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Hepatitis C
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Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is the most common chronic bloodborne infection in the United States; approximately 2.7 million persons are chronically infected. Although HCV is not efficiently transmitted sexually, persons at risk for infection through injection-drug use might seek care in sexually transmitted disease (STD) treatment facilities, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) counseling and testing facilities, correctional facilities, drug treatment facilities, and other public health settings where STD and HIV prevention and control services are available.
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The Hepatitis C epidemic is discovering what was. In 1988, 242,000 Hepatitis C infections were reported annually. These high figures were reported throughout 1970's & 1980's. Since 1989, and mandatory heating or washing of blood products, the annual number of new infections declined 80 % by 1998. Universal precaution became mandatory in 1996. But, preconceived ideas and notions have stifled awareness to the many transmission methods, discovered yearly, for this disease.
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Although the Hepatitis C virus (HCV) has existed for a long time, it was only identified in 1989. HCV causes inflammation of the liver, which can progress to cirrhosis (extensive scarring that can inhibit the normal function of the liver).
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LONDON, August 23 /PRNewswire/ -- The Hepatitis C Trust is delighted with the NICE guidance issued today as it gives patients the opportunity to be treated during the early stages of hepatitis C, before measurable damage occurs to their liver. This guidance offers a lifeline to hundreds of thousands of people in the UK who now have the hope of an early cure. For Jonathan Colam the news comes five years too late: "It is shocking to think that I was refused treatment because I didn't have enough liver damage. When I was finally treated I had developed fibrosis and was suffering from liver pains, night sweats and mood swings - the severity of these symptoms I only appreciated after I finished treatment and realised what it felt like to be well."
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The urgent need for novel Hepatitis C inhibitors has been well documented, with an estimated 170 million sufferers worldwide. The current Standard of Care treatment (Pegylated Interferon + ribavirin) has a poor side effect profile and is only effective in around 50% of patients. As with HIV/AIDS, multiple drugs in combination therapy are likely to be needed to overcome drug resistance. The value of the Hepatitis C market was approximately $2.2 billion in 2005 and is forecast to grow substantially to $4.4 billion in 2010 and $8.8 billion in 2015.
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"This approval is an option for the large number of hepatitis C patients who failed prior therapy because it gives them a second chance at success," said Nadine Piorkowsky, president of the European Liver Patient Association (ELPA). "These patients want to eradicate the virus and now can determine after 12 weeks of retreatment with PEGINTRON combination therapy whether they are likely to go on to achieve a sustained response with a 48-week course of therapy."
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Hepatitis C