Center for Disease Control
Hepatitis C Prevention Fact Sheet |
|
ALMOST 4 MILLION
AMERICANS HAVE BEEN INFECTED WITH HEPATITIS C VIRUS
This information
will help you to understand what hepatitis C is and how to prevent getting
it. Read this to see if you should have a blood test for hepatitis C.
What
is hepatitis C?
Hepatitis C is a liver disease caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV),
which is found in the blood of persons who have this disease. The infection
is spread by contact with the blood of an infected person.
How
serious is hepatitis C?
Hepatitis C is serious for some persons, but not for others. Most persons
who get hepatitis C carry the virus for the rest of their lives. Most
of these persons have some liver damage but many do not feel sick from
the disease. Some persons with liver damage due to hepatitis C may develop
cirrhosis (scarring) of the liver and liver failure which may take many
years to develop.
How
can I protect myself from getting hepatitis C and other diseases spread
by contact with human blood?
* Don't ever shoot drugs. If you shoot drugs, stop and get into a treatment
program. If you can't stop, never reuse or share syringes, water, or
drug works, and get vaccinated against hepatitis A and hepatitis B.
* Do not share toothbrushes, razors, or other personal care articles.
They might have blood on them.
* If you are a health care worker, always follow routine barrier precautions
and safely handle needles and other sharps. Get vaccinated against hepatitis
B.
* Consider the health risks if you are thinking about getting a tattoo
or body piercing: You can get infected if:
* the tools that are used have someone else's blood on them.
* the artist or piercer doesn't follow good health practices, such as
washing hands and using disposable gloves.
HCV
can be spread by sex, but this does not occur very often. If you are
having sex, but not with one steady partner:
* You and your partners can get other diseases spread by having sex
(e.g., AIDS, hepatitis B, gonorrhea or chlamydia).
* Use latex condoms correctly and every time.
* Get vaccinated against hepatitis B.
* The surest way to prevent the spread of any disease by sex is not
to have sex at all.
There
is no vaccine available to prevent hepatitis C
Hepatitis
C virus is NOT spread by:
* breast
feeding
* sneezing
* hugging
* coughing
* sharing eating utensils or drinking glasses
* food or water
* casual contact
Many people who
are at risk for hepatitis C are at risk for hepatitis A and hepatitis
B. Check with your doctor to see if you should get hepatitis A and hepatitis
B vaccines.
Could
I already have hepatitis C?
Ask your doctor for a blood test for hepatitis C if:
* you ever injected street drugs, even if you experimented a few times
many years ago.
* you were treated for clotting problems with a blood product made before
1987.
* you received a blood transfusion or solid organ transplant (e.g.,
kidney, liver, heart) before July 1992, or you were notified that you
received blood that possibly contained HCV.
* you were ever on long-term kidney dialysis.
Why
should I be tested for hepatitis C?
Early diagnosis is important so you can be:
* checked for liver disease
* get treatment, if indicated. Drugs are licensed for the treatment
of persons with long-term hepatitis C.
* learn how you can protect your liver from further harm.
* learn how you can prevent spreading HCV to others
click
here for printable version
