Researchers recently confirmed what many in the medical and drug treatment community had feared: Rates of Hepatitis C are skyrocketing among New Jersey's suburban heroin users, particularly among the young.
A study that tested 861 suburban heroin users admitted to Princeton House, an inpatient treatment center, found that 44 percent tested positive for Hepatitis C, a potentially fatal but treatable disease that affects the liver. Of those, nearly two-thirds were under the age of 35.
"It's crazy. I'm not sure I even expected to see the number that high," said Ronald Nahass, an infectious disease specialist with ID Care, who conducted the study with researchers from Princeton House. "On the other hand, I don't know that I'm terribly surprised. We've noticed this happening, and it really wasn't being recognized, which is really upsetting me, frankly."
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Showing posts with label New Jersey. Show all posts
Showing posts with label New Jersey. Show all posts
Friday, October 16, 2015
Wednesday, October 7, 2015
Nurse used same syringe on 67 people at N.J. flu clinic, state says
A nurse who administered flu vaccines to employees of a West Windsor company has been reported to health officials because she re-used a single syringe for the shots.
At an employer-sponsored flu clinic at Otsuka Pharmaceuticals last week, the unnamed nurse committed an "infection control breach," according to a spokeswoman for the N.J. Department of Health.
"Full infection control practices that prevent transmission of blood-borne diseases were not used by a contracted health care agency, Total Wellness," said Donna Leusner, the spokeswoman.
Monday, January 26, 2015
Vitale & Codey Take Action to Provide Hepatitis C Screening to All Baby Boomers
Senate Health Committee Advances Legislation to Require Hospitals and Health Care Providers to Offer Testing to Certain High-Risk Patients
TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senators Joseph F. Vitale and Richard J. Codey that would put New Jersey in line with CDC recommendations to test baby boomers for Hepatitis C was advanced today by the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee.
“I have seen firsthand the effects that Hepatitis C can have on an individual and their family,” said Senator Vitale, D-Middlesex, Chairman of the Senate Health Committee. “If a patient is screened and made aware of the disease earlier, they can have a real shot at treatment, often so successful as to remove any trace of the disease. Real lives can be saved with this legislation.”
The issue is close to Senator Vitale’s heart as his father passed away from complications due to Hepatitis C, a disease that he contracted through a tainted blood transfusion. The Senator notes that through this legislation, individuals will be diagnosed earlier, allowing for effective treatment to avoid liver damage, cirrhosis and even cancer.
TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senators Joseph F. Vitale and Richard J. Codey that would put New Jersey in line with CDC recommendations to test baby boomers for Hepatitis C was advanced today by the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee.
“I have seen firsthand the effects that Hepatitis C can have on an individual and their family,” said Senator Vitale, D-Middlesex, Chairman of the Senate Health Committee. “If a patient is screened and made aware of the disease earlier, they can have a real shot at treatment, often so successful as to remove any trace of the disease. Real lives can be saved with this legislation.”
The issue is close to Senator Vitale’s heart as his father passed away from complications due to Hepatitis C, a disease that he contracted through a tainted blood transfusion. The Senator notes that through this legislation, individuals will be diagnosed earlier, allowing for effective treatment to avoid liver damage, cirrhosis and even cancer.
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