Hepatitis: A Pandemic Predicament
Hepatitis: A Pandemic Predicament
NUR/426
April 26, 2011 Hepatitis: A Pandemic Predicament
Viral hepatitis could be considered a disease of “antiquity” when Hippocrates described his infectious icterus findings 2400 years ago (Schmid, 2001). It is unclear what type of liver disease infiltrated the population at the time. However, by many historical accounts, the Middle Ages were inflicted by outbreaks commonly referred to as “campaign or epidemic jaundice” and were related to wars, famines, and natural disasters (Schmid, 2001, p. 718). The historic timeline of hepatitis worldwide is hazily documented. During the Napoleonic campaigns in Russia and Egypt, jaundice was well known to inflict soldiers and civilian populations.
Officials in the American Civil War noted approximately 70,000 soldiers were affected by viral hepatitis. In fact, the common areas of care for such patients at the time were referred to as “camp jaundice” (Dooley, 2005, p. 71). During World War II, military researchers began a concentrated investigation of the pandemic predicament, its origin, method of transmission, and best treatments. Their search for answers would lead to many more questions, taking doctors and researchers on a circuitous mind quest toward finding a remedy to a virus that has shrouded itself in mystery for generations.
“Viral hepatitis is a systemic, viral infection in which necrosis and inflammation of liver cells produce a characteristic cluster of clinical, biochemical, and cellular changes” (Smeltzer & Bare, 2004, p. 1093). Hepatitis with its known five classifications (A, B, C, D, & E) has become a public health concern in modern time due to the increase of infections. The virus merits worldwide attention because of the ease of transmission and high morbidity. Researchers have estimated that 60% to 90% of cases of hepatitis are unreported due to mild symptoms and misdiagnosis (Smeltzer & Bare, 2004).
Hepatitis A (HAV) was once referred to as
NUR/426
April 26, 2011 Hepatitis: A Pandemic Predicament
Viral hepatitis could be considered a disease of “antiquity” when Hippocrates described his infectious icterus findings 2400 years ago (Schmid, 2001). It is unclear what type of liver disease infiltrated the population at the time. However, by many historical accounts, the Middle Ages were inflicted by outbreaks commonly referred to as “campaign or epidemic jaundice” and were related to wars, famines, and natural disasters (Schmid, 2001, p. 718). The historic timeline of hepatitis worldwide is hazily documented. During the Napoleonic campaigns in Russia and Egypt, jaundice was well known to inflict soldiers and civilian populations.
Officials in the American Civil War noted approximately 70,000 soldiers were affected by viral hepatitis. In fact, the common areas of care for such patients at the time were referred to as “camp jaundice” (Dooley, 2005, p. 71). During World War II, military researchers began a concentrated investigation of the pandemic predicament, its origin, method of transmission, and best treatments. Their search for answers would lead to many more questions, taking doctors and researchers on a circuitous mind quest toward finding a remedy to a virus that has shrouded itself in mystery for generations.
“Viral hepatitis is a systemic, viral infection in which necrosis and inflammation of liver cells produce a characteristic cluster of clinical, biochemical, and cellular changes” (Smeltzer & Bare, 2004, p. 1093). Hepatitis with its known five classifications (A, B, C, D, & E) has become a public health concern in modern time due to the increase of infections. The virus merits worldwide attention because of the ease of transmission and high morbidity. Researchers have estimated that 60% to 90% of cases of hepatitis are unreported due to mild symptoms and misdiagnosis (Smeltzer & Bare, 2004).
Hepatitis A (HAV) was once referred to as
References: Arizona Department of Health Services. (2011, March). Hepatitis C Basics. Retrieved from http://www.azdhs.gov/phs/oids/hepc/hecq.htm Dooley, D Franciscus, A. (2006, February). Hepatitis C Diagnostic Tests. Retrieved from http://hcvadvocate.org/hepatitis/factsheets_pdf/diagnostic_FS.pdf HCVets.com Kasper, D., & Fauci, A., & Longo, D., & Braunvald, E., & Hauser, S., & Jameson, J. (Eds) (2005) Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine (16th ed.). The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Mayo Clinic.com. (2011). Hepatitis C Risk Factors. Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hepatitis-c/DS00097/DSECTION=risk-factors Merck Pharmaceuticals Pub Med Health.com. (2010, November). Hepatitis C. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001329/ Schmid, R Smeltzer, S. C., & Bare, B. (2004). Medical Surgical Nursing (10th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott William & Wilkins. WebMD. (2009, July). Hepatitis C Guide. Retrieved from http://www.webmd.com/hepatitis/hepc-guide/hepatitis-c-exams-and-tests