Second Meeting

This week will be the second meeting for the Hepatitis C support group. We will be meeting in the ARG Prevention office located in the basement of the Old Courthouse downtown. Group will be this Thursday, May 1 at 5:30 pm. The address is 201 NW 4th Street, Evansville, IN 47708. Please call or email if you're interested in additional information. Email is jillianapril88@gmail.com or jcooper@argevansville.org and phone is 812-421-0059. I look forward to meeting you this week!

World Health Organization and Treatment

The World Health Organization (WHO) has been one of the most influential activists in campaigning for human rights issues surrounding Hepatitis C. However, since the two newest Hep C drugs have been released there has been a wide objection and hostility aimed towards WHO for allowing the cost of the drugs to be so high ($1,000 a pill). The cost of the two medications are greatly reduced in other countries but still remain unaffordable to most of the world.

In the article listed below, the reporter states WHO was unaware of the cost when they approved the most recent guidelines in treating Hepatitis C. The new guidelines have almost impossible expectations since there is no official governing authority tracking the spread and infection of Hep C clients.This is true for the United States. Hepatitis C should technically be notified by the physician or agency who finds a positive test result according to the CDC Summary of Notifiable Diseases. However, as sociologists and epidemiologists are discovering, the spread of Hep C is growing exponentially faster than previously known.

Sources all over the world and in US have compared the Hepatitis C "epidemic" to that of HIV, however HIV clients must take antiretroviral medication for the remainder of their life whereas Hep C positive clients do not.

I found the following article interesting and informative and thought I'd share it with my fellow Hep Hoppers (cute right!?) :) Let me know what you think and as always please share with friends and family!

http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2014/04/09/300959958/who-recommends-high-priced-drugs-for-millions-with-hepatitis-c

REMINDER: Our next group meeting will be May 1 at 5:30! Location is TBA! Call or email with questions- Jillian Shade jcooper@argevansville.org or 812-421-0059

The First Meeting and Coping with Side Effects

Last week was the first support group for Hep Hop. Although we had no attendees, it is still a success! It was a success because it's a new beginning for advocacy and support in the tri-state area and especially the city of Evansville. It was a success because I was prepared and all the electronics worked! It was also a success because we can only improve from here- there is lots of room for growth. Oh the power of positive thinking!

I hope at the next meeting someone will have the opportunity to come meet with me and talk openly about their status and ways our community can help this population. I am here to be an advocate and educator. There are two power points I have for the group. The first one is Hepatitis 101. This PowerPoint breaks down the differences between Hep A, B, C, and touches on D and E. It also discusses ways to prevent and treat each type. The other power point I have is more in depth to the side effects of treatment, symptoms and how to manage both of them. This power point is aimed towards individuals who already have a positive diagnosis and would like advice on managing care.

I have had the opportunity to access many resources through my agency on hepatitis educational material. The tips I provide are not my own ideas but reiterated through educational material.

Tips on Managing Hepatitis C

•Bad taste in mouth:

–Try sugar-free lemon drops or lemon wedges

–Eat small amount of yogurt ½ hour before meals

–Eat dark chocolate or drink lemonade or cranberry juice

–Eat food cold or room temperature

–Brush teeth frequently

–

Use plastic utensils if experiencing metallic taste

 

•Cough:

–Increase non-caffeinated fluid intake

–Use a humidifier

–Use hard candy or cough drops

 

•Diarrhea:

–Eat more low-fiber foods: BRAT diet (bananas, rice, applesauce, toast)

–Avoid spicy or acidic foods and dairy products

–Drink plenty of water

•Dry mouth or mouth ulcers

–Brush teeth frequently

–

Drink plenty of water

 

•Dry skin/rash:

–Avoid long hot showers

–Use moisturizing soap and lotion, also use unscented laundry detergents

–Avoid fabric softeners

–

Rub or press on the itchy areas rather than scratch

– Fatigue:

–Try low impact exercise such as walking or aerobics, if approved by a medical provider

–Get plenty of rest

–Lessen work schedule if possible

Other information can be found on the Center for Disease Control webpage: http://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/c/cfaq.htm