Live data from Hacker News

Viral hepatitis: A silent epidemic killing more people than HIV, malaria or TB

nature.com

51–60 of 105 posts

Re: Viral hepatitis: A silent epidemic killing more people than HIV, malaria or TB

#51

Viruses that cause hepatitis actually embed themselves WITHIN LDL Particles (the "bad" cholesterol) to transport around the body. In doing so, they hide from the immune system. APOE it turns out, the Alzheimer's gene, ALSO predicts your risk for liver cancer ...... because this is the gene that the virus binds to while assembling into the particle. Hepatitis virus infections are strongly associated with heart disease…

FYI, 23andme provides an Late-Onset Alzheimer's Disease report[1] based via the ε4 variant but does not test for a person's full APOE genotype. [1] https://you.23andme.com/reports/ghr.alzheimers/

Now I'm scared; 23andme reported that I'm at risk for Late-Onset Alzheimer's. What lifestyle changes can I make to reduce the risk of liver cancer?

Re: Viral hepatitis: A silent epidemic killing more people than HIV, malaria or TB

#52

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm involved in a study of vaccinations. One good thing I'm seeing is that many peds clinics, if you are a pure, down the line anti-vaxxer, will politely ask you to choose another provider.

I agree that pediatric practices refusing service to no-vaxers is the norm in the US. I've have a few friends who range between full on anti-vax vs being skeptical of one or two, and I’ve heard a few stories. It seems that a parent asking for their child to not receive one or two of the 20-50 vaccines the pediatrician gives by default has about a 50% chance of being kicked out of the practice. As you said, asking for…

I can't say I've actually heard this being a thing in my part of the country. However, you mentioned the following:

> (unless they moved to the area)

Why not just lie and say you just moved to this part of the city/town/state? The only downside is that they'll ask about previous records which could get you caught.

And further, what would be a potential reason for refusing to take care of a patient if you didn't follow them from week 1? I honestly can't think of one besides continuity of care.

Re: Viral hepatitis: A silent epidemic killing more people than HIV, malaria or TB

#53
I'm glad awareness is increasing. These asymptomatic viruses are so scary and probably make it trickier to diagnose and help people, let alone at scale.

I wasn't diagnosed with Hep C until my mid-20s even though I was likely born with it - it was just sheer luck I found it before living a few more decades until surprise liver failure. I hate to think of the many who might be in a similar circumstance.

Re: Viral hepatitis: A silent epidemic killing more people than HIV, malaria or TB

#54
post #26

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Hep A is a waterborne disease. If you live somewhere with proper sanitation and don't have contact with sewage you are at low risk and the funds for the vaccine are better directed elsewhere.

For about $100 every 10 years, I'd rather be safer than sorry.

That's entirely your choice. But the British NHS says that the taxpayer won't pick up the bill unless you have chronic liver problems.

Re: Viral hepatitis: A silent epidemic killing more people than HIV, malaria or TB

#55
post #51

Earlier quoted context omitted.

FYI, 23andme provides an Late-Onset Alzheimer's Disease report[1] based via the ε4 variant but does not test for a person's full APOE genotype. [1] https://you.23andme.com/reports/ghr.alzheimers/

Now I'm scared; 23andme reported that I'm at risk for Late-Onset Alzheimer's. What lifestyle changes can I make to reduce the risk of liver cancer?

Im a Phd, not an MD, but I'm currently trying to get my MD to see the light :

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/07/180712100515.h...

Re: Viral hepatitis: A silent epidemic killing more people than HIV, malaria or TB

#56

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Hepatitis rates among First Nations, Metis and Inuit are apparently significantly higher than hepatitis rates among other Canadians.

That does sound plausible. Free health care? Sure! Drinkable water? Fuck no! The only good thing you can say about Canadas treatment of it's First Nations is that we haven't recently given them small-pox filled blankets.* *that has been caught on film and verified by 300 independent labs.

We didn't give them any ever. And the only reservations that don't have drinkable water are doing it by choice. They get millions of dollars and band leaders choose to spend it on themselves instead of their communities. Stop acting like non-whites are all retarded children that white people must babysit and do everything for. The more you treat people that way, the more they act that way.

Re: Viral hepatitis: A silent epidemic killing more people than HIV, malaria or TB

#57

Tangent: The headline brings up an interesting thought.. I wonder what anti-vaxx people will do when a new scary virus emerges. Something actively and aggressively flying through the population. So much of the anti-vaxx mindset is supported by herd immunity. But when a scenario finally happens where herd immunity is compromised.. It'll be interesting to see how the vaccination discussion plays out. edit : The downvot…

Maybe this is too off topic for here but I have always wondered why people are so angry at Anti-Vaxx people? Yes... the compromise our Herd Immunity, but don't they also serve as a "Canary in The Coal Mine", risking their own health so that the human genome can keep battling with and evolving natural defenses against disease?

Vaccinations are not always effective, nor are they permanent. They are a statistical firebreak against an epidemic. Think of vaccinations like transistors. They are modelled as 1 (vaccinated, won't get sick) or 0 (unvaccinated), but that's not the reality. The reality is very few people have an immunity level of 1.0 (won't get sick) on that scale even after vaccination, and some of those who do seem completely immune are that way because their immune system is particularly good at making a particular disease asymptomatic, not (necessarily) because they were vaccinated.

You can still get infected even if you were vaccinated recently. Many vaccinations lose effectiveness after a decade or two at most. Most adults (who are less affluent/wealthy or who don't travel) don't get re-vaccinated for most things because they're at lower risk. The highest risk is in places like preschool, daycare, grade school and college with lots of people in close proximity, and some poor hygiene mixed in.

And hospitals and doctors offices.

Anti-vaxx parents put everyone else at disproportional risk, because children are a prime infection distribution hub for all kinds of contagious diseases.

Re: Viral hepatitis: A silent epidemic killing more people than HIV, malaria or TB

#58

Tangent: The headline brings up an interesting thought.. I wonder what anti-vaxx people will do when a new scary virus emerges. Something actively and aggressively flying through the population. So much of the anti-vaxx mindset is supported by herd immunity. But when a scenario finally happens where herd immunity is compromised.. It'll be interesting to see how the vaccination discussion plays out. edit : The downvot…

Maybe this is too off topic for here but I have always wondered why people are so angry at Anti-Vaxx people? Yes... the compromise our Herd Immunity, but don't they also serve as a "Canary in The Coal Mine", risking their own health so that the human genome can keep battling with and evolving natural defenses against disease?

Young child affected by leuchemia can't go to school nowadays in Italy, because they risk being infected by anti-vaxxers'child and risk their life

Re: Viral hepatitis: A silent epidemic killing more people than HIV, malaria or TB

#59
post #52

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I agree that pediatric practices refusing service to no-vaxers is the norm in the US. I've have a few friends who range between full on anti-vax vs being skeptical of one or two, and I’ve heard a few stories. It seems that a parent asking for their child to not receive one or two of the 20-50 vaccines the pediatrician gives by default has about a 50% chance of being kicked out of the practice. As you said, asking for…

I can't say I've actually heard this being a thing in my part of the country. However, you mentioned the following: > (unless they moved to the area) Why not just lie and say you just moved to this part of the city/town/state? The only downside is that they'll ask about previous records which could get you caught. And further, what would be a potential reason for refusing to take care of a patient if you didn't follo…

I'm guessing it's a malpractice concern. All kinds of things can happen in the first week that aren't visible until a few years later. Who's to blame? The pediatrician who has been taking care of the child for 99% of their life... except for the first critical week...

Re: Viral hepatitis: A silent epidemic killing more people than HIV, malaria or TB

#60
post #52

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I can't say I've actually heard this being a thing in my part of the country. However, you mentioned the following: > (unless they moved to the area) Why not just lie and say you just moved to this part of the city/town/state? The only downside is that they'll ask about previous records which could get you caught. And further, what would be a potential reason for refusing to take care of a patient if you didn't follo…

I'm guessing it's a malpractice concern. All kinds of things can happen in the first week that aren't visible until a few years later. Who's to blame? The pediatrician who has been taking care of the child for 99% of their life... except for the first critical week...

Not sure I understand. If you're even less likely to be at blame since you weren't even there for those "critical" days, I would imagine there'd be less liability.
Post reply on HN