Anyone who has not donated blood in the past couple years or been tested for Hepatitis C, please ask your doc for a test next time you are there, reguardless if you are in a risk category for it or not.
I was not in a risk category and I have it! I had a blood transfusion in 2001 and they have been testing blood supplies since 1988 or so. Luckily for me, I found MWO and went to my doc for topa, she did liver tests and in the end found out that I have this virus. Soooo many people I talk with online at the Hep boards have advanced liver disease caused by having Hep for 20 or 30 years! There are really no distinct symptoms. However if you find out early, like I did, success rates with treatment are so much higher.
It's only a blood test to find out! If you are shy about asking your doc, donate blood! In the US, the Red Cross will send you a letter saying they can't take your blood because you tested positive for Hep C. I think the UK is similiar, but I'm not sure about other countries.
Many docs are naive to this virus. Just because liver enzymes and funtion appear normal in a routine liver panel test does NOT mean you are clear. Many docs attribute abnormal liver function test to drinking alcohol. I'm thankful my doc didn't assume my elevated tests were only related to alcohol without checking further. Many friends I've met with this virus had docs that never tested further when their liver function tests appeared out of whack. Then several years later they found out they do have hep C and are in Cirrohsis. **** Standard liver function tests do NOT always appear out of whack when you have Hepatitis C. Please please get tested.
I'll give you a couple examples of how you may contract this virus, and not to scare you... Dentist..... Yes they clean insturments between patients, but there could be a microscopic speck of blood.... Pedicures, Manicures, Piercings(how many women have pierced ears?), Tattoos,etc.. If someone has Hepatitis C and their blood touches your blood you may get it - EVEN IF YOU DONT SEE THE BLOOD!.
Sexual transmission rate is very low, like 5%. My husband tested negative for it 6 months after I found out I have it. There are soooooo many ways to get this. I just want to pass on my knowlege and help as many as I can.
They call this virus the silent killer. As of the last count I'm aware of, there are over 2 million people infected. More people have this virus than AIDS, but it does not get as much media attention.
There is an online support board that I am a moderator on at Hepatitis C Support Forums If you or anyone you know has this virus, this site is great support, lots of fun and joking too!
:h
Marcie
I was not in a risk category and I have it! I had a blood transfusion in 2001 and they have been testing blood supplies since 1988 or so. Luckily for me, I found MWO and went to my doc for topa, she did liver tests and in the end found out that I have this virus. Soooo many people I talk with online at the Hep boards have advanced liver disease caused by having Hep for 20 or 30 years! There are really no distinct symptoms. However if you find out early, like I did, success rates with treatment are so much higher.
It's only a blood test to find out! If you are shy about asking your doc, donate blood! In the US, the Red Cross will send you a letter saying they can't take your blood because you tested positive for Hep C. I think the UK is similiar, but I'm not sure about other countries.
Many docs are naive to this virus. Just because liver enzymes and funtion appear normal in a routine liver panel test does NOT mean you are clear. Many docs attribute abnormal liver function test to drinking alcohol. I'm thankful my doc didn't assume my elevated tests were only related to alcohol without checking further. Many friends I've met with this virus had docs that never tested further when their liver function tests appeared out of whack. Then several years later they found out they do have hep C and are in Cirrohsis. **** Standard liver function tests do NOT always appear out of whack when you have Hepatitis C. Please please get tested.
I'll give you a couple examples of how you may contract this virus, and not to scare you... Dentist..... Yes they clean insturments between patients, but there could be a microscopic speck of blood.... Pedicures, Manicures, Piercings(how many women have pierced ears?), Tattoos,etc.. If someone has Hepatitis C and their blood touches your blood you may get it - EVEN IF YOU DONT SEE THE BLOOD!.
Sexual transmission rate is very low, like 5%. My husband tested negative for it 6 months after I found out I have it. There are soooooo many ways to get this. I just want to pass on my knowlege and help as many as I can.
They call this virus the silent killer. As of the last count I'm aware of, there are over 2 million people infected. More people have this virus than AIDS, but it does not get as much media attention.
There is an online support board that I am a moderator on at Hepatitis C Support Forums If you or anyone you know has this virus, this site is great support, lots of fun and joking too!
:h
Marcie
Comment