C. difficile infection (C. diff infection) is a highly contagious bacterial infection that causes half a million illnesses and tens of thousands of deaths in the U.S. each year. Yet, few people know what it is and how it occurs, despite being declared a public health threat by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).1-3

C. diff infection causes debilitating symptoms such as severe diarrhea, fever, stomach pain, loss of appetite, nausea and colitis.1 This infection can happen to anyone, at any age, and can be contracted in some of the most common places in the community and in hospitals.4-6 When the infection strikes, it can have a devastating impact on everyday life, including taking care of loved ones, going to work regularly and carrying out typical activities. And C. diff infection can come back – known as a recurrence.

Antibiotics – the current standard of care for treatment of C. diff infection – treat the disease but also can be a contributing factor to the cycle of recurrence.1,7 It has been estimated that up to 35% of C. diff infection cases can recur after the initial diagnosis8-11, and after first recurrence up to 65% may develop a subsequent recurrence.11,12

Recently, the FDA approved a first-of-its-kind microbiome-based treatment to prevent recurrent C. diff infection after completing antibiotics for recurrent C. diff infection.

Paul Feuerstadt, M.D., Yale University School of Medicine, will discuss:
• What is C. diff infection and who is vulnerable to contracting it
• Why does this infection recur and what are the consequences of recurrence
• What are the treatment options for recurrent C. diff infection
• How has the newest FDA-approved treatment changed how recurrent C. diff infection may be treated

Patricia, who suffered from recurrent C. diff infection, will share her personal story of her struggle with the infection, how it impacted her life and how she broke the cycle of recurrence.
Footnotes available on request

Courtesy: Ferring Pharmaceuticals
www.REBYOTA.com

Interview is courtesy of Ferring Pharmaceuticals

The post A DEVASTATING DISEASE YOU MAY NEVER HAVE HEARD OF BUT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT: C. DIFFICILE INFECTION appeared first on Good News!.

https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/

October is Liver Awareness Month and a great time to talk about hepatitis A vaccination with your doctor or pharmacist. Since 2017, substantial increases in hepatitis A have occurred, with nearly 40,000 cases reported. While people who use drugs, people experiencing homelessness, and men who have sex with men are most often at risk, nearly one third of people with hepatitis A have no identified risk factor.
Hepatitis A patient Stan was 66 years old and in the best shape of his life, having just completed a half-marathon, when he contracted hepatitis A and his life was changed. He believes he contracted the virus through food at a restaurant. His symptoms began as mild and sporadic and felt like the flu, but as his symptoms of nausea continued he was rushed to the ER and told that his liver was failing. Stan underwent a liver transplant and fortunately is doing well today, but regrets not knowing that vaccination for hepatitis A is available.
85% adults in the US have not been vaccinated for Hepatitis A; creating opportunities for infection, as it can be transmitted person-to-person or through contaminated food or drink.
Foodborne outbreaks of the virus can occur when someone eats fresh and frozen food products that are contaminated with Hepatitis A. It can be transmitted where food is prepared and served by food handlers who may be infected with the virus.
Stories from real people affected by hepatitis A remind us why everyone, not just high-risk groups or travelers, should discuss vaccination with their healthcare provider.
On Thursday, September 30th , Stan and Dr. Leah Smith, Pharmacist and Vaccine Educator at GSK discuss the virus, vaccination and share a personal perspective on the impact of the illness.
Interview is courtesy: GSK

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The post OUTBREAKS OF HEPATITIS A ARE BEING SEEN ACROSS THE COUNTRY appeared first on Good News!.