What you need to know about Hepatitis C
Nurse Practitioner Joni Nickens
Hepatitis C is a disease of the liver. It is contracted through blood, such as a blood transfusion, sharing needles, or sharing personal items (toothbrush, nail clippers, combs, etc. of people who have Hepatitis C and are untreated) and less likely through sex. MSM’s are more likely to contract Hepatitis C through anal sex due to the rectal vault being so vascular.
Hepatitis C can lead to cirrhosis of the liver, liver failure, and liver cancer. Of the people whom contact hepatitis C, approximately 20 out of every 100 people will spontaneously get over the virus (the body fights it off and gets rid of it), the rest will have chronic Hepatitis C. Of the approximately 80 out of 100 that have the chronic Hepatitis C, approximately 20%, or 10 people will develop cirrhosis, liver failure, or liver cancer. Unfortunately, there is no way to tell who will develop these complications.
According to the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals data from 2017, approximately 500 people are newly infected each year. Here in East Baton Rouge parish we are second to only New Orleans in rates for Hepatitis C. Most cases are in the age range of 25 to 64, with African Americans having higher rates than whites. The highest rates of hospitalization due to hepatitis C complications is in the age range of 45-64, also, more in African Americans than white.
To help stop Hepatitis C, the Department of Health and Hospitals has started a new program to treat all people that have Hepatitis C in Louisiana. Treatment of Hepatitis C is now a single pill to be taken orally every day for 12 weeks. Just 84 doses. Side effects are minimal, and most of my patients do not report any side-effects. Even if a person does have side-effects, they should work with their provider to help minimize them. It is just 84 doses. The cure rate if taken correctly is 95-98%.
Open Health Care Clinic has many providers who treat Hepatitis C. We encourage you to make an appointment and get tested. Please call us at 225-655-6422.
Joni Nickens, FNP