Hepatitis Amoung Homelss Vets
Hepatitis Among Homeless Veterans
NUR/408
July 1, 2013
Hepatitis Among Homeless Veterans Introduction Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is recognized as an emerging pathogen in the United States. The epidemiological study of viral hepatitis C in the homeless is relevant because of the enormous burden of the disease on the public health care system over time. The CDC reports that “HCV is the most common blood-born infection in the population, with estimated prevalence rates of chronic infection at 1.8% of the general population. It is further estimated that 65% of the patients with chronic infections will develop active liver disease over 20-30 years, with 10-20% developing into cirrhosis and an additional 1-5% developing hepatocellular carcinoma” (Desai, 2002, p.396). Hepatitis C virus is transmitted primarily through percutaneous exposure however transmission can also occur though unapparent percutaneous or mucosal exposures such as in high risk sexual practices (CDC, website). There is no laboratory distinction between acute and chronic infection and no vaccination against hepatitis C. HCV is the “tenth leading cause of death in the U.S. as well as chronic liver disease. Because chronic carriers can live decades with none or few symptoms public health efforts are aimed at stopping transmission of HCV with “screening of potential carries to determine infection rates. The homeless have not been included in epidemiology studies of HCV due to their transient lifestyle making tracking and identification of carriers difficult. However data indicates that injection drug use accounts for the majority of cases of HCV among the homeless as compared to the general population.
According to Desai, Rosenheck, and Agnello’s study on the prevalence of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) infection in a sample study of homeless veterans treated in a 40 bed residential Domiciliary Care unit for Homeless Veterans (DCHV) program in
NUR/408
July 1, 2013
Hepatitis Among Homeless Veterans Introduction Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is recognized as an emerging pathogen in the United States. The epidemiological study of viral hepatitis C in the homeless is relevant because of the enormous burden of the disease on the public health care system over time. The CDC reports that “HCV is the most common blood-born infection in the population, with estimated prevalence rates of chronic infection at 1.8% of the general population. It is further estimated that 65% of the patients with chronic infections will develop active liver disease over 20-30 years, with 10-20% developing into cirrhosis and an additional 1-5% developing hepatocellular carcinoma” (Desai, 2002, p.396). Hepatitis C virus is transmitted primarily through percutaneous exposure however transmission can also occur though unapparent percutaneous or mucosal exposures such as in high risk sexual practices (CDC, website). There is no laboratory distinction between acute and chronic infection and no vaccination against hepatitis C. HCV is the “tenth leading cause of death in the U.S. as well as chronic liver disease. Because chronic carriers can live decades with none or few symptoms public health efforts are aimed at stopping transmission of HCV with “screening of potential carries to determine infection rates. The homeless have not been included in epidemiology studies of HCV due to their transient lifestyle making tracking and identification of carriers difficult. However data indicates that injection drug use accounts for the majority of cases of HCV among the homeless as compared to the general population.
According to Desai, Rosenheck, and Agnello’s study on the prevalence of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) infection in a sample study of homeless veterans treated in a 40 bed residential Domiciliary Care unit for Homeless Veterans (DCHV) program in
References: Alter, M., & Margolis, H.S. e. al. (1998). Recommendations for prevention and control of Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and HCV-related chronic disease Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2008). Viral hepatitis statistics & surveillance. Stanhope, M., & Lancaster, M. (2012). Pubic Health Nursing: Population-centered health care in the community