You And Your Liver Amys

You and Your Liver Amy V. Kindrick, M.D., M.P.H.

Hepatitis is a disease of the:    

Brain Heart Liver Intestines

Hepatitis C Is Caused By:    

A virus A bacteria A genetic defect Alcoholism

Hepatitis C Infects:  More people than HIV  The same number of people as HIV  Fewer people than HIV

Hepatitis C can be life threatening  True  False

There is a vaccine for hepatitis C  True  False

Hepatitis C can be spread by:  Contaminated food or water  Blood transfusions  Needle sharing  Tattooing and body piercing  Direct contact with blood (cuts, eg.)  Touching a person with hepatitis C  Sexual activity

How many people with hepatitis C will develop chronic liver disease?    

All About 20% About 50% Between 80% and 90%

Where is My Liver?

Normal Liver

Normal Liver and Gall Bladder

The Liver Purifies Your System

Storage

Synthesis

Transformation

What Is Hepatitis? • Infection or irritation in the liver • Causes – Viruses – Medications – Toxins

Is There Only One Kind of Hepatitis?

What Is Hepatitis C? • Caused by a virus in the blood of people with Hepatitis C • Damaging to the liver • Spread by contact with the blood of an infected person

<1 % 1–2.4 % 2.5–4.9 % 5–10 % > 10 % No data available

The Hepatitis C Virus

How Did I Get Hepatitis C?

Groups of People at Risk For Hepatitis C • • • • • • • •

Vets (especially Viet Nam) Cesarean section before 1990 Mother with hepatitis C before delivery Unexplained illness in infancy Alcoholic HIV-infected Hepatitis B-infected Prison inmates

You Can’t Get Hepatitis C From • Breast feeding • Sneezing • Hugging • Coughing • Sharing cups or eating utensils • Food or water • Casual contact

How Do I Know If I’m At Risk For Hepatitis C? • Ask your health care provider for a test if you – Were told that you received blood from a donor who later tested positive for hep C – Received a blood transfusion or solid organ transplant before July 1992 – Received blood products before 1987 – Have ever injected drugs (even once) – Have abnormal blood tests for liver function

What Are the Symptoms of Acute Hepatitis C? • Maybe none • Some or all of the following – – – – – – – –

Headache Nausea Vomiting Abdominal pain Jaundice Weakness and fatigue Gray stool Dark urine

What Are the Symptoms of Chronic Hepatitis C? • Often none • Fatigue • Cirrhosis – – – –

Weight loss Jaundice Swollen legs and abdomen Nausea and vomiting

Jaundice

Healthy Liver

Liver with Cirrhosis

What Happens If I Get Cirrhosis?

Esophageal Varices

Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Hepatocellular Carcinoma

How Can I Keep From Getting Hepatitis C? • Don’t share needles, works, or straws • Don’t share razors, manicure tools, or toothbrushes • Wash hands before and after shooting • Avoid contact with anyone else’s blood • Use clean needles every time

How Can I Take Care of My Liver? • NO ALCOHOL • See your provider regularly • Be careful with medications – Tylenol – Aspirin – Some herbs, vitamins and supplements

• Get vaccinated against Hepatitis A &B

Are Vitamins Always Healthy?

How Can I Protect Others? • Don’t donate blood, tissue, or sperm • Clean up spilled blood with a strong disinfectant, and keep skin injuries bandaged • Don't share razors, toothbrushes, pierced earrings, or other personal items with anyone • Use condoms if you have multiple sexual partners, or when having sex with an infected person • Don't share chewing gum or pre-chew food for a baby

• Make certain any needles or other sharp implements for drugs, ear piercing, manicuring or tattooing are properly sterilized (with bleach for 30 seconds twice)

What If I’m Pregnant? • 5 out of every 100 babies born to mothers with Hep C will be infected • Infection usually occurs around the time of birth • There is no treatment to prevent transmission

Are There Any Treatments for Hepatitis C?

What Else Can I Do?