REPOST: INFO: Are You Newly Diagnosed?

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Are You Newly Diagnosed?

>From Adi Ferrara,

Your Guide to Hepatitis

Chronic Hepatitis

If you've just been diagnosed with any type of chronic hepatitis, whether

autoimmune, viral, or disease, you probably have many

questions. You may be anxious, afraid, lost, and you're not sure who to turn

to. The tips below are meant to give you some initial pointers, and help you

concentrate your energies on the journey ahead.

The first mantra: Hepatitis is Not A Death Sentence!

While chronic (lasting) hepatitis can possibly lead to life-threatening

conditions such as liver cirrhosis and liver cancer, these conditions may take

decades to develop, and they do not develop in everyone with chronic hepatitis.

The fact is, we still don't know what makes some people more susceptible to

complications, while some people never have symptoms. Certainly, genetics plays

a role. Caring for your liver is important whether or not it is ill, but more

so when you have a chronic liver inflammation (which is what happens in

hepatitis). When your liver is already injured (inflamed), it has trouble

working. If you abuse it (with drugs, alcohol, certain medications), you will

cause further damage and your symptoms will worsen.

Positive attitude and good self-care, which includes complying with treatments,

should take you far on the road to well being, both emotional and physical.

The second mantra: Your Liver is not the Only Thing that Needs Support Right

Now.

The diagnosis of chronic hepatitis is frightening. When facing a potentially

life-threatening situation, you need all the support you can get. But where do

you turn for help?

If you have chronic viral hepatitis (hepatitis B or C), you may be reluctant to

tell people about it. Viral hepatitis, unfortunately, has a stigma associated

with it. Worse, it is sometimes misunderstood. Just as people used to consider

HIV infection contagious through casual contact (and some people still do),

they worry about viral hepatitis infection being passed through casual contact.

Turn to the people you trust the most, those closest to you (whether they are

family members or friends). But even the most loyal people will need to

understand more about your condition. Before you tell, make sure you have a

good understanding of the facts. Ask your doctor if he or she has any

educational pamphlets about your particular type of hepatitis. Educational

material can also be ordered from the CDC (free) and from the American Liver

Foundation ($0.75 each). You may be asked how you were infected, if your

hepatitis is viral. Sometimes, no one knows the answer to that. It really isn't

important, either. The fact is, you have this disease, and you need to

concentrate on getting better (or staying well). Emphasize that point.

Burning Question #1: Can I make my Houeshold Contacts Sick?

If you have infectious hepatitis, reasonable precautions will keep those who

live with you safe. Other forms of hepatitis are not contagious.

a.. Don't share personal items such as toothbrushes, razors, combs /

brushes

b.. If you are bleeding, cover the cut with an adhesive waterproof

bandage, no matter how small it is

c.. If your blood dripped on ay surfaces in the house, wash the area

with bleach

d.. Bloody bandages, sanitary napkins etc. should be disposed of safely,

preferably in 2 plastic bags

e.. If you have hepatitis A or B, those who live with you should be

vaccinated

f.. Use latex condoms, especially if you have hepatitis B and your

partner doesn't

Burning Question #2: Do I have to Tell My Boss?

The short answer is no, you don't. Of course, as is the case with all

short answers, there is always a " but. "

You are not obligated to inform your employer of your condition, as long

as you can do your work effectively, and you're not risking others. On the

other hand, if the time comes when you need special accommodations to continue

doing your job effectively, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) will not

protect you if you have not informed your employer of your condition.

The ADA is meant to help people with disabilities continue their job

effectively. In order to qualify under the ADA, the disability must be

documented and known to your employer. You can't demand accommodations for an

unspecified medical condition.

Burning Question #3: Do I have to tell any Healthcare Workers?

People with infectious hepatitis should notify healthcare workers,

including dentists, of their hepatitis status. This will also help you avoid

treatments that can further injure your liver. For example, your dentists may

tell you not to take Tylenol for pain, but rather something that doesn't tax

the liver.

http://hepatitis.about.com/od/ihepatitisoverview/a/newlydiag.htm