Q&A: The Straight Facts of Hepatitis C
May 08, 2007 by
After talking with several health care workers in my area and even the health department I found the information I was receiving on Hepatitis C varied from person to person. I found this lack of concrete information to be rather scary and went directly
to the Center for Disease Control for more precise information. Here are the true facts of Hepatitis C.
Q: What is Hepatitis C?
A: Hepatitis C is a blood borne virus that cause liver damage and can result in severe health problems and even death if not treated.
Q: How can you NOT get or spread Hepatitis C?
A: Hepatitis C is not spread through coughing, sneezing, casual contact, sharing eating utensils, food, water or drinking after each other. Hepatitis C is a blood borne disease, so although gross you are not at risk if an infected person coughs or sneezes on you.
Q: I use to use needles should I get tested?
A: Using needles for drug use places you at very high risk of Hepatitis C. If you have ever used needles, even if only once or twice you should get tested for the disease.
Q: I received a blood transfusion , what are my risk factors for Hepatitis C?
A: If you received the blood transfusion prior to 1992 your risk factors are considered intermediate and testing is recommended. After 1992 screening of all donor blood has become more advanced and the risk of Hepatitis C is now as low as 1 chance in 2 million units transfused.
Q: Can you get Hepatitis C from sex?
A: one steady partner- The risk of Hepatitis C from sex is extremely low. Hepatitis C is a blood borne disease and the risk from contracting Hepatitis C from bodily fluids that are exchanged during sex is very remote.
Multiple partners- Even with multiple sex partners your risk of Hepatitis C is not increased. The use of condoms is always recommended to prevent the spread of other diseases.
Steady partner who is infected already- If your sexual partner is already infected with Hepatitis C your risk does not increase even then. Many people with Hepatitis C have had unprotected sex with their spouses and have never given the disease to their spouse. If you are concerned you can always use a condom during sex with your infected partner.
Q: What is Hepatitis C?
A: Hepatitis C is a blood borne virus that cause liver damage and can result in severe health problems and even death if not treated.
Q: How can you NOT get or spread Hepatitis C?
A: Hepatitis C is not spread through coughing, sneezing, casual contact, sharing eating utensils, food, water or drinking after each other. Hepatitis C is a blood borne disease, so although gross you are not at risk if an infected person coughs or sneezes on you.
Q: I use to use needles should I get tested?
A: Using needles for drug use places you at very high risk of Hepatitis C. If you have ever used needles, even if only once or twice you should get tested for the disease.
Q: I received a blood transfusion , what are my risk factors for Hepatitis C?
A: If you received the blood transfusion prior to 1992 your risk factors are considered intermediate and testing is recommended. After 1992 screening of all donor blood has become more advanced and the risk of Hepatitis C is now as low as 1 chance in 2 million units transfused.
Q: Can you get Hepatitis C from sex?
A: one steady partner- The risk of Hepatitis C from sex is extremely low. Hepatitis C is a blood borne disease and the risk from contracting Hepatitis C from bodily fluids that are exchanged during sex is very remote.
Multiple partners- Even with multiple sex partners your risk of Hepatitis C is not increased. The use of condoms is always recommended to prevent the spread of other diseases.
Steady partner who is infected already- If your sexual partner is already infected with Hepatitis C your risk does not increase even then. Many people with Hepatitis C have had unprotected sex with their spouses and have never given the disease to their spouse. If you are concerned you can always use a condom during sex with your infected partner.
Although scientists have identified six different hepatitis viruses the strains A, B and C make up most hepatitis cases.
By Emma S. | Published 9/8/2005 | Read more »
We talk about safe sex and other safety cautions when it comes to HIV, but you should know that hepatitis C (HCV) is also a concern. There is no cure for hepatitis C and you can contract it by coming into contact with infected bodily fluids.
By Steve Thompson | Published 3/21/2007 | Read more »
More than one million Americans have chronic Hepatitis B (HBV), which can cause liver failure and death. But a simple series of vaccinations could save your life if you are in a high risk group for HBV.
By Audrey Esposito | Published 4/7/2006 | Read more »
It is estimated that 300,000 new cases of hepatitis B are discovered each year in the United States alone. More than one million people carry the virus in their blood. There are close to 5,000 hepatitis B related deaths that occur each year in the United States
By Cindy Wright | Published 2/2/2007 | Read more »
Four different oral antiviral medications have been used to treat patients suffering with hepatitis B infections. Researchers have found that the number of hepatitis B patients who need a liver transplant is decreasing, while antivirual medication use is increasing.
By Patty Oh | Published 11/5/2007 | Read more »
Getting the information you need to understanding what Hepatitis C is will better help you dealing with it in your personal life. Do the research and get informed. You can start right here right now.
By BIRD MAN NAMED JEFF ( *)> | Published 1/8/2007 | Read more »
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