HCV

I'm ready to participate to this noble action. I have the background to work on sterilized conditions.

Hi,the biggest reason I noted that things aren't sterilized properly, is the lack of equipment/financial burden of proper sterilization techniques, not that the surgeons or physicians don't know. On the contrary, from 1st yr med school we breathe eat and sleep Hep A, B, C since its endemic. Every MD who graduates from egypt knows the Heps inside out.
The other thing is just carelessness, on the part mainly of the support staff, so it would be nice to target the support staff like nurses and techs, with this endevour, rather than the physicians.
The second biggest challenge, is education of the population, to understand the risk factors, signs and symptoms, and methods of transmission. It would be nice to make a pamphlet about that to give out to patients as well.
Do count me in! (I'm a pathologist by the way).

heres a link to a site within Egypt that contains some information related to the issue

heres another document with more related information.It speaks about the percentage of infections caused by injections based on information supplied by the who.

Here is one study which was submitted for review during late 2009 and made public during 2010.Egypt has disputed the study claiming the estimates are inflated.

you can try reaching out to these groups also. for any insight or suggestions or inputs the may have related to the issue.

www.saidr.org, contact mkamal@jhuhcp-eg.org. Regarding www.askconsult.org or sehetna.com, contact news@askconsult.org.

Good luck with you efforts on this issue.

so it would be nice to target the support staff like nurses and techs, with this endevour, rather than the physicians.
The second biggest challenge, is education of the population, to understand the risk factors, signs and symptoms, and methods of transmission. It would be nice to make a pamphlet about that to give out to patients as well.

The female population, could be a positive element if embraced and utilized in your foundation, they could be a formidable driving force for the message.

I subscribe to promed-mail for information related to flu and virus spread.

below is a posting about the one of the mayo hospital clinic facilities and how one iv drug user which worked there, may have exposed over five thousand people to the hep-c virus over a six year period.

HEPATITIS C - USA (02): (FLORIDA) TRANSPLANT RELATED****************************************************A ProMED-mail postProMED-mail is a program of theInternational Society for Infectious Diseases Date: Thu 23 Sep 2010Source: Sun Sentinel [edited]  Mayo worker put patients at risk for hepatitis----------------------------------------------The [registered] letter in her mailbox on Wednesday [22 Sep 2010] surprised a Tavares woman, but not nearly as much as its contents. While she was a patient at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, a rogue employee in the radiology department was injecting himself with a potent painkiller intended for patients and refilling the syringes with saline. He had hepatitis C, a potentially deadly virus that attacks the liver. "Apparently, he did this for many years before he was caught," said the former patient, who asked not to be named because it might stigmatize her. She is among 5000 former patients at the Florida branch of the renowned Mayo Clinic to receive the warning letter, which has been mailed out in 2 waves this month [September 2010]. "I have never felt more safe than I was at the Mayo Clinic," said the Tavares woman, who underwent heart and kidney operations at the Mayo Clinic in 2006 and 2007. "For this to happen, I think is horrible." On Thursday [23 Sep 2010], the Mayo Clinic sent a team to her home to draw blood for testing for hepatitis C, hepatitis B, and HIV infection. So far, 3 former patients have tested positive for hepatitis C [virus infection]. In August [2010], a 47-year-old former radiology technician, was fired after admitting he had used painkillers prescribed for patients. He was arrested last month [August 2010] on a minor felony related to stealing drugs. But law-enforcement officials say he could face more charges as the investigation continues. The radiology technician worked at the Mayo from 11 Oct 2004, up to 21 Aug 2010. He worked in Interventional Radiology at St Luke's Hospital from 2004 to 11 Apr 2008, when Mayo Clinic owned St Luke's Hospital. "We want to ensure that every patient who might be at risk is tested," said Dr William C Rupp, chief executive officer of Mayo Clinic in Florida. "We want to cast as wide a net as possible to make sure we've included any possible patient." That, Rupp said, has included tracking down every patient who had a procedure on the days the technician was working and in the section of the hospital where he was working. Most of the affected patients are from Florida, Rupp said, but letters also have been sent to several living in the Southeast and a few who live abroad. The former employee has tested negative for hepatitis B virus and HIV, Rupp said, but the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as well as the Florida Department of Health, urged that former patients be tested for those viruses as well. So far, 3 patients have been diagnosed with cases of hepatitis C that are genetically similar to the type the technician has, Mayo officials said. One of those patients died from the virus [infection], another died from an unrelated illness, and the 3rd remains alive. Hepatitis C virus attacks the liver but often doesn't cause symptoms for years. Left untreated, it can cause severe problems, such as cirrhosis and liver cancer. The American Hospital Association described the Mayo technician's actions as "egregious and criminal," said spokesman Matt Fenwick. He called upon hospitals to work hard to "ensure it doesn't happen again." For their part, Mayo Clinic officials say they are taking steps to improve security related to narcotics. Among the new safeguards: Mayo nurses will now initial every syringe when it's drawn so that it can't be switched without notice. [Byline: Linda Shrieves] --Communicated by:ProMED-mail Rapporteur Brent Barrett [The initial report in ProMED-mail on 24 Aug 2010 of 3 cases of hepatitis C virus contracted from a radiology technician at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida, did not explain the circumstances surrounding this incident. It is now revealed that the affected individuals were surgical or transplant patients, one of whom died subsequently as a result of hepatitis C virus infection. These patients, and possibly others (up to 5000 are being contacted), were infected by the actions a single technician in the radiology department who was injecting himself with a potent narcotic intended for patients and refilling the syringes with saline. Subsequent analysis revealed that the employee was a hepatitis C virus carrier. It remains to be established whether any other patients at risk have been infected. At the time of the incident the errant technician tested negative for both hepatitis B virus and HIV infection. The HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map of Florida, showing the location of Jacksonville, can be accessed at . - Mod.CP] [see also:Hepatitis C - USA: (FL) transplant related, RFI 20100825.2995]...................................cp/mj/mpp

@ Quardi, Mariposa & Shorouk your participation is deeply appreciated.

@ Everyone: I asked around and I was told that HCV in Egypt is also being transmitted through the Barber shops. Can someone get it from a hair clipper or is it just through re-used razors?

@ shorouk, it's just sad how this virus can affect anyone.

I was also told that dentists use some sort of a microwave-assisted sterilization device to sterilize their equipment. If that's true isn't their a chance these devices might break down from time to time Or somehow become less efficient? Please educate me.