Hepatitis

The Specter of Liver Disease (2008)

HCH providers see many patients with liver disease, mainly secondary to hepatitis C (HCV). While the incidence of newly acquired HCV infection has decreased in the United States, over 4 million Americans are estimated to have been infected. A disproportionate number of homeless people (22%–53%) have the virus–indeed, incarcerated and homeless individuals are not included in the National Center for Health Statistics count and are thought to number another million. Clinicians find it difficult to get patients the special care they need when they lack stable housing, engage in chronic alcohol or drug use, or are mentally unstable. Many clients progress untreated to end-stage liver disease and fill medical respite facility beds. This Healing Hands articles discuss the pathophysiology of liver disease, the preponderance of hepatitis among homeless and incarcerated people, and treatment options.

Decompensated Chronic Liver Disease with Co-morbid Treatable Aplastic Anemia in a Homeless Adult Male (2008)

This case report presents a cascade of life threatening complications arising from a chronic hepatitis C infection in a homeless man, originally contracted from contaminated tattoo needles. The patient’s chronic liver disease progressed to cirrhosis and comorbid anemia secondary to hypersplenism, chronic GI blood loss, chronic liver disease, folate deficiency, and human parvovirus B19 infection resulting in aplastic anemia.

The Health Care of Homeless Persons: A Manual of Communicable Diseases & Common Problems in Shelters & On the Streets (2004)

This 384-page manual describes serious health problems that commonly afflict homeless persons and discusses appropriate responses and treatment. Included are chapters on hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C.

Chronic Hepatitis C: Silent Intruder, Insidious Threat (1999)

Healing Hands Newsletter covering chronic Hepatitis C.