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April 19, 2002 Prepared by Collin Tong, WSU News Bureau, 206.448.1333, ctong@wsuwest.edu Hepatitis C prevalence varies among group: Hepatitis C is an acute liver inflammation caused by a virus (Hep C). There are approximately 150,000 new cases/year, many are without symptoms. With 9,000 deaths per year, Hepatitis C has become the most common, non-alcoholic liver disease in the United States. According Margaret Bruya, Washington State University Intercollegiate College of Nursing professor and People's Clinic co-founder, the prevalence is small in low-risk groups, but high in high risk groups such as IV drug users sharing needles, and less so with transfused hemophiliacs. Current treatments include non-pharmacologic therapy of rest and diet as tolerated, and recombinant interferon-alpha treatment. For assistance in reaching Bruya, 509.324.7273, bruyam@wsu.edu, contact Susan Nielsen, communications, marketing and public relations director at the College of Nursing, 509.324.7372, susann@wsu.edu. |