A 'silent epidemic' no longer

[Guest guest]

07/02/06

A 'silent epidemic' no longer

A military veteran. A young son. A homeless man. From all walks of life, these Southwest Florida residents may never meet each other. But there is a common thread that binds them -- and hundreds of others in this area -- that is slowly destroying their peace of mind, their liver and eventually their lives. These voices of the 'silent epidemic' -- hepatitis C -- are silent no longer. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has called hepatitis C the most common chronic bloodborne viral infection in the United States. To date, while there are treatments that can cure the disease, there is no known vaccine. Hepatitis C is a virus that causes disease in the liver. But another real danger is that it is contagious. People who become infected with hepatitis C can go for many years before showing symptoms, so they unknowingly can pass the disease to others through blood contact.

'I've sentenced people to death' Leonard Leary is a 62-year-old Port Charlotte resident and military veteran. He discovered he had hepatitis C after he donated blood in 1992. "I received a letter from the Red Cross telling me to not donate anymore and seek medical attention," he said. "As near as I can figure, I got hepatitis C through a blood transfusion, a bar fight or the razors I shared while I was in the Navy. It's hard to isolate something that happened 20 years ago." But the news of his diagnosis struck a much deeper cord with Leary, because before receiving that letter, he used to donate blood regularly. He estimates he had given 16 pints over the years before receiving the letter. "It's not something I did intentionally, but it plays on my mind," he said. "Now I have to live day in and day out with the knowledge that I've sentenced at least 16 people to death. And that hurts." The important thing the CDC stresses is that the disease is spread primarily through the direct exposure to the infected blood. There has been no evidence, for example, of the disease being transmitted via a tattoo or a mosquito bite. Dr. ph Goggin, a physician with the Charlotte County Health Department, if someone thinks they might have the disease to get tested as soon as possible. "Because the symptoms occur very late, the disease has already taken over the body," he said. "Testing should be an immediate consideration."

Learning to live with it Kesner moved back home to Port Charlotte recently. He was 23 when he contracted hepatitis C through a blood transfusion during a back surgery in Nevada in 1994. Now 35, he is once again being watched over by his parents, and Janice. "His symptoms started about two or three years after the surgery," explained. Eventually, was admitted to a nursing home in Reno. His parents flew out to visit him four times in 11 months before they made the decision to bring him home. "We couldn't stand to see him being in a hospital bed," said. He went on to stress the seriousness of the disease. "People just don't realize how serious hepatitis C is. He's very ill. It's something people should not fool with." But while they admit it gets rough at times to care for him, they wouldn't consider anything else. "You've got to learn how to live with it," said.

Hepatitis council Earlier this year, the newly created Florida Viral Hepatitis Council held its inaugural meeting in Tampa. This council was convened to encourage and promote the combined efforts of dedicated, skilled people and organizations to reduce the growing burden of viral hepatitis on Floridians, their families, and communities. The 20-member council includes representation from the community, private health care, public health, corrections, academic institutions, drug treatment and other areas. One of the members of the council is Debra , the director of the Chance Center in St. sburg. She is also the president of the Tampa Bay Hepatitis and Liver Disease group and a five-year survivor of a liver transplant from the complications of hepatitis C. "The Chance Center targets the working uninsured, and is totally volunteer, from the doctors and nurses to the office help, which keeps the costs down," said. "Hepatitis can be cured if it is caught early." The price of lab work is high, said, running about $750. Currently there are 24 people being treated at the center, and the success rate is at 90 percent. But the need is still there. "Just today by noon, I have received 11 phone calls from people who have been diagnosed that need help," she said.

Help hard to find The Florida Department of Health released information in May on the progress of the disease in the state. "Even though the estimated number of new infections per year in the United States has declined from an average of 230,000 in the 1980s to about 25,000 in 2001, it is important to know that there is no vaccine to prevent hepatitis C infection," Department of Health Deputy State Health Officer Bonnie Sorensen, M.D., M.B.A. said in a press release. "Individuals can protect themselves from exposure by knowing how to avoid the virus." Leary does his part by communication. "I tell everyone that might be handling my blood that I have hepatitis C," he said. "Everyone. I take it that seriously." Treatment for the disease is expensive. Once diagnosed, even an 11-month treatment program in Charlotte County is estimated to cost about $30,000. For those needing a liver transplant, the costs can exceed $500,000. There is money that is provided throughout state to cover the testing and vaccinations for all the hepatitis diseases -- A, B and C -- but since there is no known vaccine for hepatitis C, the funding is used for testing of the disease and monitoring those already diagnosed. That gave Flohrer of Port Charlotte little hope. A 46-year-old homeless man, he found out he had the disease after he donated blood. "Until recently, I was under the idea that it was something I would have to live with," he said. "I would like to stay here in Charlotte County, so I guess I'll wait until something happens here." Which is what makes Dr. Mark Asperilla want to move into action.

Making strides "The state just wants to diagnose them, but not treat them," Asperilla said of hepatitis patients in Florida. "There are a lot of working-class people that have the disease here. I want to give them a chance to be treated." On Tuesday, Asperilla stated his case before the Charlotte County Commission, and requested $50,000 to get a medical clinic started. The money would cover the costs of utilities, equipment and clinic supplies. According to Asperilla, the hepatitis C to AIDS ratio in the county is 4 to 1. Though commissioners agreed with Asperilla's proposal Tuesday, the board decided he should submit a written report that outlines his proposal and how the funds would be used. Asperilla said he was also told by Charlotte County Health Department Director Steve Mitnick that a clinic for hepatitis treatment is available at the health department. "I see the need of the community and I try to harness the energy of the community," Asperilla said. "I'm doing this for them."

Looking ahead In 2004, Hurricane Charley blew through and scattered the members of the Charlotte County Hepatitis C support group. The current president of the group is Coburn. Asperilla is working with Coburn to bring more people to the current group. The Kesners are currently in the process of placing on a donor list for a new liver. "It's a very lengthy process," said. "We've been to Tampa twice already. We have to get through the pretests and the tests before they even consider you for a transplant." 's mother stresses the importance of being tested early. "The sooner that you catch it," Janice said, "the better your chances are." Leary, however, has refused to sign up for the donor list. He is in the final stages of the disease. "My time is almost up," he said. "I've outlived this illness this long, and there are people out there younger than me that need a liver more." "I'll fight this disease with my last breath, and face my god when I'm done."

The Charlotte County Health Department clinics: * Punta Gorda: 514 E. Grace St. Open Mondays through Fridays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call 941-639-1181. * Port Charlotte: 3280 Tamiami Trail, Promenades Mall, Suite 27. Open Mondays through Fridays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call 941-255-7424. * Englewood: 6868 San Casa Road. Open Mondays through Fridays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call 941-474-3248.

The DeSoto County Health Department: * 34 S. Baldwin Ave. Open Mondays through Fridays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call 863-993-4601.

Learn more at: www.cdc.gov www.doh.state.fl.us and select hepatitis from the pull down menu.

By the numbers 348 cases reported in Sarasota County in 2005.

1 case reported in DeSoto County in 2005.

20-30 years is the length of time a person can go without showing symptoms.

55-85 percent of cases might develop long-term infection.

70 percent might develop chronic liver disease.

1-5 percent might die from the consequences of long-term infection.

30,000 dollars is the estimated cost for one year of treatment.

500,000 dollars is the cost of a liver transplant.

-- Information obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Florida Department of Health, and the Charlotte County Health Department.

You can e-mail Dawn Krebs at feelingfit@....

By DAWN KREBS Feeling Fit Editor

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