Hepatitis Central

The latest research & treatment news about Hepatitis C infection, diagnosis, symptoms and treatments.

Frequently Asked Questions

Use the search field below to find answers to some of our most commonly asked questions posted by the Editors at Hepatitis-Central.com. If you cannot find the information you are seeking, visit our contact form.

However, please note, that we are not medical advisors. Any medical questions you have about your personal condition and treatment options should be directed to your personal health care provider.

Top Ten Most Frequently Asked Questions

A friend of mine recently found out they have Hepatitis C. Can I catch it? I recently had a baby, is she at risk?

Hepatitis C is not that contagious. Blood to blood transmission is the only way to contract the virus. In addition, it is not spread from mother to child at birth very easily.

Can Hepatitis C be transmitted through sex? Will I give Hepatitis C to my husband/wife?

According to the Centers for Disease Control, studies regarding the transmission of Hepatitis C through sexual contact (whether it is genital, oral or anal) show that body fluids such as saliva, semen or urine must contain traces of infected blood for contamination to take place. If there are breaks in the skin (or lining of the mouth vagina or anus) Hepatitis C has the potential to be transmitted through intimate contact where blood from an infected individual crosses into the bloodstream of the non-infected person.

Hepatitis C individuals in long-term monogamous relationships rarely transmit the virus to their partners. Around 2% of sexual partners of Hepatitis C infected people test positive for Hepatitis. But, it is unknown whether these people contracted the virus from their partners during intimacy, or through some other route.

Does a high viral load mean that I am very sick with Hepatitis C? My viral count recently went from 500,000 to 8 million.

Viral load is not an indicator of the severity of Hepatitis C.

There normally is fluctuation in viral load levels with Hepatitis C but there is no table or graph that demonstrates what normal fluctuation is.

We have spoken to people with viral counts totaling 30 million who feel great, and people with viral counts of 200,000 that can't get out of bed.

The only true reflections of possible liver compromise are fibrosis markers - determined either by liver biopsy or specialized blood tests.

Will I die from Hepatitis C?

According to the Centers for Disease Control only 20-30% of Hepatitis C patients will experience life-threatening complications due to Hepatitis C. Far more people die WITH Hepatitis C than FROM Hepatitis C.

Where can I go to talk with others that have Hepatitis C?

We recommend visiting the HCV Forum on Hepatitis-Central.com at http://forums.delphiforums.com/hepatitiscen/start. You can read through threads or you can participate yourself, it's up to you.

Do you know of any way I can finance some of my hepatitis testing?

It is our understanding that many hospitals have what is called a Charity Care Program.

To apply for this program you would complete an application, and often provide proof of income, but if you qualify, this program may cover blood tests and ultrasound up to $1000. Contact your local hospitals for more details.

Also if you are in Texas, the Texas Liver Coalition offers free hepatitis B & C testing and the PCR confirmatory test, education, literature, and resources to possibly get treated. Visit http://www.texasliver.org/ for more information.

How can I find a clinical trial in my area?

Check with your medical provider, support groups and the internet. Local medical centers and/or medical universities may also conduct clinical trials.

Visit www.clinicaltrials.gov and type "hepatitis C" into the search field on the main page.A listing of all current clinical trials testing medications for hepatitis C will appear. To find out more information about any given trial, click on the title for expanded details, as well as the criteria for participating.

Can herbal or nutritional supplements eliminate the Hepatitis C virus?

We have seen no evidence that shows that an herbal or nutritional supplement can eliminate the Hepatitis C virus. Companies that sell products that claim to 'cure Hepatitis C' are absolutely false. If there was a nutritional or herbal supplement that could 'cure Hepatitis C' where are all of the patients that have been cured? There are likely hundreds of herbal or nutritional supplements that can support the liver, however none are known to be 'cures'.

Why and how does milk thistle protect the liver?

Milk thistle extract reduces enzyme levels by protecting liver cells and reducing liver cell death. Milk thistle extract also protects the cells of the liver by blocking the entrance of harmful toxins and helping remove these toxins from the liver cells. Milk thistle also has liver regenerative properties - reinforces protein synthesis and accelerates the cell-regeneration process.

Why does the Hepatitis-Central.com site have so much information on Hepatitis C and not Hepatitis A or B?

Hepatitis A and B are not likely to become chronic infections. Hepatitis C is more likely to be a chronic condition.

Site Topics

  • Frequently Asked Questions

    Some of our most commonly asked questions and our answers to them.

  • HCV Symptoms

    You'll find links to a comprehensive symptoms list, as well as various studies and discussions about Hepatitis C symptoms.

  • Lab Tests

    What they are and what they mean. Helps you interpret & understand all the various hepatitis lab tests likely to be encountered.

  • Hepatitis C Genotypes

    Learn about Hepatitis C Genotypes and their variants.

  • Viral Load

    Provides detailed information on how to analyze and interpret viral load numbers as well as a link to a convenient Viral Load Chart.

  • What is...?

    Learn more about various Hepatitis C related topics, including HCV, Ascites, Biopsies, and much more.

  • HCV Medicines

    Numerous links to studies, info sheets, FAQs, and analysis of Ribavirin/Rebetron medicines.

  • Glossary

    Commonly used medical terms and definitions.

  • Hepatitis C Doctors

    A state-by-state and worldwide reference listing physicians who treat HCV, including an email link to submit your physician for inclusion.

  • Biopsy Info

    A comprehensive resource of information relating to the liver biopsy.

  • Cirrhosis

    Many discussions and analyses of cirrhosis, including causes, complications, pathology, symptoms, and much more.

  • Liver Cancer

    Liver Cancer/Hepatocellular Carcinoma studies, info sheets, FAQs, and analysis.

  • Liver Disease Medicines

    An exhaustive list of links to studies, info sheets, FAQs, and analysis of the various drugs used to treat liver disease.

  • Hep-Central Email List

    Sign up to learn about advances and breakthroughs in Hepatitis C research, including information about medical and complementary treatments.

  • HCV Links

    Convenient links to other sites external to Hepatitis-Central.

  • HCV Transmission

    Information about the transmission of Hepatitis C.

  • HCV Natural Remedies

    A number of herbal products useful in the management of liver disease.

  • HCV Books

    Recommended reading for those interested in hepatitis information.

  • Hepatitis C Forum

    A Bulletin Board for discussions on hepatitis, treatments, etc.

  • Hepatitis C Activism

    An easy way to get involved in urging our government to do more for Hepatitis C awareness and treatment research.

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