What
is hepatitis?
Hepatitis
means inflammation i.e. irritation and swelling of the liver.
It can be caused by viral infections, drinking alcohol, certain
drugs and by autoimmune diseases.
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What
is hepatitis C?
Hepatitis
C is a liver disease caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV),
which is found in the blood of the persons with this disease.
It is spread by contact with the blood of an infected person.
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What
are the symptoms of hepatitis?
Hepatitis
C patients are mostly unaware of their infection because
they have no symptoms. When present, the symptoms are usually
mild and non-specific like loss of appetite, malaise or abdominal
pain. Some patients complain of persistent extreme fatigue.
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Why
should I be tested? I don’t feel sick?
Most patients
with hepatitis C are totally unaware of their infection and
everyone at risk needs to be screened. Early diagnosis is
important so that patients can be evaluated for liver disease
and vaccinations. Treatment can prevent further harm to the
liver and reduce the potential for its spread to others.
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Is
hepatitis C dangerous? Why is everyone worried about
it?
The importance of
chronic infection with hepatitis C (HCV) is greater than
generally recognized. It is the most common blood infection,
and the most common cause of liver transplant in the United
States. It causes death of 10,000 people in the United States
every year.
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How
serious is hepatitis C?
Hepatitis
C is serious for most of the infected patients because there
may be no symptoms while damage to the liver continues. Patients
can develop cirrhosis (scarring) of the liver and liver failure.
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How
is hepatitis C spread? Am I at risk? Who else is
at risk?
HCV can
be transmitted in a number of ways. Currently the most important
cause is injection drug use. Anyone with risk factors for
HCV infection should be tested. Testing is recommended for
persons who:
-
Ever
injected street drugs even if it was a few times, long
ago.
-
Received
a blood transfusion or organ transplant, especially if
it was before July 1992.
-
Received
a clotting factor concentrate before 1987.
-
Were
on long term dialysis.
-
Are
health care workers and had a needle stick injury.
-
Were
born to HCV infected mothers.
-
Ever
had sex with someone infected with HCV.
-
Lived
and shared items of personal care with an HCV infected
individual.
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How
can I avoid becoming infected?
By abstaining
from injection drug use and practicing safe sex, which will
also prevent against other sexually transmitted diseases.
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What
should I do if I already have it?
Patients
with HCV should see a physician as they need more tests to
evaluate for the presence of liver disease. It is important
to stop further liver damage and the spread of disease. They
should also be vaccinated for hepatitis A and B.
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What
should I do to stop the spread of hepatitis C if
I am already infected?
-
Do
not donate blood, body organs, other tissues, sperm or
ova.
-
Do
not use drugs, and if you do, get into a treatment program.
If you cannot stop, at least use a clean needle and do
not share it with anyone.
-
Do
not share toothbrushes, razor blades and other personal
care items that can have blood on them. Practice safer
sex.
-
Cover
sores and cuts.
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What
should I do to protect my liver?
-
See
your doctor regularly.
-
Do
not drink alcohol.
-
Do
not take any medicines, even over the counter, without
asking your doctor first.
-
Get
vaccinated against hepatitis A and B.
-
Do
not eat raw seafood.
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Should
I get vaccinated?
Patients
with HCV infection and other liver diseases should be vaccinated
for other viral hepatitis A and B. There is no effective
vaccine or immune globulin for hepatitis C.
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Is
it spread by hugging, etc?
HCV is not spread by casual contact
such as:
-
hugging,
-
kissing,
-
coughing,
-
sneezing,
or by
-
sharing
eating utensils
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Why
is the liver so important?
The liver
is the largest organ of the body and performs many vital
functions. The liver:
-
Detoxifies
poisonous substances and chemicals in drugs, alcohol,
pollutants, aerosol sprays, etc.
-
Produces
immune factors to resist infection.
-
Filters
out germs and bacteria from the blood.
-
Regulates
blood clotting.
-
Stores
vitamins, minerals, and other foods.
-
Controls
cholesterol.
-
Makes
new proteins for the body.
Produces energy for the
body.
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