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Hepatitis C: A
virus that causes inflammation of the liver. Although it can be
transmitted sexually, hepatitis C is most common among those
sharing intravenous drugs. A person with chronic hepatitis C
can be without symptoms for 10-20 years.
Do I need
testing for hepatitis C?
Treatment Available:
Chronic hepatitis C
may be treated with medications that fight viral infections.
Standard treatment combines two antiviral medications:
interferon and ribavirin. Talk to a physician for treatment and
about side effects of these treatments.
Symptoms of
hepatitis C:
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Acute Symptoms of
hepatitis C (1-2 months): |
Fulminant
Symptoms of hepatitis C(very rare):
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jaundice
nausea
abdominal pain
loss of
appetite
fever
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liver
failure
coagulopathy
jaundice
encephalopathy
death
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Chronic Symptoms
of hepatitis C (10-20 years): |
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fatigue
abdominal discomfort
weight
loss
decreased appetite
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depression
cirrhosis
hepatocellular carcinoma
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You should be tested for hepatitis C if:
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have received blood or blood products
prior to 1990
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have ever used intravenous drugs
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are a hospital or other health care
worker
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have acquired a tattoo or body piercing
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have had multiple sex partners
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are a dialysis patient
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are a hemophiliac
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were born to an mother infected with
hepatitis C
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received an organ transplant
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had other blood exposure, especially
outside of the United States
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Sexually
Transmitted Disease Statistics |
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