Re: Not sure what to do or expect

[Guest guest]

Hi Teena

My name is don in ks.

I am not a medical professional, just an 60 y/o old hippy musician, with Hepatitis C.

I try to help folks find information, and support, because I do a lot of research.

I want to tell you some stuff.

I am pretty blunt because I believe people deserve no-nonsence streightforward answers.

First off - Hepatitis C is not usually a death sentence....for you or your child.

So please dont panic.

A person can possibly live with Hepatitis, and there are possible cures.

BLOOD TESTS

1 - When the doctor tested you, you were probably given an ANTIBODY test.

If a person has ever been exposed to Hepatitis or AIDS, there are markers left behind in their blood.

This does not mean that a person has a chronic condition, or is sick

It is just a simple marker, like a road sign.

It also means that the doctor will want to do further bloodwork to see if you are sick.

The good news is that a certain percent of people are exposed, but their bodys immune system fights off the disease, leaving behind these markers in their blood for life.

Antibodys are not the disease itself, just a red flag, like I said.

2 - The next test will be to see if you have a VIRAL LOAD.

This checks to see if there are copys of the Hepatitis alive, floating around in your blood.

If there are, then this usually means that a person has a chronic case of HCV [hepatitis c virus].

3 - If you do have a viral load, then the next test will be to see what type of Hepatitis C you have.

This is called a GENOTYPE test.

There are several types of Hepatitis C.

For example, I am a genotype 1B, which is typical for people in North America.

Most of us who are infected have type 1.

But there are several types.

You may be type 2 - 3 - 4, and so on.

This test is important for treatment purposes.

Teena, you may only have the antibodys, and not a chronic case of HCV.

You may have been exposed sometime in the past, and the HCV is already gone from your body.

Even if you do have a viral load showing that you have an active case of HCV, you still dont need to panic.

Although I admit, that is a bummer.

Im going to jump ahead here because you said that you are pregnant.

If you do have a chronic case of HCV, there is a good chance that you will pass it on to your baby.

This is called VERTICAL TRANSMISSION, and will happen when the baby is born.

HCV is transmitted blood to blood, and during birth, there is a lot of blood.

It doesnt matter weither you have a natural birth, or a C section.

Now I dont want to get too far ahead of myself, because you dont even know yet if you have a chronic case of HCV.

I pray to God that all you have are the antibodys, and that you and your child will not have to fight the nightmare of chronic HCV.

Please let us know what your blood tests say [viral load and genotype] - if anything, and then we can talk more.

If you do have chronic HCV, there is a lot of info that you should know.

love

don in ks

From: elliottteena@... <elliottteena@...>Subject: [ ] Not sure what to do or expect Date: Friday, May 13, 2011, 10:44 AM

I am 26yrs old and pregnant they did blood work on me because of my pregnancy and doctor just informed me I have been diagnosed with hep c I am very scared, he mentioned that I will need to get more blood work done I dont know what to expect if anyone has any info or advice it would be appreciated Im just really confused right now thanks.------------------------------------