How common is hep C in prison?
How common is hep C in prison?
Epidemiologic data estimate that 30% to 40% of the 1.8 million inmates in the United States are infected with the hepatitis C virus (HCV), the majority of whom were infected before incarceration.
Do they treat hep C in jail?
Since the median length of incarceration in a jail is usually only days to weeks, most jail systems currently do not offer treatment for HCV. Now that the HCV treatment duration is only 8 weeks for most people it has become feasible to treat HCV in a significant number of persons in the jail system.
Is Hepatitis common in prison?
cprl1-0802. The prevalence of chronic hepatitis C infection among prison inmates in the United States is between 12 and 35 percent, compared to about 1.3 percent in the nonincarcerated population [1].
How do you get hep C in prison?
Transmission of hepatitis C virus (HCV) among the prisoner population is most frequently associated with sharing of non-sterile injecting equipment. Other blood-to-blood contacts such as tattooing and physical violence are also common in the prison environment, and have been associated with HCV transmission.
Can you get hep C from handshake?
There is no evidence that the hepatitis C virus can be transmitted by casual contact such as hugging or shaking hands, through foods, by sharing eating utensils or drinking glasses, or by coughing or sneezing.
Is Hep C really that bad?
Hepatitis C infection that continues over many years can cause significant complications, such as: Scarring of the liver (cirrhosis). After decades of hepatitis C infection, cirrhosis may occur. Scarring in your liver makes it difficult for your liver to function.
Is hep C an autoimmune disease?
HCV infection not only affects the liver, but is also associated with extrahepatic disorders, including autoimmune disorders. There is experimental evidence showing that HCV can subvert the immune system, possibly leading to the onset of autoimmunity.
Does hep C stay in your body forever?
Like the human papillomavirus (HPV), early acute hepatitis C can clear on its own without treatment; this happens about 25% of the time. However, it’s more likely that the virus will remain in your body longer than six months, at which point it’s considered to be chronic hepatitis C infection.
Do I have to tell anyone I have hep C?
While there is no legal obligation to disclose information regarding your HCV infection status, it’s very important that you, at the very least, share this detail with your physician and any of the professionals caring for you, whether dealing with disease symptoms or treatment side effects, as the infection could …