News

Liver Lady Kicks Off Prevention Program in Pennsylvania
Thelma King Thiel, HFI’s CEO was invited by the Blair County Healthy Community Partnership in Altoona, Pennsylvania to kick off a major campaign to attack an alarming increase in hepatitis C.

Training the Trainers: Changing Risky Behaviors with Unique Motivating Messages
Hepatitis and Substance Abuse Prevention, Quick and Easy Techniques With Proven Success
Motivating individuals to take responsibility for their own health care and to avoid risky behaviors that expose them to AIDS, and hepatitis viruses that lead to serious liver damage is a difficult task. It depends a great deal on having knowledge and understanding of basic functions of the liver, what vital role it plays in their health and well being, and how it can be compromised by drugs, alcohol, environmental pollutants and hepatitis viruses.

How to Tell Friends and Family You Have Hepatitis B/C
Revealing your hepatitis B or C infection to family and friends, or someone you’re dating, is fraught with risk. The stakes are high. You’re putting friendships, family relationships and potential romantic partnerships on the line. But the emotional depth that accompanies trust and honesty can be richly rewarding.  Read More >

Our 2004 Summit was a success thanks to your participation and support! For those unable to join us this year we are busy preparing the 2004 Summit highlights for publication on our website. Check back with us here and in the meantime enjoy your visit to our website. 

HFI Chairwoman
Thelma Thiel

Newest treatment for patients infected with HCV alone also helps those infected with HIV by significantly improving the clearance of HCV from the bloodstream.

Two Young Scientists Receive HFIs Research Awards — Focus on Hepatitis B and C
The Hepatitis Foundation International Board of Directors approved research applications from two young research scientists to expand the understanding of the epidemiology of hepatitis B and  C.

HCV Killer Cells Linked to Genes
In a study to be published in Science online Aug. 6, researchers at Johns Hopkins have found that genes involved in suppressing the body's defensive "killer" immune cells are a potential key factor in spontaneous recovery from hepatitis C.

Kudos for HFIs Training of Drug Abuse Counselors
A three hour liver wellness training workshop for 37 Chicago substance abuse counselors revealed participant’s gaps in basic knowledge about the liver and its affect on daily quality of life. A hepatitis and liver wellness knowledge assessment survey was conducted prior to and after the session.

Screening for Hepatitis C:  A Common Sense Approach

HFI Research Awards Applications Available: Research in Viral Hepatitis Epidemiology, Health Promotion and/or Outcomes Research

Updated Hepatitis B Information Sheet now available

Transplant Bill Passes the Senate
The U.S. Senate approved The Donation and Recovery Improvement Act (S.573) authorizing $25 million to be appropriated for carrying out a variety of provisions . . .

Wisconsin May Provide Tax Deduction for Live Organ Donors
The Wisconsin Assembly voted this month to allow a live organ donor to take up to a $10,000 tax deduction for donation-related travel and lost wage expenses from their state income tax . . .

HFI's Train the Trainer Hits New Targets

HCV Not Transmitted by Kissing
There have been over a dozen articles in the last few years which have demonstrated HCV RNA in saliva. None of these studies has found that saliva plays a role in HCV transmission. That HCV RNA can be found in saliva is to be expected. One can find HBV, HAV, HIV and other viruses in saliva as well, despite the fact that these viruses are not transmitted by kissing. In general, concentrations of the virus are much lower than they are in blood.

Info on Herbs and Supplements
WellnessLetter.com is a reliable guide to more than 90 supplements. This guide is updated and expanded every month according to the UC Berkeley Wellness Letter.

Update on Transplant Info One Click Away
The United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) has upgraded its site to provide information to patients and their families, and transplant candidates. Click on www.transplantliving.org

Features

ANNOUNCING ONLINE LEARNING CENTER

Grand Opening presentation by Leonard Seeff, M.D., Senior Scientist at the Nation Institutes of Health. Hear from Dr. Seeff about the Natural History of Hepatitis C. You are invited to attend -- enter the Hepatitis Foundation International Online Learning Center now.

GlaxoSmithKline’s PEDIARIX has just been approved by the FDA to protect infants against five serious diseases — diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, hepatitis B and polio. Before PEDIARIX, infants in their first year of life needed nine shots to achieve this protection, but now will only need three. For more information they can call at 212-798-9774.

FDA Approves Pegasys® (peginterferon alfa-2a) in Combination with Copegus™ (ribavirin) for the Treatment of Hepatitis C. New treatment offers dosing regimen based on hepatitis C virus strain...