Prevention

• Is there a vaccine that prevents hepatitis C infection?
• NO.
  
  
• Is there another vaccine that may help prevent other diseases?
• There are vaccines for hepatitis A and hepatitis B. You can get them separately or together in Twinrixrx (against HAV and HBV). There are also vaccines against influenza and pneumococcus that are useful, particularly if you have HIV/AIDS or HIV/AIDS+HVC (hepatitis C).
  
  

Transmission

• Can I contract hepatitis C from having sex?
• Transmission can occur during unprotected sex, if the sexual activity involves blood-to-blood contact.
  
  
• Can the infection go away by itself?
• Yes, 15 to 20% of the people who contract Hep C clear the disease "by themselves" within the first 6 to 12 months.

What is Hepatitis C?

• Can I get a positive blood test, but not actually have hepatitis C?
• Yes. In this case, you are one of the 15 to 20% of people who succeed in ridding themselves of the disease (your body rejects it). The antibodies produced from having HCV in your body show up in the blood test. They will show up in blood tests for a long time and perhaps for the rest of your life.
  
  
• Is there a type of HCV (or genotype) that is more dangerous than another?
• No. But the genotype you have is important because the treatment is successful in different percentages for each genotype. Also, the number of months required for treatment differs according to genotype.
  
  
• Does hepatitis C have specific signs or symptoms?
• Most people (80%) experience fatigue and a lack energy. Other symptoms may include sore muscles and joints, skin problems, cryoglobulinemia, irritability, night sweats, nausea, etc.

Liver, cirrhosis, consequences

• What does hepatitis C do to my liver?
• It causes lesions that prevent the liver from doing its normal work. Since the liver is an organ that suffers in silence, you may not be aware of the damage being done to your liver.
  
  
• What is cirrhosis?
• Cirrhosis is a consequence of chronic liver disease characterized by fibrosis and liver lesions. The growth of these lesions leads to the death of liver cells, eventually resulting in liver cancer.
  
  
• What are enzymes?
• Enzymes are biological catalysts. Enzyme levels are an important indicator of a damaged or diseased liver. High enzyme levels are normally an indication that the liver has sustained a certain amount of damage. They are also an indication that the HCV virus is present.
  

• If my enzyme levels are normal, does it means that hepatitis C virus is "dormant?"
• No. The hepatitis C virus does not sleep! A number of factors may cause enzyme levels to fluctuate, including alcohol, streets drugs and prescription medication; however, enzyme levels are not indicative of the seriousness of the lesions. It is possible the have normal enzyme levels and still have significant lever damage.
  
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Treatment

• What are the side effects of the treatment?
• There are several side effects associated with HCV treatment. Nobody will have all of them at the same time throughout the entire treatment! Most patients will feel very tired and experience a lack of energy. Some people will go through the entire course of treatment without any serious side effects, while others will experience almost all of the side effects at one point or another during treatment (see CAPAHC's brochure "Treatment without panic!" for useful suggestions and advice). Talk to your doctor about your side effects. Your doctor will be able to refer you to a specialist who can try to alleviate and reduce your side effects.

• Medicinal herbs and HCV
• Just because the label says "natural" doesn't mean the product is harmless. Be very careful. These products must also be "processed" by your liver, and they may be toxic or cause interactions with your medication. You absolutely need to ask your doctor BEFORE you take any "natural products" or "over-the-counter medications".What is written on the product label doesn't necessarily tell you what's inside the bottle! Be VERY CAREFUL.. There is no such thing as a "magical natural product" that will cure your disease!
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Everyday life

• If I have hepatitis C, what kind of precautions should those around me should take?
• The only way the hepatitis C virus can spread is through blood-to-blood contact. To prevent transmission, people should avoid sharing personal hygiene items such as razors, scissors, nail clippers, toothbrushes, etc.
  
  
• If I have hepatitis C, do I have to be on a specific diet?
• It is only common sense to try to eat as healthily as possible. Try to avoid any kind of excess. Eat a wide variety of foods in order to get all the nutrients your body needs. Engage in moderate and regular physical activity. While you're on treatment, drinking lots of water can alleviate some of the side effects.
  
  
• Can I get pregnant and have a baby if I have hepatitis C?
• The risk of mother-to-child transmission may be up to 5%, and 7 times higher if the mother has both HCV and HIV/AIDS. While a woman is on HCV treatment, she should avoid becoming pregnant until 6 months after the cessation of treatment, because ribavirine can cause fetal malformations. This applies to both the man and the woman in the couple. Regardless of whether it is the man or the woman who is undergoing HCV treatment, if a couple wish to have a baby, they should wait until 6 months after the end of the treatment to start trying to have a baby.