Patient support groups are important for patients with many diseases and conditions.  Hepatitis C /Co Infection
support groups have been shown to help patients deal with their diagnoses, manage care and treatment more
effectively than they would on their own.  Support groups are now an arm to medical care and they improve quality
of life for most participants. 

Support groups are more important than ever for Hepatitis C patients considering treatment, in
a clinical trial, or on treatment, using one of the new protease inhibitor drugs along with Peg Interferon and
Ribavirin.  Adding one of the new protease inhibitors has increased SVR (sustained viral response) or cure rates for patients, dramatically.  Some drugs allow some patients to be on treatment for a lot less time than in the past.  That's the good news! Yes some are now CURED!
In the next year there will be many more new once the FDA gives the OK.

But the new meds have also made treatment more complicated and added to the side effects some people experience. 
Support groups provide an important forum for patients to talk with their peers about questions to ask and the pros and cons of treatment, while they are consulting with their doctors about whether and when to treat.  Once patients start treatment, support groups provide an opportunity to discuss any, difficulties or side effects they are experiencing. A safe environment to share tips to manage orside effects and other problems such as adherence.

Having a place to talk about Hepatitis C and treatment with peers provides fellowship and encouragement.  Support
groups make it clear to individuals that they are not facing Hepatitis C and treatment ALONE.  They are more important now than ever.

If you want to find a Hepatitis C or Hepatitis C, Co-Infection  support group in New York, go to the Hepatitis
C Support Group www.hepatitisCmsg.org  list under the Resources section of this website.
o
If you, your organization, hospital or clinic are looking to start a group, we provide resources and trainings FREE OF CHARGE. 

Please look at website www.hepatitisCmsg.org under current projects for how.
 
 
 
 
 

 July 25, 2013
 


http://www.idsociety.org


Recognizing the rapid development of hepatitis C medications coupled with increasing numbers
of people being identified with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, the American
Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) and the Infectious Diseases
Society of America (IDSA) are collaborating to develop clinical recommendations
for the management of hepatitis C.


New medications approved by the Food and Drug Administration in recent years have
increased HCV cure rates, and several additional medications are expected to be
approved in the next three to five years. At the same time, new HCV testing
guidelines are expected to increase the number of patients diagnosed with
hepatitis C, many of whom currently are HCV-infected but unaware of their
  status. Ensuring that patients receive the new, effective treatment will be
  critical in increasing cure rates for hepatitis C. "We can finally say that
cure of HCV infection has become a real possibility for the majority of
  individuals infected with this deadly virus," said Gary Davis, MD, of
  AASLD.


"Members of AASLD and IDSA are committed to ensuring that patient care keeps pace with
rapidly advancing science," said David Relman, MD, president of IDSA. "This
effort is an important step toward advancing that goal and comes at an important
time as we all work to raise awareness of hepatitis virus infections on World
Hepatitis Day on July 28."


Through this collaboration, the societies will review current treatment recommendations
and use evidence-based, consensus guidance to develop updated recommendations
for managing patients. Recommendations will be updated regularly and made
available online. "A web-based system of new recommendations coupled with a
published annual update will afford the greatest opportunity for both rapid and
comprehensive output," said Donald M. Jensen, MD, of
AASLD.


About Hepatitis C
 
Hepatitis C is a liver disease resulting from chronic infection with the hepatitis C virus
(HCV). It is estimated that between 3 million and 4 million Americans are
infected with HCV and have chronic liver disease as a result. Because symptoms
of HCV infection may not appear for many years, more than 70 percent are unaware
they are infected.


Earlier this year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended an
age-based screening strategy consisting of a one-time test for HCV for those at
highest risk, including everyone born between 1945 and 1965. This recommendation
was endorsed by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force in June 2013. The
broader testing recommendations likely will detect a substantial number of
people who are unaware they are infected.


According to a July 10, 2013 article published in The Journal of The American Medical
Association (JAMA), deaths from liver disease increased from 1990 to 2010. HCV
is the most likely cause of the emergence of liver disease as a growing threat
to Americans. Early testing enables people who are infected to receive treatment
as soon as possible, and prevent progression to more serious disease, such as
cirrhosis and liver cancer.


Currently available drugs and the next generation of direct-acting antivirals that will
likely be available later this year offer the potential to treat and cure most
patients with HCV infection. Therefore, up-to-date recommendations for the
medical management of these patients and their treatment are critically
important.


 


·  About the AASLD


AASLD
is a medical subspecialty society representing clinicians and researchers in
liver disease. The work of our members has laid the foundation for the
development of drugs used to treat patients with viral hepatitis. Access to care
and support of liver disease research are at the center of AASLD’s advocacy
efforts.


AASLD
is the leading organization of scientists and healthcare professionals committed
to preventing and curing liver disease. AASLD was founded in 1950 by a small
group of leading liver specialists and has grown to an international society
responsible for all aspects of
hepatology.


Press releases and
additional information about AASLD are available online at www.aasld.org.


·  About IDSA


The Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) is an organization of physicians, scientists,
and other health care professionals dedicated to promoting health through
excellence in infectious diseases research, education, prevention, and patient
care. The Society, which has nearly 10,000 members, was founded in 1963 and is
based in Arlington, VA. For more information, see www.idsociety.org.


Visit
www.idsociety.org/Hepatitis_C to access IDSA’s extensive
collection of resources on hepatitis C, including the Society’s Core Curriculum
for HPV at www.idsociety.org/HCV_Curriculum/#Introduction.