Patient care with HCV infection

Abstract

Throughout the world there are around 170 million people who carry HCV (hepatitis C virus), nearly 730.000 in Poland. Of those so far nearly 15 thousand people have been diagnosed, the remaining 715 thousand are not aware of the infection. Existing scale of infections makes it necessary to bring to public attention and educate the public about the threat posed by the discussed virus and how one can effectively reduce the likelihood of illness and infection. Recognising the scale of the problem The World Health Organization (WHO) named hepatitis C infection as one of the world’s largest epidemiological threats of the 21st century. HCV is a virus, its presence in the human body caucuses acute and chronic liver infection of type C leading to a permanent damage to the organ. It is a serious risk as it can lead to chronic liver disease with a high risk of developing cirrhosis and even cancer, which in turn may lead to premature death of the patient. Among the people who are most at risk of being infected are patients who received a blood transfusion/ /blood based materials, people exposed to working with infected blood or blood base products or with infected faeces, drug addicts, hospitalized patients, patients who underwent dialysis, surgery or endoscopic examination. In providing care at the highest possible level for a patient with known liver disease the nurse has a significant share, he or she is an important member of the treatment team. The nurse has the most frequent and longest contact with the infected, both in the diagnostic and treatment process. Her or his insights are an important element of the assessment of the patient. In cooperation with the patient and the patient’s family the nurse strives to achieve the adaptation of the new health situation, influencing his cognitive, motivational and emotional sphere, providing psychological security and delivering detailed explanations informs the types of actions taken, their purpose and methods of execution. This attitude helps gaining the trust and good cooperation on the line patient–nurse.