PA Sexual Health Clinic spreads word about Hepatitis

Crawford said that those who have been infected with Hepatitis C may not even realize it for many years because of its slow progressive nature.

“Generally a lot of people when they’re newly infected or if they’ve been infected chronically for many years, they don’t have a lot of symptoms,” said Crawford. “If they do they may complain of general fatigue, sometimes periodic fever, muscle pain, joint pain, nausea, stomach problems, they may also complain of dry or itchy skin.”

As Hepatitis C attacks the liver, many infected may start to see symptoms like dark urine or yellowing of the skin, which is known as jaundice, according to Crawford.
She added that not dealing with the virus may lead to liver failure.

Crawford said newer treatments have become available.

“We’re starting to get used to the word 'cure,' because of the treatments that are coming. There are treatments available right now, the medications that we use are pegylated interferon and a ribavirin combination,” said Crawford. “Depending on the genome type we may have to add new medications to the regime to increase the chances of successful treatment. Depending on what type of genome type you have we were seeing with genome one, old treatments you would be looking at a course of treatment for approximately 48 weeks or longer with success rates of maybe 50 to 55 percent.”

She added newer treatments are adding better success rates of up to 85 percent.

Crawford said that contracting one of the three types of genomes of Hepatitis C depends on the genome the affected person has that the virus is transmitted from, adding that genome one is the primary genome seen in Prince Albert, and the most virulent of the three.

Crawford said that diagnosis and treatment can be done discreetly through the Sexual Health Clinic.

The idea of Hepatitis C and comes with the stigma that the infected person should be avoided.

Prince Albert resident Janna Dickinson has Hepatitis C and said she deals with that stigma on a daily basis.

“I work at an organization that focuses on helping people with HIV and Hep C, that’s a main focus of the care model that we’re putting out here,” said Dickinson. “For some reason I don’t walk around being vocal that I have Hep C.

You kind of feel that shame, because society kind of ingrains that into you that you’re different and there’s something wrong with you and you’re not as good in that way.”

Dickinson said that she contracted the virus through sharing needles for drug use while living on the streets.

Now, she has used that early mistake in her life to help others affected by both HIV and Hep C.

“I started doing some peer work through the youth services bureau of Ottawa,” said Dickinson. “I got to do some harm reduction work; we would do presentations around the city to social work students, we would do panel discussions at the University of Ottawa to 300 people.”

Dickinson listed a number of other organizations, panels and protests she was involved in relating to injection drug use.

“From there I was able to evolve from not working as a peer position but actually as a worker,” said Dickinson.
Since moving to Prince Albert, she was able to find a job with the Sexual Health Clinic to assist those living with HIV and Hepatitis C to find housing.

“I moved to Prince Albert with my partner, and I do roller derby and I ended up meeting with my now co-worker,” said Dickinson. “We started a discussion about harm reduction and one thing lead to another.”

Dickinson said she just recently started her treatment for Hepatitis C and is moving forward in her treatments, primarily due to support from her partner.

She added she has worked with other services in the area to run a BBQ this coming Tuesday in relation to World Hepatitis Day.

“We’re hosting a BBQ in support of International Hep C awareness day,” said Dickinson. “We will be serving food from 12-1 and then the remainder of the time will be filled with info booths and activities and games, and just some general education pieces but in an exciting way.”

Crawford said that those dealing with IV related drug issues can always visit the Sexual Health Clinic or Addictions Clinic for testing, counseling and they also provide clean needles and spoons.

The BBQ is in connection between the Sexual Health Clinic and the PA Metis Women's Association. If you're interested in attending the BBQ will run between 12 and 4 p.m.

Staff will be on hand to answer questions and they will be taking donations as well

All are invited to attend.

jbowler@panow.com

On Twitter: @journalistjim

by James Bowler

PA Sexual Health Clinic spreads word about Hepatitis

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