Factoids about Hepatitis C
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Naomi Judd, Pamela Anderson, David Crosby, Greg Allman, Steven Tyler, Ken Wantanbe, Natalie Cole, Keith Richards and Jim Nabors are all currently living with the hepatitis C virus.
According to the Centers for Disease and Prevention (CDC), more than 3.2 million people in the United States are infected with hepatitis C. Each year between 8,000 and 10,000 people will die from this disease.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) states "hepatitis C is a virus which causes inflammation of the liver." Hepatitis C can cause liver damage, cirrhosis and liver cancer. Currently, there is no vaccine to prevent hepatitis C. A blood test can diagnose it. It is also crucial that those infected with hepatitis C do not drink alcohol. Alcohol accelerates liver damage.
Hepatitis C is contagious. Acute and chronic hepatitis C are both forms of the hepatitis C virus. The first six months of hepatitis C is known as acute hepatitis C. Hepatitis C becomes chronic hepatitis C if the body can not rid itself of the virus. Hepatitis C becomes a chronic infection in 75-85 percent of people who are infected with the virus.
Hepatitis C may progress at a turtle pace. And, in some individuals, it may take between 10-40 years before any type of liver ailments occurs. Also, one in ten may have no symptoms of hepatitis C.
According to the NIH and the CDC, symptoms of hepatitis C include:
· Clay or light-colored bowel movements
· Dark urine
· Diarrhea
· Fever
· Fatigue or excessive tiredness
· Loss of appetite
· Nausea
· Vomiting
· Abdominal pain or swollen stomach
· Upset stomach
· Swollen ankles
· Joint pain
· Jaundice
· Longer than usual amount of time for bleeding to stop
· Bruise easily
Those who are greatest risk for hepatitis C are:
· People who share needles (drug users, tattoo recipients, etc.)
· People at risk for sexually transmitted disease
· Healthcare professionals who are pricked by an infected needle
· People with body piercings
We value and respect the experiences of all of our HERWriters, but everyone is different. Many of our writers are speaking from personal experience, and what's worked for them may not work for you. Their articles are not a substitute for medical advice although we hope you can gain knowledge from their insight.
Add a Comment1 Comments
You're wrong. Keith Richards himself said that he had hep-c but it cured itself. Do some more research next time.
August 25, 2011 - 4:19pmThis Comment