Efforts Focus on Fighting Hepatitis in Georgia

[Guest guest]

CDC 02/14/06

GEORGIA: " Efforts Focus on Fighting Hepatitis in Georgia "

Atlanta Journal-Constitution (02.12.06):: Guthrie

On Monday at the state Capitol, several organizations, physicians and

patients will lobby for more funding for hepatitis screening and prevention

in Georgia, where hepatitis rates are two to three times the national

average. The medical and social costs of hepatitis are expected to soar in

coming years as infected people begin experiencing debilitating symptoms.

Around 260 Georgians need liver transplants, most of whom suffer advanced

hepatitis.

Some of the factors blamed for Georgia's high hepatitis rates include a

large population of people living with HIV/AIDS, immigrants moving from

countries where hepatitis is prevalent and little prevention in state

prisons, health officials say.

" Hepatitis is the pandemic that no one is talking about. Many people are

infected and then they unwittingly spread it, " said Fred , CEO of

the American Liver Foundation, one of several national experts expected at

Monday's press conference.

Hepatitis A is commonly spread through contaminated food and water;

hepatitis B is transmitted through sex or contaminated blood; and hepatitis

C, the most fatal of the three, is spread though dirty needles, sex or

contaminated blood. While vaccinations are available for hepatitis A and B,

there is no vaccine or cure for hepatitis C.

Cathalene Teahan, a nurse and lobbyist for the Georgia AIDS Coalition, said

few physicians routinely test for hepatitis and many patients are unaware of

the importance of screening. Most county health clinics in Georgia also do

not offer hepatitis C testing, she added.

The advocates plan to request money for routine hepatitis vaccinations in

Georgia prisons because studies indicate that inmates with the disease

spread the infection upon being released.

_________________________________________________________________

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[Guest guest]

CDC 02/14/06

GEORGIA: " Efforts Focus on Fighting Hepatitis in Georgia "

Atlanta Journal-Constitution (02.12.06):: Guthrie

On Monday at the state Capitol, several organizations, physicians and

patients will lobby for more funding for hepatitis screening and prevention

in Georgia, where hepatitis rates are two to three times the national

average. The medical and social costs of hepatitis are expected to soar in

coming years as infected people begin experiencing debilitating symptoms.

Around 260 Georgians need liver transplants, most of whom suffer advanced

hepatitis.

Some of the factors blamed for Georgia's high hepatitis rates include a

large population of people living with HIV/AIDS, immigrants moving from

countries where hepatitis is prevalent and little prevention in state

prisons, health officials say.

" Hepatitis is the pandemic that no one is talking about. Many people are

infected and then they unwittingly spread it, " said Fred , CEO of

the American Liver Foundation, one of several national experts expected at

Monday's press conference.

Hepatitis A is commonly spread through contaminated food and water;

hepatitis B is transmitted through sex or contaminated blood; and hepatitis

C, the most fatal of the three, is spread though dirty needles, sex or

contaminated blood. While vaccinations are available for hepatitis A and B,

there is no vaccine or cure for hepatitis C.

Cathalene Teahan, a nurse and lobbyist for the Georgia AIDS Coalition, said

few physicians routinely test for hepatitis and many patients are unaware of

the importance of screening. Most county health clinics in Georgia also do

not offer hepatitis C testing, she added.

The advocates plan to request money for routine hepatitis vaccinations in

Georgia prisons because studies indicate that inmates with the disease

spread the infection upon being released.

_________________________________________________________________

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[Guest guest]

CDC 02/14/06

GEORGIA: " Efforts Focus on Fighting Hepatitis in Georgia "

Atlanta Journal-Constitution (02.12.06):: Guthrie

On Monday at the state Capitol, several organizations, physicians and

patients will lobby for more funding for hepatitis screening and prevention

in Georgia, where hepatitis rates are two to three times the national

average. The medical and social costs of hepatitis are expected to soar in

coming years as infected people begin experiencing debilitating symptoms.

Around 260 Georgians need liver transplants, most of whom suffer advanced

hepatitis.

Some of the factors blamed for Georgia's high hepatitis rates include a

large population of people living with HIV/AIDS, immigrants moving from

countries where hepatitis is prevalent and little prevention in state

prisons, health officials say.

" Hepatitis is the pandemic that no one is talking about. Many people are

infected and then they unwittingly spread it, " said Fred , CEO of

the American Liver Foundation, one of several national experts expected at

Monday's press conference.

Hepatitis A is commonly spread through contaminated food and water;

hepatitis B is transmitted through sex or contaminated blood; and hepatitis

C, the most fatal of the three, is spread though dirty needles, sex or

contaminated blood. While vaccinations are available for hepatitis A and B,

there is no vaccine or cure for hepatitis C.

Cathalene Teahan, a nurse and lobbyist for the Georgia AIDS Coalition, said

few physicians routinely test for hepatitis and many patients are unaware of

the importance of screening. Most county health clinics in Georgia also do

not offer hepatitis C testing, she added.

The advocates plan to request money for routine hepatitis vaccinations in

Georgia prisons because studies indicate that inmates with the disease

spread the infection upon being released.

_________________________________________________________________

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[Guest guest]

CDC 02/14/06

GEORGIA: " Efforts Focus on Fighting Hepatitis in Georgia "

Atlanta Journal-Constitution (02.12.06):: Guthrie

On Monday at the state Capitol, several organizations, physicians and

patients will lobby for more funding for hepatitis screening and prevention

in Georgia, where hepatitis rates are two to three times the national

average. The medical and social costs of hepatitis are expected to soar in

coming years as infected people begin experiencing debilitating symptoms.

Around 260 Georgians need liver transplants, most of whom suffer advanced

hepatitis.

Some of the factors blamed for Georgia's high hepatitis rates include a

large population of people living with HIV/AIDS, immigrants moving from

countries where hepatitis is prevalent and little prevention in state

prisons, health officials say.

" Hepatitis is the pandemic that no one is talking about. Many people are

infected and then they unwittingly spread it, " said Fred , CEO of

the American Liver Foundation, one of several national experts expected at

Monday's press conference.

Hepatitis A is commonly spread through contaminated food and water;

hepatitis B is transmitted through sex or contaminated blood; and hepatitis

C, the most fatal of the three, is spread though dirty needles, sex or

contaminated blood. While vaccinations are available for hepatitis A and B,

there is no vaccine or cure for hepatitis C.

Cathalene Teahan, a nurse and lobbyist for the Georgia AIDS Coalition, said

few physicians routinely test for hepatitis and many patients are unaware of

the importance of screening. Most county health clinics in Georgia also do

not offer hepatitis C testing, she added.

The advocates plan to request money for routine hepatitis vaccinations in

Georgia prisons because studies indicate that inmates with the disease

spread the infection upon being released.

_________________________________________________________________

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