My father was just diagnosed with
hepatitis c. Aparently he got it in
childhood in africa in blood transfusion.
He couldnt be more sad.
I would like to know what are the
treatments for the worst species of virus
and their results. Is it a conttrolable
desiese and what are the chances of me
using his razor to get infected, as of my
mom as a wife to be infected.
Thank you for any help
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BJones
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 15 Oct 2006 Posts: 9
Re: Diagnosed Today Fo H C Posted: 10-16-06 00:38am
pittare
wrote:
my father was just diagnosed
with hepatitis c. Aparently he got it
in childhood in africa in blood
transfusion. He couldnt be more sad.
I would like to know what are the
treatments for the worst species of virus
and their results. Is it a conttrolable
desiese and what are the chances of me
using his razor to get infected, as of my
mom as a wife to be infected.
Thank you for any
help
there is one specific treatment for
hepatitis c which usually involves a 48
week course of a drug called interferon
combined with a drug called ribavirin.
These drugs are very expensive and can
have very undesirable side effects, but
they are currently the only effective
treatment for hepatitis c. Unfortunately,
the treatment is not always effective
(about a 40% success rate). Chronic
hepatitis c can remain relatively dormant
for a number of years before symptoms
become present, but damage is always
occurring to the liver. Without
successful treatment, one might eventually
develop cirrhosis and require a liver
transplant to survive. Hepatitis c is
passed entirely through contact with
infected blood, so sharing razors is not
advised as there is some risk of coming in
contact with his blood. Anyone living
with someone with hepc should be cautious
about sharing anything that might have
their blood on it (e.G. Razors,
toothbrushes, etc.), but there is a low
risk for contracting it from simple
contact. You cannot get the virus through
normal daily contact, such as hugging or
kissing. With your father having had it
as long as he has, it would be advisable
to have the rest of your family get a
blood test for hepc to confirm that it has
not been spread.
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Fairy Godmother
Supporter
Joined: 11 Oct 2003 Posts: 1492 Location: , Georgia USA
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No Need to Be Sad! Posted: 11-08-06 15:53pm
Just got a really good friend through the
48 week treatments! One shot every friday
night along with three (3) pills
(riboviran) in the morning and (3) pills
in evening. Your father will have to have
a liver biopsy to determine degree of
damage and then Dr.S can decide on which
meds to start. The main thing is to have
a positive attitude. Sure, there are flu
like symptoms and mood swings and feelings
of depression and tiredness..But be a
coach for him. Make him drink lots of
water to flush this through his system.
Pamperer him, but also encourage him day
by day....You can get through this! So
mayn people wimp out and stop the
treatment, but my freind finished and does
not have a trace in her blood now! Be
there for words of support. Yes, everyone
who lives with your dadshould have blood
test to endure they have not been
infected. It is transmitted through
blood, so just be extremely careful. Good
luck to you and you and your
dad.......Positive attitude!
