Training Session : The ABC's of Hepatitis C

Carl Orr - Patient Advocate Developer for the Northwest
Region of the Ontario Aboriginal Health Advocacy Initiative (OAHAI)

In Canada, it is estimated that between 210,000 and 275,000 people are
currently infected with Hepatitis C, of whom only 30 per cent know they have the
virus. Hepatitis C is a new, emerging health risk in Canada. Immediate
community response is vital to controlling the spread of Hepatitis C in
Aboriginal communities, so CHRs must learn all they can about the
disease. Carl gave his workshop participants a four page document that
summed up the most important issues around Hepatitis C as it relates to
Aboriginal people.

If we think about Hepatitis C from a different perspective, there is a
correlation between traditional teachings and Hepatitis C.
Traditionally, when an animal has been caught and skinned, it is very
important to be careful with the animal’s blood. If any of the
animal’s blood enters open wounds, that animal’s disease may be
passed on. The same principle applies to Hepatitis C. One drop of
infected blood can infect another person. Blood-to-blood
contact is extremely dangerous. We must ask ourselves: Why have
Aboriginal people lost this traditional teaching along the way? Why
has Hepatitis C infected the Aboriginal population in such high numbers?

Aboriginal people should strongly bring forth and advocate their issues on
Hepatitis C because with HIV, advocacy did not start quickly enough.
Because of that, Aboriginal people are 15 years behind making their
issues known about HIV/AIDS. This is a second chance to do
more with this disease than what was done with HIV.

Hepatitis C affects the liver and the liver plays a vital role in keeping
us alive. The liver transforms food into usable material for the body.
It allows the absorption of medicine and filters the blood. It stores
vitamins and carbohydrates. Heavy drinking and a poor diet can
also compromise the liver’s function.

Symptoms of Hepatitis C:

Jaundice
Dark urine
Light stools
Loss of appetite
Nausea
Abdominal pain

Hepatitis C can live outside the body.
Here is how Hepatitis C is transmitted:

Blood to blood contact
Sharing needles
From an infected mother to a baby
Sharing hygiene items such as razors, scissors, toenail clippers or toothbrushes
Body piercing

Other things to think about concerning the Hepatitis C
Virus (HCV):

There is no vaccine to prevent Hepatitis C.
Advise people never to shoot drugs. If they do, tell them to
stop and get into a treatment program. If they cannot stop, they
must never share needles, syringes or water. Tell them to get
vaccinated against Hepatitis A & B.
Do not share personal care items that might have blood on
them (razors, toothbrushes).
CHRs should always follow routine barrier precautions and
safely handle needles and other sharp objects; get vaccinated
against Hepatitis B.
Consider the risks of getting a tattoo or body piercing. Tattooing
and piercing tools may have someone else’s blood on them if the
artist or piercer does not follow good health practices.
HCV can be spread by sex, but this is rare. Sex with more than
one steady sex partner means condoms must be used correctly
and every time to prevent the spread of sexually transmitted diseases.
If you have Hepatitis C you should also get vaccinated against
Hepatitis B.
If you are HCV positive, do not donate blood, organs, or tissue.

The people most likely to get Hepatitis C are drug users. In one
Ontario health survey, 51 per cent of youth identified themselves as
having used drugs. Many Aboriginal people use drugs and we have
to make a strong stand for those people in order to get the care they
need and stop the spread of this disease. CHRs have the unique
opportunity to help this hard-to-reach community.