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
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/HepCWebWarriors/
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