Hepatitis C What you need to know

What is Hepatitis C?  Hepatitis C is the most common chronic blood borne illness in the U.S, approximately 3.2 million persons are infected.  Hepatitis C is a disease that primarily affects the liver and is caused by the infection of the hepatitis C virus.  Many times hepatitis C is asymptomatic but if it becomes chronic it can lead to death by liver cancer, liver failure or cirrhosis of the liver.  Approximately 75%-85% of of people who become infected with the hepatitis C virus develop chronic hepatitis C. "What I need to know about Hepatitis C." National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse(NDDIC). U.S Department of Health and Human Services, Apr Web. 4 Dec

How do you get hepatitis C  Hepatitis is found in the blood of an infected individual.  Hepatitis C is most commonly spread whey the blood from an infected individual enters the body of an individual who is not infected.  EX:  Sharing drug needles with an infected individual  Being tattooed or pierced with unsterilized utensils used on an infected individual.  Being born to a mother with hepatitis C  Needle stick injuries in a health care setting  Sharing an infected persons razor or toothbrush(if blood in item)  Having sex with a person who is infected (if blood is transferred) "Hepatitis C information for the public." Centers for disease control and prevention.USA.GOV, 4 Oct Web. 4 Dec USA.GOV, 4 Oct Web. 4 Dec "What I need to know about Hepatitis C." National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse(NDDIC). U.S Department of Health and Human Services, Apr Web. 4 Dec

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 About 70-80% of people show no symptoms of having hepatitis C until it has damaged the liver and moved from acute hepatitis to chronic hepatitis. This is why it is very important if you are at a higher risk of getting the disease to get tested regularly.  Some people do have mild to sever symptoms soon after being infected that can include the flowing: "What I need to know about Hepatitis C." National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse(NDDIC). U.S Department of Health and Human Services, Apr Web. 4 Dec "Hepatitis C information for the public." Centers for disease control and prevention.USA.GOV, 4 Oct Web. 4 Dec USA.GOV, 4 Oct Web. 4 Dec

 Yellowish skin and/or eyes  Bleeding for longer than usual  Swollen stomach or ankles  Easy bruising  Upset stomach  Fever  Loss of appetite  Diarrhea  Dark colored urine  Light colored stools "What I need to know about Hepatitis C." National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse(NDDIC). U.S Department of Health and Human Services, Apr Web. 4 Dec

Anyone can get hepatitis C but those who are at a higher risk include:  People who were born to a mother with hepatitis C  People who have/do use illegal injected drugs  People who received a blood transfusion or organ transplant before July 1992  People who have a history of STI/STD’s or have hade one or more sexual partners in the past 6 months  People who work in the health care system and are exposed to blood through accidental needle stick or other sharp objects. "Hepatitis C information for the public." Centers for disease control and prevention.USA.GOV, 4 Oct Web. 4 Dec USA.GOV, 4 Oct Web. 4 Dec

How can you prevent hepatitis C? Unfortunately unlike hepatitis A and B there is currently no vaccination for hepatitis C so the only way to prevent your self from getting it is to make life style decisions that prevent it.  If a drug user don’t share! Don’t share needles, straws or anything that could have an infected persons blood on it.  Handle blood spills correctly; always clean up blood with a 10% bleach solution.  GET TESTED!! It is important to get tested for all hepatitis viruses so you can prevent spreading to other people or a child during childbirth.  Use condoms every time you have sex. "What I need to know about Hepatitis C." National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse(NDDIC). U.S Department of Health and Human Services, Apr Web. 4 Dec

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