Talk Show Host Joins Effort To Educate Latinos About Hepatitis C Risks

(NAPS)-In the United States, approximately one out of every 50 Hispanics are infected with hepatitis C. In addition, government statistics show that by the year 2025, the U.S. Hispanic population is projected to double, potentially resulting in a continued high rate of hepatitis C infection.

Hepatitis C is a serious bloodborne viral infection that causes an inflammation of the liver and can lead to severe liver damage. Untreated, it can lead to liver cancer, cirrhosis (scarring of the liver), and even death. In fact, hepatitis C is the leading cause of liver transplants in the United States.

To help educate the Hispanic community about the prevalence of hepatitis C among the Latino community, international talk show host Cristina Saralegui has joined forces with the Latino Organization for Liver Awareness (LOLA).

"As a member of the Hispanic community, it is important to me to help raise awareness in the Hispanic community about hepatitis C and the risks of contracting it," said Saralegui. "I am proud to be working with LOLA on this important initiative, and am dedicated to helping our communities find out more about this deadly disease."

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, two common risk factors for hepatitis C are contact with infected blood through injection drug use, or a blood transfusion or organ transplant prior to 1992, when there was no test to detect hepatitis C.

In addition, in the next 10 to 20 years, deaths due to hepatitis C are expected to triple, exceeding the annual number of deaths due to HIV/AIDS. Yet hepatitis C often produces no signs or symptoms, so many people who have the disease do not realize they are infected,

"Hepatitis C is the third leading cause of death among Latinos," said Debbie Delgado-Vega, founder and CEO of LOLA. "We hope to educate the community about risk factors add, if necessary, how to get tested and treated."

The good news is that a new combination of drugs is available for the treatment of hepatitis C. REBETRON Combination Therapy, which contains REBETOL (Ribavirin, USP) Capsules and INTRON.A (Interferon alfa-2B, recombinant) Injection, was recently approved by the Food and Drug Administration to treat chronic hepatitis C.

"This new combination is nearly three times more effective than standard monotherapy alone," said Jorge Herrera, MD, Professor of Medicine at the University of South Alabama.

The Latino Organization for Liver Awareness is a bilingual/ bicultural, voluntary, non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness of liver diseases, such as hepatitis C. LOLA promotes prevention and provides education and treatment referral services to the Latino community and other underserved populations in the United States.

If you think you may have been exposed to the hepatitis C virus, see your doctor or call LOLA toll-free at (888) 367-5652.