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Author:
George Mckenzie

Hepatitis C is an inflammation of the liver caused by the hepatitis C virus. The hepatitis C virus is also known as the HCV virus. Hepatitis C transmission usually occurs through blood transfusions, hemodialysis, and needle sticks. HCV is responsible for most transfusion-associated hepatitis C. Cirrhosis and cancer can result from damage done to the liver by the hepatitis C virus.
There is no cure or vaccine for hepatitis C. There is only prevention. If you wish to avoid becoming infected with hepatitis C, take the following prevention steps:
Hepatitis C Prevention Tip 1: Do not use intravenous drugs. If you shoot drugs, stop and seek the help of a treatment program. If you can't stop, never share needles, syringes, water. Get vaccinated against hepatitis A & B.
Hepatitis C Prevention Tip 2: Do not share personal care items that might have blood on them, like razors and toothbrushes.
Hepatitis C Prevention Tip 3: If you are a health care or public safety worker, always follow routine barrier precautions. Be sure to handle needles and other sharp objects carefully and safely. Get vaccinated against hepatitis B.
Hepatitis C Prevention Tip 4: If you are thinking about getting a tattoo or having a body part pierced, be extremely careful. You might get infected if the tools have someone else's blood.
Hepatitis C Prevention Tip 5: Hepatitis C can be spread by sexual contact, but this is rare. You should also get vaccinated against hepatitis B. If you are HCV positive, do not donate blood, organs, or tissue.
Some patients with hepatitis C benefit from treatment with interferon alpha or a combination of interferon alpha and ribavirin.
Rest may be recommended during the acute phase of the disease when the symptoms are most severe.
People with hepatitis C should also be careful not to take vitamins, nutritional supplements, or new over-the-counter medications without first discussing it with a doctor.
Any substance that's toxic to the liver, or hepatotoxic, can be dangerous for someone who has been infected by hepatitis C. You should stop drinking alcohol. Even moderate amounts of alcohol can be dangerous because they speed up the progression of hepatitis C. Alcohol reduces the effectiveness of hepatitis C treatment.
For information on alternatives to traditional means of treating hepatitis C, see http://www.hepatitisc.name/alternativehepatitisctreatment.htm.
For more information on treatment with medicines, click on http://www.hepatitisc.name/hepatitiscmedication.htm

About The Author

George McKenzie is a freelance writer and webmaster of http://www.hepatitisc.name.

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A Quick Note From The Publisher... If you like the article above, you may be interested in the following article which is also related to Hepatitis... Hepatitis - Be Sure To Wash Your Hands Hepatitis is a Latin word, that means liver inflammation. It's usually the result of destroyed liver cells and inflamed cells in the liver tissue. Hepatitis can be caused by diseases that primarily attack the liver cells and can be listed into one of two groups, depending on how long the disease lasts. Acute hepatitis lasts less than six months, while chronic hepatitis will continue to last for more than six months. Most cases of hepatitis, are due to some form of viral infection. Some of these infections include hepatitis A, which is an acute form and can be transferred through contaminated food and drinking water. It can also be spread through contact with an infected person. Hepatitis B can produce both acute and chronic hepatitis and can be transmitted through blood, which can include transfusions or infected needles. Sexual contact with an infected person can also lead to hepatitis B. Hepatitis C can be transferred through blood and sexual contact with an infected person. Hepatitis C can become a chronic form of hepatitis and eventually lead to cirrhosis. There is a vaccine for Hepatitis A and B but unfortunately, there is no vaccine for hepatitis C. Hepatitis A, B and C are familiar names to most people, but there are other ways to get hepatitis. Ethanol, which is found in alcoholic drinks, can cause hepatitis. Alcoholic hepatitis can be mild or severe. People who drink alcohol in excess may also increase their chances of getting hepatitis C. Alcoholic hepatitis does not lead to cirrhosis, but cirrhosis is more common in people, who've been drinking alcohol for a long period of time. Some drugs have also been known to cause hepatitis and these include troglitazone, halothane and isoniazid. In the case of acute hepatitis, there maybe some...