5 Things You Should Know if You Have Hepatitis

[Guest guest]

HealthyHepper.com Newsletter

Five things you should know if you have Hepatitis C:

1. Find out from your doctor if it is chronic or acute Hep C. If you've been

exposed to

hepatitis C recently and your body is actively fighting off the virus, you have

acute

hepatitis C. No treatment is recommended in that case. In about 30 percent of

cases, the

body gets rid of the virus on its own. If the virus persists, hepatitis C

becomes a chronic

condition, increasing your risk of liver damage.

2. Find out from your doctor what genotype you have. At least six genotypes of

hepatitis

C exist. Knowing which type you have is important in determining the course of

therapy

and its likely success. Genotype 1 is the most common and the toughest to treat,

requiring

48 weeks of treatment. Patients with genotypes 2 and 3, which typically require

24 weeks

of combination therapy, are almost three times more likely than those with

genotype 1 to

respond to treatment. Genotypes do not change during the course of infection, so

you

need to be tested only once.

3. Find out from your doctor what your liver enzyme levels are. Elevated levels

of alanine

aminotrnsferase or ALT are a sign of liver inflammation. Depending on the liver

enzyme

levels you and your doctor may feel like pursuing natural treatments to lower

inflammation

are sufficient or you may want to undergo treatment with interferon.

4. Not everyone with chronic hepatitis C develops health problems. For every 100

people

with chronic infections, 60 to 70 are likely to develop liver disease, but only

1 to 5 will die

of hepatitis C-related diseases, like cirrhosis of the liver or liver cancer. If

your liver

function tests are normal, your doctor may recommend simply monitoring your

health and

beginning treatment only if your liver shows signs of damage.

5. Since hepatitis C spreads mainly through direct contact with blood that

carries the

virus, it is important to avoid sharing razors, toothbrushes, nail clippers or

other items of

personal hygiene.

6. Find a support group to help ease your fears and share your stories. There

are internet

groups such as Hep C Web Warriors

/

or in person groups that meet regularly such as those listed at

http://www.healthyhepper.com/events.htm

If you are newly diagnosed with Hep C please check out the resources at

http://www.healthyhepper.com/newdiag.htm

Wishing you health,

http://www.healthyhepper.com

[Guest guest]

HealthyHepper.com Newsletter

Five things you should know if you have Hepatitis C:

1. Find out from your doctor if it is chronic or acute Hep C. If you've been

exposed to

hepatitis C recently and your body is actively fighting off the virus, you have

acute

hepatitis C. No treatment is recommended in that case. In about 30 percent of

cases, the

body gets rid of the virus on its own. If the virus persists, hepatitis C

becomes a chronic

condition, increasing your risk of liver damage.

2. Find out from your doctor what genotype you have. At least six genotypes of

hepatitis

C exist. Knowing which type you have is important in determining the course of

therapy

and its likely success. Genotype 1 is the most common and the toughest to treat,

requiring

48 weeks of treatment. Patients with genotypes 2 and 3, which typically require

24 weeks

of combination therapy, are almost three times more likely than those with

genotype 1 to

respond to treatment. Genotypes do not change during the course of infection, so

you

need to be tested only once.

3. Find out from your doctor what your liver enzyme levels are. Elevated levels

of alanine

aminotrnsferase or ALT are a sign of liver inflammation. Depending on the liver

enzyme

levels you and your doctor may feel like pursuing natural treatments to lower

inflammation

are sufficient or you may want to undergo treatment with interferon.

4. Not everyone with chronic hepatitis C develops health problems. For every 100

people

with chronic infections, 60 to 70 are likely to develop liver disease, but only

1 to 5 will die

of hepatitis C-related diseases, like cirrhosis of the liver or liver cancer. If

your liver

function tests are normal, your doctor may recommend simply monitoring your

health and

beginning treatment only if your liver shows signs of damage.

5. Since hepatitis C spreads mainly through direct contact with blood that

carries the

virus, it is important to avoid sharing razors, toothbrushes, nail clippers or

other items of

personal hygiene.

6. Find a support group to help ease your fears and share your stories. There

are internet

groups such as Hep C Web Warriors

/

or in person groups that meet regularly such as those listed at

http://www.healthyhepper.com/events.htm

If you are newly diagnosed with Hep C please check out the resources at

http://www.healthyhepper.com/newdiag.htm

Wishing you health,

http://www.healthyhepper.com