  GENERAL
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
AIDS
AND HIV TESTING FOR HEROIN ADDICTS
 HEPATITIS
IN ADDICTS
TREATMENT
OF OPIATE DEPENDENCE
HEPATITIS IN ADDICTS
What is hepatitis?
The most common contagious disease found
in addicts is viral hepatitis. Addicts may
carry as many as four different types: A,
B, C, and D. The seriousness of hepatitis
in addicts varies from harmless to life-threatening.
It is essential that every addict begin
learning as much about chronic hepatitis
as possible since they can die from it or
spread it to other people. For example,
Hepatitis C is the most serious, widespread
form of hepatitis in addicts, and it is
far easier to spread by needle sharing than
is AIDS or Hepatitis B. On the other hand,
Hepatitis B is more easily spread by sexual
relations and to pregnant woman than is
Hepatitis C. (Back)
What should you do if you have chronic
hepatitis?
We recommend the following:
- Cease needle use and enter
a treatment program for your condition.
- Limit alcohol use to one
drink every other day, or better yet,
avoid it completely. Alcohol use markedly
accelerates liver degeneration in chronic
hepatitis.
- Cease all cocaine and methamphetemine
use since they harm the liver.
- Take a vitamin and mineral
supplement each day that contains zinc
and selenium since these minerals have
been shown in animal studies to slow development
of cirrhosis.
- Eat three regular meals
a day. (Back)
How will you know
if you have hepatitis?
Only by blood test, since most addicts have
a symptomatic, chronic hepatitis. In many
cases, the addict never knows it’s
present until the liver scars, develops
cirrhosis, or cancer… then it’s
too late.
One blood test, which is inexpensive and
only costs $10 to $15 and can tell you whether
you have chronic, active hepatitis. Your
doctor will know this because certain liver
enzyme levels are high in your blood if
you have chronic hepatitis; even if you
don’t have jaundice, pain, or any
other symptoms.
A second blood test, which is rather expensive
and costs at least $75 to $150 and can tell
you which type of hepatitis you may have.
This blood test isn't as important since
the treatment and preventative measures
are about the same. Repeated blood tests,
over time, can tell you if your hepatitis
and liver are improving or worsening. (Back)
What is viral
hepatitis?
Viral hepatitis is a common contagious disease
caused by several viruses that attack the
liver.
Hepatitis means inflammation of the liver,
usually producing swelling and tenderness
and sometimes permanent damage to the liver.
- Hepatitis A
is caused by fecal contamination of food
and water. Although symptoms similar to
the flu and fatigue may occur, the disease
is rarely life threatening.
- Hepatitis B
is one of the most serious forms of hepatitis
with over 300,000 new acute cases each
year and an estimated one million carriers
in the United States. This disease is
more prevalent and infectious than AIDS,
and may lead to scarring of the liver,
called cirrhosis, and cancer of the liver.
- Hepatitis C
formerly called non-A, non-B hepatitis,
affects approximately 170,000 Americans
each year. It may develop into a chronic
form in approximately 50% of patients.
This is the most common form of chronic
hepatitis in addicts and it, like hepatitis
B, can cause cirrhosis, and cancer of
the liver. (Back)
What
are the symptoms of viral hepatitis?
Most people have no symptoms and feel quite
healthy. Some individuals will develop fatigue,
jaundice, mild fever, muscle and joint aches,
nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal discomfort,
and changes in the color of urine and stools.
The most serious symptoms to be aware
of are swelling of the ankles, genitalia,
and stomach, because that means the liver
is failing. You must consult a physician
if you develop swelling. (Back)
Interpretation of hepatitis blood
tests
Hepatitis A test, if positive,
indicates a recent infection or immunity.
Hepatitis A does not cause chronic hepatitis
or a carrier state.
Hepatitis B tests,
of which there are several, can identify
whether you are actually infected, recovered,
a healthy carrier (infected with symptoms),
or have chronic hepatitis.
Hepatitis C antibody tests,
if positive, indicate that you are currently
infected or have been infected with this
virus at some time in your life and may
have recovered. Your physician may suggest
that you be retested. If you test positive
again, additional tests, and possibly a
liver biopsy, will be required to determine
whether you have a mild form or a more serious
form of the disease.
Hepatitis D test, if positive,
indicates current or post infection. It
is only active if you also have Hepatitis
B. (Back)
Will methadone
hurt the liver?
No. Our experience is that it is alcohol,
cocaine, or methamphetamine abuse that causes
the damage. (Back)
Can I give hepatitis to others?
Hepatitis B and C can be transmitted through
infected blood, blood products, and needles.
Blood donors are now tested for the presence
of these viruses. Health care workers, laboratory
technicians, dentists, and other individuals
who may come in contact with infected blood,
instruments, or needles, are at risk for
acquiring Hepatitis B and C.
Hepatitis C is rarely spread sexually, from
an infected mother to her newborn, or to
other members of the household. There is
no vaccine for Hepatitis C.
Hepatitis B is frequently spread by needle
sharing and through sexual contact, and
at birth from mother to baby. Vaccination
is recommended for all addicts, newborns,
infants, and sexually active individuals
living in the same household with someone
who is a carrier or has chronic, active
Hepatitis B. These people are at risk and
should ask their physician about being vaccinated.
In a large percentage of cases of both Hepatitis
B and C, we do not know how the infection
is acquired.
Every effort must be made to reduce drug
use by needles. (Back)
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