Hey, there! Log in / Register
State: Hepatitis A outbreak hitting homeless people, drug users
By adamg on Mon, 09/24/2018 - 3:29pm
The state Department of Public Health reports an outbreak of Hepatitis A among homeless people in the state - with many of the cases in Boston.
Of the 65 hepatitis A cases, 45 percent are located in Boston with an increasing number in other cities and towns, including the Southeast and metro Boston areas. In early August, DPH and the Boston Public Health Commission issued a clinical advisory when it became apparent that there was ongoing transmission occurring among residents experiencing homelessness and/or substance use disorder. Most of those affected in Massachusetts and elsewhere also have evidence of hepatitis C, a blood-borne infection highly associated with injection drug use, making their illness more severe.
DPH adds:
Hepatitis A infection can be prevented through vaccination and one dose of vaccine can provide substantial protection. It can also be prevented through proper hand washing, especially after using the toilet and before eating. There is no specific treatment for hepatitis A infection; most otherwise healthy people recover on their own.
Hepatitis A is transmitted primarily through fecal-oral contact that can be associated with living in unsanitary conditions and poor hygiene. Symptoms include fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, stomach pain, nausea, diarrhea, and jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), grey stools, and dark urine.
DPH plans a conference call with local public-health officials on Wednesday to discuss how to get vulnerable people vaccinated.
Neighborhoods:
Free tagging:
Ad:
Support Universal Hub
Help keep Universal Hub going. If you like what we're up to and want to help out, please consider a (completely non-deductible) contribution.
Comments
Best information is from World Health Organization
http://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/hepatitis-a
http://www.who.int/csr/don/07-june-2017-hepatitis-a/en/
http://gamapserver.who.int/mapLibrary/Files/Maps/Global_HepA_ITHRiskMap.png
No surprise on methadone mile
The hepatitis outbreak should not come as a surprise. The public defecations, stagnant water, strewn garbage, used needles are all perfect vectors for an outbreak.
Mass General doctors who specialize in addiction treatment
B4 sex test 2GETHER 4 STIs then make an INFORMED decision.
Screening https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hepatitis#Screening
Vaccines https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hepatitis#Vaccines
The Strategy. BEFORE sex test TOGETHER for A VARIETY OF STIs Sexually Transmitted Infections including HIV Human Immunodeficiency Virus than make an INFORMED decision, google... tested together before sex
Hep A, Szak
Not Hep B
Hep A is a disease of poor sanitation - like cholera, but its a virus. My mom had it as a child from living in unsanitary conditions.
It isn't a STD. Sure, you could probably get it that way, but ...
A better message here would be "Let's wash hands together before eating and make an informed decision about splitting a sandwich".
STD
I assume that means stenographically transmitted disease?
A story of the big city
FADE IN:
EXT. ROUTE 93 NORTH - DAYBREAK
The camera follows a black Jeep as it winds through traffic heading north. Camera pans to see the entire Boston skyline.
(cue that awful dropkick murphys song)
Daddy's most special princess, Meeaghhynn VonNouveauriche from Duxbury is moving to Boston at the tender age of 24.
Mumsy found her a quaint 1 bedroom studio in Andrew Sq. (steps from the beach 'natch) for a mere pittance of $530,000 with no parking for her 2018 Jeep Cherokee (but the realtor said theres street parking).
Things are going great until Meeaghhynn stops by 711 and opens the door.
What she doesnt realize is that the homeless addict whos now swaying by the Keno screen just shot up with a dirty needle. He's also relieved himself a couple times and slept in those same clothes.
He also hasnt bathed in 2 months.
Meeaghgynn buys her canned Starbucks Espresso shot and leaves to go home for the weekend. Blissfully unaware that she's been exposed to not only Hep A but a cornucopia of lovely pathogens that the pristine, sacred South Shore could only dream of in its worst nightmares.
BEGIN TITLES
Not just the homeless and/or
Not just the homeless and/or injecting drug users. It's also the drug dealers as a lot of their female customers will substitute sexual favors for a bag instead of cash. I know I've been there. Don't act shocked, it's just part of the dope culture.
There's a vaccine
I got the hep A vaccine because of travel - it's a two-shot series. The CDC has a FAQ that includes risk factors, if you're wondering if you should get it.
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B Vaccine https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/hbv/vaccadults.htm