Hepatitis means inflammation of the liver and can be caused by toxins, certain drugs, some diseases, heavy alcohol use or infections.
Viral diseases that infect the liver include hepatitis A, B and C. There are vaccines to prevent hepatitis A and B, which are now part of the vaccination series for children. There is no vaccine for hepatitis C.
Hepatitis C is a contagious infectious disease usually spread when blood from a person infected with the hepatitis C virus enters the body of someone who is not infected, even if the infected person has no symptoms.
Hepatitis C starts out as an acute infection but can remain in the body, resulting in chronic disease and long-term liver problems such as cirrhosis and liver failure. Hepatitis C is the leading cause of liver transplantations.
Seek testing for hepatitis C if you have any of the following risk factors: injecting drugs now or any time in the past; having been treated for a blood-clotting problem before 1987; received a blood transfusion or organ transplant before July 1992; have been on a long-term hemodialysis treatment for kidney failure; have abnormal liver tests or liver disease; are a baby boomer (born from 1945 through 1965); have a tattoo or body piercing done with non-sterile instruments; are a child born to a mother infected with hepatitis C; work in health care or public safety and had a needle-stick or other sharp-object injury; or are infected with HIV.
Check with your health care provider or local health department about availability of testing for hepatitis C. If you find out your test is positive for hepatitis C, see your health care provider for more information and care and do everything to protect your liver from further injury. You should not be using medication that can put your liver at risk and alcohol should be avoided. Get vaccinated for hepatitis A or B if you have not done so yet. Your health care provider will refer you to a liver specialist for possible treatment. There are several medications that may be available to you to treat hepatitis C, including new treatments that appear to be more effective and have fewer side effects than previous options.
Today, most people become infected with the hepatitis C virus by sharing needles or other equipment to inject drugs. If you or a family member is using needles to inject drugs, seek help. Many communities now have needle exchange programs; Pueblo is one of them. These programs are extremely important in preventing the spread of hepatitis C. Individuals injecting drugs can bring their used needles and exchange them for clean ones. At many sites, testing for hepatitis C and HIV is available along with critical educational information on treatment and where to receive help.
Dr. Christine Nevin-Woods has both a medical degree and a master’s degree in public health and preventive medicine.
Viral diseases that infect the liver include hepatitis A, B and C. There are vaccines to prevent hepatitis A and B, which are now part of the vaccination series for children. There is no vaccine for hepatitis C.
Hepatitis C is a contagious infectious disease usually spread when blood from a person infected with the hepatitis C virus enters the body of someone who is not infected, even if the infected person has no symptoms.
Hepatitis C starts out as an acute infection but can remain in the body, resulting in chronic disease and long-term liver problems such as cirrhosis and liver failure. Hepatitis C is the leading cause of liver transplantations.
Seek testing for hepatitis C if you have any of the following risk factors: injecting drugs now or any time in the past; having been treated for a blood-clotting problem before 1987; received a blood transfusion or organ transplant before July 1992; have been on a long-term hemodialysis treatment for kidney failure; have abnormal liver tests or liver disease; are a baby boomer (born from 1945 through 1965); have a tattoo or body piercing done with non-sterile instruments; are a child born to a mother infected with hepatitis C; work in health care or public safety and had a needle-stick or other sharp-object injury; or are infected with HIV.
Check with your health care provider or local health department about availability of testing for hepatitis C. If you find out your test is positive for hepatitis C, see your health care provider for more information and care and do everything to protect your liver from further injury. You should not be using medication that can put your liver at risk and alcohol should be avoided. Get vaccinated for hepatitis A or B if you have not done so yet. Your health care provider will refer you to a liver specialist for possible treatment. There are several medications that may be available to you to treat hepatitis C, including new treatments that appear to be more effective and have fewer side effects than previous options.
Today, most people become infected with the hepatitis C virus by sharing needles or other equipment to inject drugs. If you or a family member is using needles to inject drugs, seek help. Many communities now have needle exchange programs; Pueblo is one of them. These programs are extremely important in preventing the spread of hepatitis C. Individuals injecting drugs can bring their used needles and exchange them for clean ones. At many sites, testing for hepatitis C and HIV is available along with critical educational information on treatment and where to receive help.
Dr. Christine Nevin-Woods has both a medical degree and a master’s degree in public health and preventive medicine.
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