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The links to the top left are for Maine agencies that provide hepatitis vaccinations, track hepatitis infections and coordinate statewide activities in their state. Other links provide information, educational resources and referrals for people who are both HIV and hepatitis co-infected as well. If you have any questions or updates or comments please e-mail The Network at network@atdn.org or theaccessproject@atdn.org
Hepatitis - Preventive Vaccines and TreatmentsThe good news is that you can and should get vaccinated against hepatitis A (HAV) and hepatitis B (HBV). There are programs that offer these vaccines for free, or at a very low price. They are covered by most health care plans and government programs. If you have hepatitis that did not go away when you first contracted it (that's called chronic hepatitis), the good news is that the number of existing and new treatments being tested for the treatment of hepatitis and its complications (such as diabetes or cancer) has really increased just in the last few years. Pretty much everyone agrees that getting treated before your liver becomes damaged is better than waiting until later. But getting Hepatitis A and B vaccinations - if you already haven't had those diseases - and connecting with a doctor or health care team with experience is the first thing you need to do after getting tested. This may be the same doctor who tested you for hepatitis, in some cases, but a specialist called a hepatologist or GI doc (gastroenterologist) is usually brought in as well. Every case of hepatitis is different depending on many factors. Your age, sex, weight, the condition of your liver (including fibrosis, cirrhosis or fatty liver), the type of hepatitis you have, the number of CD4 cells you have, your race, if you also have HIV or another type of Hepatitis, and even the genotype of hepatitis you have could all affect whether you start treatment now or later, and what you take. Find a doctor or health care team who will make recommendations on what to do based on your personal health and history. Plan out your treatment support team with the help of your health care and support providers, as well as any friends and family who might want to be involved. The ways that Hepatitis B (HBV) and Hepatitis C (HCV) are treated can be similar or very different, but one of the very exciting signs that your treatment has worked is if you have an improvement in the actual physical condition of your liver (histology). Reducing your hepatitis viral load below detection and improving your liver enzymes are also both very big accomplishments. We'll keep you informed of both approved and experimental treatments, including which ones have been tested and approved for people who are co-infected with HIV. We urge you to at least start thinking about the condition of your liver, and whether you should start treatment. Approved Hepatitis B Treatments
Approved Hepatitis C Treatments
The links to the top left are for Maine agencies that provide hepatitis vaccinations, track hepatitis infections and coordinate statewide activities in their state. Other links provide information, educational resources and referrals for people who are both HIV and hepatitis co-infected as well. If you have any questions or updates or comments please e-mail The Network at network@atdn.org or theaccessproject@atdn.org
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modified: 5/19/07 |