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Hepatitis C Patient Information

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What you need to know about the Hepatitis C Virus

liverAs a patient, there are some basic facts about hepatitis and your liver. Like the fact that you need a healthy liver to stay alive.

Why?

Because the liver is what fights infections and helps in stopping bleeding. It also flushes out drugs and other toxins in your blood stream.

Hepatitis C infection can result in liver damage and impaired liver function.

What are the causes of Hepatitis C virus?

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Since it is a virus, people can pass viruses to each other. Ways this can be done are:
  • Sharing drug needles - If you are health care worker, being pricked by a needle from an infected person.
  • Having sex with an infected person
  • Being born to a mother who has the virus.

  • Sometimes a person may get the virus when getting a tattoo or piercing if the tools haven't been sterilized.

Symptoms

hepatitisMany people with Hepatitis C don't show any symptoms. But if they do, they often times feel like they have the flu. Symptoms like:
  • Feeling tired
  • Feeling sick to the stomach
  • Running a fever
  • No appetite
  • Stomach pain
  • Diarrhea
  • Dark yellow urine
  • Light colored stools
  • Yellowish eyes and skin

Diagnosis and Treatment

Taking blood, this test will show if you have the virus and how serious it is. If the virus is bad enough then the doctor will order a biopsy to determine the extent of the damage and the appropriate treatments.

The virus is treated through a series of shots. The drugs used are Peginterferon and Ribavirin. If the condition is severe, you may need a liver transplant. This occurs if you have had the virus for years and didn't have it treated resulting in a severely damaged liver.

There are ways a person can protect themselves from getting Hepatitis C.

  • If you use drugs, don't share.
  • If you are a health care professional always use gloves especially if you have to touch blood.
  • If you have several sexual partners use condoms.
  • Don't use any-one's toothbrush or razor. These items may have blood on them and may infect you.
  • If you decide to get a tattoo or piercing make sure that the tools are sterilized.

Dealing with Hepatitis

If you do have Hepatitis C, you may have these feelings to cope with. Sad, scared, angry, disbelief, depression, crying frequently, lost interest in things you once enjoyed, guilty, helpless, worthless, suicidal, sleepiness, sleeplessness, always tired, problems with paying attention, aches and pain, irritated, restless, and are easily annoyed. If you do feel any of these symptoms tell your doctor.

Hepatitis C patient information was obtained from the American Liver Foundation, the Hepatitis Foundation and "Hepatitis C: Part II. Prevention Counseling and Medical Evaluation by LA Moyer, R.N., EE Mast, M.D., M.P H., and MJ Alter., Ph.D (American Family Physician January 15,1999)"
 

Please Note

All the Information within this site is for reference only with no guarantee of accuracy; it is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any diseases. Statements about the products efficacy have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration.

It is important to emphasize that you should not reject mainstream medical attention and guidance and the use of recommended products, treatments, and remedies for individual disorder should be approved and monitored by your health care provider. See disclaimer for more!

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