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Please note that this page is a section of the "Guidelines
for Clinical Management of Chronic Hepatitis C Virus" developed
for general practitioners, internists, and pediatricians by the
Guidelines and Protocols Advisory Committee and approved by the
BC Medical Association and the Ministries of Health Services and
Health Planning.
What is hepatitis C?
Hepatitis C is a liver disease caused by infection with a virus. Some
people have no symptoms or long-term effects from the infection. However,
most carry it for the rest of their lives and some develop serious
liver damage. Treatment can cure hepatitis C, but it is lengthy and
has side effects.
How is hepatitis C spread?
- Usually by contact with the blood of an infected person
- Rarely by having sex with an infected person
- An infected woman can spread hepatitis C to her newborn baby
during delivery
- Although rare since 1991, hepatitis C can be spread through
transfusion of blood products - you should inform your doctor
if you have ever received or donated blood
What will help you get better?
- Don't use alcohol (alcohol is a liver toxin)
- Don't use illegal drugs - if using drugs, use safely including
safe needle exchanges
- Eat well to help your liver heal
- Get vaccinated for hepatitis A and/or B if you have had no previous
infection or immunity
- The value of herbal remedies remains unknown
How can you protect others from getting
infected?
- Don't let others come in contact with your blood, e.g. a bloody
nose or cut
- Don't share needles or other equipment for intravenous drug
use, tattooing or body piercing
- Don't share spoons or straws for intranasal cocaine use
- Don't share anything that might have blood on it, like a razor
or toothbrush
- Tell your health care providers, e.g. dentist or laboratory
technician, that you are infected with hepatitis C
- Tell your sexual partners, although you have a low chance of
spreading the virus to them
- Use condoms especially for short-term sexual relationships and
multiple partners
- Use condoms during menstruation (because of possible spread
in blood)
You cannot spread hepatitis C by:
- Coughing, kissing or hugging
- Sharing eating utensils or drinking glasses
If you are a mother carrying hepatitis
C:
- You may breastfeed as the risk of giving the virus to the baby
is very low
- See that your baby is tested at six weeks and at one year
For updated information:
Guidelines - June 2002:
Please note that the current Guidelines (for general practitioners,
internists and pediatricians) were developed by the Guidelines and
Protocols Advisory Committee of British Columbia (GPAC) and approved
by the BCMA and the Medical Services Commission.
Hepatitis B: Click here Hepatitis
B Clinical Guidelines (PDF)
Hepatitis C: Click here Hepatitis
C Clinical Guidelines (PDF)
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