Sean Cummings asked:


Ultra-fast, accurate identification of HIV 1 (Group M and Group O) RNA, HIV 2 RNA,

Hepatitis C Virus RNA and Hepatitis B Virus DNA in human plasma from as early as 7

days post exposure.

Preliminary diagnosis of very early HIV and Hepatitis C disease is now possible at

7 days post possible exposure. This time frame was previously unavailable but utilisation of standard routine technology in a novel diagnostic style will facilitate very early diagnosis.

The technique utilises a fully automated system made by Roche and the testing method uses polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or NAT (Nucleic Acid Amplification) to

detect miniscule amounts of viral (and the technique can be applied to bacteria) genetic material.

The technique was invented in the early 1980’s by a Dr Kary Mullis, who later won the Nobel Prize for the invetion of such an elegant molecular biological technique.

Initially, the test was cumbersome and required intensive well-trained technicians to run it. In addition, the cost of running the test, partly because of the numbers of people involved was high.

Automation via the Roche Taq Multiplex device has enabled highly sensitive, highly specific, fully automated testing to be run on human blood with the detection of HIV-1 and HIV-2 possible from 6 or 7 days post exposure; detection of Hepatitis C from 6 or 7 days post exposure and Hepatitis B virus from 20 days post exposure.

The technique has had most application so far in terms of screening the human blood supply from blood donors and has reduced the numbers of inadvertent contamination with HIV and Hepatitis C virus very considerably. The technique is also employed in organ donation settings where organs to be donated are screened for the HIV-1, HIV-2, Hepatitis C and Hepatitis B viruses.

Thinking laterally and working with The Doctors Laboratory ( a major global referral laboratory in London and CPA, UKNEQUAS, WEQAS, ISFG and EMON approved for quality, robustness and high standards), we have collaborated to apply the blood and tissue screening, ultra-high sensitive technique to beginning the diagnostic process for the diseases identified.

The process works as follows. We take a measured amount of blood sufficient to run the three NAT tests for HIV-1 and HIV-2; Hepatitis C virus and Hepatitis B virus. We can also include syphilis IgG and IgM within that screen. The test is performed using the Roche platform and runs on the “sample in, results out” technique

which reduces chances of contamination of product etc to zero. Should a positive sample be produced the whole specimen is drilled down to identify the virus producing the positive result and further confirmatory tests are performed.

The outcome is a highly sensitive, highly accurate detection methodology for detection of the identifed viruses. The turnaround time is swift, taking a maximum of 4 days.

This has great potential in terms of early identification of newly infected HIV positive patients and also to allow those who think they may have been infected to relax and enjoy considerable peace of mind.

The identification of patients newly infected with HIV is important because it presents several interventional opportunities. It allows for very early identification of newly infected HIV positive people which provides the opportunity to anticpate and if necessary terminate by the use of anti-retroviral drugs the seroconversion illness;

to mitigate the chances of that infection being transmitted unknowingly onwards to another individual; possibly to alter the course of the HIV illness by allowing a very early intervention to limit immune system damage should early intervention at the very early stage be proved to be beneficial.

In the FDA Workshop on Implementation of Nucleic Acid Testing as long ago as 1999, a Dr Busch identified the well-known phrase, the “window period” as being of critical importance in identifying and targeting in terms of NAT.

The window period for HIV 1 and Hepatitis C virus has to date depended very largely on the sensitivity of the HIV 1 and Hepatitis C antibody detection devices.

This was improved on for HIV by the introduction of parallel screening with HIV 1 p24 antigen which reduces the HIV 1 detection interval by a week or so. In symptomatic individuals the combination of HIV 1 and HIV 1 p24 antigen has successfully identified HIV positive individuals at 12 days post infection. Co-infection with Hepatitis C and HIV has presented a diagnostic conundrum with occasional delayed sero-conversion - a group referred to as “immuno-silent”.

Studies on blood taken sequentially and regularly from people in the evolving phases of HIV and Hepatitis C diseases have given valuable information on the window period and which markers appear at what stage. Dr Busch coined the phrase “the eclipse period” which I think is a very elegant way of describing the time between physical transfer of infection to a person and the time when current testing methodologies can identify the illnesses.

Almost invariably when a person has been exposed to HIV then by the time they have symptoms they are already in a “viraemic” phase where there is lots of virus detected.

With lots of virus comes lots ofcore viral proteins-referred to as p24 antigen

and so the combined HIV-1 and HIV-1 P24 antigen test is virtually always positive in the symptomatic patient.

So coming back to Dr Busch and his “eclipse phase”, this is the time period we are interested in detecting and the blood and organ donation services across Europe and the USA have utilised highly sensitive NAT techniques to identify early infection to halt contamination of the transfusion blood supply and transplanted organs.

Use of Nucleic acid Amplification Testing or PCR will reduce the window period, currently contained in the “eclipse phase” as described above, and allow early identification of newly infected HIV positive and Hepatitis C positive individuals at 7 days post infection. Similarly, early identification of hepatitis B will be possible with reduction of the window period for this illness to 20 days.



Hands On CPR

Darrell Miller asked:


Milk thistle, botanically Silybum Adans, is a member of the daisy family that is native to the Mediterranean, the Middle East and North Africa but has also been introduced to California and parts of the eastern side of the USA, and can help with problems such as cirrhosis, gallstones and hepatitis.

Although it has been recorded as being used in medieval times as a tonic for the liver, it is only relatively recently that its chemical components have been investigated. Analysis indicated the presence of hitherto unknown flavonoids which were given the name of silymarin. In general, flavonoids are strong antioxidants found in many fruits and vegetables that eat up the free radicals that cause so much damage to our bodies.

Free radicals are very unstable molecules that are generated through pollution, such as smoking, car fumes, perticides etc, and that destroy body cells accelerating aging. They also oxidize the low density lipids (LDL) that carry water-insoluble cholesterol through the blood to the arteries where it is needed to repair damage, resulting in excess deposition and the atherosclerosis that can cause strokes and heart disease.

Antioxidants mop these up like a sponge, and are some of the healthiest types of molecules that we can consume. The silymarin group of flavonoids are particularly attracted to the liver where they act as antihepatoxic agents that prevent the liver from becoming poisoned. But why should the liver be poisoned I can hear you ask, and what are the poisons involved? Can we avoid them? It is a very relevant question, and one that will make you wonder, every time you leave your home, especially if you live in a big city or an industrialized area.

Smoking cigarettes, working with volatile organic compounds that you can breathe in, such as paint and printing ink solvents, the exhaust fumes of cars and diesel engines, factory chimneys belching out tons of smoke, analgesics such as paracetamol, pesticides on your fruit and vegetables that you have failed to wash off, alcohol, etc, etc, etc…

All of these have to be removed from your body or you will die, awash with all these poisons that you have ingested, some deliberately and some not. The organ that does this is your liver: the powerhouse chemical plant of your body that carries out millions of biochemical reactions every day. Your liver converts all of these poisons into molecules that can be flushed away through your body naturally. However it places great stresses upon it, and even your liver needs a rest sometimes, or even just a little rejuvenating tonic would keep it happy.

Milk thistle has been used for just that purpose, especially when the liver has been toxified with excess alcohol, pesticide poisoning or even hepatitis. The silymarin initially coats the cells of the liver by binding to the cell membranes of the cell walls, so that the toxins are hindered from entering the cells. Its antioxidant properties then neutralise any free radicals present that are causing the damage to the liver cells.

It also helps to stimulate the production of proteins to help the healing process, and reduces the fibrosis that is the development of fibrous masses outside the liver cells caused by damaged cells excreting materials such as collagens outside the cells into the general body of the liver. Finally, milk thistle helps to prevent the activity of the immune system in causing inflammation of the damaged cells.

Silymarin acts very specifically on the liver, and is often used by physicians in the treatment of such liver conditions as jaundice, hepatitis, liver cancer and cirrhosis. In addition to its own effects it appears that it stimulates the production of glutathione that is also a very powerful natural tripeptide antioxidant produced by the body when it is under oxidative stress. Its effect on cancer and some diseases is not curative, but to allow the liver to continue to detoxify the body when otherwise it might fail and lead to toxicity problems from which the patient might not be able to recover.

Due to the remarkable regenerative powers of the liver, milk thistle is able to stimulate it into repairing its damage and grow fresh cells to replace the damaged ones. This is the reason for its effectiveness in otherwise very serious degenerative diseases. It is often prescribed by doctors for patients who are taking a number of different medications. Which help the liver to metabolize these medications, since without it, it might struggle to provide the true efficacy of the prescribed drugs.

So far we have been concentrating on the liver, but milk thistle has other properties not connected directly with the hepatic function. It can help to promote the production of bile in the gall bladder and so give the digestive system a boost when needed, where it also acts as a mild laxative. However, it can also help patients suffering from both lose stools and constipation due its effect. It can also help to relieve gallstones, though medical tests are generally carried out first to ensure that they are not too large for the milk thistle to handle.

It is also an anti-inflammatory, and is useful in the treatment of acne and other inflammatory responses, and also for inflammations in the gall bladder, kidney and bladder. There are few serious side effects, although, as milk thistle rids the body of toxins, these toxins can cause problems such as diarrhea, headaches and abdominal pain. Keep in mind that you are releasing poisons from the liver into your system so that they can be expelled by the usual means, and they will put up a fight along the way. However, the milk thistle will usually win in the end.

There currently appear to be no long term issues with taking milk thistle as a supplement over a long period, and it is good way to maintain a healthy liver. Keep in mind that the liver is the body’s chemical plant, where most of the biochemical reactions of life take place, and without we cannot survive. It makes sense, therefore, to look after your liver, and milk thistle is one way of doing that; some would say the best way.

So remember that, although milk thistle may help with cirrhosis, gallstones and hepatitis liver problems, you should be prepared for a short struggle before it wins the day. Always consult your family physician for a clear diagnosis before self prescribing herbs as treatment. Your physician can advise you as the correct course of action to take once diagnosed with a liver blood test first. But, to boost overall health and wellness milk thistle is a great herbal supplement to take on a daily basis.



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my sword my trade! asked:


What the odds of drinking after someone who has hepatitis?
what are the odds of getting hepatitis after drinking after them? please describe all the hepatitis?a,b,c?

should someone who did drink after someone with hepatitis should they get tested?

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**Crystal Light** asked:


how is hepatitis b likely to affect us in the future? will we be able to eliminate it?

Thank you so much :]

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Paul H asked:


I work in a restaurant and I clean the building. I swept dust and trash into my dustpan, including the one in the restrooms. When I dumped the trash and dust in my dustpan into the trash can, they accidentally touched my cut on my finger. Would that transmit Hepatitis B to me because the Hepatitis B virus might exist among the trash and dust and it could survive more than 7 days. So what are the odds? Is that highly probable?

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Philip Yaffe asked:


by Philip Yaffe

Because they were extracted from human blood, the first-generation hepatitis B vaccines developed in the early 1980s had significant drawbacks, including high cost, low availability, and the possibility of unsuspected contamination (HIV/AIDS). This was the impetus for development of a genetically engineered vaccine against this liver-destroying disease in the late 1980s, the first genetically engineered vaccine of any kind.

Although he never saw the genetically engineered hepatitis B vaccines, without the contribution of Dr. Wolf Szmuness they might never have been developed. As his name suggests, Dr. Szmuness was not an America. The story of how he came to New York City in the 1970s to carry out his life-saving work reads like high fiction.

Wolf Szmuness was born in 1919 into a middle-class Jewish family in Warsaw, Poland. He was a young medical student when in September 1939 the Nazi invasion of his country caused him to flee into Russia.

As for everyone else, life for Wolf during the war was extremely hard. He suffered from malnutrition and tuberculosis, exacerbated by freezing cold and harsh conditions in the coal mines of Siberia while he worked to defeat the Nazis. When the authorities became aware of his medical knowledge, he was put in charge of health matters for his fellow workers, a change of duties which probably helped him and others survive until the end of hostllities.

After the war he remained in Siberia, where he completed his medical degree and met his wife, Maya. The family — Wolf, Maya and daughter Helana — later moved to the Ukraine, where Maya nearly died from hepatitis caused by a post-operative blood transfusion. This was the beginning of Dr. Sameness’ intense interest in the disease.

In 1959, some two decades after fleeing the Nazis, Dr. Szmuness and family returned to Warsaw with the promise of a good job and a good apartment. However when they arrived, there was neither. Finally he found a job in Lublin and continued his work in public health, epidemiology and, most importantly, hepatitis.

In 1967 the family left Poland for the United States. They arrived at New York’s Kennedy International Airport with only a few of dollars in their pockets and virtually no prospects.

Fortunately, Maya quickly found a job in a necktie factory while Wolf, now nearly 50 years old, spent months in a fruitless search. Finally, he was able to secure a job as a laboratory technician at the New York Blood Center. He was quickly given more responsibility and more freedom, then his own laboratory. Within five years, in 1974, the Blood Center created a new Department of Epidemiology especially for Wolf Szmuness to head.

Between 1973 and 1978, Dr. Szmuness ran a series of crucial epidemiological studies to determine who were the people most at risk from hepatitis B, where the major pools of infection existed, how many carriers there were, etc. Through these studies, he discovered that the homosexuals of New York City would provide the idea population for clinical trials on a new hepatitis vaccine.

Why “ideal”?

In the first place, the results of clinical trials on vaccines are expressed statistically; consequently, the chosen population must be large enough to give statistically valid results — thousands of people, not just a handful. The New York homosexual population was sufficiently large. Additionally, the hepatitis B infection rate among homosexuals was nearly 10 times higher than in the general population.

The clinical trials were an exercise both in medical research and delicate diplomacy. Over the previous few years, New York homosexuals had “come out of the closet”, so to speak. However, in the late 1970s the stigma of being homosexual was still great, so many of them did not want the fact of their situation to become too public. Moreover, they were deeply suspicious of being used as “guinea pigs”. Nevertheless, once a major public relations effort had convinced them of the legitimacy of the undertaking, they gave full cooperation.

The complexity of the trials, as well as their size and delicacy, sometimes caused Dr. Szmuness to push his team exceptionally hard. But no harder than he pushed himself. Whenever someone complained, he reminded them how lucky they were never to have worked in the coal mines of Siberia, as he had done.

In September 1979, the routine of the trials turned into high drama. Interpretation of clinical data suggested that many more of the volunteers receiving the vaccine were developing hepatitis non-A non-B (today known as hepatitis C) compared to the placebo control group. The question was: Could the vaccine itself be inducing non-A non-B infection?

The moral dilemma was apparent. If there was the slightest chance that the vaccine itself could cause non-A non-B infection, then continuing with the trials would mean condemning some of the volunteers to illness, and even death. However stopping the trials would mean postponing availability of a hepatitis B vaccine for years, condemning many other people to illness and death.

The problem was resolved when an explanation for the anomaly was found.

Since there was no blood test for hepatitis non-A non-B, volunteers in the placebo control group who caught both viruses would probably be diagnosed only for hepatitis B. On the other hand, if the vaccine group were actually being protected against hepatitis B, it was quite normal that statistically they would show a much higher incident of non-A non-B infection. The difference in non-A non-B infection in the two groups was therefore already good evidence that the vaccine was working. The trials continued and the effectiveness of the blood-derived vaccine was firmly established.

Dr. Szmuness once said that he was never happier than when he was conducting these hepatitis B clinical trials. Indeed, he began to feel that his whole life had been a preparation for this work. But he also knew that throughout his life, every time he found happiness, it didn’t last. Shortly after completing the trials in 1980, he was diagnosed as having lung cancer. He died in June 1982 at the age of 63.

Philip Yaffe is a former reporter/feature writer with The Wall Street Journal and a marketing communication consultant. He currently teaches a course in good writing and good speaking in Brussels, Belgium. His recently published book In the “I” of the Storm: the Simple Secrets of Writing & Speaking (Almost) like a Professional is available from Story Publishers in Ghent, Belgium (storypublishers.be) and Amazon (amazon.com).

For further information, contact:

Philip Yaffe

Brussels, Belgium

Tel:        +32 (0)2 660 0405

Email:    phil.yaffe@yahoo.com,phil.yaffe@gmail.com

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Sam M asked:


I know it’s very rare to get Hepatitis C from sex, but what if you lose your virginity to someone who has it?

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FP83 asked:


My girlfriend was scrubbing in on a case. While she was putting sutures on the patient, she accidentally pricked herself. They tested the patient’s blood for HIV and came out negative. Now the only concern is Hepatitis C. The patient’s viral count was high at this point and I’m wondering what are her chances of getting this virus? She will be getting tested over the next 6 months, and those 6 months will be extremely worrisome for the both of us.

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John Samson asked:


Pet CPR is a very important skill for those who deal with emergency medical cases concerning dogs. Although not everyone learns it, those who do are a vital factor in saving the lives of many beloved pets. Do dogs get hepatitis? People obviously do. But do dogs get this disease? And how does this affect them?

Hepatitis is actually a very broad term. It will signify an inflammation of the liver, although the causes may actually differ. Since the liver is a very complex and vital organ a disease that incapacitates it will prove to be fatal. The livers primary functions are the detoxification, metabolism, the storage of glycogen and the synthesis of plasma protein. It also produces the bile that aids in digestion. The good news is, the liver is a large organ with plenty of reserves. The bad news is, since it has a large reserve, it won’t show apparent symptoms unless the liver is seriously damaged.

Although dogs do get hepatitis, it may be different in cause and effect from human hepatitis. There is what is called Infectious Canine Hepatitis. This disease is caused by a virus, and may prove to be a fatal disease in some dogs.

What is It? This disease is caused by the CAV-1 an adenovirus. Dogs typically acquire this virus from contact, either through inhalation or ingestion of urine, eye secretions, and nasal secretions of infected dogs. This type of virus does not affect humans or other animals, only dogs.

The virus will attack the liver, eye, kidney, and blood vessel cells upon entry into the system of the dog. Fortunately, not all of these infections are fatal. Some dogs, after acquiring this virus, will manifest a cough, lethargy, loss of appetite, moodiness and low grade fevers. In some cases, they do not show any symptoms at all.

Some will develop blue eye. Blue eye is a bluish discoloration of the cornea of the pets eye. Dogs that go through these become immune to re-infection from the disease. This will usually be the case in healthy, mature dogs with a healthy immune system.

However, there are some dogs especially puppies that will become very ill due to the virus. These dogs will develop internal bleeding, liver disease, tonsillitis, and general inflammation of the eyes and mouth. If left untreated, this condition could quickly deteriorate to shock and death.

The virus is also known to attack the dog’s spinal cord and brain. After infection the virus will take about five days to a week before manifesting openly. By this time the dog will be secreting the virus through its stool, urine, saliva, and nasal secretions. In two weeks time, the dog either succumbs to the illness or develops chronic hepatitis coupled with cirrhosis of the liver. This will seriously impair the dog’s capacity for converting glucose, and absorbing toxins.

This condition will reduce the liver’s capability to perform functions necessary for life. These functions include filtering harmful and toxic elements from the blood, storing blood sugar for conversion into usable energy, and creating many proteins that are necessary in the system.

Unfortunately, there is no way to destroy the virus after it has entered the dog’s system. Veterinarians will treat the disease by good supportive therapy intravenous fluids, good diet, rest, medicines to lighten the liver’s workload, and good care all aimed to strengthen the dog’s ability to recuperate. They will also give antibiotics to treat secondary infections.

There is a vaccine for this disease. It is a routine part of a puppy’s vaccination plan. And partly due to its efficiency, the cases of canine hepatitis in the United States are low. Therefore, the best way to keep your dogs free from this disease is a proper vaccination plan, and prompt and periodic visits with the veterinarian.

Canine hepatitis can prove to be a troublesome disease that, if unattended, will surely result in a dog’s death. With proper information about this disease dog owners will be able to take preemptive steps to assure themselves that their pets are safe from this debilitating diseases.

Chronic Active Hepatitis: As opposed to the previous disease, this form of hepatitis is harder to treat and the prognoses are not very promising. This usually occurs in dogs of advanced age. The disease is caused by other factors such as toxins and molds in the dog’s diet. Infectious Canine Hepatitis can also cause this.

The symptoms of this disease are hard to pinpoint, but generally they will include lethargy, diarrhea, loss of appetite, swollen abdomen, jaundice (or yellowing eyes, gums, and skin). This disease could advance into the nervous system and render the dog blind. Seizures, coma and death usually follow.

To avoid this disease, good health habits including a good diet that emphasizes foods screened for toxins and molds should be exercised.



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Pankaj Nagpal asked:




 

Chronic Hepatitis Treatment In India

 

Chronic Hepatitis

 

What is chronic liver disease ?

Chronic liver disease is marked by the gradual destruction of liver tissue over time and replacement of normal liver with nodules of scar tissue. Several liver diseases fall under this category. The end results of the gradual destruction are cirrhosis and fibrosis of the liver…

 

Viruses that cause hepatitis include : -

Hepatitis B and C : - These viruses cause two-thirds of all cases of chronic hepatitis. People infected with hepatitis C have the greatest risk of developing chronic hepatitis Both of these viruses usually begin with mild symptoms…..

 

Symptoms

At first, chronic hepatitis often does not cause any symptoms. People with symptoms most commonly complain of fatigue. Fatigue worsens throughout the day and may even be debilitating…

 

Other common symptoms include : - 

Mild upper abdomen discomfort Loss of appetite Nausea Aching joints…

 

Prognosis

In its most severe stages, cirrhosis can lead to liver failure and death unless a liver transplant can be done. The likelihood of developing cirrhosis depends on the severity of the disease and the response to treatment…

 

Treatment

The goals of treatment for chronic hepatitis are to prevent the disease from getting worse and to prevent cirrhosis and liver failure. In mild cases of chronic hepatitis from hepatitis B or hepatitis C, treatment may not be necessary, and the condition may not get worse….

 

Common side effects with interferon include : -

Fatigue Muscle aches Headaches Nausea and vomiting Fevers Weight loss Irritability and depression….

 If cirrhosis or liver failure develops, a liver transplant may be needed. If you have chronic hepatitis, you must avoid further liver damage from alcohol or Tylenol. Discuss with your doctor how much Tylenol you can take, if any. Remember that certain cold formulations and pain medications also contain Tylenol….

 

Complications 

Portal Hypertension ascites hypersplenism (with or without splenomegally) varices (lower oesophageal and rectal)

 

Synthetic Dysfunction Hypoalbuminaemia Coagulopathy 

 

Hepatopulmonary Syndrome Hepatorenal Syndrome Encephalopathy Hepatocellular Carcinoma…

  

 

 

 

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