Symposium On Hepatitis C

NEW HAVEN — “Hepatitis C: An Update for the Community” will be the topic on a half day Symposium on Saturday, November 18, from 8 am to 1:30 pm at the Mary S. Harkness Auditorium, 333 Cedar Street, Yale University School of Medicine.

This symposium is for people who wish to know more abut Hepatitis C, its diagnosis, progression, transmission, and treatment, including liver transplantation. The Connecticut Chapter of the American Liver Foundation and the Digestive Diseases Division of Yale University School of Medicine are sponsoring the symposium. The program will be moderated by Dr Victor J. Navarro, Yale University School of Medicine, and will include regional experts in the field.

Of the more than 100 known liver diseases, Hepatitis C is one of the most deadly. This virus has infected 4 million people and accounts for almost 10,000 deaths in this country every year.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, 170,000 new cases are diagnosed each year, often from exposure to blood or blood products, including transfusion, needle stick injury, and intravenous drug use. Even though tests can now identify Hepatitis C in the blood supply, there is no current vaccine available to prevent the virus.

The symposium, which includes continental breakfast and lunch, is open to the public. Parking will be provided free of charge. A fee of $10 for ALF members, $12 for non-members, and $20 for two people is requested. Make your check payable to the American Liver Foundation and send it to the Chapter office, 110 Washington Street, 3rd Floor, North Haven, CT 06473. For more information, call the chapter at 203/234-6304 or e-mail ctalf@aol.com.