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You should be tested if.
- You were notified you received blood that possibly contained hepatitis C virus. (HCV) You received blood before July 1992.
- Ever shared drug paraphernalia.
- Have been stuck by a used blood needle.
- Been on kidney dialysis
- Have tattoos or body piercings.
- Had sexual activity that involves contact with blood.
- Shared razors, toothbrushes, etc. with others.
- Hepatitis C is spread by blood-to-blood contact.
Why did you receive blood that may have contained HCV?
- You may have received blood when blood donors test were less precise than today.
- The Discovery of HCV was reported in1989.
- First blood test became available May 1990 it identified most strands but not all.
- Improved test were put into use July 1992, but did not detect early stages.
Why you should be tested for Hepatitis C?
- If you test positive for HCV, it’s possible that you have chronic (long-term) liver disease.
You will need to see a doctor to:
- Check for liver disease and what stage.
- Determine if you should be treated for liver disease.
- Learn how to protect your liver form further harm.
- Lean not to spread HCV to others.
What if I don’t Feel Sick?
- Many people that have HCV have no symptoms and feel well.
- Most common symptom is extreme tiredness.
- The only way to tell if you have been infected with HCV is a blood test.
- About 4 Million Americans have been infected with HCV and most don’t know it.
- Weather you feel sick you should have a blood test for hepatitis C.
Who else is at risk of getting Hepatitis C?
- Anyone who ever injected street drugs.
- Healthcare workers exposed to infected blood at work.
- Babies born to infected mothers.
- Having sexual intercourse, but this does not occur very often.
Do I need to change my sexual practices?
- If you have a steady partner there is a very low chance of spreading HCV to your partner.
- To lower chances of spreading HCV you many decide to use a latex condom.
- Preventing infection is unknown, but proper use may reduce transmission.
- Ask your doctor to have your sex partner tested.
Do I need to avoid Pregnancy, or breast-feeding?
- About 1/20 th of infants born to HCV infected women are infected.
- There is no treatment to prevent this from happening.
- Most infants infected at the time of birth do very well in the first few years.
- More studies are needed to find out if they will have problems, as they grow older.
- If you give birth and are infected with HCV have your child tested.
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