Hepatitis C: Getting Support

Hepatitis C can be a lifelong condition, but it is curable. You can manage how it affects you. Discussing your health with your doctor and loved ones can help. So can taking steps to help keep yourself healthy. You’ll find that hepatitis C doesn’t have to control your life.

What you can do

Most people with hepatitis C have it for the rest of their lives. But many people never have any major problems. You can help keep hepatitis C under control.

• Follow up with your healthcare provider. Learn more about your condition and how to keep yourself healthy. Ask about treatments that may help your body fight HCV.

• Avoid things that can make hepatitis C worse. Drinking alcohol makes you much more likely to have health problems related to hepatitis C. So does using certain medications and supplements. By avoiding these, you can greatly increase your chances of staying healthy.

• Protect others from becoming infected. Learn how HCV (hepatitis C virus) spreads from one person to another. Then take steps to keep from spreading the virus to people around you.

Finding support

Talking to others with hepatitis C may help you feel more in control. Join a support group or log on to the Internet. Try the resources below for more information:

American Liver Foundation  800-465-4837  www.liverfoundation.org

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention  800-232-4636  www.cdc.gov/hepatitis

HCV Advocate  www.hcvadvocate.org

Hepatitis Foundation International  800-891-0707  www.hepfi.org

National Viral Hepatitis Roundtable www.nvhr.org