Hepatitis C: Living with a Disease

One of the most depressing things to happen to me over the last ten years was finding out I had Hepatitis C. Getting Hepatitis C for me is still a mystery since I have never done drugs, haven't had a blood transfusion or anything else that would cause me to contract it. Over the last few years I have struggled with trying to find reasons for one basic question - WHY ME!

One of the first things I did after learning that I had Hepatitis C was some research to find out as much as I could. First thing I found out was what the word Hepatitis meant. Hepatitis means basically "inflammation of the liver." Hopefully some of what I have learned with help others understand it and how to live with it.

What is Hepatitis C?

Hepatitis C is a disease that affects the blood. Like other hepatitis diseases out there hepatitis C is contagious. The main difference here is that Hepatitis C is mainly transferred through contact with blood or blood products. One of the main organs it attacks is the liver. Hepatitis C makes the liver swell and in time causes the liver to stop working properly. The liver is the largest organ in the body and is responsible for purifying the blood from poisons and drugs. It also stores your energy and helps stop bleeding.

How do you get Hepatitis C?

Like other blood diseases you can get Hepatitis C by sharing razors or needles. Being born to a mother who is infected or having sex with an infected person if both you and your partner have multiple sexual partners - this is rare if you and your partner and you are only sexually active with each other. Even rarer chance of getting Hepatitis C is getting a Tattoo or body piercing.

You can not get Hepatitis C from hugging, sitting next to, kissing or shaking hands with an infected person.

Can you get Hepatitis C if I have had a blood transfusion?

You can get Hepatitis C if you've had a blood transfusion before 1992. Prier to that date testing for this virus was limited and not required. Also there have been a number of advancements made to insure the safety of receiving a blood transfusion.

How can I get tested for Hepatitis C?

Talk to your doctor about getting a blood test if you think you might have or could be infected. Also once you've been tested and found to be positive you will likely be sent to have a biopsy of your liver done. This test will be able to determine how seriously the virus has affected your liver as well as other important factors.

What are some of the symptoms of Hepatitis C?

There are a number of symptoms that may be an indicator of having this virus. However one word of warning here - just because you have one or more of these symptoms does not mean you have Hepatitis C. Some of the symptoms are:

Nausea

Vomiting

Fatigue

Loss of appetite

Jaundice

Dark-brownish urine

What should I do if I am having one or more of theses symptoms?

If you are experiencing these symptoms and they persist for more then one or two days contact your doctor right away. If you are vomiting and nausea this can lead to dehydration, which could lead to other more serious problems. If you are unable to reach your doctor or have an extended period of time before you will be able to get into the office to see him go to the emergency room.

What kinds of test will they do to check for Hepatitis C?

As I mentioned above one of the first test is the drawing of blood to check for the hepatitis C antibody. There are other test that can be done to determine which strain of the six known you have. If it is determined that you have the antibody the doctor will then schedule a liver biopsy.

The liver biopsy is a procedure where the doctor will insert a needle into your liver and extract a very small piece of the liver through the needle. He will then test the liver to see if hepatitis is present and also how much damage has been caused to the liver.

Do the symptoms always occur right away after getting Hepatitis C?

Some people will not even know they have hepatitis C because they will no experience any type of symptoms. Others will start seeing some signs of symptoms with in three to five weeks after contracting this virus.

What can happen to my liver due to Hepatitis C?

Because hepatitis C affects the liver this could lead to a number of problems. The worse case is cirrhosis of the liver. Once you have cirrhosis of the liver the only option is a liver transplant.

What is Cirrhosis of the liver?

Cirrhosis of the liver is cancerous damage to the liver that will prevent the liver from functioning properly. This is also known as end-stage liver disease.

If I have Hepatitis C what kind of changes should I make in my daily life?

Some of the first things to do is to avoid alcohol, smoking and other types of drugs. Avoid medications like Tylenol which contains acetaminophen. Acetaminophen affects the blood and can cause complications to the liver. Unless you have symptoms you don't have to change your diet. For those in advanced stages of hepatitis C going on a low fat, low protein, low sugar and high fiber diet is recommended. There are a number of other changes you can find in the resources area for this article.

Is there a treatment for Hepatitis C?

There is a treatment for it; however there is no actually cure. Treatment consists of two stages. First is an injection of interferon, the second part is a pill called ribaviron. According to what I've read interferon is injected three times a week, while ribaviron is taken two to three times daily. Treatment may not be needed and some people that have Hepatitis C never experience symptoms.

Are there side effects with these treatments?

Yes there are side effects. These side effects may include muscle aches, loss of appetite, nausea, tiredness and diarrhea.

If I suffer side effects from treatment what can I do about them?

There are a few basic things you can do to minimize the side effects. One of the first things is to consult your doctor about the side effects and get his recommendations on treating them. Also make sure you drink plenty of water to help fight against dehydration. Also try and avoid spice and greasy foods and eat smaller frequent meals. Finally get plenty of rest.

Having Hepatitis C isn't a death sentence. It does however mean some changes are needed in your daily life to insure your continued health. If you think you might be infected contact your doctor right away and get tested.

Most of my research has been on the internet and talking to my family doctor. There are a number of great sites on the web to get more information, as well as, the local health department. There are also a number of articles you can find at the local library. The best defense against Hepatitis C is getting the facts and living a safe, healthy life style.