TYZEKA™ (telbivudine): Newly Approved treatment for Chronic Hepatitis B

Another chronic Hepatitis B drug treatment option is now out in the market for use among approriate clients. Novartis was so excited to inform the public of the US Food and Drug Admnistration's FDA's approval for the novel drug telbivudine, also known as TYZEKA™.

TYZEKA™ woks on like other antiviral drugs which suppresses the multiplication of Hepa B viruses in the blood which characteristically infects liver cells. Hepatitis B virus damages this organ of the body which leads to scarring (cirrhosis) and eventually liver cancer and death.

This drug was specifically seen to be very effective in inhibiting viral replication within the next 24 weeks of initial treatment while also noted for its decreased side effects. The degree of tolerability may run from mild to moderate compared to the traditional lamivudine (another anti-hepa b virus drug).

Novartis is on among the best pharmaceuticals companies worldwide and is known to develop medicines related to Neuroscience, Infectious Diseases, Ophtalmics, Bone-Arthritis, Oncology, Hematology and Cardiovascular diseases and metabolism, etc.

For more information, please visit Novartis.com.

Hepatitis B: More Infectious than HIV

It is a fact that hepatitis is 100 times more infectious than HIV and this is the same reason why governments all over the globe are doing all they can to curb the growing numbers of people being infected by Hepatitis B virus and its variants. To date, more than 600,000 million people are infected by Hepatitis B.

Vaccine

More than 60% of the population do not know that hepatitis B is a vaccine-preventable disease. The United States have developed a plan to fully eradicate Hepatitis B through a comprehensive vaccination program to protect all uninfected citizens from this debilitating disease.

A YouGov study indicatest that more than 89% of people are not aware that Hepatitis B can cause liver cancer and cirrhosis. Hepatitis causes cancer by infecting liver cells and disrupt their normal replication and healing process. This disruption, if not thwarted, will lead to lifelong liver cirrhosis (scarring of the liver) and hepatocellular carcinoma (cancer disease of the liver).

Education, medical support, research for cure and treatment and vaccination among all uninfected population are the key to the total eradication of the disease. Let us urge our government to finally set a radical change to our government's priorities in order to help our friends and families who are affected by this highly infectious illness.

Yes for life! Yes for cure! Eradicate Hepatitis B now!

Pennsylvania Biotechnology Center of Bucks County

I was impressed by the creation of the first Biotechnology Center in the United States at the State of Pennsylvania. This research facility was built with the initiative of the Hepatitis B foundation and Delaware Valley College in order to respond to the growing needs of the country and the world regarding the nature of some diseases, including hepatitis B and ultimately work on their cures.

While I must say that the Philippine government has platforms for creating a proper avenue to properly educate people about the horrors of hepatitis, it seemed not effective owing to lack of funding and poor plan execution among local officials.

The Philippines has a lot of talents which can contribute to the rising need for professionls in the field of pathology and biotechnology but are poorly utilized due to the government's inappropriate focus for its priorities. Sad but true; real brain drain.

Genetically Modified Virus: Cure for Hepatits B

University of Witwatersrand, a leading university in Johannesburg, South Africa have found a new way to combat the spread of hepatitis B virus from replicating and potentially increasing the susceptibility of the liver for further damage from this infectious disease.

The traditional way of treating hepatitis B infection is through the use of antiretroviral drugs (ARVs). Due to relative cost of these drug treatments, countries, specially those that belong to the Third World, are unable to meet the needed supply of their population that are currently battling this highly infectious virus.

Adenovirus and RNA interference (RNAi)

Viruses normally found inside the human body, adenoviruses, were found to be a very important experimental subjects in the pursuit of a cure for hepatitis B. Adenoviruses are normally found in the human body and do not cause any health injury.

A new technique in genetic engineering, called RNA interference, aims to terminate the usual process of gene replication among virus and cancer cells.

It was found out that the introduction of RNA interference in the genetic library of adenoviruses modifies the virus to become helpful in using combating gene replication among HBV particles living inside liver cells (hepatocytes).

Genetically modified adenoviruses enters the liver cells that are infected with hepatitis B virus and halts their reproductive ability. This in turn debilitates the virus and destroys them along the process.

Sergio Carmona and his colleagues at the University of Witwatersrand in South Africa are spearheading this promising study and hopes to begin the preliminary human trial really soon after a successful mice experimental trial which shows up to 90% hepa b virus clearance in the human blood and the liver cells.

The conference held in Chiba, Japan, 2006 Conference of International Society for Cell & Gene Therapy of Cancer, announces this new hope for a more robust treatment or possible cure for hepatitis B virus.

For more information, please visit SciDev.net. Let's keep our fingers crossed and hope for the best for this will definitely help our families and friends who have loved ones who are infected by this virus.

I am African: A Cause for a Global Fight Against HIV/AIDS

HIV/AIDS is a worldwide pandemic that deserves attention and action from each and everyone of us. A concerted action using education and correcting behavior that may put you and your lovedones at risk of infection and a means (antiretroviral drugs for example) to fight and prevent the disease from spreading across nations is paramount.

What is HIV/AIDS?

Human Immunodeficiencey Virus (HIV) is a virus that causes Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). AIDS only manifest in person with HIV if the immune system of such person completely collapsed to the point that even organisms that would normally not cause serious disease to healthy person may turn out to be life-threatening.

HIV attacks specific whiteblood cell (CD4 +T Cells) that plays a very important role in immunity. The continous death of CD4+ T cells is fast enough before the entire body can even start producing a newer batch of these cells. The special designation in CD4+ would mean that these types of cells contain special receptors to where the HIV virus attach, enters the cell and starts manipulating the cell's reprodutive machinery (taking control of its DNA reproduction process).

When the number of CD4 +T Cells falls to a specific level, the infected individual may start exhibiting some of the symptoms of AIDS.

Current Statistics

There are currently more than 40 million documented cases of people living with HIV/AIDS according to a 2006 Report on the global AIDS epidemic. The number is a rough estimate of the number of people who have previously been tested and marked positive for the existence of the infectious virus in their body.

Due to the stigma brought about by the media exposure of HIV/AIDS, more and more people refuses to get tested thus making the global fight for HIV/AIDS, not completely successful.

I am African

Keep a Child Alive foundation is a global fight to help Africa curb the increasing number of HIV/AIDS orphans and help fund the budget that would be needed for the production of enough Antiretroviral drugs to treat the population infected with HIV and people exhibiting AIDS symptoms.

Let's act together and be part of this cause! A cause for treatment and cure!

Julius

I am African: Keep A Child Alive
How does HIV cause AIDS?

Razorblades and Toothbrushes May Transmit Hepatitis B Virus

The 46th Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy probed on the possibility of Hepatitis B infection with the use of equipments that can come in contact with blood such as razorblades, toothbrushes, etc.

In a surveillance research conducted on barber shops in Turkey, it was found out that "hepatitis B DNA was detected on almost 8% of the razors collected". This fact highlighted another possibility of transmission route of Hepatitis B and other strains.

Furthermore, the conference stresses "the importance of not sharing household objects such as razors toothbrushes, and nail clippers, as this can create the possibility for transmission (Can Razor Blades Transmit Hepatitis B Virus?: HIVandHepatitis.com)

I am particulary wary on the possibility of HBV transmission in the Philippines for a lot of local barber shops and salons offering haircut and manicure/pedicure services are not aware on the health dangers that used razorblades can bring to all of their customers. I just hope that local officials would make the initial move to draft a resolution or city ordinance to stop the practice of using used razorblades and sterilize manicure/pedicure articles before using them to their customers.

Below are just some of the most preventive measures against Hepatitis B infection which are taken from Hepatitis B Organization.

Hepatitis B is a vaccine-preventable disease. There is a safe and effective vaccine to protect infants, children and adults from hepatitis B. Billions of doses have been given worldwide. Learn more.

All sex partners, family and close household members of a chronically infected person should be screened and vaccinated. Reassure patients and families that hepatitis B is not casually transmitted - it is spread through blood, not by coughing, sneezing, hugging or sharing food.

Additional Prevention Measures
In addition to vaccination, there are other simple ways to help stop the spread of hepatitis B:

• Wash your hands thoroughly after any potential exposure
• Practice safe sex with all partners
• Avoid direct contact with blood and bodily fluids
• Clean up blood spills with a fresh diluted bleach solution
• Cover all cuts carefully
• Avoid sharing sharp items such as razors, nail clippers, toothbrushes, and earrings or body rings
• Discard sanitary napkins and tampons into plastic bags
• Avoid illegal street drugs (injecting, inhaling, snorting, popping pills)
• Do not donate blood or body organs
• Make sure new, sterile needles are used for ear or body piercing, tattoos, and acupuncture

For more information, please visit the following refrence websites:

HIVandHepatitis.com
Hepatitis B Organization


Julius

Antiretroviral Therapy for Patients with HIV-HBV Coinfection

It was shown that people who have Hepatitis B virus-HIV (HBV-HIV) coinfection have a greater chances of developing advanced liver disease than those who only have monoinfections. Also, it was shown that HIV patients who have acuted HBV infection have lesser chances of recovery, that is, removing the virus from the system.

In an excerpt from HIVandHepatitis.com , it reads:

HIV-infected adults with acute HBV infection are less likely to eliminate the virus compared with HIV negative adults (23% vs 4%). Without hepatitis B treatment, HIV-HBV coinfected patients have higher HBV DNA levels and a longer duration of viremia, but may have lower transaminase (liver enzyme) levels compared with HBV monoinfected patients. HIV-HBV coinfected individuals also have a higher rate of liver-related morbidity than persons with either virus alone.

What makes transaminase important in the determination of liver infection along with its health is discussed briefly in the article in Wikipedia below:

The biochemical hub of the body, the liver, has a variety of transaminases to synthesize and break down amino acids and to interconvert energy storage molecules. The concentrations of these in the serum (the non-cellular portion of blood) are normally low. However, if the liver is damaged, the hepatocyte cell membrane becomes more permeable and some of the enzymes leak out into the blood stream.

While it is very important that both infection should be treated accordingly, the type of treatment should be based on individual need and current health situation. Symptoms that are currently manifesting should be treated first before looking into other possible factors that as, I quote,

* the need for combination antiretroviral therapy for HIV
* severity of liver disease
* likelihood of treatment response, and
* potential adverse events

For more information, please click on the Post Title Link to lead you to the website source. Thank you.

Julius

Hepatitis B as a precondiction for Education, Employment , etc.

In a news just recently posted over the web, a school in China has discrimiated at least 19 students for the sole reason of carrying Hepatitis B virus. Urumqi, Xinjiang's capital, issued a city ordinance regarding banning the provision of education to students (and other people) who are afflicted by the disease.

Although the reason for banning the students from attenting school is to protect the other student's interest, it is still not universally acceptable to use existing Hepa B infection as a precondition for receiving education and employment. This is something that every government all over the globe should be focusing on and start drafting laws that should stop the
discrimatory pratice of banning individuals who are infected with this virus.

Hepatitis B virus is an infectious virus that is spread through the following activities:

• Sexual contact
• Sharing needles among drug users
• From mother to baby during childbirth
• Exposure to sharp objects that are used in Hepa B lab testing, etc.

The virus is not spread through normal day-to-day or casual activities like sharing eating and drinking utensils, sneezing, shaking hands, hugging, etc.

The effective prevention against Hepatitis B is abstinence, loyalty to your sexual partner and yet the most effective is vaccination.

Vaccination provides a high level of protection for people who are well exposed to the virus. It prevents them from developing serious liver complications out of the infection from it. People from the risk group (those who have a greater chances of acquiring the disease due to exposure) are required to receive vaccination.

For more information about vaccination, please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Julius

Lower Blood Cholesterol for HIV patients with HCV co-infection

In the 46th Annual Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy it has been discussed that there is a relationship between reduced possibility of hyperlipidaemia (increased cholesterol) for HIV patients who are coinfected with hepatitis C virus due to regular intake of Anti-retroviral drugs (ART).

Among the 1034 patients who took part in the study, where 729 are HIV infected and 305 are co-infected with HCV and are taking interteron anti-retroviral drug, there was significantly lesser possibility of elevated cholesterol levels in blood and are on a manageable level. HIV patients and are not co-infected by HCV and are not taking ART are seen to have elevated cholesterol level.

For more information please visit AIDSMap for additional information on HIV antiretroviral-related hyperlipidaemia is mitigated by HCV co-infection.

Julius

Hepatitis: A Liver to Live

Perhaps, the liver is considered to be one of the most important organ of the body. Its primary role is connected to digestion or the metabolism of nutrients taken from food. The hormonal secretions of the liver are enough to support most of more than 500 life functions that this wonderful organ can accomplish.

Below are just some of the most important functions of the Liver organ:

1. Secretes bile, a substance that helps dissolve fats
2. Stores and secretest glycogen, a sugar molecule stored being stored by the liver.
3. Activates enzymes in order for them to perform their various chemical functions
4. Detoxification of hamrful material that is present in the blood.
5. Helps in the creation or synthesis of blood clotting factors, a very important plasma protein, etc.

The liver can lose its optimal effectiveness in performing these critical functions if it is abused and not taken care of properly. Eating foods that are not healthy and contains toxic substances and coloring could damage the liver.

Drinking and smoking are also factors in irriversible liver destruction. Diseases of the liver, including bacterial and viral hepatitis can also cause the liver to breakdown and lose some of its vital functions.

Individuals afflicted with Hepatitis, especially Hepatitis B virus, are advised to take regular checkups in order know the condition of the liver and provide recommendations on the type of medication they need to take.

Maximum surveillance on the number of people afflicted and assessment on the progression of the hepatitis B virus in the body is particularly important so that the public will be educated on how they can protect themselves and take care of their health and take treatments that will help them slow down the virus and eliminate some of its harsh physical consequences.

For more information, please visit The American Liver Foundation's at www.liverfoundation.org.
Packet online also provides website that can help you find a liver specialist in your area. Liver specliaists at Princeton Healthcare System carries certifications in diagnosing and providing treatment for patients who are afflicted with Hepatitis virus and its strains. Please visit www.princetonhcs.org for more information or cal them directly at (888) 742-7496.

Julius

Asians Badly Hit By Hepatitis B

People in Asia are the ones who are most affected by the pandemic Hepatitis B infection. In china alone, around 300,000 Chinese people are being infected every year by this deadly liver virus.

In a recent forum conducted by some members of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Chinese Academy of Engineering in China have gathered in order to debate on the most effective preventive measures against the disease and possible treatment to be given to those who are already infected.

It is estimated that more than 120 million Chinese citizens are infected with this deadly virus and more and more people are being infected at a rate of 9.7 percent each year. The two societies collaborating in this effort are expecting the rate to decrease by 2 to 3 percent by the year 2010.

For more information, please click visit the news here.

Julius

World Hepatitis Awareness Day 2006

October 1 was marked as the World Hepatitis Awareness Day 2006 and it is during this time that hepatitis patient association worldwide promotes awareness to the growing population of individuas who are infected by this deadly disease.

It is but true that more than 600 million people worldwide are infected by the disease and more and more people are not aware that they are infected which may possibly reach 1.2 Billion. Although the call for an international venture on the hepatitis research has been successful, the development of a more potent drugs for the treatment and possibly, cure for hepatitis has not yet been done.

There are possibly a lot of hindrances to the development of an effective plan towards the eradication of hepatitis around the globe and some are I have listed below:

1. Economic Condition. Lack of Funding for the education and provision of treatment for people who have Hepatitis B in a certain country or area,
2. Personal Objection towars Vaccines. Some are not convinced on the effectiveness of hepatitis vaccines that are available for use.
3. Ineffective Program Planning of Governments Worldwide

Today is hightime for everybody to know what hepatitis is and how you can prevent yourself from being infected and how you can possibly protect your loved ones if already infected with the disease.

Vaccine still remans the best preventive measures agaisnt hepatitis infection although there are no availble vacciens for some species of hepatitis.

If you would like to know more information about hepatitis and ways on how you can prevent yourself from being infected, please visit the following websites below.

Hepatitis: Centers for Disease Control
Hepatitis: World Health Organization

Julius