Swain sees Hepatitis B cases skyrocket
The Swain County Health Department is concerned about the number of Hepatitis B cases confirmed in 2015.
In a report to the county commissioners, Clinical Services Director Amber Frost said the health department had 21 reported cases of Hepatitis B in 2015 compared to only two in 2014.
“We’re worried about it, and the state is also worried about it,” she said. “Once you get it, you have it forever. There’s not a lot that can be done, so prevention is a big thing.”
The reality is if Swain County Health Department saw 21 cases in 2015, there are probably many more cases that are going unreported. Frost added that Hepatitis B can also be passed from mother to baby.
“Most people don’t know they have it so they can pass along to others,” she said. “People only go to the ER when they’re sick, so they’re passing it around without knowing. There’s no telling how many cases go unreported.”
Unfortunately, Frost said there is probably a strong correlation between the increase in Hepatitis cases and the drug problems plaguing Swain and other communities.
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Hepatitis B is a liver infection caused by the Hepatitis B virus. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Hep B is transmitted when blood, semen, or another body fluid from a person infected with the Hepatitis B virus enters the body of someone who is not infected. This can happen through sexual contact; sharing needles, syringes, or other drug-injection equipment; or from mother to baby at birth.
The virus can affect people differently — some people have an acute, or short-term, illness but others can get a long-term, chronic infection. Risk for chronic infection is related to age at infection. The CDC reports that about 90 percent of infected infants become chronically infected, compared with 2 to 6 percent of adults. Chronic Hepatitis B can lead to serious health issues, like cirrhosis or liver cancer.
Since it is considered a sexually transmitted disease, Frost said the subject can be considered taboo, but it’s important information people need to protect themselves.
“It’s a touchy subject, but we need to have a conversation about it,” she said. “We need to educate the public.”
Most children under age 5 and newly infected adults show no symptoms, but 30 to 50 percent of people over the age of 5 have initial signs and symptoms within an average of 90 days after exposure. Symptoms can include fever, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, dark urine, jaundice, abdominal pain, point pain or clay colored bowel movements.
According to the CDC, chronic HBV infection results in an estimated 2,000 to 4,000 deaths per year in the United States. There are several antiviral medications for persons with chronic infection but there is no cure. The good news is there is a vaccine to prevent the Hepatitis virus and it is offered at the health department.
To make an appointment to get a vaccine or be tested for Hepatitis B, call the Swain Health Department at 828.488.3198.
