Having a Loved One or Friend with Hepatitis C

Do you know someone who has Hepatitis C? If you do here are a few facts you need to know. I have a loved one with this disease, and at times the symptoms can be extremely harsh. The treatment can also have devastating affects. Hepatitis, in general, is and inflammation of the liver and can be caused by certain infections, chemicals or other kinds of toxins and poisons, other diseases, alcohol exposure, and certain medications.

Hepatitis C is one of the worst forms of Hepatitis and is extremely hard to treat. If it is left untreated Hepatitis C can progress into chronic Hepatitis C and then into end stage liver disease. If end stage liver disease occurs the only treatment is a liver transplant.

While Hepatitis C is contagious it is mainly spread by blood to blood contact or from blood products (transfusions et cetera). It can be spread by the sharing of contaminated needles.

You cannot get this disease by living with, touching, or being near a person with Hepatitis C. However, it can be transmitted from the infected person's razors, nail clippers, or other such items.

Some of the typical symptoms are often described as "flu like". They can range from, but not limited to, nausea, vomiting, appetite loss, diarrhea, fatigue, pain, and/or jaundice. They can be mild to devastating.

There are things an infected person can do in the event they have an onset of the symptoms. First, get plenty of rest and drink plenty of liquids. Do not, and this is very important, again do not, drink alcohol of any type. Avoid acetaminophen (Tylenol), as this medication can affect your liver. Also, until the symptoms have subsided, avoid strenuous vigorous exercise.

Medical treatments are also available. The best treatment out not is called Interferon Alpha and is used in combination with Ribavirin. Interferon is a protein that the body makes naturally. The Interferon is in shot form and taken once a week while the Ribavirin is in pill form, taken every day twice a day.

Interferon can cause mild to extremely sever side effects ranging from fatigue to depression to muscle aches, mild fever, and anemia. Some people have such acute side effects that they have to stop taking the medication all together or at least be put on a lower dosage. Since a lower dosage does not work as well, the person is encouraged to try to make it through the side effects if possible.

You can find more information on Hepatitis C go to www.emedicinehealth.com or www.liverfoundation.org (American Liver Foundation) or www.gastro.org (American Gastroenterological Association).

While finding out you or a loved one has Hepatitis C can be very troubling and confusing, it does not have to be debilitating.