Patient education is closely related to the long term consequences of liver failure and what the patient can do to ensure continued health. Hepatitis C is spread through the transmission of tainted blood, through blood transfusions with infected blood, sharing of infected needles, hemodialysis, and unsafe sex. Other methods of infection include and any means where blood to blood crossing occurs such as sharing swabs or spoons. (Lewis et al, 2010, p.1166). The easiest way to prevent the spread of hepatitis C is to know who is infected and take all precautions necessary to prevent the spread from this individual such as the use of the sharps container, insist on a clean needle for tattoos or piercings.
The easiest preventative measure is to ensure that when dealing with blood of infected patients universal precautions are taken such as wearing appropriate gowns, masks, and gloves to prevent
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infection from mucous membranes or skin lesions. Hepatitis C is Canada’s most common blood borne disease, early detection is a large part of prevention. Signs and symptoms of hepatitis C are fatigue, yellowing of skin or jaundice, nausea, joint/muscle pain, hair loss, skin rashes, headaches, sleeplessness, swollen extremities, weight change, dark urine and light stool. Medical support should be immediately sought if these symptoms persist (Mamuk, 2008). Preventative measures for hepatitis C include avoiding alcohol, make medications presently on known, avoid Tylenol for pain as it affects the liver, eat and sleep well, condoms for sexual activity, exercise and manage wounds appropriately (Mamuk, 2008). Education is the number one thing that an individual can do, as a nurse or as a nurse providing patient teaching. There are medications to help with the treatment of the disease, mainly pegylated interferon alpha and ribavirin as a combination therapy (CITE). The medication therapy in chronic disease is to delay the process. Ribavirin has a host of side effects such as anemia, anorexia, dyspnea, insomnia and rash, which indicates close blood cell counts. There is a possibility of drug interactions to assess and be aware of. Alternative therapies include vitamin and herbal remedies though drug interactions require consultation with a doctor. Other alternative therapies include acupuncture, massage, and cultural specific treatments such as sweat lodges to alleviate anxiety and sooth (Mamuk, 2008). There is presently no vaccine for hepatitis C, so prevention is key. There is no cure for cirrhosis but there are some actions that can help mainly to stop drinking alcohol.
A diet low in sodium will help to reduce fluid buildup from complications of ascites, or fluid retention in the pleural spaces. Medications such as lactulose will help remove toxins from body that liver no longer does, nausea and stomach discomfort are among the side effects. Also nutrition should be addressed due to effects of diarrhea with fluid and nutrient loss. Pantoprazole, and acid reflux inhibitor, also has side effects of diarrhea so dietary and nutritional concerns need to be addressed. Furosemide, a diuretic, may cause a drop in blood pressure upon standing, stand slowly wait until blood pressure is restored before moving. Propranolol, a hypertensive medication, can cause heart attack if suddenly stopped, important to consult a physician before stopping medication. Spironolactone, water pill, may impair thinking and concentration and is to be used in extreme caution with cirrhosis, inform doctor of any side effects that present as there are many usual
ones. The main theme here is nutrition, to eat six smaller meals a day to help with absorption and to drink fluids, and avoid salty foods that will retain unwanted water. A referral to a nutritionist is paramount as absorption and nutrition issues are present in both hepatitis C and cirrhosis of the liver. A menu plan should be planned and strictly adhered to. Plan to consult doctor for drug interactions and management of side effects, and especially when considering alternative herbal remedies. Lifestyle choices would include stopping drinking, refrain from smoking, follow dietician’s meal plans, eat six small meals a day, drink plenty of fluids, and exercise with caution for stability and mobility issues.
As a standard precaution against bodily fluids or blood borne pathogens the medical assistant and the doctor would don their personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves, face shield, and gown. Next, the medical assistant will prepare the following materials in preparation of the procedure: 1% or 2% lidocaine in a 10cc syringe/25 gauge needle, skin prep solution, #11 scalpel blade with handle, gauze, hemostat, scissors, iodoform, tape, and culture swab. After the materials have been prepped the doctor will clean the abscess with skin prep and drape the wound with sterile fenestrated drape. Anesthetic in the form of lidocaine with a 10cc syringe and 25-gauge needle will be injected around the abscess. The doctor will allow 3-5 minutes for the anesthetic to take affect before making an incision into the abscess. Once the incision is made the doctor will allow pus to ooze and drain out. While the pus is draining out, the culture swab will be inserted in to the abscess where a culture is taken so the origin of the infection is identified incase further treatment is needed. Using the hemostat the doctor will explore the abscess and continue to soak up the pus with the gauze. With a syringe and normal saline the doctor will irrigate
Hepatitis A is a usually short acting virus that occurs in humans and monkeys. It is caused by the Hepatovirus and the species is Hepatitis A Virus. There are two major ways in which Hepatitis A can be transmitted. One way is from person to person. This transmission occurs when the fecal matter of an infected person gets ingested by another person. Other ways Hepatitis A can be transmitted from person to person are through direct contact with an infected person, such as sexual contact, and sharing of needles for intravenous drug use. Hepatitis A can also be transmitted through coming in contact with contaminated food or water. Also foods that are uncooked or undercooked and have been contaminated with Hepatitis A can transmit the virus. (Bennett,
•The forty five year old patient is diagnosed with the progressive cirrhosis inflaming the liver along with the parenchymal cells. The plain symptoms is manifested primarily because of the augmentation of edema internally in the lower abdomen.
Many people believe that the only way to receive HIV and AIDS is through sexual intercourse. Although it can be spread through sexual intercourse without proper protection, there is a bigger issue at hand. Not only can HIV and AIDS be transferred through sex, it can be transferred through the sharing of needles. A large number of people forget that drugs are becoming a popular trend in today’s society. The spread of HIV and AIDS has increased because of the sharing of needles between drug users.Not only is it an STD (Sexually Transmitted Disease) it is a bloodborne pathogen. This is why needle exchange programs are a must have in communities like Licking County, today. Needle exchange programs are extremely helpful because it decreases the spread of HIV and AIDS.
Hepatitis B virus infection is caused by a DNA virus belonging to the hepadnaviridae family of viruses. Approximately 2.2 million people in the United States of America are infected with Hepatitis B virus. Many of these patients, though they appear healthy, continue to spread the virus to others. Hepatitis B virus infection can be transmitted in the following ways: contact with contaminated blood (shared needles), sexual contact, and from mother to child. Unlike Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B is not spread through food, water, or causal contact. 95% of adults who get Hepatitis B can clear the virus through their system. However the remainder of the adults go on to develop chronic hepatitis B infection. This can
The purpose of epidemiology is to better understand the burden and causes of health issues in humans. This helps decrease the risk of disease and improve health. Infectious diseases are caused by micro-organisms, transmitted to humans by humans, animals, or environment. Infectious disease usually follow a recognizable pattern. In this paper Hepatitis B also known as serum hepatitis will be discussed. Hepatitis B is a viral infection that can cause acute or chronic disease. Hepatitis B is a communicable disease. This paper will describe Hepatitis B, the demographic of interest, the determinants of health, the epidemiologic triangle, environmental factors, the role of community health nurse, and a national agency that addresses Hepatitis B.
There are some simple blood tests (secondary prevention) such as Hepatitis B Surface Antigen, and (HBSAG), and Hepatitis B Surface Antibody (HBSAB) to find out if you have been infected. There is a safe and effective vaccine such as vaccine interferon alpha, recommended for newborns, infants, and teens, provides immunity for at least five years. In addition to vaccination (primary prevention), there are other simple ways to stop the spread of Hepatitis B. These are a few examples: first avoid direct contact with blood and bodily fluids, wash hands thoroughly with soap and water after any potential exposure to blood. You also need to discard soiled items carefully into bags, avoid sharing items such as razors, nail clippers, toothbrushes, and earrings or body rings. In my opinion the most important prevention is to practice safe sex, and making sure new or sterile...
HAV is known to be an infectious disease that usually occurs in children and young adults .The disease is usually transmitted from person to person through contaminated food, liquids or oral fecal route. An example would be when someone is carrying the virus and doesn’t wash their hands after using the restroom and then puts food in their mouth. HAV is most common in developing countries because of the living conditions and inadequate water, poor sewage facilities and sanitary conditions. The highest HAV levels in the world are from India,” Earlier reports suggest that India is hyperendemic for HAV infection2,4-6 with very high infection rates,” (Sowmyanarayanan). Most HAV are without severe complications, “Virus HAV infection rarely causes fulminant hepatic failure in people…,” (Vento,p.1) . The symptoms for HAV are high fever, nausea, vomiting and jaundice...
"Preventing Exposures to Bloodborne Pathogens among Paramedics." Workplace Solutions (2010): n. pag. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. Web. 9 Feb. 2014.
Hepatitis B is a DNA viral infection that causes damage and inflammation to the liver. It was first discovered in 1965 by Dr. Baruch Blumberg. The HBV virus is very contagious and is even thought to be the most serious form of viral hepatitis and the most common viral infection on Earth. “HBV is 100 times more infectious than HIV.” (Green, 2002, pg. 7) The virus can survive for about one week outside the body on a dry surface. According to Green (2002, pg. 7), “One in twenty Americans has been infected with the virus at some point in their lives.” Between the ages of 15-39 is when 75% of new HBV infections occur, according to Green (2002, pg.8).
Hepatitis A is an acute infection of the liver that travels through your bloodstream and gastrointestinal tract (2). It is transmitted person to person through fecal contamination. Ingesting contaminated food and water is the main source, this usually occurs when an infected food handler prepares food without appropriate hand hygiene (3). Outbreaks are fairly common in institutions, prisons and military forces. An early infection of Hepatitis A can mimic the flu with symptoms such as being febrile, lethargy, nausea, anorexia, abdominal discomfort and eventually causing severe jaundice (1). This virus can progress and cause liver failure and even death if not treated promptly (3).
There is a disease spreading out in the world called Hepatitis C. It affects the liver and may cause the liver to fail. This disease is caused by a virus called Hepatitis C virus which is also known as HCV. About 32,000 people are affected with this disease per year only in the United States area. Some It’s a disease with many symptoms and many causes. of these symptoms are easy bruising, upset stomach and fever. These are just some of the many symptoms that come from the virus. Hepatitis Cs nature of the causative agent is determined by many things. The biological data of this disease is filled so much information. It is estimated that over 180 million people have gotten Hepatitis C and it is growing.
(2014) shed light on two key components for infection control, which includes protecting patients from acquiring infections and protecting health care workers from becoming infected (Curchoe et al., 2014). The techniques that are used to protect patients also provide protection for nurses and other health care workers alike. In order to prevent the spread of infections, it is important for health care workers to be meticulous and attentive when providing care to already vulnerable patients (Curchoe et al., 2014). If a health care worker is aware they may contaminate the surroundings of a patient, they must properly clean, disinfect, and sterilize any contaminated objects in order to reduce or eliminate microorganisms (Curchoe et al., 2014). It is also ideal to change gloves after contact with contaminated secretions and before leaving a patient’s room (Curchoe, 2014). Research suggests that due to standard precaution, gloves must be worn as a single-use item for each invasive procedure, contact with sterile sites, and non-intact skin or mucous membranes (Curchoe et al., 2014). Hence, it is critical that health care workers change gloves during any activity that has been assessed as carrying a risk of exposure to body substances, secretions, excretions, and blood (Curchoe et al.,
Prevention of hospital-acquired infections: review of non-pharmacological interventions. Journal of Hospital Infection, 69(3), 204-219. Revised 01/20 Haugen, N., Galura, S., & Ulrich, S. P. (2011). Ulrich & Canale's nursing care planning guides: Prioritization, delegation, and critical thinking. Maryland Heights, Mo. : Saunders/Elsevier.
...agic fever 17. The safety measures individuals can take to protect against the transmission of the disease are: