Most Hepatitis B carriers do not feel or look sick and will never suffer from any health problems associated with Hepatitis B. However, some carriers have an increased risk of becoming sick with liver disease. Carriers need to have the regular care of a doctor.
People who are not exposed to your or body fluids are not at risk for catching Hepatitis B from you. Therefore, you do not need to mention your infection to your employers, co workers or people you are in casual contact with. It is okay to share meals with family and friends.
WHAT YOU CAN DO TO TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF:
Avoid alcohol because it can damage your liver.
Tell your doctor that you are a Hepatitis B carrier. Discuss with your
doctor any recommended treatment or tests and the need to avoid certain medications.
If you inject (shoot) drugs, you could catch a more severe form of hepatitis.
Get help from a drug treatment centre to get off drugs.
WHAT YOU CAN DO TO PROTECT OTHERS:
Remember, carriers may feel healthy but can still spread the Hepatitis B infection to other people.
People who may be exposed to your blood or certain body fluids are at risk of becoming infected with Hepatitis B. To protect others you should:
Make sure your sexual partner(s) and all household members see a doctor
for testing and immunisation (protective shots) against Hepatitis B.
Tell your sex partner that you have Hepatitis B and use a latex condom
every time you have sex until that person can be tested and immunised against
Hepatitis B.
If you are pregnant, it is important to tell your doctor that you are
a carrier so that your new baby is started on Hepatitis B immunisations immediately
at birth. It is okay to breastfeed if your baby has started the Hepatitis B
immunisations.
Never share syringes and needles.
Never donate blood, plasma, body organs, tissue or sperm.
As with many types of infections, good hygiene offers the best protection
to others.
You should:
Never share cigarettes, toothbrushes, razors, scissors, nail files or
clippers, needles (for ear piercing or shooting drugs), or anything that may
have come in contact with your blood.
Cover all cuts, blisters, and open sores with a bandage.
Wash hands well after touching your blood.
Clean up blood spills. Then re-clean the area with a diluted household
bleach solution (one part bleach mixed with 9 parts of water).
Site Topics
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.
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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.

