of 2)
 Have you ever injected drugs? Have you
ever snorted drugs?
 Did you receive any blood, blood products or
tissues prior to 1992?
 Are you a military veteran?
 Have you ever been incarcerated?
 Do you work or have you worked in a position
where you may be exposed to blood?

10. Hepatitis C
Risk Factors (2 of 2)
 Do you have any tattoos or piercings that
may have been done without sterile
instruments and/or inks?
 Have you ever received medical care in a
foreign country?
 Do you live or have you lived with someone
who has hepatitis C?
 Have you ever had sexual contact with
someone infected with hepatitis C?

11. Who Should Get Tested?
1. Anyone who has ever injected drugs – even
once, ever
2. Those who received blood or blood products
before 1992, or anytime outside the US
3. Recipients of unsterile tattoos or piercings
4. Someone with a known HCV+ sex partner
5. Baby Boomers (born between 1945-1965)

12. Hepatitis C:
An Epidemic Among Baby Boomers
 Baby boomers (born 1945 – 1965) account
for more than 75% of cases of chronic HCV
infection in the United States
 HCV infection prevalence rates are highest
among Americans born in the early 1950s
 As baby boomers infected with HCV age,
their disease may progress from
asymptomatic infection to advanced liver
disease
Source: “Consequences of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV): Costs of a Baby Boomer Epidemic of Liver
Disease,” 2009 report by Milliman, Inc.

13. 2012 CDC Recommendations
August 2012:
The Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention recommend that everyone
born between 1945 and 1965 receive a
one-time screening for hepatitis C.
http://www.cdc.gov/knowmorehepatitis/

14. Most people who get infected with HCV have no
apparent illness after getting infected and
may never know they are infected
without receiving specific testing for hepatitis C!
The Importance of Testing

15.  Get tested if you have even ONE risk factor
 If you wait until you have symptoms to get
tested, it most likely means that your liver has
already sustained damage
 This isn’t a standard test ordered at a physical
– you have to ask specifically for a hepatitis C
test!
HCC’s Testing Message

16. What Happens if You Test
Positive?
 A positive antibody test result means you
have been infected with hepatitis C, and at
one point you may or may not have cleared
the virus
 A confirmatory test called a viral load is
needed to confirm the presence or absence
of a virus
 Hep C Connection is available to provide
more information and referrals

17. Hepatitis C is Manageable!
If you are HCV+, you can take steps to prevent or
slow liver damage!!
 Lifestyle
 NO alcohol or smoking
 Discuss ANY medications with your healthcare provider
 Diet
 Reduce your intake of salt, fat and iron
 Increase your intake of fresh fruits and vegetables and
your water consumption
 Hepatitis A and B vaccinations

18. Hepatitis C is Treatable!
 The goal of treatment is permanent clearance
of the virus
 New drugs on the market and in development
 Higher rate of clearance
 Shorter duration of treatment
 Fewer side effects

19. Hepatitis C is a
preventable, manageable
and curable illness!
Early identification is key
– get tested today!

20.  MISSION: The mission of Hep C Connection
is to educate the general public about
hepatitis C and to provide resources and
support for those affected by the virus.
 We offer a variety of prevention and support
opportunities for people living with hepatitis
C, their families and friends, and healthcare
providers

21.  Awareness + Prevention
 Educational Presentations
 Confidential Testing
 Health Fairs and Outreach
 Linkage to Care
 Support Network
 Toll-free HelpLine
 Local and Statewide Support Groups
 Monthly E-newsletter
 Advocacy

22. 1-800-522-HEPC (4372)
www.hepc-connection.org
info@hepc-connection.org
1325 South Colorado Boulevard, B-302
Denver, CO 80222

23. More Resources
Know More Hepatitis –
CDC awareness campaign:
 www.cdc.gov/knowmorehepatitis