Hepatitis C Transmission

Non-Drug Related Transmission of Hepatitis C Virus 2003-2005

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.

Nov 2005 American Academy of Pediatrics Transmission of Hepatitis C Through Swapping Body Jewelry-By Daniel, A Rebecca; Sheha, Thomas she routinely shared her pierced body jewelry with a female friend. only 3% to 5% of American patients are infected with genotype 3a hepatitis C virus.

11/15/05 Laboratory Evaluation of Endoscope Water Bottles-By Paul J. Pearce, PhD, Nova Biologicals, Inc. Test results show that 92 percent of the endoscope water bottles tested were contaminated with either bacteria or fungi. Contaminants included known human pathogens.

11/07/05 Risk Factors for Perinatal Transmission of HCV and a Higher Incidence of Infection in Male than in Female Infants By Ronald Baker, PhD In multivariate analysis restricted to HCV RNA-positive mothers, membrane rupture >/= 6 h and internal fetal monitoring were associated with transmission of HCV to infants.

October 26, 2005 Md. General To Repay $55,029 To Medicaid Hospital Settles Over Unverifiable HIV Test Results- Maryland General sent out hundreds of potentially incorrect AIDS and Hepatitis C test results last March, leading to Congressional hearings into the hospital's quality.

Oct. 2005 FIVE MILLION AMERICANS INFECTED WITH THE HEPATITIS C VIRUS: A CORRECTED ESTIMATE AASLD Nov 2005 Brian R. Edlin, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, NY…of these, approximately 3.4 million are currently infected (chronic HCV)

Sept 8, 2005 Tattoo business patrons contact health department By KRISTIN BUEHNER, Of The Globe Gazette People who have had tattoos or body piercing at Freeky Inks Tattoos are urged to get tested for HIV and Hepatitis B and C, blood-borne pathogens that can be transmitted if instruments contaminated with blood are not sterilized or used appropriately between clients.

More Hepatitis C Transmission will be posted. It is important to understand the transmission of the Hepatitis virus becuase the transmission effect is important in Hepatitis C education.