Life with Hepatitis C

How many times have you started to have a conversation with someone about Hepatitis C only to have it blow up in your face? Have you ever heard someone say something about Hep C that didn't seem quite right to you? You were probably right something  was amiss. A discussion about Hepatitis C can often ignite some sparks. What starts out to be a fairly quiet discussion can turn into a brawl in a heartbeat. There is so much passion around this subject, especially with those of us who have or have had this virus. The problem comes when some of the critical facts about the virus and disease process are misunderstood by one or more of the parties involved. So much information about Hepatitis C is out there and sometimes it's hard to keep all the facts straight. There are some facts about Hepatitis C that tend to be a hot button for some people. Because I want you to be informed and I want you to be on the right side of the argument, here are the facts on some of the most commonly discussed issues regarding Hep C: 

As per Wikipedia, the definition of a stigma is as follows: "Stigma is a word that originally means a "sign", "point", or "branding mark"."  Wikipedia goes on to call stigma "A badge of shame, a physical mark of infamy or disgrace."

Damn that word. That one word can cause so much strife. The problem is, we allow it to creep into our society and the people who are stigmatized are often the ones giving the stigma the most power.  

When it comes to Hepatitis C, the stigma attached to the virus is that this is a disease that only happens to drug addicts. Some people with Hep C may have used illegal drugs at some point but Hepatitis C happens to more than just those folks. Hepatitis C affects many who have never used drugs. The research shows that in the group of people known as "Baby Boomer's" less than 30% of them contracted HCV thru drug use. Less than 30% but yet it is this very group who is very much on the receiving end of this stigma.

Recently, the CDC (Center for Disease Control) issued a statement that all Baby Boomers should be tested for Hepatitis C. The question often comes up as to why this particular segment of people is so vulnerable. What does being born between 1945 and 1965 have to do with Hepatitis C? What was different for this group of people that makes them special in an very unwanted way? There are many components to this answer. There are so many risk factors.

The most obvious answer is the 70's. That period of time between 1969 and 1980 where IV drug use was so prevalent. The "Summer of Love" as it was often called, was spent at many concerts and drug use was commonplace. It may have only been one time, and that one time may be all but forgotten but 30 years later the fatigue set in and that diagnosis of Hepatitis C was made. It only takes one time. During the 70's the Baby Boomers were in their teens and twenties. That age where you're convinced you are indestructible and do things that could actually cause your destruction.

Buyer Beware!  

There are several snake oil salesmen out there who are claiming to have cured their own Hepatitis C with herbs, supplements and parking lot gravel. Okay, maybe not the parking lot gravel but it might as well be. What you need to remember is that there are two different types of Hepatitis C. Acute and Chronic. The acute infection will go away on it's own within 6 months of infection. The chronic infection is the one that lasts.

Most every adult woman (and an occasional man) has enjoyed a manicure and a pedicure at a nail salon or spa. That 30 minute pedicure can be so relaxing but are you aware of the danger lurking in that nail salon? Although few individuals recognize the medical risks associated with this common practice, there is no doubt that the nail salons and spas who don't follow infection control guidelines are in a prefect position to spread Hepatitis C. Unless you are bringing your own tools for them to use, you are putting yourself at risk for this virus.  

Hepatitis C has been around far longer than most people realize.

Prior to being called Hepatitis C it was called Non A Non B Hepatitis and it has affected a great many people.. Some of them quite famous. Here is a list of some of the more famous people who have been afflicted with Hep C and liver disease in general. You may be surprised at who is on this list. This list is by no means complete. There are more! 

Hepatitis C Haven is launching the 'Gloria Adams HCV Community Action Award' in recognition of the immense amount of support this wonderful lady has given to the HCV community over the past years and her HCV advocacy efforts.

The Gloria Adams HCV Community Action Award is a semi-annual award given by Hepatitis C Haven to a person in the Hepatitis C Community who continually goes above and beyond to support people affected by HCV and raise awareness for this virus and disease process. The first recipient of this award is, of course, Gloria Adams. This award comes out of respect and admiration for a person who gives selflessly to help the Hepatitis C Community. It is our hope that Gloria will be able to help us select future recipients of this award for a years to come.

Read her amazing story below!

Did you ever take a look at your medical chart and wonder what the heck all that code was?

To avoid writing out lengthy words, the medical profession has taken to using some abbreviations.

Some are easier to figure out than others. This list should help.

Treatment is NOT always necessary. Just because you have received a diagnosis of Hepatitis C does not mean that you need to rush into treatment.  You may not need to treat at all. In all actuality, only about 20% of the people who have HCV will go on to develop problems. If you do not have any liver abnormalities or if they are very slight, you may not need treatment because your risk of future liver problems is very low.  Your doctor may decide that all that is needed is for you have yearly follow-up blood tests to monitor your situation.  Please discuss this with your doctor.  Having an open and honest conversation with your doctor will help you feel comfortable with any treatment decision you have to make.

Unfortunately, there is not yet a vaccine to prevent HCV infection. However, you can take steps to avoid coming into contact with the virus.

Not injecting or stopping injection drug use would eliminate the chief route of HCV transmission. If you continue injecting drugs, then be sure to use new, sterile syringes every time you inject—you should never reuse or share syringes, needles, water or drug preparation equipment.