Drug Abuse and Possible Hepatitis Essay

Patient HL comes into the clinic with the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, and

diarrhea. The patient has a history of drug abuse and possible Hepatitis C. HL is

currently taking the following prescription drugs:Drug Abuse and Possible Hepatitis Essay

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Synthroid 100 mcg daily
Nifedipine 30 mg daily
Prednisone 10 mg daily
Please make sure to follow the instructions listed in your Week 4 Module:

By Day 7 of Week 4
Write a 1-page paper that addresses the following:

Explain your diagnosis for the patient, including your rationale for the diagnosis.
Describe an appropriate drug therapy plan based on the patient’s history, diagnosis, and drugs currently prescribed.
Justify why you would recommend this drug therapy plan for this patient. Be specific and provide examples  Drug Abuse and Possible Hepatitis Essay

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate that there are around 6,700 new hepatitis A infections each year in the United States.

Overall, the number of U.S. cases has declined during the past 20 years — largely due to immunization — but outbreaks do sometimes occur.

Hepatitis A usually transmits through contaminated food or water. It is common in many countries, especially those that do not have effective sanitation systems.

Symptoms include:

jaundice
abdominal pain
nausea
low appetite
However, many people do not experience symptoms at all. Those who do usually make a full recovery within a few weeks to several months. After this, they have immunity to it. Children under 6 years do not usually show any symptoms.

In rare cases, hepatitis A can be fatal. However, there are safe and effective vaccines that protect against this virus.

Treatment
There is no cure for hepatitis A, but treatment can help manage symptoms. Avoiding alcohol can help with recovery, but most people recover without intervention.Drug Abuse and Possible Hepatitis Essay

Learn more about hepatitis A here.

Hepatitis B
Infection with hepatitis B is usually acute, or short-term, but it can become chronic — especially in children.

Long-term complications, such as liver cancer or cirrhosis, can affect around 15–25% of people with chronic hepatitis B. There is no cure, but treatment can help manage the condition.

The CDC estimate that in the U.S., around 862,000 people are currently living with hepatitis B.Drug Abuse and Possible Hepatitis Essay

The virus can transmit through:

having unprotected sexual intercourse
sharing needles
having a tattoo with unsterilized needles
sustaining accidental skin pricks with medical equipment
sharing personal items, such as a toothbrush or razor
breastfeeding, if the mother has the virus
The symptoms are similar to those of other types of hepatitis. They include abdominal pain and jaundice.

A safe and effective vaccine is available that can protect people from hepatitis B infection. The number of cases has fallen dramatically in countries where the vaccine is available.

Treatment
There is no cure for hepatitis B, but supportive care can help manage symptoms. In cases of chronic illness, a doctor may prescribe antiviral medication, and they will monitor the liver regularly to check for damage over time.

A person should also avoid alcohol during treatment and recovery.

Learn more about hepatitis B here.

Hepatitis C
Hepatitis C is a blood-borne virus that usually transmits through sharing needles or other drug-related equipment.

Other people who may be at risk include healthcare workers who handle sharps and children whose mothers have the virus.Drug Abuse and Possible Hepatitis Essay

It can be a short-term condition, but up to 85% of people will develop a chronic, long-term infection.

A person may have no symptoms, and around half of people living with the virus do not know they have it. They may transmit it to another person without realizing it.

The CDC estimate that there are around 44,300 new cases of hepatitis C each year, and that around 2.4 million people are currently living with this virus in the U.S. The number has been growing since 2010.

Treatment
In around 25% of people, the body will eliminate the virus over time. In others, however, it can remain in the body and become chronic.

According to the CDC, a doctor will not treat hepatitis C unless chronic hepatitis develops. Then, they may prescribe a course of oral medication for 8–12 weeks, after which 9 out of 10 people will no longer have symptoms.

Combination therapy can eliminate the virus in some people with certain strains of the virus.

As with other types of hepatitis, people who have hepatitis C should avoid alcohol.

Learn more about hepatitis C here.Drug Abuse and Possible Hepatitis Essay

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Symptoms
Many people with hepatitis experience either mild or no symptoms. If symptoms do appear, they can do so 2 weeks to 6 months after infection. This applies to all types of hepatitis.

Acute hepatitis
During the acute, or initial, phase of a hepatitis infection, a person might experience symptoms similar to those of mild flu, including:

fatigue
pale stools
a loss of appetite and weight
a fever
muscle or joint aches
nausea and vomiting
abdominal pain
jaundice, or a yellowing of the eyes
itchy skin
malaise, or a general feeling of being unwell
The acute phase is not usually dangerous, but chronic infection and severe liver complications can develop over time. These can take decades to appear.

A person with chronic hepatitis may experience progressive liver failure, which can include the following symptoms:Drug Abuse and Possible Hepatitis Essay

jaundice
swelling of the lower extremities
confusion
blood in the feces or vomit Drug Abuse and Possible Hepatitis Essay