Mondav. June 4. 2001 - The Michigan Dailv - 9 Ufl vaiiy atients at risk for hepatitis C not adequately screened Shabina Khatrl with identifying risk factors may be the "We've noticed that the frequency in liver transplants" he said. intake, Shehab said. aly Staff Reporter stigma attached to them, the number of shared needles is directly Shehab said he agrees. "We believe The study also found only 57 percent " - A recent study by the University's ealth System found people who are at sk for the hepatitis C virus are not get- ag tested early or often enough. "The evolution of treatment for hepati- s C is a very recent one, resulting in a ege in management. [Management] rs not been as aggressive because doc- rs don't realize medications are suc- essful," said Hernan Drobny, a UHS hysician. 80 percent of people infected with hep- itis C, a blood disease which damages e liver, exhibit no physical signs or ymptoms. The findings suggest dis- tssing and identifying factors that could >tentially place a patient at risk, as well effective testing for the disease, are al. The findings cite a lack of aware- about the risk factors of the poten- ally fatal disease on the part of both hysicians and patients, suggesting more nowledge among both parties would ad to a higher level of communication. Researchers said part of the problem "There are some uncomfortable issues, like experimenting with drugs or having many sexual partners, that many patients may be reluctant to volunteer," said Medical School student Thomas Shehab. But these are not the only factors patients and doctors must be aware of Occupational exposures of health care workers and having received a blood transfusion or organ transplant before 1982 must also be researched. related to the number of people infected with hepatitis C," said Drobny, who added intravenous drugs are the number one risk factor for getting the disease. Although there is no vaccine against the virus and advanced treatment has only successfully cured 35 to 40 percent of people with hepatitis C, Drobny emphasizes the importance of timeliness in beating the odds. "[Early treatment] lowers the probability of the progression of hepatitis C, thus lowering the need for you get a better benefit if a patient 'receives treatment earlier because those in the advanced stages of the disease suffer from cirrhosis of the liver, which is very difficult to treat,' he said. In addition to benefiting from treat- ment early on, a patient who is aware they have the disease can alter their behavior so as not to spread the virus. A person with hepatitis C can also take steps to improve their chances of surviv- ing the disease by reducing their alcohol of hepatitis C-infected patients were referred to specialists. Factors that are thought to affect treatment may include race, gender, medical and insurance con- siderations. "My hypothesis is that primary care physicians may not believe that therapy is beneficial. In addition, they may not consider hepatitis C to be a progressive disease in most people and therefore may feel there is no need to subject their patient to treatment,' Shehab said. An exciting career in pharmaceutical sales/marketing. hPharmaColfege A one day seminar specifically designed to help you break into the pharmaceutical industry. DURING the seminar, learn... AFTER the seminar, benefit from**... 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