WWW.NJCOPSMAGAZINE.COM ■ DECEMBER 2014
To Your Health
77
How safe are you from hepatitis C?
Highlight Health
Did you know that first responders are frequently exposed to
blood in the workplace, which
puts them at increased risk for a
number of diseases including
hepatitis C virus (HCV)?
Hepatitis C is a growing public health concern in the U.S.
and around the world. According to the CDC, 4 million people in the U.S. have been infected with HCV, and as many as
half of them are unaware that they have the infection.
HCV is one of the most common causes of chronic liver disease and the most common cause of chronic viral hepatitis.
Hepatitis C has an acute and a chronic form. Most people who
are infected develop chronic hepatitis C, which is believed to
be the cause of 15-20 percent of all cases of acute (new, shortterm) viral hepatitis and half of all cases of cirrhosis, end-stage
liver disease, and liver cancer.
Early diagnosis is important because doctors may start treatment or recommend lifestyle changes that can slow the disease, allowing the patient to stay healthier longer. Therefore, all
first responders should be tested for HCV infection, because
it often begins to damage the liver before it causes signs and
symptoms.
What are the symptoms of HCV?
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Abdominal pain (right upper abdomen)
Abdominal swelling (you may notice that your pants
are too tight)
Dark-colored urine
Fatigue (tiredness)
Fever
Itching skin
Jaundice (skin appears yellow)
Loss of appetite
Nausea/vomiting
Pale or clay-colored stools
How can HCV be prevented?
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Avoid contact with blood or blood products whenever possible. First responders should follow precautions when handling blood and bodily fluids.
Avoid needle sticks, and be careful when getting tattoos or body piercings.
Currently there is no vaccine for HCV. d
This message is sponsored in conjunction with The First
Responders Foundation.