AVOID MEDICAL DRAMA. SCREEN NEWCOMER PATIENTS FOR HEP B AND C.

Just like the name of this series implies, offering hepatitis B and C screening tests should be a routine practice for immigrants and newcomers to Canada. It can reduce the risk of serious health issues and stops the further spread of the viruses. Check out episodes 1-3 below, then subscribe here for more information.

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EPISODE 1 – Hep C has an easy cure!

When Gordon is told he has hep C, panic ensues—until Dr. Good reassures him he’ll be easily cured in 8-12 weeks.

EPISODE 2 – The 10-year diagnosis delay …

Dr. Good expresses frustration at the fact that newcomers to Canada can experience up to a 10-year delay in getting a hep C diagnosis. Tad reminds her that her patients will be fine, prompting Dr. Good to reveal she routinely screens them with the HCV antibody test.

EPISODE 3 – 6x the Canadian average!?

Tad is shocked that Ashleen has never been tested for hep B—even though she immigrated from a high-prevalence country. He is even more disheartened to learn that her likelihood of a positive is six times the Canadian average.

Series Information

Though Routine Practice is a fictional series, the statistics we used are 100% fact. Immigrants and newcomers to Ontario from high-prevalence countries are more likely to have hep B or C than the Canadian average. They may have contracted it from unscreened blood transfusions, unsterilized medical supplies, or other blood-to-blood contact.

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Why testing newcomers is important

People who test negative can potentially be vaccinated (hep B).
People who are diagnosed can access care (hep B) or a cure (hep C).
It can reduce the risk of further liver damage, cancer, and other severe complications.
Early diagnosis can stop the spread of the viruses.

Hepatitis B

Liver infection caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV)
Can be prevented through immunization
Cannot be cured, but can be treated
About 1 in 25 immigrants from countries where hepatitis B is common is living with chronic hepatitis B
Some immigrants are up to 6 times more likely to have hepatitis B than the Canadian average

Hepatitis C

Liver infection caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV)
Cannot be prevented through immunization
Can be cured through treatment
About 1 in 45 immigrants from countries where hepatitis C is common are living with chronic hepatitis C
Some immigrants are up to 4 times more likely to have hepatitis C than the Canadian average

Screening newcomers to Canada for hepatitis B and C should always be…