Viral Hepatitis C

GENERAL INFORMATION:

What is hepatitis C? Hepatitis C is also called non-A or non-B hepatitis. It is an inflammation (swelling) of the liver due to infection caused by a virus (germ). The hepatitis C virus (HCV) attacks and damages your liver. The liver is in the upper right side of the abdomen (stomach). It is located just below the right lung and behind the ribs. The liver does many things to help your body function well. It makes enzymes and bile that help digest food and removes harmful material from the blood. The liver fights infections and stops bleeding. It also stores and gives energy when you need it. Vitamins A, D, E, K, and B12, iron, and copper are also stored by the liver.

What causes hepatitis C? The hepatitis C virus is carried in the blood and other body fluids, such as semen or vaginal fluids. Hepatitis C virus may spread by any of the following:

• Childbirth: Hepatitis C virus may be passed from a pregnant woman to her baby during delivery.
  
  
• Direct: This happens when infected blood comes into contact with a cut or wound in your body. The virus can enter your bloodstream and cause infection in any of the following ways:
  
  
  • Hepatitis C may be caused from a needle stick injury. Caregivers may get hepatitis C by getting pricked with a needle that has infected blood on it.
    
    
  • Long-term dialysis. Dialysis is a way to clean your blood when your kidneys do not work properly.
    
    
  • Getting a blood transfusion or an organ transplant before July 1992. You could also have gotten hepatitis C if you received a blood product called blood clotting factors before 1987.
    
    
  • Sharing items that may have infected blood on them, such as razors, toothbrushes, or nail clippers.
    
    
  • Sharing infected needles to use illegal or street drugs.
    
    
  • Using dirty needles or instruments for tattooing, body piercing, or other procedures.
    
    
  • A bite from an infected person. It can also spread if an infected person's blood gets into your skin wound, eyes, or mouth.
  
  
• Sex: Some people may not know they have hepatitis C and and could pass the virus to their sex partner.

What are the signs and symptoms of hepatitis C? The most common symptom of hepatitis C is fatigue (feeling more tired than usual). You may also have one or more of the following:

• Dark orange-colored urine or clay-colored stools.
  
  
• Fever.
  
  
• Itchy skin.
  
  
• Jaundice (yellowing of the skin or the whites of the eyes).
  
  
• Joint pain, body aches, or weakness.
  
  
• Loss of appetite, nausea (upset stomach), or vomiting (throwing up).
  
  
• Pain in the right side of the abdomen.

What problems can hepatitis C cause? Hepatitis C may lead to the following problems:

• Liver cirrhosis.
  
  
• Liver cancer.
  
  
• Liver failure.
  
  
• Kidney disease.

How is hepatitis C diagnosed? You may have one or more of the following tests:

• Enzyme immunoassay test: This blood test is also called an EIA and checks for hepatitis C antibodies. Antibodies are proteins made by the immune system that attack viruses or bacteria.
  
  
• Genotyping: This is a blood test that tests the genotype of the hepatitis C virus that you have. Genotype is the genetic make-up of the virus. Caregivers can decide the length of your treatment with this information.
  
  
• Hepatitis C profile serological test: This test checks the activity and number of hepatitis C viruses present in your blood.
  
  
• Liver biopsy: A liver biopsy is when a small piece of your liver is removed and sent to a lab for tests. Caregivers will clean your skin, and you may be given medicine to numb (lose feeling) in the area. A needle is put through the wall of your abdomen or between your ribs. The needle is put into the liver and a small piece is taken out. A bandage will be placed over the area.
  
  
• Liver function tests: These blood tests check the enzymes (chemicals) and other substances made in the liver. Test results tell caregivers how your liver is working.

How is hepatitis C treated? You may have one or more of the following:

• Anti-viral medicines: These medicines work by keeping the virus from spreading. This may prevent or decrease more swelling and damage to the liver.
  
  
• Surgery: A liver transplant may be done if your liver stops working. Your diseased liver is removed and replaced with a healthy and donated liver. You may also have a part of your liver removed.

How can hepatitis C be prevented? There is no available vaccine to prevent hepatitis C. Following are ways to prevent the spread of hepatitis C:

• Caregivers should wear gloves, masks, gowns, or safety goggles when handling blood products and instruments.
  
  
• Consider the risks of getting hepatitis C before having tattoos or body piercing.
  
  
• If you use illegal or street drugs, never reuse or share needles or syringes.
  
  
• Do not share toothbrushes, razors, or other personal care items.
  
  
• Mothers infected with hepatitis C should stop breastfeeding if their nipples are cracked or bleeding.
  
  
• Use latex condoms when having sex.

How can I prevent passing hepatitis C to others if I am infected?

• Cover cuts or wounds with a clean dressing.
  
  
• Do not have close contact with other people. Do not have sex, including oral and anal sex, until your caregiver tells you it is okay. If you have sex, make sure the male partner is wearing a latex condom.
  
  
• Do not donate blood, body organs, semen, other tissues, or carry a donor card.
  
  
• Do not share needles or syringes if you use illegal or street drugs.
  
  
• Do not share food or eating utensils, toothbrushes, or razors with others until caregivers tell you it is safe. Wash your dishes and utensils in boiling water or a dishwasher. You may want to use disposable (throw away) dishes and utensils.
  
  
• Use bleach to clean infected blood that has spilled right away.
  
  
• People you live with and your sex partner should be tested for hepatitis C infection. If you are pregnant and have hepatitis C, make sure your baby is tested on his first well-child visit at 1 to 2 months.

Where can I find support and more information? Hepatitis C is a life-changing disease for you and your family. Accepting that you have hepatitis C is hard. You and those close to you may feel angry, sad, or frightened. These feelings are normal. Talk to your caregivers, family, or friends about your feelings. You may also want to join a hepatitis C support group. This is a group of people who also have hepatitis C. Contact the following for more information:

• American Liver Foundation
  75 Maiden Lane Suite 603
  New York, New York 10038
  Phone: 1-212-668-1000
  Phone: 1-800-465-4837
  Web Address: http://www.liverfoundation.org
  

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  Mailstop F07
  Atlanta, Georgia 30333
  Phone: 1-404-6393534
  Phone: 1-800-3113435
  Web Address: http://www.cdc.gov
  

• Hepatitis Foundation International
  504 Blick Drive
  Silver Spring, Maryland 20904-2901
  Phone: 1-301-622-4200
  Phone: 1-800-891-0707
  Web Address: http://www.hepfi.org
  

CARE AGREEMENT:

You have the right to help plan your care. To help with this plan, you must learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. You can then discuss treatment options with your caregivers. Work with them to decide what care may be used to treat you. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

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