Tennessee Dept. of Health issues public health advisory on hepatitis C epidemic

"The rate of acute Hepatitis C cases in Tennessee has more than tripled in the last seven years, and the steadily increasing number of cases may only represent “the tip of the iceberg” of the state’s Hepatitis-C epidemic, according to TDH Commissioner John Dreyzehner, MD, MPH."

NASHVILLE (WATE) – The Tennessee Department of Health is issuing a public health advisory urging residents to increase their awareness about hepatitis C, a life-threatening disease spread by direct contact with blood from an infected person.

The Knox County Health Department says it’s important to know all the risk factors. Within the last year there’s been an increase of testing for the virus at the health department. Director Dr. Martha Buchanan says her staff will be looking at that data and determining what can be done.

“The best protection you have is knowledge and knowing what behaviors and what things put you at risk,” said Buchanan.

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Hepatitis C cases continue to rise in Northeast Tennessee

A recent Centers for Disease Control report shows an increase in Hepatitis C in our region. The report shows an increase in Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, and Kentucky.

Health care providers have been discussing the increase for well over a year now to try to limit these numbers. One organization is even working on a pilot program to help educate the community and provide help for those who have tested positive.

"Northeast Tennessee and East Tennessee in general has among the highest rates of Hepatitis C in the country," Northeast Tennessee Regional Medical Director Dr. David Kirschke said.

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Doctors say needle sharing could trigger hepatitis C outbreak

"I shared a needle with him once," Barnes said.  And that was all it took.

WOODBURY, TN (WSMV) -The number of heroin addicts is on the rise, and it's not just a problem for the addicts. Doctors fear it could trigger an outbreak of hepatitis C.

"I was on methadone for years, oxycontin, meth, amphetamines," said Clayton Barnes, an addict and hepatitis C patient from Kentucky.

But heroin is the one addiction that would change Barnes' life forever, landing the 26-year-old at Addiction Campuses' treatment center in Woodbury.

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Hepatitis is a serious problem, warns the state of Tennessee

Hepatitis C is a deadly but treatable disease; that's why the Tennessee Department of Health is sharing a reminder about the importance of getting tested. May is Hepatitis Awareness Month, a perfect time to know your status and seek treatment if needed.

"There are three types of viral hepatitis: Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C; each are transmitted uniquely and cause separate illnesses," said Carolyn Wester, MD, MPH, TDH Medical Director, HIV/STD/Viral Hepatitis. "Vaccines are available to prevent against Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B infection. There is currently no vaccine to prevent against Hepatitis C so it's very important to find out if you're at risk."

Test can be conducted if you feel like you may have Hepatitis. Locally, you should contact the Rutherford County Health Department. The main office is in Murfreesboro at 100 West Burton Street. The phone number is (615) 898-7880.

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